For The Stars Have Sinned

That was the last time I talked with Jamaica. When we sat in each other’s class, we didn’t pay attention. Although there were some group activities after a quiz, we’re not fated to be groupmates so we couldn’t talk either. I didn’t mind it though.

People like her who like to control the emotions of other people to gain advantage for themselves were not suited to be with me. Or so I thought…

When the afternoon arrived, I went straight to the waiting shed opposite the University gate and waited for my pickup.

But, I’ve been standing there for several hours but still no one came. I called Gerard but he told me he was still taking Mama to the fishing port in the city.

“Just take the jeepney, Joy.”

I looked up at the dark sky. “But it’s raining, Mom. I don’t have an umbrella.” I raised my free hand and caught the raindrops from the roof of the waiting shed. I sighed.

“Just call Pipoy. He might have returned home to El Grande.”

“Alright, Mom.”

I hang up and dialed Mang Pipoy’s number. But he told me he’s still in Carcar. Sighing, I just told him to bring chicharon which the town was known for.

I looked at the gate of the University. There were a lot of cars moving out. Suddenly the rain got heavier and the cold wind blew past me. I hugged myself while roaming my gaze around the drenched place. Why did I forget the umbrella? I sighed for the nth time. There was a long queue at the jeep terminal and my stuff would definitely get wet if I wait in line.

I stood upright when I remembered Kervy. He works in Sumaya Heights and that place is just near Arbor where EGL is. I quickly grabbed the cell phone from my pocket and called his number.

“Rishell?” he greeted after answering the call.

Drawing a breath, I smiled even though he couldn’t see my face. “Hello. Are you busy now?” I asked.

He was silent for a few seconds before answering. “No. Is there a problem?”

“My driver can’t fetch me and it’s pouring hard in Argao. Are you free now? Uh, are you in Sumaya?”

“Yes. My cousin is here.” I heard footsteps on the other line. Kervy might be walking. “But I’m free if it’s you. Where are you now?” he asked after a few seconds.

“Outside the campus. In the waiting shed in front of the gate.”

“Wait for me and don’t entertain strangers.”

I smiled and nodded. “Okay!” Then I ended the call.

While waiting for him, I thought of going on a sound trip to Vine’s latest album. I was listening for a few minutes when a black pick-up truck pulled up in front of the waiting shed. It was a familiar car but it was impossible that Lyndon was here.

The driver’s door opened and Kervy got out. I was surprised when I saw his handsome face because he didn’t like black pick-ups. So why was he driving this car?Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

He stepped under the waiting shed and smiled at me. “Sorry for keeping you wait.”

I shook my head. “No worries.” I stole a glance at the shiny black pick-up. “Your new car?”

“No.” He laughed a little. “It’s my cousin’s. I just borrowed it.”

I shrugged. He walked and stood in the back door and opened it up for me. I smiled and thanked him before hopping in. Some raindrops stucked in my hair so I shook it a bit but when my eyes looked at the rearview mirror, my gaze caught someone sitting in the passenger door. That someone also looked in the rearview mirror and our gazes met.

The man sitting in the passenger seat chuckled when he saw my expression. “Seems like you’ve seen a ghost,” he commented.

Kervy sat in the driver’s seat. I swallowed hard before asking. “Do you know each other?”

Kervy glanced at me in the back and at Lyndon whose sitting in the passenger seat. “He’s the cousin I’ve talked about,” he said.

I frowned. What a small world!

I planned to call Lyndon later to ask where he put my things from the Port. After that rainy night in the Plaza, he drove me to El Grande. I could not retrieve my things because he was in a hurry at that time. I just remembered that my things were still in his hands now because next week, Levi and I will meet at their concert in Bohol and I plan to give him his reader’s gift. But I was ashamed to ask about my things since Kervy’s here.

I just looked out the window. The mist has increased and there are many stranded passengers in each waiting shed. I was thankful that Kervy and Lyndon spared their time to fetch me or else I might be one of those people.

My eyelids felt heavy. I didn’t know if it was the chattering of rain in the car’s roof or the rising of my body’s temperature, but I fell asleep in the backseat.

I woke up with something cold stuck to my forehead. I opened my eyes and Lyndon’s worried face was the first that I saw.

“You have a fever,” he said.

I slowly sat upright. That’s when I noticed that I was lying in the backseat and Lyndon was sitting next to me. Kervy’s missing and I didn’t ask his whereabouts especially since my head throbbed and my vision spun.

Lyndon caught my falling body quickly. “Stay still,” he said and carefully let my head leaned on the headrest of the chair.

“Where are we?” I asked him, voice was hoarse while trying to look outside the window. But he moved to block my vision, stopping me from moving around too much.

“We’re still in Dalaguete. You’re burning and Kervy’s out to buy a medicine.”

I nodded to him but I frowned when my head spun. I closed my eyes and hugged myself. The rain has stopped but the surrounding is still cold. When the cold air entered from the open window, I suddenly shivered.

He saw how distressed I was so he pulled me in his arms. I felt how warm he was and I sighed in relief, nudging my face at the crook of his neck and wrapping my arms around his torso. I felt him wrap his arms around my body too.

We stayed in that position until someone cleared a throat. I looked over my shoulder and I saw Kervy. He was carrying a small paper bag and I knew it’s the medicine. But his face was dark as he looked at Lyndon and me, although he didn’t say a word.

He opened the paper bag, drawing out the medicine, and handed me a bottle of water. I thanked him before taking it. A few minutes later, my mind became clearer and I realized that I was sitting on Lyndon’s lap.

Both my cheeks were hot from shame. I slowly left from Lyndon’s lap who is wearing a big smile while staring intently at me. Pursing my lips, I looked away. He might be messing with me since Kervy’s here.

“Are you hungry?” Kervy asked.

I looked at him and shook my head. He nodded before closing the back door, opening the driver’s door and sitting in the driver’s seat. He started the car while Lyndon was still sitting beside me.

I thought the ride to El Grande would be quiet but Kervy suddenly asked, “Do you know each other?”