Chapter 51: Chapter 51
David’s P.O.V.
My motorbike could no longer be repaired, so I ended up selling it at a junk shop. I didn’t want to do that because it was a gift from my sister—Diane. The problem was that—Mom and big sis would only be worried if I would still bring home my motorcycle’s smashed parts. I wouldn’t want to see Mom faint with her high blood.
Both of them were overthinkers, and they might think that someone was threatening my life because of what happened. Only Denise was bubbly—maybe because she was only twelve. Thanks to Chief Inspector Cortez for accompanying me. He even gave me a ride, so I got home before nine in the evening.
“Hey, why did Chief drive you home? Where did you go and where’s your motor? And don’t you have your watch with you? What time is it, Davido? You are supposed to be home earlier than six!” my sister threw me a series of suspicious questions when Chief Inspector Cortez left. Like Mom, my big sis used to call me Davido whenever she wanted to mock me or whenever she was pissed off by me.
Swallowing the lump on my throat, I decided to lie. “I’m sorry, sis. Someone s-stole my motorcycle in school. I reported it to the main guards there. The police came, and I’m glad that Chief was one of them. He guides me about what would be the next thing to do, and we also went to their station to file a report. Don’t worry, I’m fine. I’ll just go and change my clothes.”
“Wait, did you eat—” she was about to ask, but I cut her off.
“Yes, I’m done with my dinner.” I lied again and lifted my right hand while my back was facing them.
I didn’t wait for my sister to prolong our conversation anymore. I quickly strode inside my bedroom and closed the door. I texted Helena that I got home safe and sound, but I never received a response from her. She might have fallen asleep after I phoned her earlier.
After placing my backpack on the study table, I sat on the edge of my bed. Left with no other choice and even against my will, I lied in front of my mom and sister that someone stole my motorcycle.
It was a white lie to cover the truth, so they wouldn’t have to worry about me. I felt sorry for what had happened. I only had my motorbike in less than a year, and yet, I wasn’t able to take care of it. I didn’t think of my sister’s sacrifices. I ended up rubbing my palms on my face due to disappointment.
I knew that my sister worked hard to give me that, and I couldn’t imagine how many paychecks she saved just to buy me that kind of birthday gift. I couldn’t think of anyone else who was mad at me aside from Drew. That said, I shouldn’t have meddled with them earlier. Helena was correct, and I should have listened to her.
Drew was the only person who might get enraged at me, but I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. I would let this one pass since I didn’t have substantial evidence that it was his wrongdoing. The location where I parked my motorbike was a CCTV blind spot, unfortunately.
Wanting to forget about what happened, I decided to think about my girlfriend. I told her earlier that I was completely okay, but I was only trying to hide my fear. While speaking to her, my eyes paradoxically darted from left to right because I really didn’t know what to do next.
Hearing her voice somehow soothed the terror within me. But I couldn’t help myself to think about why she suddenly ended the call without hearing me completely responding, “I love you too.” Soon after, I ended up sleeping and dismissing my negative thoughts. I even forgot to change my clothes and eat dinner.
The next day, someone unfamiliar to me was waiting outside our gate. As the only man in the family, I checked who could that be and I was even beyond surprised when he delivered the latest model of a famous motorcycle.
This motorcycle brand was well-known here in Quego del Mar because only rich children could afford to buy it. I blinked my eyes a few times over and even brushed them with my knuckles because I couldn’t believe the fact that it was indeed addressed to me.
Although I didn’t want to accept this motorcycle, I was left with no other choice. The delivery man told me that he did not know where to return it because there was no originating address written, and the one who sent it as well. He just asked me to sign the receiving slip, then he left.
My name was written as the receiver, but I was still wondering because this might have just been mistakenly delivered to me. Fortunately, my sister went to her new workplace earlier in the morning. After resigning as a club dancer, she now became an office girl—like what she had promised me. On the other hand, Mom and Denise were still asleep.
At the back of my head, I must admit that something was urging me to ride this new motorcycle. I was excited, and seeing this waiting outside our house could transform my eyes into two big stars—I couldn’t contain my happiness. The feeling was indescribably over the moon. I wanted to ride this lavish motorcycle as soon as possible.
However, there was an odd feeling that it could be a replacement for my old motorcycle and the sender could be the perpetrator. With that thought, the possibility lurked into my mind that whoever destroyed my property wasn’t Drew. He could never buy this one for me and would surely end up using this all by himself.
Instead of using the motorcycle, I just carefully picked it up and carried the thing to the backdoor to hide it. After that, I took a bath, wore my uniform, made sure that Helena would drool over me the moment she would see me, ate my breakfast, and went to school.
I had no other choice but to commute. No matter how much I wanted to ride that motorcycle, I couldn’t do so until I learned who gave that one to me. Perhaps, my suspicion earlier could be wrong. Why would the perpetrator give me a brand-new motorcycle after wrecking the old one? It doesn’t make any sense. Doubts were still prowling on my mind, nevertheless.
Dismissing myself from overthinking, my feet stepped out from the jeepney and already brought me to the parking lot of our school without me knowing. I was excited to see my girlfriend, but I did not see Helena over there.
I came in a little late because it was still a sports fest, so I was sure that Helena already went inside the school. Actually, I came in late because I couldn’t satisfy myself with which unruly hairstyle would suit me the most. After a while, I decided to leave the parking lot and entered the school.
The two of us planned to study in advance today for the third grading period. I excitedly looked for Helena, but my forehead only earned a frown when she was not in the library and quadrangle, even in our classroom.
We only used to hang out in one place more often, so I didn’t want to think any further about where Helena could be right now. I decided to go straight there because I knew that it was the exact place where I could find my Helena.
But I just couldn’t help but wonder—with the fact that she came in here first—then this would be the first time Helena hadn’t waited for me in the parking lot. She hadn’t even texted me and informed me about her whereabouts.
Although I wanted to rush being with her, I carefully opened the door of the Music Room without making any noise. Then, I slowly peeked inside to see if my gut feeling was right. And bingo! The search was over. I wasn’t wrong because Helena was there and currently playing the piano with Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven.
Helena told me that it was a heartbreaking piece for her because it was originally entitled, ‘Almost a Fantasy.’ She said that the meaning of the song for her involved two people who still wanted to be together after saying goodbye, yet they both knew that they would never see each other again for the rest of their lives.
Little did I know that some hints of what would happen next to us were already in front of me, but I only ignored them. Instead, I put a sweet smile on my face. I was too smitten watching Helena while she was playing the piano keys and mastering the art of half-pedaling. Helena was too immersed in the music world—that she didn’t feel my presence towards her.
I was very eager to surprise her—to hug and kiss her—but I guessed it turned out to be the other way around. I was the one who got the shock of my life when I saw her swollen face, and that made my jaw literally drop.