In Chase of Lux

1 - First Encounter

Lux's Pov

"What do you wanna eat?" I asked Jared while holding onto his arm. Habang naglalakad kami papunta sa cafeteria, I noticed a few people glancing at us. Maybe it was because I was clinging to him too tightly—but I didn't care.

"Hindi ako gutom," he replied, his voice sounding a little lazy and distant.

I pretended I didn't hear it. Instead, I led the way to one of the Korean food stalls.

"You love bibimbap, 'di ba? I'll order two for us." I gave him a faint smile before stepping forward to order.

He sighed again. I felt it. That kind of sigh na parang pagod na. Not just tired from school—it's the kind of exhaustion I can't even explain.

We sat down at one of the corners inside the cafeteria. I checked the time—two hours pa before our next class. Sakto. I have time for him.

"Are you really not eating?" I asked softly, forcing a small smile.

He hadn't touched his food. He just sat there, staring at nothing in particular, his elbow on the table, chin resting on his hand like the world bored him.

That same distant look he's been wearing lately—it was all over his face again. No warmth. No spark. No trace of the boy who used to laugh with me over milk tea and chicken wings.

But I tried to shake it off. Ayoko masira 'tong araw na 'to.

Because today was supposed to be special.

He finally looked at me. And in that moment, something in his eyes shifted. Like he was about to say something he's been holding in for too long.

"Aren't you tired?" he asked, flatly. "Hindi ka ba nagsasawa?"

I blinked. Huh?

"Saan?" I laughed nervously, hoping he was just being moody. "Sayo? No. Of course not."

But he wasn't smiling.

My heart started to sink.

"Two years na tayo today. Nakalimutan mo ba?" I added, voice a little softer, a little sadder.

He stared at me like he didn't even hear me. Then slowly, he shook his head—this tired, annoyed kind of shake, like he was done pretending.

"You know what, Lux? I'm done. I can't take it anymore—"

My spoon froze mid-air, just inches from my lips.

"—how you always follow me around like you don't have a mind of your own. Are you obsessed with me or what? Ganyan ka ba talaga?"

I stared at him, wide-eyed.

What...?

My hand loosened. The spoon fell to the tray with a small clatter.

My heart slammed into my chest. Was this really happening?

He looked away, not even a hint of guilt in his face.

"I just... can't," he said again, quieter this time. "Nakaka-drain ka kasama."

Para akong nakalunok ng malaking tinik. Ang sakit. Ang bigat.

His words kept replaying in my head, over and over like an echo I couldn't shut off.

Draining. Obsessed. No mind of your own.

Like I was nothing more than a burden.

I opened my mouth but no words came out.

"We're done." he added, his voice final.