Dedicated to: Shin_Ryue

“Interco Street. Saturday. 4:30 PM exact.”

Napatango ako sa sinabi niya. Partner nga kami. After he delivered those informations Jane showed up.

“Nandito ka lang pala.”

She looked at Ashton while saying those words. She was looking for him. Napatingin siya sa ‘kin, wondering why we’re together.

“Akala ko nakauwi na kayo ni Gray?” She’s talking towards me.

I smiled a little. “Nauna na.”

“By the way, hindi muna tayo uuwing tatlo. Apat sana tayo eh kaso sabi mo umuwi na si Gray. Nakalimutan n’yo bang may session tayo ngayon sa Stadium?”

Oo nga pala, nawala sa isip ko. Lintek na Gray, nakatakas pa!

“Then, we have to go now.” Ashton said.

We nodded and began walking. It’s still quite a distance. We’ll pass by the field, the gymnasium, and then the music room.

I feel out of place listening to their conversation now. It’s all about Integral and Chemistry, so I can’t keep up. I’m just trailing behind them, entertaining myself by scrolling through Facebook. I wish Gray would show up to rescue me from this awkwardness again.

It will be quite a while before we reach the stadium. I noticed the two engrossed in their phones now, like they have their own world.

“Nagpa-gas lang ako saglit. Sumama ka na agad sa kanila.”

My system automatically felt alive after I heard his voice from my back. Tumabi siya sa ‘kin at hindi ko namalayang napangiti na pala ako.

His voice made the two looked at our side.

“Gray, akala ko umuwi kana?” nagtatakang tanong sa kanya ni Jane.

“I supposed to be not here if nakauwi na ‘ko.” He answered, sarcastically.

Napapikit ako sa sarkastikong sagot niyang ‘yon. Siniko ko pa siya dahil do’n. Ngunit hindi man lang niya magawang tumingin sa ‘kin. His eyes are fixed on Jane.

Medyo napahiya ro’n si Jane at napatingin sa aming dalawa ni Ashton.

“Oh, sorry, I just thought....” Jane paused. Hindi niya matuloy-tuloy ang sasabihin.

“We should be hurry. Mag-ga-gabi na rin.”

Ashton cut the scene. We agreed with him kaya nagpatuloy na kaming apat sa paglalakad. Nakarating kami sa stadium ng tahimik.

“Oh, there you are.”

Miss Eva welcomed us. Binati naman namin siya at pinaupo niya kami sa isang couch.

“Ms. Hernandez and Mr. Tan...” She started. Napatingin naman agad kami ng deretso sa kanya.  “I will give you now the list of costume that you wish to wear.”

“Yes Ma’am,” sabay na tugon naming dalawa ni Ashton.

“And you two...” She’s now pointing out Gray and Jane. “...assist them.”

Napatango naman si Jane samantalang walang ka-rea-reaksyon ang isa.

“Here’s the sample.”

Tinanggap namin ang listahang inilahad sa amin at agad na tinignan namin ito ni Jane.

“Oh wait. Naiwan ko sa office ang isang karugtong n’yan. Babalikan ko lang muna. Just wait here.”

Tumango kami at nagpatuloy nalang sa ginagawa. Nakaalis na si Miss Eva at tahimik lang ngayon ang dalawang nakatingin sa amin ni Jane na abalang namimili ng magagandang costume.

“Mas maganda ‘to. Bagay sa morena looks mo.” She suggested. I agreed kaya nilagyan ko agad ito ng check.

“Eh eto? Bagay ba?” tanong ko sa kanya while pointing out the gray one.

Nagtaka naman ako ng bigla siyang napangisi sa tanong kong ‘yon.

“Gray naman pala ang nais,” salita niya at pasimpleng napatingin kay Gray ngayon.

Her words made me very clueless. Napaisip pa ako ng malalim dahil do’n. And then after I realize it, agad akong nabilaukan. May bubble gum pa akong nginunguya. Agad-agad niyang tinapik ang likod ko pero mas lalo lang akong naubo. Lecheng bubble gum, kumapit pa sa lalamunan ko.

“May tubig ba kayo?” agarang tanong ni Jane sa dalawa na nakatingin lang sa nangyayari.

Mukha namang napabalik sila sa katinuan dahil nagsimula na silang maghanap ng tubig. Wala silang dala kaya nakita ko silang dalawang lumabas ng Stadium. Siguro para maghanap ng tubig.

“Pasensya na gurl. Pinapakilig lang naman kita pero mukhang iba ata nangyari,” saad niya habang tinatapik ang likod ko.

Hindi ko naman magawang magsalita dahil sa bwesit na lalamunan ko.

“Here, drink this.”

Napatulala nalang ako ngayong nakatingin ng diretso kay Ashton habang lahad-lahad ang mineral water na binili niya.

“Inumin mo na Mazie, baka hindi ka na makapagsalita n’yan.” Si Jane.

Tinanggap ko nalang ito at dahan-dahang ininom. Napabalik naman ulit sa pag-upo si Ashton habang pinupunasan ang pawis niya. I finished the water, feeling a bit relieved. As I closed the bottle, Gray arrived, also carrying water, sweating as well.

He noticed my empty bottle, so he took a sip from the water he bought. Surprisingly, he didn’t finish it and handed me the remaining half.

“Okay na ‘ko. Ikaw na umubos n’yan.” I refused. Pero sa tigas ng ulo niya. Kusa niya itong pinahawak sa ‘kin.

“It’s better to stay hydrated.” He reasoned. 

Inismiran ko nalang ang pagmumukha niya at no choice na ininom ito.

“Kinikilig ako.”

Biglang sambit ‘yon ni Jane out of nowhere.

“Na pa’no ka?” nagtatakang tanong ko sa kanya.

“Indirect kiss?”

Hindi ko alam kung mataray o mapang-asar ang pagtatanong niyang ‘yon kaya hindi nalang ako nag-react.

“Sorry for making you wait for too long. Natagalan lang talaga akong mahanap ‘to eh.”

Nakabalik si Miss Eva at ibinigay na mismo ang karugtong nung listahan. Matapos no’n ay nagpaalam na kami sa kanya dahil mag-ga-gabi na rin.

“Ginutom ako,” biglang reklamo ni Jane.

May nakita naman akong isang stall na nag-be-benta ng chicken skin kaya agad ko silang niyaya roon. Nagpunta nga kami sa stall na ‘yon at sinimulan ng bumili.

“Sarap talaga,” puri ko sa pagkain. Nakita ko namang napatawa bigla si Gray habang nakatingin sa ‘kin. Trip na naman siguro niyang sirain ang araw ko.

“You have something on your nose.” He mentioned while pointing his finger on his nose.

“Alam ko na ‘yang mga modus mong ‘yan.”

Tumawa lang siya sa tinuran ko.

“Meron nga talaga.”

The two of them glanced at us in confusion. I just shrugged, knowing that the guy was probably teasing me again. But I was taken aback when Ashton approached me. I suddenly felt nervous with him so close. Without saying a word, he touched my nose.

“Uwi na tayo,” biglang sambit ni Jane pagkatapos ni Ashton gawin ‘yon.

Tulala pa rin ako ngayong napahawak sa ilong na hinawakan niya kanina hanggang sa naramdaman kong nakasakay na sina Ashton at Jane sa isang bus.

Magkapareho sila ng direksyon kaya pwede silang magsabay dalawa habang pareho rin kami ng direksyon ni Gray na nakatingin sa ‘kin ngayon.

“Anong oras ka pa makaka-get-over?”

Napatawa lang ako. “Baliw, ihatid mo na ‘ko. Huwag mong sabihing iiwan mo na naman ako tulad kanina?”

He tsked.

That was his only response as he approached the motorcycle. He quickly put on the helmet and signaled for me to hop in. I immediately got on the back to avoid him leaving me again. I adjusted my bag before securely holding onto his waist. It was a necessity; he might speed off quickly.

“Wear this.”

Tinanggap ko ang helmet na ‘yon at agad na isinuot. Umandar na nga kami kaya napakapit pa ako lalo sa kanya. Mukhang tatawid na ata ako nito sa kabilang buhay.

“Bagalan mo naman dios ko!”

Hindi niya ako pinansin at muntik pang matalo si Flash sa sobrang bilis. Kung wala lang siguro akong helmet na suot ngayon, sabog na panigurado buhok ko. Nakarating kami agad sa bahay. Hindi nga umabot ng oras pero mamamatay ka naman sa nerbyus.

“Salamat at nakauwi ako ng buhay,” pagpaparinig ko sabay ibinigay sa kanya ang helmet.

“Huwag ka masyadong magtatalon at magsisisigaw sa kama mamaya. Baka makabulabog ka ng kapit-bahay. Goodnight,” salita niya at mabilis na naglaho. 
I entered the house and found Papa asleep in the living room. I smiled while admiring his peaceful face. Since Mama doesn't have work, he’s the one providing and taking care of our needs at home. We’re not just lucky to have him; we’re blessed. He’s a blessing to us.

I quietly tucked him in properly and headed to the bedroom. This isn’t typical for me; I’m usually too shy. I’m not a sweet and clingy daughter like others. If I ever do it, it’s always in secret. I passed by Mama’s room with my siblings.

With this simple life, I’m already content because my family is complete.

Looking inside, I saw my siblings soundly asleep, and Mama is still awake.

“Bakit gabi ka ng umuwi?”

Medyo hindi maganda ang tono ng tanong niya. Alam kong si-sermonan ako nito. Napalunok ako ng wala sa oras.

“May session kasi kami kanina Ma. Ako kasi napiling rumampa sa Intrams namin. Actually, simula ngayon gabi na siguro akong makakauwi. Pero ayos lang naman Ma huwag na kayong mag-alala. May masasakyan naman ako,” mahabang paliwanag ko.

Nanatili lang siyang nakatingin sa ‘kin.

“Anong ‘wag mag-alala? Ne hindi na ako makatulog dito sa pag-alala sa’yong baka na pa’no ka na. Ne hindi ka man lang nag-text o tumawag sa amin ng Papa mo kung ano ng nangyari sa ‘yo. Tignan mo Papa mo, nakatulog na kakahintay sa ‘yo pagod pa ‘yan sa trabaho. Tapos sasabihin mong ‘wag na kaming mag-alala?”

Napayuko ako sa sinabi niya. Hindi ko magawang sumagot.

“Pumasok ka na sa kwarto mo. Siguraduhin mo lang bukas na mapagkakatiwalaan ‘yang maghahatid sa ‘yo.”

I silently shed tears at what she said. I knew she was just expressing concern, and that’s why she was scolding me. I wiped away my tears and just nodded in response. I finally entered the room and closed the door.

I changed into different clothes and slumped on the bed, holding my phone. I decided to chat with Gray about him escorting me, so I quickly stalked him on Facebook. I easily found his official account and browsed through his profile before messaging him.

I couldn’t help but sigh after viewing his profile. Once again, trying to be cool.
He was wearing an all-black suit in that picture. Black leather, black pants, black shoes, portraying a bad boy look with earrings and beads while riding his motorcycle. He wasn’t wearing eyeglasses.

Teka.

Kanina lang pala ‘to no’ng nasa garahe kami. Sino naman kaya ang kumuha nito?

Umiling nalang ako at nag-desisyon ng mag-message sa kanya.

Me:
kailangan mo na talaga akong araw-araw na ihatid pauwi.

Na-seen niya agad ito kaya napahiga ako ng tuwid habang naghihintay sa reply niya.

Gray:
ano ka? sinuswerte.

I closed my eyes in frustration at his worthless reply. It seems I might need a lot of patience for this.

Me:
ako na bahala sa pang-gas mo

Nakita na niya at alam kong tawang-tawa na ito ngayon dahil na budol na naman niya ako.

Gray:
gas lang?

I typed my message forcefully on the keyboard. I almost crushed my phone in frustration.

Me:
magko-commute nalang ako!

I placed my phone on the edge of the bed with a bit of force. I closed my eyes as I was really tired today. I opened my eyes when my phone vibrated. I checked it and saw it was just Gray. Why is he calling? Is he feeling guilty?

“Oh bakit?” panimula ko.

I heard him laughed.

“Ano? Tatawa ka nalang? Tinawagan mo lang ba ako para tumawa? Ba't ‘di ka nalang tumawa mag-isa?”

“Chill, natatawa lang eh.”

I breathe heavily, trying to calm myself. “Alam ko namang ako ang happiness mo eh kaya iintindihin ko nalang.”

Napapikit ako sa sinabi kong ‘yon. Hindi ko ata kayang maging katulad niya. Nakakasuka.

Natigil ako ng tumahimik bigla ang paligid.

Namatay na ba siya sa kilig?

“Na pa’no ka na? Ako lang ‘to Gray.”

Hindi pa rin siya nagsalita kaya nag-desisyon nalang akong i-end ang call dahil nagmumukha lang akong tanga. Hindi natuloy ‘yon nang bigla siyang nagsimulang kumanta.

“I know it’s hard to remember. The people we used to be. It’s even harder to picture. That you’re not here next to me.”

I was literally left in awe after hearing his voice. I didn’t know he had this talent. I thought his only talent was his arrogance.

“You say it’s too late to make it. But is it too late to try? And in our times that you wasted. All of our bridges burned down.”

Ba’t ba niya ako kinakantahan? Wala lang ba siyang magawa at pinagmamalaki niya ngayon ang boses niya?

“I’ve wasted my nights. You turned out the lights. Now I’m paralyzed. Still stuck in that time, when we called it love. But even the sun sets in paradise.”

Narinig ko na ang kantang ‘to at ibang version ang pagkanta niya. Pwede na ngang pang-cover.

“I’m at a payphone, trying to call home. All of my change I spent on you. Where have the times gone? Baby, it’s all wrong. Where are the plans we made for two? If ‘Happy Ever After’ did exist. I would still be holding you like this. All those fairy tales are full of shit. One more fucking love song, I’ll be sick.”

“Why it wasn’t you who came up for nothing?”

And suddenly I stopped breathing for a second when Gray delivered those words in the phone.

“H-ha?”

I heard him sighed. “Wala, tulog ka na. Goodnight.”

Then he ended the call.