"Yung mga naka sapatos na puti! Hulihin!" Jaq, the officer from the jail booth, shouted.
Nagkatinginan pa muna kami ni Rein bago sabay na kumaripas ng takbo. Tatawa-tawa lang si Mavros na naiwan, hindi na humabol. Itim kasi ang suot niyang sapatos.
"Next year kapag yung club na namin ang may hawak sa punyetang jail booth na 'yan... naku! Sinasabi ko sa 'yo!" gigil na gigil na wika ni Rein. Nakatago kami sa building ng mga senior high. May mga nakasalubong pa kaming mga nakatakas din mula sa mga nang hahabol.
I only laughed at her. Although exhausted from our endless running, I was still having fun.Umalis na kami sa pagtatago noong nag-text na si Mavros na ang mga nakapulang damit na raw ang hinuhuli. I was wearing a white t-shirt while Rein was wearing black.It was the second day of our Intramurals. If there's no mandatory requirement to attend this event, I would've just stayed inside my room. Saka, president ako ng klase. Ang pangitAng bigat-bigat ng dibdib ko. Parang may nakadagan at hindi maalis-alis kahit anong pilit kong pagpapakalma sa sarili. Ang mga mata kong nais kong iiwas sa eksenang nagbibigay kirot sa akin ay hindi sumusunod sa gusto ko. Sa halip ay nanatiling nanonood. Umaasang may mangyayaring pagtanggi mula sa matalik na kaibigan."Sebi, let's go." Levi tugged my arm and tried to pull me away.I pushed his hand away and shook my head. I want to stay and watch. To prove myself that Rafael will really reject that girl. I was holding onto that indifference on his face, angry and annoyed. I was hoping that it's because he doesn't want what's happening. "Sebi, tara na," pamimilit pang muli ni Levi."Dito lang ako.""Sebi,”"Manonood ako.""Pero nasasaktan ka." Ang lungkot sa boses niya ay hindi nakalagpas sa pandinig ko. It brought another shivering pain in my chest yet I chose to keep it unnamed.
The last day of our Intramurals, we were all inside the gymnasium to watch the school pageant.Mr. and Ms. ENHS. Evarein National High School.Magkakasama kami sa iisang row sa bleachers. Si Mavros, ako, Rafael, Atticus, at saka si Renz. That was our seating arrangement. We were all silent and awkward. Kahit si Atticus na kadalasan ay maingay ay tahimik din. Kapag may napupuna ay ibubulong lang kay Renz at tahimik na silang mag-uusap. Mavros would often glance at me and then Rafael, saka iiling na parang may nakakadismaya sa aming dalawa.While the both of us are giving each other a cold shoulder. I don't know with him, galit ba siya sa akin? Samantalang wala naman ako sa mood para magsalita. The tears that I shed yesterday alarmed me. I happened to realize how much he can affect me. "Reineste Liana M. Royo, 16, Yellow Team!" The crowd roared, especially our section to cheer for her. I smiled and waved my balloon as support. I
Their team did an underhand serve so it wasn't a struggle for us to catch it. Gigi, from my team, received the ball. Ate Ethel received it from her and passed it to me. A quick glance to where Sol is before I jumped and spiked the ball hard. It landed just in front of her, almost hitting her face. Nanigas siya at halos matumba sa impact ng bola. Hindi siya natamaan pero muntik na. Sinadya ko para matakot.Agad siyang dinaluhan ng mga teammates niya, she was close to crying. Ano? Iiyak siya ngayon pagkatapos niyang maghamon? Simula pa lang 'to, marami ka pang-aabangan."Are you alright?" Ate Ethel asked, faking her concern in a taunting way. Mamula-mula ang mata ni Sol sa pagbaling ng tingin sa kaniya bago sa akin. She glared at me and I gave a smug smile. Umiyak ka. Mas matutuwa ako.The game went on and whenever the ball lands to me, I always direct it to her. To the point that her teammates were already pushing and guarding her from the ball. Hindi
Ngumiwi ako at kumamot sa batok. "Sorry, kasalanan ko. Papaki-usapan ko si Coach na ako na lang ang tatanggap ng drill—""Ano ka ba, ate Sebi!" Pinalo ako ni Tina sa braso. "Ayos lang! Mabuti nga at ginantihan mo!""Deserve niya 'yon, ‘no!""Oo nga! Hinihintay ko talaga 'yong magiging ganti mo, ate, eh. Dahil alam kong—naku!""Kita niyo na? Kaya 'wag kayong magloloko sa training. Kayo ang sunod na isusugod sa clinic kapag ginalit niyo 'to," pananakot sa kanila ni ate Ethel sabay turo sa akin.They shrieked and whimpered with that thought. Ngumiti na lang ako saka nagyakag nang pumunta ng gym.On the way to the gymnasium, my phone beeped from my back pocket. Kinuha ko iyon at tahimik na binasa ang natanggap na mga mensahe. From: Rafael Where are you? Are you alright? From: Rafael Hintayin kita sa gym. Ngumuso a
"Dalhin mo 'tong listahan para hindi ka malito kung ano ang bibilhin. Pagkatapos mong dumaan sa hospital, ito naman yung mga bibilhin sa palengke. ‘Wag mong kakalimutan yung—akin na. Akin na at ililista ko pala at baka nga makalimutan mo pa. Naku at iyon pa naman ang pinaka-importanteng sangkap!"Mama went on and on and I just obediently sat down on the sofa, watching her and waiting for her to finally finish. Sa katunayan nga'y inip na inip na ako dahil kanina pa kami rito sa salas.It's already Saturday afternoon when she asked me to buy these things. Pinapatawag din daw kasi siya sa office kaya't 'di siya makakadaan. Pinapabili niya rin ako ng mga sangkap ng kare-kare dahil natitipuhan daw niyang magluto ngayon. "Ma, baka gabihin po ako.""Saglit, isa na lang ‘to—oh ayan! Nakalista na d'yan lahat. Lahat 'yan ay dapat mong bilhin. Ito ang pera, ang sukli, pang snacks niyo na lang ni Seira."Pagkatapos kong tanggapin ang listahan at pera ay nagpa
Mama confirmed and introduced him as his boyfriend. They were, surprisingly, dating for a year now. Sabi niya'y nakilala niya raw ito sa isang dinner party ng kompanya nila at naging kliyente rin. Hanggang sa magkahulugan sila ng loob.Napainom ako ng tubig noong masulyapan ang magkahawak nilang kamay. Remembering how his touch made me very uncomfortable. Noong maramdamang babaling siya ng tingin sa akin ay nagbaba ako ng tingin at itinago ang dalawang kamay sa lamesa. I... I don't trust him. I don't feel okay with this.Noong magsimula siyang puriin si Seira at kurot-kurotin ang pingi bago hahaplusin ay nanlalamig na ang buo kong katawan. I glanced at my mother and everything's just normal with her. Nakikitawa rin siya. Ako lang yata ang hindi mapakali."S-Seira," tawag ko sa kapatid para alisin ang atensyon nito kay Felix. "Ma... May cramps ako. Pwedeng ikaw munang maglagay ng kanin sa bandihado?""Huh? Okay, ate," masunurin
"Saan kayo? Date 'yan, ‘no!" pambabatikos sa akin ni Rein noong mapansin na naghihintay si Rafael. Mabuti na lang at uwian na at iilan na lang kaming natitira. Cleaners na lang ang nasa loob ng classroom at mga palihim na nakikinig sa usapan namin ni Rein. The look on their faces tells me that they were waiting for my answers."Tumahimik ka.""Ih!!! Madaya ka! Nangako tayo sa isa't isa na sabay tayong magkaka-jowa!""Noong grade 5 pa 'yon.""Oh my God!" She looked at me in accusation. "So, you're considering, huh? Sasagutin mo na? Sasagutin mo? Malandi ka! Sana all!""'Wag ka ngang maingay!""Shit! You like him? You like Rafael?" Halos isubsob niya ang mukha sa akin. I timidly looked around and almost blushed in embarrassment when I saw the other six of my remaining classmates in the classroom were also waiting for my answer."H-Hindi—""Gago! Ulol! Sinong nilo
Stunned, I wasn't able to answer quickly. I cleared my throat in hope of removing the sudden lump on my throat. I smiled at him and squeezed his hand that was holding mine. Bumaba saglit ang tingin niya roon bago muli sa akin. His eyes grew softer."Yes. I'm sorry kanina, were you worried?""Yes." He nodded languidly. "I hate seeing you cry.""Sorry, nag-alala lang ako kay Seira. M-Mag-isa lang kasi sa bahay.""Hey, don't apologize." Ngumiti siya at pinindot ang ilong ko. "I understand. Just don't jump out of the trike again while it's moving. You'll give me a heart attack."I chuckled. "Oo, sorry. Nataranta ako.""We'll tend your wound later," he said, pertaining to the little scratch I had from opening the gate hastily. Ngumuso ako at tumango na lang. Noon ko lang rin natandaan na nagkasugat nga pala ako. Though, it wasn't that big, it was still throbbing. Naipit kasi.Nilatag ni Rafael ang ba
Hindi ko na nagawang magpaalam nang maayos kay Renz pagkatapos niya akong ihatid sa building ng condo ko. I only got to smile a bit and nodded at him when he bid his good bye. At least, I waited for his car to go before I turned my back and went inside.Tulala ako buong oras na hinihintay kong tumigil sa tamang palapag ang elevator na sinasakyan. At nang makarating nga sa condo ko, dumiretso na ako sa banyo at naglinis.Pumikit ako habang dinadama ang tubig na bumabagsak sa katawan ko mula sa shower. It's draining how I can still see his image right before I entered Renz's car.Why did he even take a step forward? As if he was going to approach me.Rafael... Kailan mo ba balak bitawan ang puso ko?At kailan ko ba babawiin?Huminga ako nang malalim. I should really go back to sleep and take a rest. Mawawala na rin naman 'tong pakiramdam na ito kinabukasan. Ang mahalaga ay hindi ako magtatagal at aalis na rin agad bukas.I was drying my hair with a towel when I remembered that I left my
“Let’s raise our glasses for the newlyweds as they share another sweet kiss as husband and wife!”Nakangiti kong itinaas ang aking kopita katulad ng lahat. When they finally kissed, noon lang namin mahinang ipinukpok ang baso ng kurbyentos upang gumawa ng tunog while cheering on them. Mas lalong lumakas ang hiyawan noong pinalalim ni Levi ang halik at humawak naman sa batok niya si Rein na nagustuhan ang ginawa ng asawa.Their kiss ended after a few more seconds. Patuloy pa rin ang pang-aasar sa kanila lalo na’t namumula si Rein, noon lang nahiya noong nagsisigaw na ang lahat.“What a very passionate kiss from Mr. and Mrs. Fernandez! Talagang kinilig ang lahat!”Hinarangan ni Rein ang mukha niya at pabirong hinampas ang braso ng asawa. Levi only laughed and held her waist to pull her closer, earning another batch of screams from us.Pagkatapos kumalma ng lahat ay umupo na rin kami. May mga server na dumating para
Noong tuluyan na akong makalayo sa kanila ay saka ko lamang sinagot si Kenzo. “What do you mean I have a new project?” Rinig ko ang pagsalin niya ng tubig mula sa kabilang linya. Taking his time, I even heard him sipping his water and his big gulp was as if on purpose to tease me. Napahaplos ako sa aking braso noong humangin, nilalamig kahit kasalukuyang tirik ang araw. Wala sa sariling ibinalik ko ang tingin sa kabilang panig ng simbahan at nakitang papaalis na ang lahat para dumiretso sa venue. Nanatili ang paningin ko sa partikular na pamilyang halos pinapanood din ng lahat. Rafael opened the door for Sianna and even held her waist to guide her inside. Nakagat ko ang ibabang labi noong marahas na tumibok ng aking puso dahil sa nakita. Rafael then reached for the back seat, probably to check on their son who was seated there. Pagkatapos ay nakangiti niyang isinara ang pintuan ng kotse at nagulat ako noong bigla siyang bumaling sa direksyon ko! Hindi
Long before I realized that I lost my way from the perception of my sanity, I gripped my hand as I try to go back to the right path.The rapid of my heart wasn't helping and an act of a claw clutching it in agony tortured me more.Kailan ko nga ba huling naramdaman 'to?Hindi ko akalain na makikita ko siya rito. Hindi ako sinabihan nila Rein at Mavros. Hindi ako handa!Huminga ako nang malalim. Trying to convince myself that there are no more reasons for me to be affected by the fact that he's here, I smiled a little and had my eyes straight to the altar.Dapat ay matagal na akong okay sa katotohanang ito. Dapat... matagal na rin akong nakalimot. Ngunit talagang imposible."Ayos ka lang?" mahinang bulong sa akin ni Mavros na siyang nasa tabi ko ngayon.Ngumiti ako at tumango. Ngunit mas lalong lumalim ang kunot sa kaniyang noo
“On behalf of LAX Airlines and the entire crew, I’d like to thank you for joining us on this trip, and we are looking forward to seeing you on board again in the near future. Have a nice day!”"Thank you." I smiled at the flight attendant who attended me when I asked for help with my baggage. Ngumiti siya sa akin at tumungo bago nagpaalam.Dire-diretso ang lakad ko hanggang sa marating ko ang station two at napagdesisyonang doon na muna tumigil para tawagan si Renz na siyang susundo raw sa akin. Ani Rein, hindi na raw pala sila makakapunta rito dahil baka mahuli sa kasal. Ayos lang naman sa akin dahil naiintindihan ko, mas makakabuti pa nga."Saan ka?" tanong ko kay Renz na siyang kausap ko na sa telepono."You don't see me?" he said. "Maghanap ka ng lalaking nagwawagayway ng kartolina. Kita na kita."Napangiti ako at agad na inilibot ang paningin sa paligid. Bahagya pa akong natawa noong makita si Renz na todo
The next day, my phone was bombed with notifications from Rein and Mavros. Some of my other friends sent me friend requests and accepted mine. Kahit si Kenzo ay nakita ko sa listahan. Bahagya akong natawa dahil doon bago tinanggap ang kaniya.Rein Liana: Ellei Rolloque Velasco. Sebi, ikaw ba talaga 'to? Ikaw ba 'to?Rein Liana: Sumagot ka naman, oh. Parang awa mo na, Sebi. Miss na miss na kita.Agad kong sinalo ang mga luhang tumulo kahit nangingiti dahil sa pagbabasa ng mga mensaheng pinadala nila.Maverick Rosu: Sebi... Ikaw ba 'to?Maverick Rosu: We miss you so much. We're here, okay? Nandito lang kami. Kahit nasaang lupalop ka man ng mundo ngayon, handa kaming pumunta kung nasaan ka man para damayan ka. Mahal na mahal ka namin, okay?Mavros: Thank you for reaching out again. Talk to us when you're ready. Nandito lang kami.Maybe at some point, I regretted leaving them behind and had them searching for t
The crowd applauded as I bow my head and waved my hands to bid my farewell after finishing my speech. Hindi rin naman kasi ako pwedeng magtagal sa platform dahil may mga susunod pa sa akin at may sarili-sarili kaming time limit."Congratulations!" maligayang bati sa akin ni Kenzo na siyang may bitbit pang bouquet ng mga bulaklak noong nasa backstage na ako.Malawak akong napangiti dahil doon at nagagalak na tinanggap ang bulaklak na ibinigay niya. He smirked and tugged my arm to finally hug me."You did fucking great! I'm so proud of my girl!"I chuckled and slapped his arm in a mocking way. Napakinggan ko pa siyang ngumisi bago humiwalay sa yakap at ginulo ang buhok ko."Do you want to eat somewhere, Lei? My treat."I winced and nudged him. "No lies?""I swear on my sister's grave."Ngumuso ako para pigilan ang ngiti at saka tumango bilang pagpayag. Dahil doon ay marahan siyang natawa bago hinaw
By recalling everything that happened, I realized how much of a regret burden me still up until the recent time.Seira… it feels like I am living with a different person now ever since we were discharged from the hospital.Samantalang sa mga araw na bumibisita ako sa psychiatrist, natutunan kong luwagan ang kapit sa mga ala-alang sumisira sa akin.“What about painting?” Dra. Sanchez suggested. “You told me that you’ve tried before and it helped. What about… we focus on this activity first?”As I go along with the flow of life, I have found the hidden existence behind the obstacles that forced me out of my zone.I stared at the blank canvas in front of me. My mind, in a whirlwind of spectacles, as I try to figure out what to do first. At that very moment, I’ve conceded that I’ve reserved myself to the gloam of my torment that I’ve wasted a year of my life trying to figure out how to heal
“It would be better if you’ll let her stay here for a while so we can monitor her as well. What she’s going through, Ms. Rolloque, isn’t the type to be neglected further.”I presented to be asleep the whole time that Aunt Luzette was talking to the Doctor who checked up on me. I didn’t have to hear her diagnosis because I have already confirmed it myself ever since I spot on the symptoms of it. From my mind’s less capability of keeping me sane to the bruises that I’ve inflicted on myself.After a few moments, the Doctor finally went out and left us inside the hospital room where I am at. I heard Aunt Rolloque sighing in defeat, too heavy that I feel like I was already starting to become a burden to her. But what can I do? Eto ako ngayon. Kahit ang sarili ko ay hindi ko na makontrol.“I know you’re awake,” aniya makalipas ang ilang sandali. Hindi pa rin ako mumulat at nagpatuloy sa pagpapanggap. Sh