NOSTALGIA (La Mémoire #1)

XXI

XXI
narrative

There seemed to be a party that night. Maliwanag ang mansyon at mauulinagan ang makalumang musika sa bulwagan. Natatanaw rin ang magagarang damit ng mga bisita at ang makikinang nilang mga kasuotan. But I wasn't in the party, nor anywhere near the crowd of the elite.

I was in an open balcony. Natatanaw roon ang mga bituin na isinaboy sa kalangitan at ang kalakhan ng hardin na nababalot sa liwanag ng buwan. Mula roon, ang pang gabing hangin ay umiihip at pinasasayaw ang tela ng puti kong bestida.

But I wasn't alone. Before me, I caught sight of his lips that were the color of wine, his hair that was waltzing with the wind, and his eyes that were the combination of all things beautiful.

He had his hands around me and we were laughing as we danced from the softest echo of the music inside the mansion.

"I should go back to the party. Baka hanapin ako ng Auntie." Banggit ko sa gitna ng sayaw.

He looked a bit crestfallen when he nodded, like he didn't want me to go yet. I cupped his cheek. Bilang tugon, hinawakan niya ang kamay kong na sa pisngi niya at pinirmi ang titig sa akin.

He clenched his jaw tightly and heaved a deep breath. I grew worried as I watched his face be cloaked with nervousness.

"Don't go yet. May sasabihin ako." Halos kapusin siya ng hininga sa pagbanggit.

"Okay."

I stood before him waiting.

Then slowly, as if a dream unfolding, I watched as he took out a ring that was swimming in his pocket. It wasn't caged in a fancy box. It just came straight from his side pocket, which he was probably been keeping all night long. Sa hitsura pa lang ng maliit na kumikinang na singsing, labis na ang kalabog ng puso ko.

Kinagat niya ang kaniyang labi, kabado. Humakbang pa siya papalapit na halos hangin na lang ang distansiya sa pagitan namin. But I liked the proximity. I liked his cool scent, and the warmth of his heavy breaths that were almost the sound of his raging heart beats.

"When we're older, I'll marry you. Will you marry me too?" His voice, despite it shivering, sounded like a sweet cadence my ears.

I was stupified but I nodded in a heartbeat. I did not even think of that. It's like an impulse that I was made to nod for that question.

I watched as a smile of triumph crossed his lips. It was too sincere that I saw his eyes sparkling, he smiled like he had just won in life. I mirrored the same happiness. I knew we were young for such promises, but I knew too well about their value.

During that summer eve, I looked at him and vowed deep into my heart that I would never break my promise.

Nanatili kaming nakatayo sa veranda ng mansyon. Habang hindi inaalis ang mga mata sa akin, hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at pinagsiklop ang aming daliri.

"'Wag mo nga akong hawakan!" Tinaboy ko ang kamay ni Stav na dumapo sa kamay ko.

"Tinutulungan lang kita. Kaya mo ba 'yan?" Pinagmasdan niya ang bitbit kong may kalakihang Dior handbag.

"Oo kaya ko na 'to."

Umuwi ako sa bahay nila Zach ngayon para kumuha ng panibagong mga gamit. Syempre, dahil mukhang paninindigan niya na ang pagiging personal driver ko, sinundo ulit ako ni Stav. I made it clear to him na magpapasundo na lang ako kay Lyon pero maya maya ay nariyan na siya sa parking ng building.

"'Yan lang ang dala mo?"

"May nakikita ka pa ba?" I smiled sarcastically as I settled on his passenger seat.