Drawn to His Flame

Kabanata 13

Good

"Peace be with you."

Pagkatapos kong batiin ang mga tao sa palibot namin ay bumeso na rin ako kina Mama at Papa. My sister was giddily giving me the V sign which I also mimicked. Warmth bloomed inside my chest when I also witnessed the joyful exchange of greetings inside the church.

The angelic voices of the choir members started to dominate my sense of hearing. Para akong lumulutang sa ulap nang marinig ko ang magaganda at napakabanayad nilang mga boses. I was at peace not until the song hit the crescendo that completely left me agape because of how heavenly it was sung.

I returned my gaze at the altar when the priest started talking again. But my view upfront was limited because of Hiro's broad back. He and his family were seated in their usual spot, which was at the first pew. We were seated four benches away from them which might be the reason why he didn't recognize our presence.

I was staring at Hiro's mullet the entire time while listening to the priest. I was dying to know why he had allowed his hair to grow longer because as far as I remember, he prefers his hair short. Naudlot naman ang malalim kong pag-iisip nang kalabitin ako ni Katie. "Communion na, kuya," she whispered. Napatingin naman ako sa mga magulang namin na mukhang hinintay pala ako kaya napakamot na lang ako sa aking ulo.

Lutang ka talaga, Regan.

Habang naglalakad kami papunta sa harap ng altar ay bigla na lang akong nakaramdam ng kaba. While waiting in line, I took a glimpse of Hiro on my right. I saw him kneeling with his head bowed low. I unconsciously smiled because after a long time, I finally saw him.

God, I really missed my best friend.

Nang matapos ang misa ay nagtaka ako nang makitang naunang tumayo si Hiro. Baka hindi niya kami nakita dahil nilagpasan niya lang kami bago siya dire-diretsong lumabas ng simbahan.

"Oh, Regan, hijo! Nakauwi ka na pala!" Napalingon ako at napangiti nang makita ang nanay ni Hiro na lumapit na pala sa amin.

"Noong Biyernes lang din nakauwi ang anak ko, Hera. Masyado kasing busy sa studies," my mother answered on my behalf. I shyly smiled because of that.

Tinapunan naman ako ni Tita Hera ng kakaibang tingin pagkatapos. "Baka may iba pang pinagkakaabahalan ang batang 'to kaya hindi madalas nakakauwi sa inyo."

Napalunok ako dahil sa aking narinig. Tiningnan naman ako ni Mama ng may halong pagkikilatis kaya mas lalo akong pinagpawisan. Why am I feeling guilty?

Pero nagulat ako nang biglang magsalita si Katie. "Shy type si kuya kaya imposible po siyang magkajowa." I didn't know if I should be thankful for that. Pero dahil doon ay nagtawanan naman sina Mama at Tita Hera. Kinuha ko na rin ang oportunidad na iyon para magpaalam at hanapin si Hiro.

Ilang beses na rin yata akong nagpaikot-ikot sa parking lot pero hindi ko pa rin siya mahagilap. I was panting already so I just stopped walking and scanned my surroundings instead. A few seconds had passed when I caught sight of him emerging from behind a pine tree. Mabuti na lang talaga at hindi pangkaraniwan ang kulay ng polo na suot niya kaya madali siyang makita.

My best friend, who was wearing an olive top, was walking rapidly so I had to run in order to catch up. Habang papalapit ako sa kanya ay nakita kong may hawak siyang dalawang cotton candy. I didn't have to presume that the other one was for me because I already saw someone approaching Hiro.

The girl looked the merriest as she walked toward my best friend. The smile she had on her face was even brighter than her plaid yellow dress when she received what Hiro gave her.

Tumalikod na lang ako at nagsimulang maglakad paalis dahil ayaw kong makaistorbo sa dalawa. Ngayon alam ko na kung bakit hindi man lang ako binisita ng kaibigan ko kahapon kahit ipinaalam ko sa kanya na nakauwi na ako. He's already busy with someone so he didn't have time to reply to my messages or even talk to me personally.