Unforgotten [Baguio Series #5]

Finale

Finale

"Naniniwala na talaga akong maganda ako."

Gusto kong humagalpak ng tawa nang makita ko ang isang picture frame na nakasabit sa k'warto ni Tyrone sa Nueva Ecija. Itinago niya raw 'yon nang matagal sa akin. Nahihiya raw siya na amining ginawa niya ito sa sobrang pagkakagusto sa akin.

"Wow, you really use it to boost your pride, huh?" Tyrone crossed his arms.

I smiled as I held the frame with the old design of fifity-peso bill. I can't even remember the exact day that I gave him this money as my fare. Ilang taon na ang nagdaan simula noong nagpaka-tricycle driver siya sa akin sa ikalawang pagkakataon.

"You know what? Balak ko sanang i-frame lahat ng mga ibinabayad mo sa akin noong college tayo, eh. Kaso si Lola, naipamalengke 'yung pera na nakuha niya sa k'warto ko noong naglinis siya. Mabuti na lang naitabi ko 'yang isa."

I chuckled. "You really like me before, huh?"

He smirked. "Ikaw din naman. You held my hand tighter just when I was about to walk again. And then you kissed me."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya bago humalukipkip. "Excuse me, Mr. Lopez, you kissed me!"

He chuckled. "You want that too, right? You told me that you want to do something. Ako na ang gumawa para sa 'yo."

I laughed saracastically. "Hoy, ang kapal mo! Ikaw nga d'yan, stalker ko pala kahit may boyfriend na ako noon!"

I flipped my hair and turned my back at him. I heard his foot steps and then he hugged me from behind.

"I won't easily back out until I achieved my dream--you."

I smirked before looking at him. "Ganda ko ba?"

He nodded with a smile, and then we kissed.

Matapos naming dalawin ang grandparents niya, dumiretso kami sa bahay ng mga magulang ko. It's been few months since the last time I went here. Nag-away pa nga kami ni Mama at nasampal ako ni Papa dahil sa pagsagot ko sa kanila nang ganoon. But everything's worth it because the pain I'm carrying because of their hurtful words became lighter.

Ang tagal kong dinibdib at sinarili 'yung sakit sa pag-aakalang tama sila. Maybe it's not really wrong to talk back with your parents, especially when you're proving a good point, right?

"Katrina."

I saw Mama's eyes immediately watered when she opened the gate for me. I pursed my lips and smiled at her.

"I won't say sorry for talking back at you and Papa. But I'm sorry for not visiting and talking to you for so long."

Mama cried before she pulled me into a hug. I sighed before hugging her back as my tears started falling nonstop.

"Hindi ka basura, anak. Patawarin mo ako kung 'yun ang naramdaman mo. Patawarin mo si Mama."

I tapped her back and nodded in response. I looked at Tyrone who's watching us now. He's just smiling and giving me all the time with my mom.

"Matagal na kitang napatawad, Mama."

When Mama calmed down, we went inside the house. Papa's doing some work in the kitchen--mukhang nagluluto ng miryenda nila ni Mama.