SILAS
The moment where we were announced as graduates, I couldn't wait to just turn around and go to Gen.
Hindi ko alam kung bakit siya nandito. It was surprising, I know. It's been almost a year and a half since we last talked to each other. That was when she visited Rus and told me that she didn't want me to have any contact with her.
I did what she asked me to do. Iniwasan ko ng mag-text sa kaniya. I hid my phone where her number's in it. I unfollowed her instagram and even unfriended her facebook account. Pero kahit naman gawin ko lahat ng yun, I'll always find a way to see her. It's not that difficult because we're in the same school.
The things I'd do for Genevieve Celeste.
"Congrats Silas!"
"Yo, Congrats!"
"Yeah, thanks. Congrats din sa inyo!" I greeted back my classmates as I made my way through the crowd.
I extended my neck. Parang giraffe kakahanap kina Joseph na kanina lang ay nasa likod.
"Silas, anak!" My mother hugged me so tight. Ngumiti ako pero ang mata ay nakatingin kahit saan.
Damn, Joseph.
Ang sabi ay babantayan si Gen.
"Silas, bro! Congratulations!" Tatawa-tawang sabi niya sa akin. He gave me a bro hug.
"Gago ka, nasaan si Gen?" I asked him.
He shrugged. Nanlaki ang mata ko.
"Lumabas na?"
"Sabi niya kasi may curfew siya." He shrugged again.
Damn that curfew. Walang curfew si Gen! Why would she even come here?
"Kakaalis niya palang naman. Pwede mo pang mahabol." He tapped my shoulder.
Without a second thought, I ran towards the exit door of the auditorium. Hindi madali kasi nga ang daming tao.
I wasn't an athlete nor a fast runner but damn, that was the fastest run I ever had in my life. Pagdating ko sa lobby ay hindi ko naman nakita si Gen.
Ang bilis niya namang umalis. Why would she come here and not greet me? Or say anything? Para ano?
It got me confused.
Huminga ako nang malalim. My phone vibrated. I sighed when I saw that it was just Seph calling me.
"Ano?" Iritado kong bungad.
"Nakita mo?"
"Damn, wala."
"Bagal mo kasi. Balik ka na dito. Hinahanap ka nina Tita."
I had no choice but to go back. Binagalan ko na ang lakad ko. That was a hell of a run.
"Ang bagal mo namang maglakad. Kanina pa ko naghihintay sayo." I looked up and saw someone at the top of the stairs.
My lips parted as I saw Genevieve, waiting for me. Nakatago ang kaniyang mga kamay sa likuran. She was wearing a small smile on her face. Kahit sa tipid na ngiti, ang ganda pa rin, huh?
"W-what?" My lips parted once more, "Gen..."
She slowly descended on the stairs. Nakatingin lang ako. While I was running, I was already thinking of the things I wanted to te her. Pero ngayon, ang nagawa ko lang ay tumingin habang pababa siya.
"Congratulations." She smiled, her eyes shining.
It was surprising that I wasn't nervous anymore. My heart was calm and my mind's a lil empty because I only think of her.
