Sunray Of Reality

Sunray 23

When I was done, I wiped the side of my lips with the napkin as I fished for my wallet to pay but Chrysler said na I don't have to pay and it's all on him. I sighed as I close my wallet and put it back inside my bag. "Thank you for the meal," Ang mahal no'ng pagkain, 'di naman ako nabusog.

I went inside my car and just drove away from there. I saw that the van is behind me kaya alam ko na nakasunod sa akin ang mga bantay ko. Tumigil ako sa McDo and nagpark. I stood there in line and waited for my turn to order. May nahanap nang upuan ang mga gwardya ko kaya doon ko na dinala ang mga pagkain.

Pinagtitinginan kami maybe dahil sa mga kasama ko. Lahat sila ay matatangkad kaya nagmumuka akong sobrang maliit kapag kasama ko sila. But these guys are not talking maybe because they know that I'm not in the mood. But later on, sinusubukan rin nilang dumaldal to divert my attention. 

I appreciate that. I really appreciate them. 

Pagkatapos namin kumain ay niligpit na rin namin ang lamesa para kukunin nalang iyon mamaya ng crew. We went to the parking and I turned to them before we can even get inside our vehicles. "I only need one person to come with me,"

May puputahan kami ni Fal at hidi ko kailangan lahat sila. Kahit isa o dalawa lang. At baka bukas na ako pumunta sa dalawa pang sementeryo. Doon nalang muna ako sa isa kasi anong oras na rin.

Jude was the one who's with me. He's sitting on the shotgun seat while I'm driving. Wala siyang imik kahit na lumiko ako papasok sa isang sementeryo. I got out of my car and walked towards where she is. Naglatag ako ng maliit na tela and sat on it para hindi marumihan ang suot ko. 

Tinitigan ko ang lapida niya while biting my lip hard because I don't want to cry right now. I should be happy. 

Yeah, I should.

Because she's finally resting. She won't go through those sleepless nights because of the fear that she might not see light the next day. She won't have to worry if she will get hit again after doing one small mistake. She would not suffer anymore.

Before I could even shed a tear, tumayo na ako at pinagpagan ang pang-upo kasi baka may dumi. I also got the cloth form the ground and just threw it in a bin. Pumasok na ulit si Jude nang makita niya ako na papalapit. Nagdrive naman ako papunta sa village na sinabi ni Fal, kung nasaan 'yung park na lagi naming pinupuntahan.

Nang pinatigil ako ng guard na nagbabantay sa may entrance, ibinaba ko ang bintana. When he saw my face ay pinatuloy na niya ako. Baka sinabi na ni Fal sa kaniya.

I drove to the park and I already saw his car parked at the side. Ipinarada ko rin ang sasakyan ko sa likod noong sa kaniya at bumaba na ako. I walked towards his car and peeked on the window to see the inside but there's no one there. Asaan siya? 

I was about to turn around to start looking for him but a bouquet of flowers appeared in front of me and an arm encircled on my waist.

"Congratulations, babe," he whispered. I turned around to face him with a small smile on my lips. Nahagip ng mata ko si Jude na nakatalikod sa gawi namin kaya naman I wrapped my arms around his waist and just rested my forehead on his chest. "What's wrong?" He carefully asked as he gently placed his arm around me too.

"Nothing," I shook my head as I say. I feel tired. I just want to rest. He has been with me for some time now and he has put up with me and my attitude. I really appreciate that. I appreciate him.

When I think that a good minute already passed, humiwalay na ako.

"Let's go?" Pag-aya ko. Sasakyan niya ang gagamitin namin kaya lumapit ako kay Jude at iniabot sa kaniya ang susi ng sasakyan ko. "Kung gusto mong umuwi na sa condo, umuwi ka na. Kung gusto mong mamasyal, mamasyal ka. Kahit ano, 'wag mo lang ibunggo."

'Yan lang ang ibinilin ko tapos ay pumunta na ako sa sasakyan ni Fal and umupo sa shotgun seat. Nagsuot na rin ako ng seatbelt and turned to him.

"Saan punta natin?" I was staring at him when I asked.

"It's a surprise, Arki," there was a faint smile on his lips. Kahapon ko pa kasi siya binubulabog kung ano ba 'yung 'surprise' niya. When the car stopped, I though nandito na kami sa upuntahan namin but may inabot siya mula sa upuan sa likod at iniabot ito sa 'kin.

While my brows are furrowed, tinitigan ko lang ito. Anong gagawin ko rito? Dahil 'di ko naman alam ang gagawin ko, kinuha niya ulit ito mula sa 'kin at pinatalikod ako sa gawi niya kaya nakaharap na ako sa pintuan ng sasakyan.

When I look like I'm at a birthday party na may hawak na bat at hahampasin ang palayok, I felt that he drove again. So hindi pa pala doon 'yung surprise... 

"Malayo pa ba, Fal?" Tanong ko kasi para akong nahihilo na naandar kami tapos wala akong makita. Ang dilim.

"No, almost there," tumango nalang ako and few seconds, the car stopped. Pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto at inalalayan na makababa. Tanga pa naman ako, baka madapa. "So, we're not facing the main surprise yet, okay?" 

Tumango ako then I felt him handing me something. "Here's my first surprise,"

Tinanggal niya na rin ang piring sa mata ko. I blinked a lot of times first before my vision started to get back to normal kaya nakita ko siya at kasunod na tinignan ko naman 'yung iniabot niya sa 'kin. I think I already know what this is.

Pinunit ko ang gift wrapper na nakabalot dito at iniharap sa akin ang canvas.

And there, I saw a painting of a girl and a boy, dancing under the rain. They both look happy and... free.

I stared at it for some time before I bit the insides of my cheek to prevent myself from tearing up when I noticed that the two person... dancing under the rain... was us.

"How..." I was still staring at the painting. 

The rain was with them as they rejoice, as they show how in love they may be. 

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Twitter: vilarye