A Kiss of a Thousand Words (Erlebnisse Series #2)

35

Pinatong ko ang braso ko sa railings at sumandal doon. Tumalikod ako kay Simonne para mabigyan siya ng hinihingi niyang oras para makahinga.

Mahingin sa balkonahe ng hotel room na pinapasukan ko. Dumating na sa punto na 'yung mismong hangin ay maririnig mo na dumadaan. Pero kahit gaano pa kaaliwalas ang panahon, hindi makakaila kung gaano kabigat ang paligid ng balkonahe na 'to ngayon.

Noong sinundo ko siya sa entrance ng hotel, namumugto at namumula ang mga mata niya. Of course, that alarmed me but when I noticed the light bruises on her face and extremities, my alertness became outrage.

Who would do such a thing? Who could even have such resentment for her that they would resort to physical violence? That's just inhumane.

I let her take her time. Wala akong balak malaman ang mga detalye ng nangyari kung ayaw niyang sabihin sa'kin. It's not my priority to know the story; what's more important is, right now, she feels she's safe, protected, and accompanied.

Even your mere presence can provide long-awaited peace the for some people. Maging diyan ka lang para sa kanila at iparamdam mo sa kanila na hindi sila nag-iisa sa mga problemang pinagdadaanan o bumabagabag sa kanila. Sapat na 'yun para makatulong sa bigat, hindi man natin nararamdaman pero nakagagaan ng loob nila 'yun.

"Arius, bakit nakatalikod ka sa'kin?"

"I just wanted to give you some space," I replied.

"Pwede ka namang humarap sa'kin. Likod mo lang tinitignan ko."

I ruminated about it, only turning my head back to her to check on her. Her glistening eyes got lost within the view of the city during this sunny afternoon.

"My dad was mostly never there, you know?" she spoke. "Because when they decided to call it quits, my mother had me completely."

I faced her completely so she'd have my full attention.

"So, when I approached him almost two years ago, I didn't expect he would turn me in when my mother kicked me out. Hindi niya ako kailanman binisita o pinuntahan sa bahay dahil galit sa kanya si Mama. Kinuwento ko sa kanya 'yung nangyari at pagtapos nun, kinupkop na niya ako at sabi niya tanggap niya ako maging sino man ako."

"Why are your parents living separately?"

"They have had issues in their marriage pero hindi pa rin sila hiwalay."

"Why?"

"It's downright bullshit because they don't want me to be a child of annulment. I didn't care much for that anyway."

"I'm sorry," I whispered, taking a step forward but retrieved it because of an afterthought that physical touch might not soothe her this moment.

She tried to smile, "You get the hang of it over time."

She bit her lip to stop it from trembling. Then, tears fell down her eyes like shooting stars. So, here I am, wishing to every single drop of tear for everything to get better for her. Nobody should have to live through this pain. Not even you, Simonne.

"Do you... want a hug?" I hesitantly asked.

I know physical touch may not be the best thing to do during this time but I don't know which method to go for to comfort her.

Ang tingkad ng sinag ng araw pero ang dilim ng hangin na bumabalot sa puso niya.  Gusto ko lang makatulong kahit kaunti para pumanaw ang dilim na 'yun at magbigay puwang para sa kahit kaunting liwanag man lang.

Tuluy-tuloy siyang tumango at tumayo papunta sa'kin. Binalot niya ang mga braso niya sa katawan ko at maingat kong pinalibot ang mga braso ko sa kanya.

We stayed like that for a few minutes until she stopped shaking and crying. Hindi na ako nagsalita muli pa. Kinakabahan ako na kung ano man ang sasabihin ko ay hindi lang makatutulong sa sitwasyon niya.

She rested her chin on my shoulder, wiping her face with one hand. I can feel her quivering breath escaping from her mouth.

"Ayaw ko na magsalita pa tungkol doon pero gusto ko lang sabihin na salamat," she spoke again. "Salamat sa yakap na 'to, Arius. I feel much, much better than hours ago. Nakagiginhawa pala mga yakap mo."

As much as I try to be a friend to her, it is inevitable for my feelings to stand in between it. My heart's racing but I want to dismiss it. It's thoughts like that which makes me wish I had no feelings for her or whatsoever.

I froze completely when I felt a light peck on my cheek. Dinadamdam ko 'yun pero mukhang wala lang sa kanya. Bumalik siya sa pagpatong ng ulo niya sa balikat ko.

Ang daya naman palagi.

"You're one of the people I hope that would stay in my life, Arius. I can't thank you enough for being here and all the other times I've been at my lowest. You're such a good friend."

Ang daya-daya talaga.