HINDSIGHT

007

I didn't sleep a wink. I stared at my ceiling hours after hours, writhe in my bed, tossing and turning. When I peered through the window, the morning glory had risen before I knew it. Hindi sa pagiging excited o ano man. Lagi lang akong ganito whenever the Christmas season is around the corner. Memories of my childhood Christmas keeps coming back to me vividly.

Although I hardly remember anything from my past, this particular event never slips my thoughts once the season comes. Those were good memories, but I cannot recall them fully. Siguro ay mas mabuti na yon. I occasionally regret what I've become. I've befallen a situation I didn't imagine in the entirety of my life.

I glanced at the bedside clock I have. It reads six o'clock. Madilim pa rin sa labas. Sabagay, Disyembre pa rin. I need to get up, we leave at seven-thirty for La Union. We've agreed on this place para maiba naman ang ambiance and Aira insisted on it. I gathered all my strength to stand up and fix myself. I still have a lot of preparation to do.

Ping!

My phone piqued my attention. Kinuha ko iyon at tiningnan ang notification. It was a text message from Theo. We've been talking everyday ever since the day I contacted him. He's good at prolonging a conversation. Kahit nga wala na akong masabi, nakakagawa pa rin siya ng paraan to elicit a response from me. I like that side of him. Ang effortlessly and smooth.

We talk over the phone as well. Ewan ko ba sa isang ito, hindi ata busy. For a man who owns a business in the field of hospitality, hindi siya mukhang stressed at busy. Lagi ko naman siyang tinatanong if he's busy and if I'm taking too much of his time. I don't intend to intrude as much as I have. He said he was fine with us talking and wasting countless hours talking over a series of complaints in his restaurants. Nakakatuwa nga kasi ang galing niyang maghandle ng problema. Madalas mga wala lang magawa ang mga customer niya at parang gusto lang talaga kumuha ng atensyon. It is evident naman sa reason ng complaint nila.

We also talk about our daily routines and how we start and end our day. Naka bakasyon pa ako ngayon kaya nasa lang ako palagi. Hindi pa ulit ako lumalabas ng bahay. I just engrossed myself in self-deprecation and self-loathing. Mga kadramahan lang sa buhay.

Good morning, beautiful! I hope you enjoy your trip with your friends :)) Ingat sa byahe!

When I converse with Theo, I always fight the curving of my lips, but I interminably fail at each attempt. He's good at giving compliments as well. Bagay na gustong gusto at hinahanap ko sa isang tao.

Good morning, Theo! I surely will enjoy my day :)) tinawag mo ba naman akong maganda eh

I laughed at my silly remark. Si Aira ang nagturo sa akin niyan. Pumunta kasi dito ang gaga noong nakaraan at nangialam sa cellphone ko. Ang cocorny raw ng reply ko buti hindi raw nawawalan ng gana si Theo na mag reply sakin.

I admit though, I am a dry replier. I think he probably knows that by now. What would she have me do? I grew up like this, I am accustomed to this. But I try my very best each time I am texting with Theo.

He texted Theo without my consent and I didn't expect how good she was at this sort of stuff. Tinuruan niya ako paano mag witty text and I learned naman. I am still in the process of learning, though. Linapag ko ang phone ko pagkatapos ko mag reply.

I grabbed my towel at pumasok na sa banyo. I've already packed my clothes for a three-day trip and along with it are some extra underwear and outfits. It's much better coming in prepared than being sorry. Binilisan ko na lang ang pagligo para maayos ko pa ang mga dapat pang dalhin.

After I got out of shower, saktong tumunog naman ang phone ko. Aira is calling.

"Yeah?" I put the phone on speaker so I could put on my clothes.