Under the Brightest Stars

33

33

I was greeted by a lot of flashes. I remained firm as I held my sunglasses closer to the bridge of my nose. My manager, Richard, took off his coat and put it on my shoulders. The bodyguards are trying their best to control the crowd and the reporters.

"How's Philippines, Frans?"

"I heard you went missing in action?"

"What's your next step, Miss Frans?"

I kept a straight face as I walked passed them. My patience is getting thin.

The moment I arrived in the US, a bunch of reporters swarmed their way around just to interview me. I don't want to talk to them right now.

Iningatan ko na hindi matanggal ang suot na sunglasses. My eyes were swollen. Hindi na ako natigil sa pag-iyak mula noong inihatid ako ni Santi sa airport.

The last days of my stay in the Philippines, I finished all my pending schedules. Santi and I also sneaked out sometimes, especially when everyone is already sleeping and the streets are silent.

Minsan ay magro-roadtrip kami. Magpipicnic. Bibisita sa mga private resorts. We were almost together everyday.

Sinusundo niya ako pagkatapos ng mga sched at bibilhan ng ice cream. He massaged my legs whenever I was too tired to get up. He showered me with kisses. Minsan ay parang baliw kaming sumasayaw sa condo niya ng madaling araw habang malakas ang tugtugin sa speaker.

We were spending everyday as if it's the last.

Of course, even forever has endings, too. My days fell short and he was the one who drove me to the airport. Naroon na si Richard kasama ang mga bagahe ko, sinisigurado na maayos ang kalagayan sa lugar. It was two in the morning... and God knows how I want to extend my days with him.

Kahit papunta pa lamang sa airport, hindi ko na napigilan ang paghagulhol.

"Everything will be okay, Princess," bulong ni Santi.

"Mamimiss kita..."

Malungkot ang ngiti na binigay niya sa akin. "Ako rin naman, e."

Hindi humupo ang iyak ko kahit huminto na kami sa tapat ng airport. I saw Richard looking at us from the inside. For sure I looked crappy the moment I faced Santi.

Nakangiti siya sa akin. Alam ko na pilit niyang tinatago ang kalungkutan. His beautiful monolid eyes can't lie to me. I can see right through it. And like him, I am also enveloped with sadness.

"I guess this is goodbye," mahina niyang sabi.

Mas humikbi ako. I leaned over to hug him real tight. Masyado akong takot na gusto ko nang bawiin iyong sinabi ko sa kanya. But of course, I don't want the nightmares to come back.

This time, we'll be properly saying our goodbyes. We will both have peace.

"Let's just rely under the brightest stars to light our way," he mumbled while I'm still hugging him.

Tumango ako kasabay ng hagulhol.

"Mamimiss kita, Santi," ani ko pagkakalas. "Sobra-sobra."

Mahina siyang natawa at hinawi ang iilang hibla ng buhok na nakaharang sa aking mukha. Kita ko rin ang mga namumuong luha sa kanyang mga mata.

"Fly high, Princess," aniya. "Kapag pagod ka nang lumipad, magpahinga ka sa 'kin."

Tumango-tango ako.

One last time, his soft pinkish lips made its way towards my mouth. Santi kissed me softly. It was careful as if I'm fragile and he's afraid to break me. When we pulled away, I bit my lower lip and gave him a small smile.