A JOURNEY TO AUTRE MONDE

CHAPTER 4

I stood up when it was already dark. Baka nag-alala na sila. Pinagpagan ko ang aking puwetan at tumalikod na sa karagatan para umuwi ngunit halos matumba ako dahil sa gulat nang makita si Riche sa aking harapan habang nakahawak ng flashlight.

"Move the light away," I uttered a little bit loudly because he directed it towards me that made my hand covered my face. He calmed his hand downward and the flashlight he was holding was now pointing on the sand.

"Sorry," he apologized. I just nodded as a response.

"Why are you here?" I asked him. He looked away.

"They've told me," he replied without looking at me.

"Nag-alala ka lang eh," bulong ko. He immediately moved his gaze at me. Boom!

"What?" he asked irritatedly.

"I don't care about you. Hindi nga kita kilala," sabi niya at tumalikod na't naglakad pataas sa burol. Ouch. Sakit. Charot.

Agad ko siyang hinabol at hinawakan ang kaniyang balikat para pigilan. Tumigil naman siya at lumingon sa akin. Dala ng liwanag ng buwan at ng kaniyang flashlight, makikita ko ang mukha niyang suplado. Nakakunot ang noo at halos magkadikit na ang kaniyang dalawang kilay. Napakasuplado ng mukha niya ngayon.

"Hintayin mo ako. Bwesit," sabi ko ngunit ibinulong ko lang ang huling salita. He held my wrist and guided our way. Napangiti ako. Mabait naman pala.

"Have you found any answer?" biglang tanong niya habang naglalakad. I gulped.

"I think the answer I wanted will only be found while  living here," I replied. He didn't asked further. Naging tahimik na ang paglalakbay namin pauwi hanggang sa makita ko na sa malapitan sina Mama Formosa, Kley, Vero, at isang lalaki... baka iyan na si Papa Amour. Kumaway-kaway naman sina Kley at Vero sa amin. Kumaway ako sa kanila pabalik. Bumitaw na si Riche sa pagkakahawak sa'kin.

"What took you so long, Mal?" bungad ni Kley sa akin habang inabot ako ng mainit na yakap niya.

"I'm worried," sabi niya sa kalagitnaan ng aming yakap. I pushed her gently away from me, so that I could face her.

"Why?" I asked. She pouted. Cute.

"Akala ko umuwi ka na," sagot niya. Napatawa naman ako sa sinabi niya.

"I told you to wait for me because I'll be home," nakangiting sabi ko sa kaniya. She just kept on pouting while looking at me. I chuckled because she was very cute. I pulled her closer for a hug.

"Don't be sad. I'll be living for a long time here," I whispered. She didn't utter any word, instead, she hugged me tighter.

So, this is what having a true friend feels like?

I closed my eyes and smiled sweetly. That moment warmed my heart.

"Pasali." I opened my eyes and saw Vero pouting. Nakita ko naman si Mama Formosa at ang kaniyang asawa na tawang-tawa sa amin habang nakaupo sa mga upuang hugis bilog.

Kumalas si Kley sa yakap at humarap kay Vero. Pinandilatan niya ito ng mga mata habang nakapamewang na ikinatawa namin.

"Ayan na. Magbabardagulan na naman sila," bulong ng aking katabi na si Riche. Lumingon ako sa kaniya ngunit nakatingin lang siya sa kaniyang harap kung nasaan ay nag-aasaran sina Kley at Vero. Iba ang ngiti niya at ang pinapahiwatig ng kaniyang mga mata. His softness was painted all over his face. I couldn't help but to smile just like him. Nakakahawa ang kaniyang emosyon. Parang napalukso ako ng kaunti sa aking kinatatayuan nang magtagpo ang aming mga mata. His genuine smile slowly faded that made me felt the sudden doom inside.

"Sumunod na lang kayo sa 'min, ha? Maghahanda na muna kami ng hapunan." I was saved by Mama Formosa's goodbye from that awkward atmosphere that I felt like I heard the howling of the wind. I calmed my stiffened posture and turned my back on him to face Mama Formosa and Papa Amour who were now standing to go inside the house.

"Sige po, mama. We'll just stay here for a while muna," Kley responded and her mother nodded as a response.

A sudden imaginary bulb lightened my mind. Buti naalala ko.

"Wait," sabi ko habang papunta sa direksyon nina Mama Formosa at Papa Amour. I suddenly missed my parents.

Nang makalapit na ako sa kanila ay yumuko ako para hingin ang kanilang kamay.

"Mano po." Ibinigay naman nila ang kanilang mga kamay. Una akong nagmano kay Mama Formosa pagkatapos ay kay Papa Amour naman. Sumunod pala si Riche sa akin at nagmano rin sa kanila.

"Ikaw si Mallory?" tanong ni Papa Amour na may ngiti sa labi. Nakangiti naman akong tumango. Inabot niya ang ulo ko at ginulo ang aking buhok.

"Welcome home," mahinahong sabi niya. Parang nanlambot ang puso ko pagkarinig sa kaniyang sinabi. Napangiti ako ng pagkalaki-laki.

After that, they went inside the house while we were still staying here outside for just a while. I sat on the chair that Mama Formosa was sitting on a while ago. Lahat kami ngayon ay nakaupo na sa mga upuang hugis bilog habang nakatanaw sa kalangitan.

"May shooting star daw ngayong gabi," pambabasag ni Kley sa katahimikan. Lumingon ako sa kaniya ngunit nakita kong nakatanaw pa rin siya sa langit kaya ibinalik ko na lang ang aking tingin sa kalangitan.

"Can't wait," sabi ko.

"Do you love shooting star that much?" tanong niya.

"I don't know. I was not like this when I was younger. I just started to appreciate it when I grow up because I have many dreams and wishes," sagot ko naman habang nakatingin pa rin sa kalangitan. I guess we were all in awe of the sparkling night sky and a moon that was shining in full.

"Oh, interesting! Do you believe that it can make your wish come true?" tanong ulit ni Kley.

"I don't. I'm just desperate to make my dreams come true," I honestly replied. The atmosphere became quite for some seconds before Kley asked me another question.

"Then, what's that wish you're always dreaming of?"

"Peace of mind," I answered.