Bay of Strangers (Manila Girls #2)

Kabanata 25

TW: Drug abuse. Death.

You can skip this chapter if it's too much for you. I know it's not easy to talk, and reaching out for help may be hard—but please know that there are people who are always willing to lend their ears and listen. Just make sure that they are trustworthy.

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Kabanata 25

Sampal

The UPCAT is over. I was certain that I did well. I went to Uptown with River afterwards and I couldn't be more happy to spend time with him.  I never expected to be so happy about riding a jeepney... To smell someone else's perfume, to eat outside... I have never felt so happy...

I had fun. Sobra-sobra. Hindi ko alam kung bakit tingin ko'y hahanap-hanapin ko iyon. At tanging kay River ko lang matatagpuan iyon. Kung sakali mang maging masaya ako na hindi siya ang kasama ang dahilan—hindi magiging kasing saya kumpara sa kung anong naramdaman ko na kasama siya.

"Salamat sa pagsama sa akin, River... Thank you for making me this happy."

He smiled, fixing his hair—looking at our tinted windows.  "I'm glad I made you happy, Kamalei."

"Kamalei..." I whispered because it feels so good to hear it from him.

I don't like it when people call me that way. But with him—it just feels so right. The way his lips and tongue move looked like art itself and the sound that he makes, oh god—I could listen to it over and over again.

I could never hear my name the same way again... It feels right when he says it.

Sumulyap siya sa pintuan namin at ngumuso. "Gusto ko sanang pumasok kaya lang gabi na rin..."

"You can have dinner with us." Marahan kong sabi.

Umiling siya. "May kailangan pa rin akong asikasuhin."

"Ano?"

He smiled. "My college applications..."

Ngumuso ako, pinipigilan ang ngiti. Kanina, napag-usapan kasi namin ang iilang plano ko sa buhay. Nakinig siya sa akin, at hindi kailanman pinaramdam na sobra na ako. Buong panahon na nagsasalita ako, nakatitig lang siya sa akin at paminsan-minsang sumasang-ayon o nagbibigay ng opinyon.

Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na maramdaman ang tingin niya sa akin at ang pakikinig niya. It means a lot to me.

"Seeing you so happy made me want to pursue my dreams too."

"Hindi mo nga sinasabi sa akin-"

"Culinary,"

I stopped and look at him. Nagtaas ako ng kilay at ngumuso. Gusto niyang maging chef? Tinagilid ko ang ulo at inimagine siya na nakasuot ng kulay puting coat, toque, at apron.

Hmm, bagay...

"Bagay, Chef..." Ngisi ko.

"Uh huh... Suportado naman ako nina Papa." Tumango siya. "At matutuwa ang mga 'yon na mag kokolehiyo ako. I told him I don't want to go to College. It won't guarantee success."

"But it can help a lot." Saad ko.

Tama naman siya. Marami akong kilala na hindi naman nakapagtapos ng kolehiyo pero matagumpay sila sa kanilang mga buhay. Hindi naman talaga masisuguro ng diploma ang kinabukasan mo. Nasa sa'yo pa rin ang kapalaran mo. Nasa sa'yo pa rin ang magiging tagumpay mo. Pero malaking tulong din kung nakapagtapos ka at may diploma ka.

The possibilities are endless, but the actions can be limited so it's important that we always strive to seize the opportunities and maximize our actions.