Bay of Strangers (Manila Girls #2)

Kabanata 45

Kabanata 45

Flannel

The stars are dangling across the vast universe with only the clouds to accompany it. The night is as quiet and as peaceful like my mind. My heart is unexplainably calm—like rainbow after the rain. There are so many unfathomable feeling running through every crevices and veins of my body. I felt like a garden of gardenia flowers bloom from my heart, and it dug its roots at every corner of my being. This is the first time I felt so at peace after many years.

Like a cruel, violent waves searching and longing for the shore—finally, I felt at home.

It's already past midnight, however—I don't feel tired or sleepy at all. Gising na gising pa ang diwa ko. At masayang-masaya ako. Nasa sasakyan kami ni River. Inadjust niya ang driver's seat at front seat at doon kami nakasandal ngayon habang tanaw tanaw ang langit.

"What did you do to Germany with Arianna?"

"We went on a vacation." Marahan niyang sagot.

Nakatitig ako sa kanya, habang siya, nakatingala sa langit—nanumungay ang mga mata. Ginawa niyang unan ang matipuno niyang braso dahil yung dalawang throw pillow niya sa sasakyan ay binigay niya sa akin. Isa para sa ulo ko at isa para sa mga hita ko.

"Hmm, ang bongga mo talagang maging friend ano?" I said a bit playfully.

When he heard what I said, he glanced at me. He immediately found my accusing eyes and he rose his eyebrow like he wanted to decipher what I mean. I looked away, my smile grew larger.

"Kasama namin sina Lazaro, Lei. Isa pa, nauna akong umuwi rito. Pinaunlakan ko lang ang imbitasyon nila."

"Hmm,"

"Hey,"

"Hmm?"

"Look at me, Lei."

Hinarap ko nga siya. "Oh?"

He bit his lower lip, ran a tongue over it and shifted on his seat so that he can face me.

"Kamalei, I never liked Arianna. Even once." Umiling siya. "Naging magkadikit lang kami dahil bago ako umuwi ng Cebu noon, sa Hospicio ako nakituloy. Kapag nanatili ako sa Binondo, baka bawiin ko ang desisyon ko at balikan ka. Baka sa huli, mas masaktan pa kita ng tuluyan."

"Okay... Tinatanong ko lang naman."

"And I'm just being honest, Lei."

I smiled. I'm really so proud of him. He's like this brand-new person.

"Nabanggit pala sa akin ni Tita Marith na hinahanap mo raw ako sa kanya noong nasa PNPA ka."

"I did. I miss you a lot,"

"Well, I missed you too."

"I missed a lot in the past years, Lei. Please, allow me to get to know you more during those years."

"Maghahanda na lang ako ng PowerPoint presentation." I said, chuckling.

He pouted. "Really?"

"Joke lang. Masyadong matrabaho."

"Then should I prepare some for me? Gusto kong makilala mo ko sa mga nagdaang taon."

"Baka busy ka at makaabala pa sa trabaho mo. I am okay with this. Besides, I like this version of you."

A small smile appeared on his lips. He shook shi head as he bit it, as if it's such a music to his ears.

"Ano pa ang gusto mong pag-usapan? Mayroon pa ba?" Tanong niya.