Happy Birthday, September

138

"It's been a while," I closed my eyes feeling the sea breeze.

Namiss ko 'tong lugar na 'to. Sa sobrang busy ko para magprepare sa NMAT ay di na kami masyadong nagkikita ni Sean.

We always make time for each other despite that. We respect our time for ourselves.

"I missed you," nagulat ako kasi bigla nalang akong yinakap ng lalake.

"Tumatagal nagiging clingy ka ah," biro ko. I heard him giggle.

I felt him hugging me tightly.

"Can you hear my heartbeat? Ang bilis 'di ba?" Tanong niya.

"That's because you're near me," he continued.

My heart skipped a beat when he said that. His words and simple gestures. His smile and giggles. His efforts and time for me. That's what I like about him.

My smile faded because I felt happy. Bakit ramdam ko na may kapalit 'tong kasiyahan na nararamdaman ko ngayon?

Kumalas siya sa yakap at hinalikan ang noo ko.

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"I suddenly remembered something! Nung kinder ata ako naglalaro kami ng habulan ng mga classmates tapos may isang bata na parang hinihingal siya. The teacher wasn't around so I immediately went to him. I told him to breathe slowly and be calm. Nag-panic talaga ako non! I even bought bottled water! He was crying so I gave him my handkerchief. He was so thankful. And that's how I realized I like to help people through healing and curing them."

Umiwas kaagad ako ng tingin nang ngumisi siya. He was passionately listening to me.

"Ser, san ka nag kinder?"

"Kingston, why?" I responded. Kinuha ko naman ang sandwich na baon namin at kumain.

"I went to Kingston too..."

Nanlaki ang mata ko. Totoo ba? The chance of us being classmates is big! It is an exclusive and small school.

Bigla kaming natahimik. I faced him and he was about to say something but I think he's hesitating.

"May sasabihin ka, ano yon?"

"Nothing. Nakalimutan ko," he smiled widely with his dimples showing. I pinched his cheeks.

"That hurts," reklamo niya.

I laughed at his reaction.

"May naalala naman ako! Alam mo ba bakit Chanel nickname ko sayo?"

I smiled. Sa totoo lang nagbibiro lang ako sa meaning non. Biglang nagkatotoo ata. Pero kasi di ako mahilig sa mga luxury brands, sadyang magkatunog lang sila.

He didn't respond. "Aren't you curious why?"

"What does it mean?"

"Sean for Chan part and the rest of the letters, 'wag mo na alamin," I giggled.

"Sabihin mo na. Pabitin ka naman," reklamo niya. I immediately stood and ran from him.

"Hulaan mo!" I teased him from afar. I started running as soon as he started chasing me.

Our talks, laughters, hugs, moments we share our doubts and insecurities, all of it. Not all people can see but we do cherish each other, and the calm sea and skies witnessed it.