Parang Kailan Lang

PKL: Labing-Pito

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Minsan talaga, sumasagi sa isip niya ang mga bagay sa kalagitnaan ng pagtatrabaho niya. Kagaya ngayon, may natanggap lang na bouquet ang isa sa attorney sa firm na pinagtatrabahuan niya ay naalala niya si Daisy.

Nangingibabaw ang mga bulaklak na mga daisies roon. The female attorney just let the bouquet on her table. Bilang isa sa mga staff roon ay maingat na inilagay niya iyon sa isang vase na sinalinan niya ng tubig. Masasayang lang iyon doon kapag di naalagaan, kahit man lang sa iilang araw.

Bumalik siya sa pag-oorganisa ng mga papeles bilang isang apprentice.

It was a distant memory of Daisy. He didn't know if she still remembers it but it was one of his favorite memories with her.

Kung ibang tao ay tingin nila sa alaalang iyon ay napakasimple lamang. Walang engrandeng eksena o kung ano man. He was just sitting on the armchair, listening to Lirio's storytelling about his adventures in Cagayan De Oro.

Then, he saw her talking with her friends, Jin and Kei. They were laughing about something that Kei said. Ilang metro lang ang layo nila sa isa't isa at katatapos lang ng klase nila sa Filipino. Male-late daw ang next subject teacher nila dahil sa biglaang faculty meeting kaya malaya silang mag-ingay at lumabas ng classroom.

Noah stealed some glances at Daisy. One of the qualities he liked about her was how her eyes shone whenever she spoke with her heart or moments when she was in glee. He always found himself looking at her. Tila ba nawawala ang mga alalahanin niya sa buhay kapag nakikita niya itong masaya.

She resembles the spring air, a fresh air that replaces his winter heart.

Maybe she noticed that he was looking at her, that's why she turned her head at him. Bahagyang napaawang ang kanyang mga mata, napahiya dahil nahuli siya nito ngunit nagulat na lamang siya nang ngumiti ito.

It was a warm smile that melted his heart. A part of him suddenly wants to run in excitement. Those eyes of hers that glows. That genuine smile which meant for him.

Sa sobrang pagkapahiya ay naiyuko niya ang ulo niya at tinakpan ng kamao niya ang nag-iinit niyang mukha. Lirio noticed it and questioned it yet he just kept silent. Seconds later, he found himself smiling secretly.

Nang dahil lang sa ngiti ni Daisy.

After his duty, Noah stayed on the overpass, facing the roads below. Dito siya napapatambay sandali pagkatapos niya sa trabaho. It was not an ideal place but it was one of the places that reminded him of something he couldn't let go of even though others would say it was impossible.

* * *

"Wala ka sa alumni meeting." Ang bungad sa kanya ni Shawn nang bago pa man siya maupo. Nandoon rin si Lirio na mukhang umeskapo sandali sa opisina nito. Siya man ay ganoon din nang malaman na nasa city si Shawn at wala sa lungga nito sa bayang pinamamahalaan nito. Isa kasi itong mayor sa isang maliit na bayan.

"Alumni meeting? Bakit ano bang meron?" Nagkatinginan tuloy ang dalawa sa tinuran niya na para bang alam na nitong wala siyang pakialam roon. May ideya siya kung ano ang pinupunto nito.

"Shawn and Jenny argued about the venue for our Alumni Homecoming this coming May. I notified you about it. Hindi mo naalala sa dami ng inasikaso mo?" nakataas ang kilay na tanong ni Lirio at sumandal sa upuan nito. He's still wearing his business suit from work same as him. Si Shawn lang ang nakasuot ng semi-casual clothes.

"Hanggang ngayon ba naman, nag-aaway pa rin kayo?" tanong ni Noah kay Shawn. Shawn just snorted while Lirio hid his amused smile.

"Whatever. As I was saying, the Homecoming will be in May and many agreed to have a three-day and two-night stay at her hotel," Shawn informed them.