The Sun in Her Eyes

4: The Blackbird

Panandaliang lumabas si Harika mula sa backyard garden ng mga Ishida. She sought for the trees, plants, and flowers grew there. Malinis ang buong bakuran lalo na iyong pebble pathway na nakadaragdag ng gaan sa paglalakad niya. Nakahalukipkip siya mula roon habang napapansin niya ang unti-unting pagdilim ng kapaligiran. It's quarter to six o'clock in the evening, and the sky will likely darken in the next minute or so.

Ilang sandali pa ay nahagip ng kanyang mga mata ang pagdapo ng isang itim na ibon mula sa tuktok ng punong nasa harapan niya. Sumaglit lang iyon doon, humuni at agad ding lumipad paalis. A black bird has a different meaning to her like a black cat, which represents bad luck. At hindi naman iyon itim na pusa para paniwalaan ang pamahiing iyon.

She sighed deeply and smiled as she walked and sat on the backyard's vacant bench. Pinagmasdan niya ang katabing maliit na pond kung saan banayad na lumalangoy roon ang mga koi fish, may maliit na water falls din na mapapansin doon. Masarap din niyang napakikinggan ang marahang lagaslas ng malinaw na tubig. That was the kind of backyard that easily curve her a happy smile. Totoong nakagagaan sa pakiramdam ang buong paligid. A sense of calming sensation slowly lingering through her.

Muling nag-vibrate ang cell phone ni Harika para muling pukawin ang kanyang pansin. She knew who it was all along—it was Slayter, who had never stopped calling and texting her. Ano ba ang gusto nito at ayaw na ayaw siyang tantanan? Imbes na kalmado lang siya dahil sa ganda ng paligid, muli na naman siyang nainis sa pangungulit ng dating nobyo. Should she answer his calls and shut him up? Kahit ano'ng gawin niyang hindi pagpansin dito ay hindi pa rin ito titigil hangga't hindi niya sinasagot ang tawag nito.

Sa pagkaasar ay nagawa na niya itong sagutin ng hindi bukal sa loob, "Slayter, would you please stop calling me?! Huwag ka nang magsayang ng oras na magpapalit-palit ng numero para lang tawagan ako. I'll never tire of blocking your phone numbers and calls. This will be the last time I answer your call; otherwise, I will report—"

"Harika, please listen to me first..."

Harika's jaw tightened. Matalim ang mga mata niyang nakatitig sa isang direksyon at nang muli niyang marinig ang boses ng nobyo noon, nagngingitngit ang mga ipin niya sa inis.

"I know you're not going to listen to my explanations for what happened to me and Jessica, it was just a dare! I realize it was my fault for doing shitty things behind your back. Hindi ko hinihiling na pakinggan mo ako o balikan, oo, inaamin kong naging gago ako... I should not have attempted what I was dared to do; I knew it was wrong. I just wanted to apologize for everything I've done wrong to you. I know you've already decided... but right now, all I want is our full closure to put an end to what we are. Could we please talk in person one more time?"

Slayter seemed to mean it. Harika heard his voice several times and knew he was speaking from within. Ngayong narinig niya ang nais sabihin nito, nagdadalawang-isip na siya kung pagbibigyan niya ito ngayon. Hindi nito hinihiling na magkabalikan sila o patawarin niya ito sa nagawang kasalanan. Slayter was requesting a favor in order to discuss the closure they both need. Should she give him a chance for the last time?

"Kung 'yan ang gusto mo, fine, pagbibigyan kita. Let's put an end to whatever the fuck this is! I don't want to be with you anymore," Harika said decisively and finally accepting what Slayter wished after all. Para din naman iyon sa ikabubuti nilang dalawa. Kung ayaw na niya, kailangan na niyang tapusin ang kung ano mang namamagitan pa sa kanila.

Harika heard Slayter's muffled sigh. "Okay, meet me in..."

Ibinaba na ni Harika ang kanyang cell phone nang marinig ang lugar kung saan sila magkikita at binuo na niya ang kanyang desisyon na makipagkita ulit kay Slayter sa huling pagkakataon. He wanted a formal closure to end everything between them.