SEIRI GRAGNE
"Okay ka lang?" Tanong ni Calix habang nililigpit namin ang mga gamit.
"Nope," sagot ko at panandaliang umupo sa likod ng kotse.
My feet are aching so bad. Ilang araw din kasi kaming naglalakad at pinasuot n'ya pa ako ng heels noong nasa Castle kami.
"Can you drive though?" Pag-aalala n'ya.
"Okay naman siguro. I'll just stop over if sumakit," sagot ko.
"I'll follow your car from the back. Pareho namang sa Edmonton tayo diba?" Sabi n'ya at tumango lang ako.
"Should we stop by the Tangle Creek later? Or 'di kaya ng paa mo?" Tanong n'ya ulit.
"No, it's okay. Sayang naman kung daanan lang natin," sagot ko.
"Uh, I bought these earlier," sabi n'ya at may nilahad na snacks at drinks sa paper bag.
"And also this," he brought out pain relievers and foot pads.
"You don't have to do this, you know? But, thank you," sabi ko at nilagay ang foot pads sa paa. He kneeled and helped me.
"Parang kasalanan ko kasi kung bakit sumasakit ang paa mo," sagot n'ya. Tinawanan ko ito at ginulo ang buhok n'yang halatang walang suklay.
"It's not your fault, silly."
I tapped the space beside me and he immediately sat down. Nilabas ko ang phone ko at in-on ang camera.
"Our last picture?" Sabi ko at inangat ito.
We both smiled at the camera and took several pictures. I guess we're parting ways now.
"You really never know if it's the last time. Malay mo magkita ulit tayo," he said.
I hope so.
@seirinity In a few years, I'd like to go back to this chapter of my life again. Let's meet in the future.
A notification arrived. It was Calix tagging her.
@calix_cortez you bring color to my dull life @seirinity.
He eventually took a lot of photos without her knowing. It was all candid but her face was showing extreme happiness.
She's a photographer and she wasn't once the subject of her photos. Calix on the other hand, his feed before was either black or white but now, it was filled with Seiri.
I looked at the sky. It was clear and the sun was looking down at us.
"Kung hindi s'ya ang para sa'kin, bakit naman? Ibigay n'yo na s'ya sa'kin," I silently said with hands clasped.
"Seiri?" Rinig kong tawag ni Calix mula sa unahan ng sasakyan. "We're all set to go."
Inalalayan n'ya akong makapunta sa driver's seat. Nilagay ko sa front seat ang mga binigay n'ya at nilagay sa cup holder ang botelya ng tubig.
"Sure ka ba talaga? Can you drive properly?" Tanong n'ya ulit.
"I'm fine, Calix. Ilang beses mo na 'yan natanong," sabi ko at natawa sa kakulitan n'ya.
"Well, maybe I could drive you home," sabi n'ya.
"How about your car?" Tanong ko.
"I can commute back here to get it," sagot n'ya na tinawanan ko ulit.
"Are you crazy or what? I'm really fine, Calix. You don't have to worry about me," I assured him.
He had no chance kaya tumango na s'ya at sumakay sa sariling sasakyan. I started the engine at naka sunod naman s'ya sa likod ko.
We kept driving until we reached the Tangle Creek. It was a creek on the side of the road.
Bumaba si Calix mula sa sariling sasakyan at lumapit sakan'ya. They both stared at the creek's full glory as the sun made it seem like its waters are sparkling.
"It's beautiful here," I said out of amazement.
I took out my camera and snapped some pictures with him in it. Mas lumapit ako sa tubig at naghanap ng magandang anggulo.
I turned to Calix and caught him staring at the cars passing by. Lumapit ako sakan'ya at nag tanong. "Why?"
"Nothing, I just feel bad for those people speeding up and didn't notice this beauty," he said and looked at the creek.
"It's like life, you know? People wants to speed up that they fail to see the beautiful moments they currently are in," sabi n'ya at diretsong tumingin sa mga mata ko.
"I hope they take their time and appreciate their surroundings. Life may be cruel but it is beautiful. All we need is to treasure it and remember it forever."
We remained silent for the following minutes. Calix was staring at the creek with his somber eyes.
I'm not in the place to inquire more so I just held his hand for reassurance that he got me.
"Let's go. Baka mapaano pa ang paa mo," sabi ni Calix at inalalayan ako pabalik sa sasakyan.
He was about to close the door when I held his hand.
"Bakit?"
A glint of sadness passed by his eyes. Are you okay, Calix?
"Nothing," I smiled and let his hand go. He smiled back and pat my head.
"Be careful. I'm just here behind you," sabi n'ya bago tuluyang pumasok sa sariling sasakyan.
I continued driving. I just realized that we really don't know each other that much. We only met for about a week now.
'Di ko maintindihan kung bakit... masakit sa puso.
Seeing Calix's gloomy eyes, something weighed on my heart. I just know, I don't want to see it again.
A few more hours passed and we entered Edmonton. Sa studio ako didiretso kaya doon kami huminto. Lumabas ako sa sasakyan at sakto namang lumabas din si Calix.
"Is this a goodbye?" Tanong ko sakan'ya. He shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, you know where to find me," sabi ko at sinulyapan ang studio.
"Masaya akong nakasama ka ng buong linggo, Seiri. Thank you for coloring my pitch black world even for a while," he said.
Pabiro kong hinampas ang braso n'ya. "You really won't see me?"
"Don't cry, baby," pinunasan n'ya ang namumuong luha sa mga mata ko. Why am I even getting clingy?
"I'll try."
"Aba! Siguraduhin mo lang! Hahanapin talaga kita sa lahat ng sulok ng Edmonton habang dala 'yung itak ko!" Sabi ko sakan'ya na tinawanan n'ya lang.
"I'll see you when I see you, Seiri," sabi n'ya at sinirado na ang pinto sa driver's seat.
While watching his car going away, I felt nothing except my melting heart.
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YOU ARE READING
4EVER
Romance"It was summer when I first met you. Fall when I officially owned you. Winter when I took my first step away from you and spring when I found you again. You're forever my summer, fall, winter, spring."
