Blinding Lights

Kabanata 14

𝔈𝔱 𝔪𝔞𝔫𝔢𝔱 𝔦𝔫 𝔞𝔢𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔫𝔲𝔪

I stared at the minimalist latin phrase on the wall, a old wall resembling those on Europe or France ruined wall, not sure  Astonished I continued to take a photograph of it, “Carlos pwede mo ‘tong gawing story!” Sabi ko. “ang ganda! Gawan mo nga ako ng story na ako ang bida.” I jokingly demanded.

Carlos chuckled while pushing my wheel chair following uncle who's busy talking to his friends. “Matagal ko nang ginawa,” he answered.

What? Matagal na? I know all of his works! How come I don't know that he made a craft inspired by me? “Hindi mo pinabasa.” Carlos scratched his nape while looking away. “Baka kontrabida pala ako sa kwento mo ah.” Komento ko. “Dapat naman iyong medyo kaaya-aya iyong characteristics ko! Kahit na bolahin mo nalang ng kuonti,”

“Hindi ko naman kailangang gawin iyon. Kahit walang pambobola tindig mo palang marami na ang nahuhulog paano kung swertehin pang maging nobya ka?” My heart hurt at his words, ganoon din ba ang naiisip ni Simon o hindi? Mahirap ipagwalang bahala ang mga sinasabi ni Carlos alam kong may nararamdaman siya sa akin at dapat sa paglakataong ito ay may maramdaman ako sa mga pasaring pagpaparamdam niya datapwat hindi ko magawang iwaglit sa isipan ko si Simon.
Still, my heart yearns for him... Badly. And sickly.

Tumama ang sinag ng araw sa aking mukha maagap namang hinarang ni Carlos ang sarili, “salamat talaga, Carlos ah. Thank you for staying kung may gusto ka sabihin mo lang baka kaya kong ibigay.” Sabi ko.

Carlos smiled that kind of smile that radiating with affection. “Pwede ko bang hingin ang pagmamahal mo?” I froze. “Hmm, too bad Simon have it now.”

“C-Carlos naman..”

“Should I seduce you more intensively Aicia? Time is running out and Simon seems had forgotten about you. Bakit hindi ka nalang maging akin? Hindi kita iiwan, sayong-sayo lang ako.”

Iling ang tanging sagot ko. Ipinagpatuloy niya nalang ang pagtulak sa aking wheelchair, he never let the awakwardness take the day. He acted like he never said anything, like he didn't confess. Lagi niyang tinatyansa ang lahat ng bagay pagkatapos gumalaw ng agresibo. Laking pasasalamat ko ng makita na si uncle pero agad ding nabura ang ginhawa nang makita ang nasa kanyang likuran.

Suot ang uniporme nito habang nasa tabi ang kanyang mga magulang. Napahawak ako nang mahigpit sa handle ng aking wheelchair, bakit siya nandito? Gaguhan ba ito? Hindi alam ni uncle kung ano ang itsura ni Simon nakwento ko ito noon sakanya pero tanging pangalan lamang.. Ni hindi nagkaroon ng pagkakataong maipakilala ko ang kasintahan sa ama-amahan.

“Oh, eto na pala si Aicia.” Masuyo ang ngiti ni uncle habang nilapitan ako at siya mismo ang nagtulak ng wheelchair. “Anak, they're the owners of the villa we rented..” He said. “This is my daughter and her friend,” pagpakilala niya sa akin. My sight shifted on his place his hands on his pocket while staring at me intently. Its super intense that if stare could kill I'll be dead now.

Carlos smiled and extended his hand to them for a handshake. “Goodmorning po,” he greeted. “Thank you for accommodating us, your place is great po. I'm Carlos Teaño a friend of Aicia,” mas idiniin ang salitang kaibigan na para bang may iba iyong kahulugan.

Ngumiti ang ginang siguradong kilalang-kilala ako nito dahil ipinakilala na ako ng kasintahan noon sakanya although it felt like bad but I know Mrs. Diaz won't think of me that bad. She's the most understanding person I know, “Aicia..” She uttered. Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin sa akin at sa anak niya. “What happened to you iha?” She asked worriedly. My tongue feels so stiff to answer. Paano ko sasabihin ang lahat kung ang taong hinahanap-hanap ko ay nasa harapan ko na. “Oh,” she noticed the uncomfort I'm feeling. “I’m so sorry for being insensitive. Bakit hindi nalang tayo pumasok sa loob at magmiryenda? We're having so much guest visiting our place but since Aicia is special we won't charge anything.”