Psalm's Law

II

I stood up when he abruptly stopped my hand. Sinamaan 'ko siya ng tingin habang alanganin naman siyang ngumiti sa 'kin.

"Bitawan mo 'ko." I said firmly. I have no time with his nonsense!

Hinigpitan din niya ang hawak sa 'kin, "No. Not until I hear your answer." He put on his poker face as if to convince me that he's serious for whatever he's been spouting since earlier.

"Stop pulling this kind of jokes on me. At kung seryoso ka man iisa lang sagot 'ko. Ayoko. No way. Hindi. Okay na?" asik 'ko at hinatak ang kamay 'ko na binitawan din naman niya.

Tumayo ako at hinigpitan ang yakap ng balabal sa katawan. Tinitigan niya lang ako at ganoon din ginawa 'ko sa kaniya. He kept opening his mouth then closing it again as if trying to say something but choose not to. He then sighed and lowered his head.

"I understand." He said, defeatedly.

Huminga rin ako ng malalim at pinakawalan ito. I know I should leave him now. Walang magandang maidudulot ang pagtitig sa kaniyang arteng paghihirap.

The thought that he came here to just asked me that, nudge a feeling of disappointment within me. While I do not hope for some grandiose reason of his sudden appearance, a part of me concluded that may be he came to see us... me, because he wanted to. We've been friends for years, maybe I think too highly of that friendship. Ayan tuloy, ikinagagalit 'ko ang totoong dahilan bakit siya nandito. Kasalanan 'ko pa rin kasi pinaunlakan 'ko ang sarili 'kong mag-isip ng ganon.

I'm pissed off of my own hypocrisy but it also anger me that I feel guilty looking at him all dejected now. Aakuin 'ko na naman! 'Di 'ka na nagbago Irish!

I sat beside him again, and he threw me a glance before he cleared his throat then straightened his back. Para siyang nag-iintay ng sermon na akala mo sinong kinakabahan pa. I almost smirked, remembering this is how he was when we're in our younger years.

"Is that the reason you came here?"

He gulped, "W-Well, I missed Nanay and Tatay.. and--yes, technically. But I swear makikipagkita naman talaga ako sa'yo... pag okay na sana lahat."

I nodded, "Kailan 'yung tinutukoy mong okay na ang lahat?"

"Hindi 'ko pa rin sigurado. Truthfully, I thought it'll be sooner than I expected. But with the things happening now, I'm not quite sure." He sounded solemn but more relaxed now.

"Hmm. Kaya ngayon 'ka nakipagkita kasi mas magulo na... ganoon ba? So, isasama mo 'ko sa gulo na 'yan?" I meant that as a joke but as I saw his eyes widened, I concluded that his problem is more serious than it seems.

"No! I mean-of course I won't do that to you!" he slightly panicked before closing his eyes for a bit, as if trying to regain his composure. Nang bumukas ito ay mas seryoso na ang ibinigay niyang tingin.

"It's just that... you're the perfect person for... this. And I couldn't think of anyone who could help me other than you." I can see his ears getting red, and I can't believe na ngayon pa siya nahihiya sa lahat ng cheesy lines na sinabi niya sa TV!

He sighed then looked at me, "I can't make things happen if it's not you Psalm Irish. And because I think that if I'm with you, that I think I can fix this mess. I hope you believe me." He sounded so sincere and troubled, that I almost felt guilty with my rejection of him earlier.

Umiwas ako ng tingin, at iwinagayway ang paa-ng nakabitin mula sa pagkakaupo. I have my doubts yes, but I know that I should listen to whatever reason he have.

"Ano ba 'yung problema? At kailangan maging assistant mo talaga ako?"

As if heaven smiled upon him, his face got more relaxed. Tensyonado nga siguro siya kanina. Am I too harsh on him? Well, he can't blame me! Para naman kasing tanga may pa-I need you, I need you pa!