First Love Of May

14

"Magandang gabi Cebu! Kamusta naman kayong lahat?"

The crowd went saying 'okay'. Parang mamatay pa sila dahil sa pagtitili. Na-flash pa sa screen ang mga banner na ginawa nila para sa kaniya. It was mostly made by girls who were younger than him. Maybe the same age like me, more younger than or more older than me. Actually, there were a lot who is in the line.

"It's good to be back in Cebu. The last time I went here was three years ago...." panimula niya. "And it's good to see the very beautiful Cebuano again."

Napailing-iling na lang ako. It's Zyle... that's Zyle. But I know it was sincere, ganiyan nga 'yung ugali niya pero kilala mo siya na totoo ang mga sinasabi niya.

"Hindi ko na po 'to patatagalin pa dahil may mga magagaling pa at matatalinong mga kandidato natin ang magsasalita pero sana po... ay huwag niyong kakalimutan ang tatay ko na si Alerick Villavieja para po sa Presidente," Sabi niya.

People endlessly cheered for him, like he was the one running for the Presidency.

"Number 9 po siya sa balota," he said.

Madali niyang pagpapakilala dahil kulang din ang time na nailaan para sa kanila. There were a lot of people who needs to talk and if ever magsalita siya ng isang oras siguradong aabot ang kami sa susunod na gabi dahil sa dami ng kandidat at mga performance.

As he was turning his microphone to the other guy, nakipaghawakan pa ito sa mga dumalo na nasa baba ng stage. He even kneeled to have a picture to the woman who grabbed him by the arm. Kalaunan ay bumalik na din ito sa pwesto niya sa upuan. Hindi ko na nakita ang ginawa niyang sumunod dahil umalis na ang camera sa kaniya.

"Tumakbo pala siyang Governor no?" Ligaya asked while curling her spaghetti using fork.

I nodded and sipped with my orange juice. "Oo, doon yata talaga siya masaya."

"Well, he's from a family of politician after all." she pursed her lips. "By the way, muntik na din siyang mabaril no?"

"Oo, noon sa Ilocos. Hindi pa nga alam kung sino ang may pakana." pagsasabi ko.

"People are all suspecting his father's rival right? But seems something is wrong." she uttered, thinking deeply.

Nakuha nito ang atensyon ko at mas pinokus ang mata ko sa kaniya.

"Something is wrong? Bakit?" I seriously asked.

"Oh well, the news haven't gotten to you." malumanay niyang sabi. "Something is wrong within the party."

"Hindi kita maintindihan." hindi ko talaga siya maintindihan.

Anong.. may problema sa party? Like ano? My mind is clouded with deep thoughts about the incident. I feel like I needed to ask Zyle about this. Pero naalala ko na wala pala ako sa pwesto na tanongin 'yon. I am not even part of his life! Pero nandoon din ako noon!

"What I'm telling you is--"

"Ma'am, pinapatawag po kayo ni Sir Zyle sa may side stage." Someone cut our conversation that made me irritated.

"Sige na Selina. l'll stay here muna baka kasi ayaw ni Russco na nasa labas ako." she smiled at me.

Napatango na lang ako pero sa kaloob-looban ko ay naiirita na ako. Malalaman ko na sana kung ano 'yon kung hindi lang dahil kay Zyle! But I can just asked him! Right! Pwede 'yon! Baka mag mas alam pa siya kaysa kay Ligaya.

As I went out in the tent, the loud noise immediately went to my ears. The shouts, the chants, the music and the lights were very evident and was very loud and bright. Sinundan ko na lamang ang tumawag sa akin. Marami ding tao dito sa may stage lalo na ang mga guards.