Destiny Played it Well

CHAPTER 78

1 year after....

It takes 7-8 months yung process of healing para completely akong maka kita. Masyadong naging complicated yung operation sa mata ko dahil akala talaga nila Mommy masasayang yung cornea na dinonate sa akin. Sa loob ng isang taon, nakailang balik si Simon sa New York to visit me, made me feel na hindi ako nag-iisa, ginawa niya lahat. Nakabalik din si Sandro but hindi din siya nag tagal dahil balita ko tumatakbo siyang Congressman sa Ilocos Norte. We didn't have the chance to talk formally dahil masyadong hectic ang schedule niya. Nung nag punta si Sandro dito halos hating-hati yung oras niya pero naiintindihan ko naman.

"Hey. You're here again." interrupt ni Simon. Nilingon ko siya na kakapasok lang din dito sa veranda.

"Mahangin kasi dito eh and ma mi-miss ko yung spot nato." I said. Ngayon ang balik namin sa Philippines after 1 year and 2 months, I guess? Babalik na kami dahil completely okay na ako.

"Remember the time you saw the world again?" panimula ni Simon at umupo sa tabi ko.

"Ikaw unang nakita ko nun." sagot ko na hindi siya tinitignan. Andon si Simon sa mga panahong kahit gusto kung umiyak, hindi pwede dahil baka mapano yung vision ko. He was there when I feel anxious, helpless and self-pity.

"What? Hahaha that can't be." sus kunwari pa eh kilig naman.

"Swear. Ikaw unang nakita ko nun. You were lying down next to me at the hospital. Nag snor ka pa nga nun eh." napakamot nalang siya sa batok niya. Miss ko yung mga reactions niya everytime na may sasabihin ako that makes him blush.

"Really? I didn't know. I thought the first thing you saw was the first snow here in NYC." hindi ko pa sinabi sakanya nun that time na nakakakita na ako. Binabantayan ko lang mga galaw niya, it turns out tinititigan niya lang pala ako tas nag-aantay siya sa mga kukunin kung bagay para siya mismo ang mag-abot.

"Yes, really. Sarap mo pag tripan eh." biro ko.

"That's so mean HAHAHA..."and we both laugh.

"Grabi noh? Time flies so fast. Pabalik-balik ka din dito sa New York, kala mo tatawid ka lang ng daan eh." biro ko pa. Ginawa niya lang kapit bahay ang New York to Manila. Ibang klasi din tibay ng katawan ni Simon, ako yung napapagod sa flight niya dito. "Tas yung trabaho mo naiiwan mo dun."

"I always bring my work with me whether I'm here or in Manila. Don't you worry, I'm totally fine specially now that you're okay and can able to see." he explained.

"Di ba nag tataka si Mom mo at si Mr. PBBM na palagi kang wala?" kahit ilang beses ko na yan naitanong, tinatanong ko pa din, nag-aalala kasi ako eh na baka hinahanap siya ni Atty. Liza.

"They're used to it. I don't live with my parents since we studied in abroad." he uttered. "So, we're gonna see Manila again." I miss my hometown. I can't wait to see those people who believed in me when I thought I was helpless.

"About that. Pwede ba nating puntahan ulit yung museum ng Uncle mo, yung tactile museum, I forgot the name, basta yun." gusto ko makita yung itsura nun. Nahahawakan ko lang kasi yun and gusto ko talaga makita yung itsura. I'm planning to donate money din for those people who have with vision impairment kasi naramdaman ko yung naramdaman nila, yung mga kailangan nila.

"Oh you still remember that? Sure. I'll call my uncle right away. But, let's make it next month. I want you to bond with your friends and family first once we got there in the Philippines." he advised.

"Of course I'll do that. I miss all my friends especially Limer and Jen." para siyang nanlumo agad sa sinabi ko. He just look down and sigh. "Oh? Napano ka?"

"Nothing... You still remember your friend, Limer pala." nag pipigil ako ng tawa sakanya dahil sino ba namang di makakalimot kay Limer eh panay ang tawag sa akin tuwing madaling araw para mag kwento lang. Pero mas natatawa ako sa reaction ni Simon, he looks kinda jealous? Maybe?

"I do remember him. He used to call me at midnight just to talk to me." pasimply ko siyang tinignan sa peripheral view ko at nakita kung tumingin agad siya sa akin at parang nasaktan sa sinabi ko. Poor, Shymon.

"What? H-He always called you?" cute niya sa ganayang reaction.

"Ahm yeah. Kinakamusta ka niya lagi." gatong ko pa.

"But I thought... I-I..." maybe it's time tell him the truth. I trust Simon so much.

"He has a crush on you." I tried my best to maintain my serious face. He look at me confuse and his eyebrow frowned immediately.

"Wait, what? Did I miss something? Pardon?" kinakagat ko nalang labi ko dahil sa pag pipigil ng tawa. Gulong-gulo talaga yung expression niya and mukhang no clue sa nangyayari.

"He has a huge crush on you." ulit ko pa. I won't say it until he figure it out. Sorry, Simon. You used to tease me nung di pa ako nakakakita, payback time.

"W-wait—what the? HE'S GAY?!" doon na ako humagalpak ng tawa, as in tawa na halos maluha-luha na ang mata ko at napapahawak na ako sa tyan sa sobrang sakit kakatawa dahil reaction niya. "Oh my goodness." parang di parin siya makapaniwala at laglag panga parin na napatulala.

"You could have seen your face. Oh gosh HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...." tawa parin ako nang tawa sakanya dahil mukhang di pa nag process sa utak niya.

"The fuck? All along I thought he's courting you." Natawa pa ako lalo sa sinabi niya at siya naman ay napahawak nalang siya sa sintido niya while processing the revelation.

"That was a quiet good show, Si." tinapik-tapik ko pa balikat niya dahil mukha siyang natalo sa laro dahil problema bigla ang mukha.

"That's so mean hahaha goodness, I thought he was courting you. I remember he came here to visit you and he even bought you branded bags and shoes. In my mind I was like woah he has a good taste in fashion." natawa na naman ako sa sinabi niya. Para talaga siyang shock na shock sa sinabi ko.

"He's really thoughtful actually. Please, Si. Don't tell anyone. Limer's is from a high profile family, a sole heir. Ayokong may mangyaring di maganda sakanya once malaman yan ng iba." pag warning ko sa kanya.

"Oh yeah, yeah, sure. I promise I won't tell anybody." kahit gulat na gulat pa din si Simon ay nangako pa rin siya.

"I don't want to interrupt you two but we have to leave." singit ni Kuya nung lumabas dito sa veranda.

"Sure, Kuya. Susunod na kami." sagot ko at tumayo na saka inayos ang sout ko. "Let's go home?" I offered my hand to Simon to help him stand up. Aside from my family, Simon was there when I was so down and about to give up. He always pushed me to become the best version of myself and that made me confident for who I am right now. Dad, wait for me. I'm going to give the justice you deserve.