A Rendezvous At The Horizon

Ikatatlumpong Tagpo

Luna's
Ikatatlumpong Tagpo
Horizon

"Uwi na tayo?"

"Dito na tayo tumira." Sagot ko habang nakapikit ang mata.

"P'wede. Pakasalan mo muna ako." He slowly carressed my hair and kissed my forehead. "I love you so much, Seya. More than you know."

Nilasap ko ang katahimikan sa pagitan naming dalawa at ninamnam ang yakap n'ya sa akin.  This feels like home.

"What happened to you?" Mahinang bulong n'ya.

"I just... took a break?" He hummed, urging me to speak more. Pinagapang ko ang kamay ko sa kamay n'yang nakayapos sa akin at pinagsalikop. "Why don't you tell your story? What happened to the cases you took?"

"Sariel's case was done. Naipahuli ko na ang nakapatay sa kanya. Though he is not in jail but somewhere worse than jail."

"I... I love you, Seya. That's what I want to say. Ayaw kong ijustify pa ang actions ko noon. I just want you to feel it through my actions and let everyday be the day to know you more. I'll always choose you this time."

Gumapang ang daliri n'ya sa leeg kong suot ang kwintas na pinagawa ni Mikael Rothschild para sa aking nanay. Minsan ko ng muntik maiwala because of my recklessness and immaturity.

"Alam mo bang si Mikael Rothschild ang tatay ko?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

"Yes. I knew it from the start. So does Seyo." Sagot n'ya sa nananantyang tono. "Are you... angry at me for that matter?"

Umiling ako. As part of my break, I want to be forgiving. Nakakapagod din palang magtanim ng sama ng loob. Mabigat sa pakiramdam. For now, I just want to be happy. I also already made peace with Mikael Rothschild before he died. Months after learning that Momma had already passed away, ginupo ng kalungkutan si Mikael Rothschild. Pumayat at hindi na masyadong makatulog sa gabi. Sabi ng kapatid ko, during Dad's sleep, he would murmur her name.

Seyo said that every day, he was waiting for Mom. I never knew his pain because I only saw mine and Mom's. I never saw his sufferings.

And one night, on Mom's birthday, we had a dinner. Seyo, him and me. Forgiving each other and remembering Mommy.

Just like Sariel's, its one moment and the next thing I knew, he never woke up. Hinintay lang ni Daddy ang kapatawaran ko. He passed away because of a nightmare. Siguro para sa iba, binangungot s'ya. Pero para sa akin, sinundo na s'ya ni Mommy. Life on Earth can be a nightmare and death may only be the end of suffering. What lies beyond life? Maybe its paradise.

My Mom and Dad's love story... what they had is a paradise beyond, wherein they only got to be with each other through deaths. Sana sa kabilang buhay, sila na ang magkasama. It's kind of tragic yet a love so pure.

And I want to be like Mommy. She dared to take a risk and then there's a moment in life na hindi n'ya makalalimutan. Her love for my dad and the greatest blessing she received from God, me and Seyo.

"Ayaw ko ng magalit. Nakakapagod ng magalit. Gusto ko na lang mahalin ka."

Gabi na ng umuwi kami. Everybody is already expecting us. Chelsea and Siyara were just smirking and the rest of the guests. Halata ata kami ni Juancho. Lalo na 'tong si Juancho. Nakaakbay s'ya sa akin kaya nakuha namin ang atensyon nilang lahat.

"Bakit ayaw mo?" May bahid ng tampo sa boses n'ya.

Inalis ko kasi ang pagkakaakbay n'ya. "Eh ano... ang daming tao." Bulong ko. "Nahihiya ako."

"Nagagawa mo ngang maglakad ng proud sa gitna ng runway tapos ayaw mo sa akin? Ikinakahiya mo ba ako?"

"Ano kayang ginawa ng dalawang batang ito?" Pahanging tanong ni Seyo at masama ang tingin kay Juancho.