Sun and Storm

Page Twenty-six

Page Twenty-Seven.
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Kung may isang bagay man ako na ayaw kong maranasan, maramdaman, makita at mangyari? Ang makasama si Kyrienne sa isang sitwasyon. After what happened noong birthday ni Kalvin, kahit nagkaayos naman na kami ni Storm nandito pa rin ang nararamdaman kong iritasyon sa kaniya. Why?
We met again at Kuya Storm and Ate Dakota's wedding. It was fine, I feel fine with her naman at first tapos nagsimula na naman siyang i-outcast ako habang kumakain kami with Storm's family. Hinayaan ko. I still talked to her with calm and understanding. Kay Vanessa na nga lang ako nag-vent out about what happened that day dahil kung kay Storm ko sasabihin? He will never understand and it adds up sa gigil ko sa babaeng 'yun!
And now? Heto kasama ko na naman siya sa isang intimate dinner with Storm's Family. Grumaduate na si Storm kahapon as Suma Cumlaude at ngayon ang celebration. Mama is not with me dahil kasama niya si Tita Mommy and Vanessa. Storm wanted them to come with me pero umayaw si Mama. But we'll be having a family dinner soon bago bumalik ng New York si Mama.
"Anyway, Storm. Did you file your application sa Harvard University?"
Kumunot ang noo ko. Harvard University? Storm never told me about it. Kita ko ang pagngisi ni Kyrienne nang makita ang mukha ko. Alam niya na hindi ko alam. Binalingan ko ng tingin si Storm pero nakita kong kay Kyrienne siya nakatingin.
"I won't file an application."
"Why, hijo? It's your dream to took a review and study architecture again? right?"
Si Tita Alex ang nagsalita.
"Yeah. It's his dream University, Tita Alex. At mismong HU ang nag-email kay Storm to go there for his review and study again for free!"
Kyrienne said excitedly.
"Alam mo naman din 'to Sunny, right?"
Nakatingin lang ako sa kaniya. Honestly, hindi ko alam at wala akong alam at all. Napasinghap si Kyrienne.
"OMO! You didn't know?!"
Tumikhim si Ate Dakota who's beside me. She smiled at Kyrienne.
"Kyrienne, let the couple talk about it first. Guess, Storm has his reasons. Hindi dapat natin sila pangunahan."
Nawala ang ngisi at excitement niya.
"Oh! I'm sorry po. I'm just excited since it's Storm's plan noon pa man."
"He can pursue his dreams here, Ky."
Tito said while smiling at Kyrienne. Ngumiti naman sa kaniya si Kyrienne.
"Yes he can. But it's a big opportunity."
Tumingin siya sakin.
"I hope you'll convince him to accept the offer."
Concern niyang sabi sakin. Tumikhim ako. I feel Storm's hand trying to hold my hand. I let him be.
Si Kuya Storm ay tahimik lang sa buong dinner na iyon hanggang sa matapos. Nauna na rin silang umuwi dahil hindi pwedeng magpuyat at mapagod si Ate Dakota. Nagpaalam naman na si Storm at ako na uuwi na sa Condo at ihahatid ako ni Storm. Kyrienne was left alone kahit na nagpumilit siyang magpahatid kay Storm.
There is silence between me and Storm hanggang sa makarating kami ng Parking area ng Condo Building. Hindi pa ako lumabas ng kotse. We'll talk, of course.
"Kung tatanggapin mo ang offer, Kailan ang alis mo?"
"Hindi ko tatanggapin, Sun."
"I am asking you, Storm."
He sighed.
"By the end of August or first week of May."
"Accept the offer."
Matigas kong sabi. I am not saying this para lang maipamukha sa lahat na I should convinced him since I am the girlfriend. I am saying this because it's Storm's dream he never told me about. This is important to him.
"Buds.. I am already decided."
"Bakit ayaw mong tanggapin ang offer, then?"
Nakatitig lang siya sakin. Bumuntong hininga siya ulit.
"I don't want to be away from you, Sun. Aabutin ako ng tatlong taon bago makabalik dito. I can't do it."
"I can visit you. We can do video calls on our free time. Just do it."
"Why? Because Kyrienne say so? Para ano, Sunny?!"
"Para sa pangarap mo, Storm! At anong dahil kay Kyrienne?! Do you think ganoon ako kababaw?"
"I know how much you hate her and I know you, well. You're taking her side and opinion right now just to make a point that you are that kind of girlfriend."
Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya.
"Wow! Storm! naririnig mo ba ang sinasabi mo?!"
This is too much. He is being too much!
"Oo, Sunny. Yang pagiging competitive mo mas lumalabas when Kyrienne is around! I did saw it!"
"I want you take the offer because it is your dream, Storm! I want you take the offer dahil para saiyo iyon! Oo, ayaw ko kay Kyrienne but this time, I am on her side. Take the offer, Storm. Kung ako ang dahilan nang hindi mo pagtanggap, hindi ko yun matatanggap!"
"Sunn--"
"I may be competitive and always trying to make a point.. Pero hindi ako ang taong babase sa inis ko sa isang tao in making a decision, Storm. If you knew me too well, dapat alam mo na kapag pangarap at kinabukasan ang usapan, I'll always go to where I would benefit the most."
"Bu--"
Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.
"Kung ang usapan ay inis lang? Inis ako kay Kyrienne for acting like a bitch when I am around pero mas inis ako sayo for not telling me about it."
Akma na sana akong lalabas sa kotse niya pero nagsalita ulit siya.
"If I'll accept the offer, I'll be with Kyrienne, Sunny. And I know ayaw mo 'yun."
Umiling ako.
"Who told you na ayaw ko? If it's for your dream, ayos lang sakin."
Yes. Ayos lang naman talaga kahit hindi ko maiiwasan ang mag-overthink still, ayokong maging balakid sa pangarap ni Storm.
"That easy? Hindi mo ba naisip that three years is too long?"
Binalingan ko siya ng tingin. Iyong alam kong makikita niya ang senseridad ko. Dahil seryoso ako. Kaya kong indahin yung layo, yung magiging distansya niya from me. Three years is nothing compare sa kaya niyang abutin.
"No. Three years is nothing, Storm. Kaya natin yun."
"Kaya mo.. Dahil hindi ko kaya."
Natahimik kaming pareho. I sighed.
"We'll be leaving tomorrow papuntang batangas. Don't look for me not until you take the offer, Storm."
"What?!"
"You heard me. Hangga't hindi nagbabago ang desisyon mo, I don't want to see you."
"Are you breaking up with me?"
Kumunot ang noo ko.
"Of course not! Gusto ko lang pag-isipan mo ulit ang desisyon mo, Storm!"
"The why can't I see you?!"
"Dahil mas lalo mong hindi tatanggapin ang offer kapag lagi mo akong nakikita at nakakasama! Take this as a test. Being away from each other. We'll be staying there for two or three weeks."
"Is this what you really want? Then I'm telling you, This is not gonna work, Sunny."
"We're done talking, Storm."
"I'll make you realized that your decision right now is wrong! All wrong, Sunny!"
Hindi na ako nagsalita pa. Lumabas ako ng kotse niya at nagmadaling maglakad papasok ng Building. Nang nasa elevator na ako doon ko lang naramdaman ang panghihina ng katawan ko. I've been with Storm for months, na halos hindi na kami mapaghiwalay. Ang isipin na aalis siya at malalayo sakin ng tatlong taon, breaks me. Mas masakit pa yung katotohanan na makakasama niya si Kyrienne pero.. Hindi ko talaga kayang hindi niya aabutin ang pangarap niya just because of me. I hope Storm will realized that. I hope he'll realized that it's for him.
Kinabukasan umalis kami nina Mama, Tita Mommy at Vanessa papuntang Batangas. Doon kami sa dating bahay namin tutuloy. Mabuti na lang talaga may caretaker sa bahay kaya hindi na namin problema ang pag-aayos at paglilinis ng bahay kung sakali. Wala akong natanggap na message or calls from Storm.
"How's the family dinner, beh?"
"She asked. Nandito kami sa backseat ng kotse ni Tita Mommy. Si Mama ang nasa driver seat at katabi niya naman si Tita Mommy.
"Just fine."
"Di kayo okay noh?"
Tumaas ang kilay ko. How did she know?
"Kanina ka pa kasi patingin tingin sa phone mo, waiting for Storm to text or call you?"
Umiling ako. I am not yet ready to tell her.
"Nah. We're good. I'm just tired."
Tumaas lang ang kaniyang kilay at saka siya tumango. Parang sinasabi niya sakin na "Okay. I'll accept your lie for now." Well, I can't blame her for thinking that I am lying right now. Obvious naman kasing nagsisinungaling ako.
Hapon na nang dumating kami sa bahay. It's still the same pero halatang bagong pintura na. Sobrang linis din ng paligid. Napangiti ako nang makita ang garden sa likod ng bahay namin. Diyan ako madalas maglaro noong bata pa ako bago umalis si Mama para magtrabaho sa New York. I sighed. Childhood memories.
I spent the day with them. Gusto sana naming maligo sa dagat ni Vanessa pero hindi kami pinayagan. Malapit lang sa dagat ang bahay namin kaya naman nakakatuwa talagang magbakasyon dito. Mabuti na lang talaga dito naisipan ni Mama magbakasyon.
Days became weeks. It's our second week here in Batangas. Dalawang linggo na rin akong hindi tinatawagan ni Storm o kahit man lang ang itext ako. Gusto niya talagang ipamukha sakin na hindi ko kakayanin ang ganito. Oo hindi ko kaya pero pangarap niya ang pinag-uusapan. Kakayanin ko.
"Nakita mo na ba 'to?"
Tinignan ko ang pinakita sakin ni Vanessa. IG Story ni Storm. He's in a bar, holding a beer and he's with his friends or blockmates? Kumunot noo ako ng makita si Kyrienne sa katabi niya. Nakapulupot ang kamay ni Kyrienne sa braso niya. Tumikhim si Vanessa.
"I guess hindi mo alam?"
I smiled at her.
"Storm texted me about his whereabouts, Van."
"Really?"
"Really."
I assured her with my lies. Tumaas ang kilay niya.
"Nagsisinungaling ka. I am trying to understand you and buy some time bago kita kausapin. This is not the first IG Story ni Storm. Marami pa. Nakita mo rin ba ang mga yun?"
Tumango ako while smiling at her. Oo. Nakikita ko. Storm was always at the bar with his friends at laging nandoon si Kyrienne. I tried to stalked Kyrienne's instagram accounts at nakita ko rin mga IG Story niya dahil naka-public naman. They look so good. May IG Post nga si Kyrienne kasama si Storm. It's a candid photo of her and Storm laughing their heart out. Tapos yung caption niya pa nga sa photo na iyon ay "Candid shot but we're sooo good. So good together." Pero hindi ako nag-react o anupaman. Marami akong nabasang comments asking if sila na ba at may iba namang nagsabi hindi dahil nga may girlfriend na si Storm. Marami pang negative comments pero hindi ko binigyang pansin. Somehow, It's true. Kyrienne and Storm really look good together.
"Sunny.."
"Van.. We're fine. Really. Storm is just having fun. Let him be."
"He's having fun while you're being like this?"
I sighed.
"Please.. Van."
Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin pero hindi na rin siya nagpumilit pa na kausapin ako. Inaya niya na lang akong mag-breakfast at tinanong ako kung ano daw ba gusto kong gawin ngayon. We were just talking nang marinig namin ang sigaw ni Mama.
"Sunny!"
Hinihingal si Mama na lumapit samin.
"What happened, Ma?"
"Someone's looking for you.."
Napatayo ako kaagad. Si Storm ba?"
"Hi Sunny!"
Napatingin ako sa tumawag sakin at nagulat ako nang mapagsino ko. Kuya Eros. Kuya Eros is here. Why?
"Kuya Eros!"
Ngumiti siya. Lumapit ako sa kaniya. Kasama niya kaya si Storm.
"Storm's not with me. Sinadya kong puntahan ka dito."
"Paano mo nalaman na nandito ako?"
"IG stories and posts mo?"
Napanganga ako. Oo nga naman. May mga nailagay akong location doon.
"And some asking near your home."
He chuckled. Natawa na lang din ako. Pinakilala ko muna si Kuya Eros sa kanila and we excused ourselves dahil may sasabihin daw sakin si Kuya Eros. We chose the back garden dahil tahimik. Naupo kami sa wood bench.
"Now that I am here, parang gusto ko na lang din tumira dito."
Nakangiting sabi ni Kuya Eros. I chuckled.
"You can buy a lot here kung gusto mo Kuya Eros."
Pagak siyang tumawa.
"I'll think about it."
Tumango ako.
"How's Ate Dakota po?"
"She's fine. Hindi niya alam na nandito ako ngayon."
"Ohh.."
"Sunny.. Hindi na ako magpapaliguy-ligoy pa. Nandito ako para humingi ng pabor sayo."
Kumunot ang noo ko at nakaramdam ako ng kaba. Ganito ako kapag nakikita kong seryoso si Kuya Eros. Looking at him right now.. Ang layo talaga ng features niya kay Storm. Gentle kasi ang mukha at aura ni Storm but Kuya Eros is so manly, dominant and a little bit aloof. Hindi siya approachable, actually.
"Alam kong alam mo na ang tungkol sa offer ng HU kay Storm."
Tumango ako.
"I want him to take the offer, Kuya Eros."
"I know. Pero ayaw ni Storm, right?"
"Ye-yes. But I asked him to think about it for awhile."
"At alam mo rin na hindi pa rin magbabago ang isip niya?"
Hindi ako nakasagot. Oo. Alam kong hindi mag-wo-work ang ginagawa ko ngayon para mapabago ang isip niya.
"Want me to help you? Not because I don't like you for Storm but because I want my brother to reach for his dreams and be good at it."
Tumango ako. I got his point. Pero sa paanong paraan niya ako matutulungan?
"Broke up with him or make him break up with you."
Hindi ako nakapagsalita sa sinabi niya. Hindi ko magawang itanong kung nagbibiro ba siya dahil halata  nang hindi siya nagbibiro.
"Bro-broke up with him?"
Tumango siya.
"I know this is too much to ask but that's the only way na tatanggapin ni Storm ang offer. I'll help you after you broke up with him. Hindi ko hahayaang makalapit siya sayo. Just broke up with him ako na ang bahala sa lahat from there."
Nakagat ko ang labi ko. I just can't believe that Kuya Eros can be cruel. Pero bakit parang gusto ko ring sumang-ayon sa kaniya?
"Storm will still find a way, Kuya Eros. And.. And I don't want the break-up."
"I always admire Storm for being so obedient, heartful and smart. Idagdag pa na goal-oriented din ang kapatid ko. That offer will help him and our business to reach the top. But knowing that Storm declined the offer because he can't leave you.. breaks my heart. Bata pa kayo Sunny. Marami pa kayong magagawa para sa sarili niyo. Don't you think, it's time for you two to grow separately?"
Hindi ako nakapagsalita. Hindi ko alam kung ano iisipin ko at kung ano mararamdaman ko sa naririnig ko.
"Paano kung hindi ko gawin ang gusto mo?"
He smirked.
"I'll make you do it without you knowing."
Napalunok ako.
"The why asked me kung kaya mo naman palang gawin?"
"Because I want to be gentle and make you understand. Kung nakikita mo ngayon.. Storm is becoming dependable. Dumedepende na siya sayo, emotionally. At hindi ko matatanggap na isang babae lang ang dahilan kung bakit pipiliin niyang isantabi ang pangarap niya. Hindi ako mananahimik lang sa tabi, Sunny."
"Are you saying that I'm not good for him?"
"I am saying that his love for you is no good for him. Let him go so that he'll realized that his love for you is a poison to him."
Napailing ako. Hindi makapaniwala sa naririnig ko pero hindi ko rin maisasantabi ang katotohanan.
"This is the first time that Storm chooses you more than us, his family. This is the first time that Storm chooses you more than his dreams. Tingin mo ano pa ang kaya niyang gawin para sayo sa pagtagal? Kaya mo bang makita si Storm na nililibing sa lupa dahil sa pagmamahal sayo, Sunny? Kaya mo ba?"
Naikuyom ko ang mga palad ko. Unti-unting pumatak ang mga luhang pinipigilan kong lumabas kanina pa.
"I don't want to hurt you like this, pero kung wala akong gagawin, mas masasaktan kayo pareho. Trust me, You'll learn something when you two broke-up."
"Kuya Eros.. please.."
He sighed.
"Think about it. I have to go."
Pinunasan ko ang mga luha ko at saka ko siya tinapunan ng tingin. He's looking at me with worried eyes.
"I'm sorry, Sunny."
Tumango ako at pilit na ngumiti sa kaniya.
"I understand you Kuya Eros. Gagawin ko ang gusto mo pero sa isang kondisyon.."
"What is it?"
"Let me be with him. Kahit isa o dalawa--"
"Two days. Just two days."
Tumango tango ako at ngumiti sa kaniya.
"Thank you."
Hinatid ko si Kuya Eros matapos niyang magpaalam kina Mama. Hinatid ng tingin ko ang papalayo niyang sasakyan. Inilabas ko ang phone ko and dialed Storm's number. Sinagot naman ito kaagad.
"Buds.."
Pinipigilan ko ang wag maiyak. I heard his sighed.
"I miss you. I miss you much, Buds."
At mas mamimiss pa kita. I heard him chuckled.
"Wanna see me?"
"Ye-yes.."
"I'm on my way, My Sun."
Napangiti ako.
"I love you.."
Usal ko. may tumulong luha sa mga mata ko.
"I love you more. See you later."
I ended the call. Pinunasan ko ulit ang mga luhang nagbubuhusan na. Just two days and I'll bid my goodbye. Without him knowing. I want to give him happy memories with me.
Alam kong nasa byahe na si Storm kaya kinausap ko sina Mama na darating si Storm and I want to be with Storm alone. They agreed naman. I packed my things. Plano ko kasing sa Resort kami mag-stay at hindi rito sa bahay. Il asked for Kuya Eros help after I broke up with him para hindi na siya makalapit pa sakin. I know, Storm can be so stubborn lalo na pagdating sakin. Hindi ko siya basta basta matataboy.
"Anong pinag-usapan niyo ni Kuya Eros?"
Vanessa asked while looking at me packing my things.
"It's nothing. Napadaan lang naman siya dito dahil may business meeting siya malapit dito. And Storm asked him to visit me."
Tumaas ang kilay niya.
"I can say na magaling ka talagang writer. Magaling kang gumawa ng kwento."
"Van.."
She sighed. Itinaas niya ang dalawa niyang kamay na para bang sumusuko na siya.
"Fine! I am your best friend kaya suauportahan kita hanggang dulo. Just make sure that whatever is on your mind right now will give you peace of mind."
Ngumiti ako sa kaniya.
"Thank you."
Lumapit siya sakin at niyakap ako. Mahigpit na yakap ang ibinigay niya sakin.
"I'm always here for you."
Thank you. Thank you, Van. I really mean it.