He Was My Umbrella

33

Nandito ako ngayon sa PICC, hinihintay si Kuya na matawag sa stage. I was wearing a formal dark green dress and partnered it with a dark green ankle strap. My outfit screams elegancy. It also went with the color of his university as well.

De La Salle.

Ate Mae was wearing the same shade as my dress, magkaiba lang ang style. Tita was wearing a white dress, so was Tito. Si Raine naman, naka white and green dress. White 'yung taas, then 'yung bottom ng dress is green. Si Kuya naman, naka dark green na dress shirt, tapos naka tuck-in iyon sa slacks. Hindi masyadong kita dahil naka toga na siya.

"Cabrera, Maverick Renzo."

We all clapped as we heard his name. A big smile was plastered on his face as he grabbed his diploma. I felt so proud of him, so proud.

Nang makababa na siya mula sa stage, niyakap na siya ng mga kapatid niya. Maya-maya naman, hinatak niya ako at inakbayan sabay ngiti sa camera at pinicturan kami ni Ate Mae.

"Congratulations, Kuya." I greeted him as we were on our way out of the venue. It was 6 PM, just in time for dinner.

"Thank you so much, Adi." Inakbayan niya ako. He was now wearing his dark green dress shirt.

"I feel elegant in this color. Ikaw ba?" I looked at my dress.

"It gives me Slytherin vibes. And yeah, I like green. Hail to De La Salle," he chuckled.

We went to a restaurant, hindi ko napansin kung ano'ng pangalan. Filipino dishes din ang nasa menu nila. Umupo ako sa tabi ni Kuya at nasa harap ko naman si Raine.

"Adi, may ipapadagdag ka ba sa mga order?" Tanong ni Tita Sally.

"Uhm, wala na po," I smiled faintly and looked at my plate.

Nag-ring ang phone ko kaya naman pinulot ko iyon mula sa lamesa para tingnan kung sino iyon. Number lang ang nakalagay kaya naguluhan ako.

"Excuse me po," tumayo ako at pumunta sa labas.

Umupo ako sa bench sa labas ng resto saka sinagot ang tawag.

"Hello? Who is this?" Sagot ko.

[Hey, Adi. Si Adrian 'to,] he chuckled.

"Oh, hello. Do you need anything?" I laughed.

[Nai-istorbo ba kita?] Tanong niya.

"Uh," I looked back at Kuya Renzo and saw that he was just staring at his plate. "Hindi naman. Nasa restaurant ako kasama ang pamilya ni Kuya Renz, graduation ceremony kasi niya kanina." Sabi ko. "Anyways, ano ba 'yung sasabihin mo?"

[Birthday na ni Frances next week. Nag p-plano ako ng surprise, e. Ay, si Icah talaga 'yung nag plano, parang sumama lang ako. Busy kasi siya ngayon kaya ako ang inutusan na tumawag sa'yo.] Sabi niya.

"Ah, sige. Count me in. Kailan ba?" Tanong ko.

[Sa Tuesday sana 'yung start ng preparations, e. Libre ka ba? Or may pasok ata kayo noon, 'no?] He sighed.

"5 PM onwards, libre ako. Habang hindi pa ako nalipat sa condo, libre. Next next week pa kasi ako lilipat," sabi ko.

[Uy, sakto. Sige, noted. 5 PM onwards. Si Kuya Renzo ba? Makakasama siya?] Tanong niya.

"Tatanungin ko siya pagka pasok ko sa loob,"

[Sige, that's all. Thanks for your time, Adi. Have a nice dinner. Pakisabi na rin pala kay Kuya Ren, congratulations kamo.] He chuckled.

"Sige, thank you din, Adrian. Sige, sasabihin ko sa kaniya. Have a good evening."

[Have a good evening.] He dropped the call.