ASH&SAGE

Part 2: It's okay

I was stunned.

It's Aki.

My stomach suddenly went upside down and my throat became dry.

Ano ba ang dapat kong sabihin sakanya ngayong nasa harapan ko siyang muli?

I bit my lower lip. Bakit biglang parang nahirapan akong huminga.

I'm just staring at him and he's just waiting for my response while looking intently at me.

Eye to eye.

Again.

I missed him.

I missed My Nugget, My Aki.

"Uh.. I need to go"

Maglalakad na sana ako paalis ngunit humarang siya bigla sa dadaanan ko.

"Sage.. Can we talk? Please?" He softly held my left hand and gently stroke his thumb on the back of my palm.

"I can't Aki.." Halos hindi ko marinig ang sarili kong boses. Pilit kong pinipigilan ang mga luhang gustong kumawala sa aking mga mata. Bigla akong nakaraninig ng isang mahabang tunog. Tila ba ay parang ako'y nabibingi na hindi ko maintindihan.

Hinawi ko ang kamay niya at tuluyan siyang iniwan.

Nanglalambot ang mga tuhod ko.

Hindi ko na maintindihan ang nangyayari sa paligid ko. Tuloy tuloy lang ako sa paglalakad pero hindi ko na maintindihan kung saan ako papunta.

Napatigil lang ako ng may biglang humawak sa braso ko.

"Sage.. saan ka pupunta? Kanina pa kita tinatawag ang bilis mo maglakad"

It's Crystal.

Oh gosh! I totally forgot.. Kasama ko nga pala siya.

"Ah.. ano.. Sorry. Hinahanap kasi kita pag labas ko ng C.R." I lied.

"Hindi mo siguro ako napansin, nasa may left side lang ako"

"Ah.. ganun ba. Sorry."

"It's okay. Tara na, bayaran na natin 'to"

I just nodded to what she said.

"Gusto mo ba munang kumain after natin dito?" Crystal asked me.

I just nodded again without really understanding her words.

Crystal went to the Brisket House.

"Bakit tayo nandito?" I asked her.

"'Di ba we're going to eat?"

May sinabi ba siyang kakain kami?

"Bet mo ba dito or may iba kang gusto na food?" She asked me while scanning the menu outside the store.

I really have no appetite right now.

Pero nakakahiyang tumanggi kay Crystal.

"No, it's okay." I said.

Ngumiti lang siya at lumakad na papunta sa loob.

"Table for two, please" Crystal requested.

I felt nostalgic instantly.

This is our favorite place to eat. Aki is a big fan of their Pot Roast.

- flashback -

"Nugget, where to eat?"

"Brisket House" He happily answered.

I rolled my eyes and smiled.