rock with you | ✓

048

They arrived at Callum's querencia. His favorite place where he found comfort and where his strength is drawn. He parked his car and went out with Cole. Umupo sila sa damuhan at tumingin sa kawalan.

"I actually found this place when you started ghosting me," pagku-kuwento n'ya. "I was hurt, but I also completely understand that you ghosted me. . . Kung ang iba masasaktan nang husto, magagalit dahil umalis nang walang paalam 'yung kausap nila. Ako, ay iba." He chuckled. "Inintindi pa rin kita kasi alam ko namang mayroong rason bakit mo 'ko ghinost."

Cole remained silent, she couldn't find the right word to reply to what he was saying. She looked at Callum who's looking at the mountains in front of them. His perm hair looks good on him, his thick eyebrows, his long and curly eyelashes, his monolid-shaped eyes, perfect nose, his pinkish lips and his sharp jawline. His side profile is so perfect. She can look at it for a long period of time.

"When you ghosted me, it made me question myself. I questioned myself one day. Am I not worth it? Hindi ba 'ko worth the risk that's why you ghosted me?" His voice was full of pain. "Pero hindi na 'yon naulit dahil sabi ko nga, naiintindihan kita, Cassidy."

Yumuko si Callum at suminghot. She swallowed hard and looked away. She hugged her thighs and rested her chin on her knees.

"Mahal kita, e, kaya iniintindi kita. Pero, Cassidy, may hangganan 'yung pagiging maintindihin ko. Umabot na ako sa puntong gusto ko nang sumuko sa 'tin, kasi wala naman akong assurance na babalik ka, e." The pain in her chest doubled as she heard his tiny sobs. "And when Mom told me to wait for you, I did. Ang tanga ko, Cassidy. Ewan ko ba, ang talino kong tao pero pagdating sa 'yo natatanga ako."

That line. . . she heard it from a movie. Malakas ang impact sa kan'ya ng linyang 'yon sa pelikula. Pero mas malakas ang impact ng line na 'yon nang marinig n'ya ito mula sa labi ni Callum.

"Naghintay ako. Nag-aabang ako. Tinitignan kita mula sa malayo. . . kasi 'yon lang muna ang kaya kong gawin, kasi baka kapag nilapitan kita ay mababasag kita."

Her eyes teared up. She bit her lip and didn't stop her tears from falling. She released her tears as she listened to him.

"Kahit na sabihin nating naiintindihan kita, Cassidy, nandoon pa rin 'yung mga tanong. Ano'ng ginawa ko para humantong tayo sa gano'n? Ano'ng dahilan bakit 'di mo na ako kinausap ulit?"

Callum sighed heavily. Cole waited for him to continue but he didn't. He silently cried and looked at her. Tumingin din siya sa binata at ngumiti nang malungkot.

"It all started when Mamá learned about my feelings towards you and how much I love to pursue playing electric guitar." Pagsisimula ni Cole, umiwas siya ng tingin kay Callum dahil ayaw n'yang makita nito ang sakit sa mga mata n'ya. "You see, ever since we were kids, lalo na kaming kambal ay iba ang trato sa amin. . . Parang kami ang black sheep sa pamilya namin. And we all did what they want as we're growing up. It was okay, we are all okay not until our older brothers disobeyed what Papá wants."

Their parents are both doctors. One is a neurosurgeon, and one is a cardiologist. They wanted them to follow their steps, but their older brothers disobeyed and took a course that is far from medicine. Business. They're more into business.

"Papá put the all pressure on me, since I am the only girl in the family. They forbid me to do things that are going to distract me in studying." She continued, "I am willing to do everything, Cali. I am. But, they also forbid my hobby to play guitar. I was so hurt, I couldn't stop them because you know what will happen. And you were there, you told me to do things I love even though my parents will get mad because it's the only time I will feel happy, I asked you why are so expert in that. . . you answered that it's what you're doing.

"Na kahit pinapagalitan ka na ni Tita Calla ay patuloy ka pa rin sa paggawa ng mga bagay na gusto mo. I did what you told me, we secretly bought electric guitar and placed it in Kuya Nicholas' condo unit, doon ako tumutugtog." She smiled painfully when memories appeared in her mind. "And we talked, we were M.U. those times, Mamá learned about it. Pinagbawalan n'ya ako, tinakot n'ya rin ako na kapag patuloy akong nakipag-usap sa 'yo ay itatapon n'ya si Mico sa ibang bansa."

Umalpas ang hikbi sa bunganga n'ya kung paano n'ya ipinaglaban ang kakambal n'ya dahil lang ayaw n'ya itong mawalay sa kan'ya. Si Mico na lang at ang dalawa pa n'yang kuya ang mga kakampi n'ya noong mga araw na 'yon.

"I did what she want. Bahay. School. Bahay. School. Gano'n ang routine ko, imbes na cellphone ang hawak ko ay libro. . . I ghosted you because I was scared that I might put your life into a trouble that you won't like neither your family." Because she knows how her cruel is her Mamá's family. "I stayed away from you. I succeeded, akala ko roon lang matatapos ang gulo, Cali. Mali ako. Dahil nang tumuntong ako ng grade 10 ay nalaman nila ang pagbabanda ko sa school, nagalit na naman sila. Sinasabing wala akong mararating, pero look at me now. . . Building my own band again, I chose to stand up and build again to prove to them that I can and I will be successful in my band."

She sniffed and wiped her tears. Callum looked away but his hand started caressing her back. It's hurting him, seeing her cry.

"I am begging you to stay with me. . . Understand me more," she whispered.

"I will." He replied. "So stay with me, too."

"I will." She answered.

Two heavy hearts, became at ease to hear the assurance that they needed. And both prayed for their lives for tomorrow and the future.