Limasawa Street

08

IANNA

It was a quiet and peaceful day for Ianna. She just moved to Cornwall Village at Limasawa Street. Her Aunt, Joyce, paid her tuition and rent. Lahat ay binayaran na ng kaniyang Tita maliban sa kaniyang allowance. Masyado na siyang nahihiya na makitira sa bahay ng kaniyang Tita Joyce at nagdesisyong lumipat na lang sa apartment na malapit din sa kaniyang pinapasukang unibersidad.

Ianna said that it's too much if her Aunt also pays for her allowance, kaya ang ginawa niya, she applied for a part-time job near their village as a launderer. She receives 300 if she works half-day, and 600 for the whole day.

Mabuti nga at pa-Christmas break na, mas marami ang nagpapalaba at mas marami siyang oras para magtrabaho at gumawa ng schoolworks na kailangan nilang i-pass right after the Christmas break. Since she only works on weekends and night shifts, she decided to take a walk in their village since she doesn't know the shortcuts and pathways in Cornwall Village.

She was walking along the brick road when she saw the sea, near the scarp between the park and the water. Naupo siya roon katapat ang dagat habang dala-dala ang ginawa niyang kape sa kaniyang apartment. She sat there and stare at the beach. Rinig na rinig din ang hangin na humahalik sa kaniyang balat sa ilalim ng sinag ng araw.

Ianna then closed her eyes to feel the moment, she placed her coffee on the grass and hug her own knees, laid her head on top of it and listened to the wind. She was feeling the moment in an instance when she heard a strum of guitar, with a voice singing along with the rhythm.

Napamulat si Ianna at iginala ang tingin upang hanapin ang boses. At doon, sa lilim ng puno, nakita niya si Shaun na nilalaro ang kaniyang gitara.

He is way too familiar for Ianna, sa ilang beses ba namang pabalik-balik ng lalaki ng sa kaniyang pinagtatrabahuhang laundry shop, paanong hindi niya makikilala ang lalaking ito?

Naalala rin ni Ianna ang binigay nito kagabi na lasang panis nang kaniyang tikman. She stood up and went to Shaun's direction. Shaun did not also notice Ianna going on his way since he is busy strumming on his guitar. Napatigil na lang siya nang may makitang pares ng paa na nakatayo sa harap niya.

Shaun lifted his head to see who is it, at napaigtad nang makita si Ianna.

"Taga-rito ka pala," panimula ni Ianna.

"Ah, haha, kapitbahay kita, diba?"

"Panis 'yong pagkain na binigay mo sa'kin kagabi."

"Panis ba? Ayos pa naman 'yon kahapon 'nung kinain ko, ah?" Pagrarason ni Shaun kahit alam niyang panis na talaga.

Ianna didn't buy his ground. Instead, she sat there, in front of Shaun.

"Pahiram ng gitara mo," It was not a question, it's a statement.

Kinuha ni Ianna ang gitara mula kay Shaun at kaniyang itong nilaro noong una. She strums for a bit, then later, ripped one of the strings of his guitar.

"Bakit mo pinutol?!" bakas sa boses ng lalaki ang gulat sa ginawa ni Ianna.

On the other hand, Ianna, formed a smirk on her lips, while holding the ripped string. Ibinaba niya ang gitara sa damuhan at tumayo mula sa kinauupuan.

"Quits,"

Ianna said and turned her back and walked her way to her apartment. Not even looking back to Shaun, and to the guitar she just tore down.