Through Unparalleled Seals

092

"good afternoon po, uh. misis balmaseda..."

marahan kong inikot ang paningin sa harap ng bahay nina lester, ilang araw na siyang hindi pumapasok mula noong mag usap kami. hindi ko rin siya nakikita sa school kaya minabuti ko nalang na mag tanon kasy mr ong kung nasaan ang adress niya. in front of his mom i'h holding his jacket na ibabalik ko sana.

"Ah, anong kailngan mo... at anong pangalan?"

"Samantha...Sam po, kaibigan po ako ni lester. nandito po ba siya? may isasauli lang po sana. " dumapo ang tingin ng kanyang ina sa hawak kong jacket at saakin pabalik. hindi ko mabasa ang kanyang reaksyon pero nilakihan nito ang pagbukas ng pinto.

I sigh with ease.

"Tatawagin ko lang siya, upo ka." i nod and do what she asked me.

lester's house is cozy, well-lighted, and warm. I'm fidgeting when Lester came down from his room. bagong gising at gulo pa ang buhok. I understand because it's Sunday.

"I'm sorry if I'm disturbing your sleep, I just came by to give your jacket back." his eyes landed on his jacket on my arms kaya naman inabot ko iyon sa Kanya.

tinanggap naman niya iyon ng may maliit na ngiti sa mga labi.

"Ito lang ba?okay naaman saakin kahit matagal mo ng ibalik, marami pa naman akong jacket na pwedeng isuot."

confused, I just shrugged and composed myself ready to say my goodbyes and leave but he immediately called my name.

"Uh, thank you. for coming here." he said, this time his smile didn't reached his eyes. napansin ko ang lungkot roon pero ayaw kong magtanong dahil baka ayaw niyang pagusapan. he will tell someone if he is comfotable.

"It's nothing, Mr. Ong wanted to also ask you if you're going back to work. I think it's better to tell him if you're not feeling well para Hindi Siya mag hanap ng kapalit mo." I saw him nod and I waved my hand signaling to him that I will now go.

"Thank You again, I guess I will see you around." he nods. I smiled and went outside.

hindi na ako nag tagal dahil may appointment ako para sa photo shoot ngayong araw.

I went to the studio where we are scheduled, and my heart confusingly felt too light as I smiled at my graduation pic but deep inside, I know I wish rick is beside me. I wish I could also have a copy of his graduation pic to put in his wallet.

noong group photo na ay naupo nalang ako sa couch na naroon, my smile turned into a small lopsided grin when couples are given a chance to take a pic together kasama yata iyon sa package nila na piniling babayaran.

"Sam!" I heard my name and I stopped fidgeting with my phone. mga ka-klase ko iyon at tinuturo ang photographer na ready na para picturan sila.

"Uh, do you need anything?May problema ba?" napa tayo ako.

"Ano ka ba?wala. picture tayo halika!" I was stunned and now everyone is looking at me, some of them are encouraging me and some are motioning me to comeover quick. hindi na ako nag dalawang isip at sumama sa kanila.

my smile looks so real this time, and with a light heart, I thank them for including me in their group picture.

I bid my goodbye after the photo shoot and papa is already outside, I'm glad he didn't ask me anything and let me rest while he is driving

parang nasa alapaap ang aking isipan habang nasa biyahe, at na naka tulog paguwi.

nagising lang ako when I felt something vibrating under my pillow, it was rick's phone.

why is it vibrating so heavy? lito akong binuksan iyon dahil nagbabakasakali akong may message saakin si rick but none. stll the phone is vibrating rapidly on my hand marahan akong bumangaon at sinoot ang hoodie ni rick. it made me calm down and relaxed.

"What are you trying to say rick?" I whispered, marahan akong napabuga ng hininga at diniinan ang hawak sa cellphone.

I was about to go outside my room when someone knock on my door.

"Sam, baba ka muna d'yan. may naghahanap sa'yo."

kumunot ang noo ko sa narinig.

"Sino Po, papa?" i asked behind the door, maliit lang ang buka ng pinto.

"Nanay daw ng kaibigan mo."

i nod and followed him down stairs doon ko nakita ang ina ni lester na hindi mapakali, dala dala niya ang jacket na ibinalik ko kanina sa bahay nila.

my being is confused as i look at her with concern and cofussion. she stood up fast when saw me and my father immidietly guarded himself between us. hindi ako hinayaan ng ama makapag salita.

"Ma'am, huminahon kayo. kung ganyan kayo ka agresibo ay hindi ko hahayaan na makausap ninyo ang anak ko."

"Pa, okay lang kilala ko ho siya. please..." nagdadalawang isip siya na hayaan akong makipag usap sa mama ni lester kaya naman halos magmakaawa ako sa kanya para iwan kami sa sala.

"Pindutin mo ang intercom sa gilis kung may kailangan ka, alam mong ayaw kong nag papapasok ng ibang tao sa bahay ng walang paalam sam at hindi ko alam na may bibisita sa'yp ngayon." i bowed my head and uttered my sorry, ginulo niya lang ang buhok ko at pumunta na sa kusina while i sit beside lester's mom. Ii haven't seated properly when his mom speak up and held my shoulder, nagulat ako sa ginawa niya and I was about to push the intercom beside me when she look into my eyes with pleading and worry.

her glassy lids flutter with hidden tears while she fidgets on Lester's jacket, lightly squeezing my shoulder she was out of words to utter.

"Kaibigan ka ng anak ko diba?" hindi ko alam ang isasagot but i still nod.

"O-opo." her smile are gentle and she held my hand.

"Gusto Mo bang...dalawin ang anak ko? u-uh, nakita ko kasi ang pangalan mo sa...letter na iniwan niya kanina."

"Letter? anong letter po ang iniwan niya?" nagsimulang tumulo ang luha niya at napailing.

"Just a letter to say sorry to you, hindi ko alam ang nagawa ng anak ko sa'yo pero kung ano man iyon sana ay mapatawad mo siya, nagmamakawa ako sa'yo, Sam."

what letter is she talking about?

"Ma'am i'm sorry po pero hindi ko po alam kung ano ang tinutukoy ninyo, Lester is a nice guya. wala po siyang ginawang kahit ano saakin o kasalanan ma'am."

I couldn't read her eyes and all she can do is smile with sad tears.

her shoulder shakes with pressed sobs.

"Ano pong nangyari kay lester?"

and instead of answering me, she just cried on my shoulder as she hug his son's jacket.

rick's mom immediately entered my thoughts, I remember the day she almost lost herself crying on the pavement shouting her son's name. at that thought, I already have an idea of what might have happened and I don't think I can afford to lose someone again in my life right now without me anything trying to prevent that from happening.

I didn't ask his mom if Lester is okay or not instead, I asked her to take me where he is.

when we went to the hospital, I was shocked to see Patrick's mom. she smiled at me and went to enveloped my body with her warm presence.

"Tita..." I wanted to cry in her arms but no tears wanted to get out of my eyes, im feeling sad but not teary, I'm feeling nervous but not shaking.

maybe because I'm holding rick's phone the whole time. it gave me hope and assurance.