Prologue
"Are we allowed to even feel?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean... "
"Everyone expects us to be strong. To endure it all. To hold it a little longer," I said while sitting down on a bench at the park where we can see the roofs of our neighborhood while eating an ice pop. It is 5 pm, sunset.
"Masyado na yata akong nag dadaldal." Mahina kong tawa. Those words I just said are not allowed to go outside my head. They should remain there. Where I can only hear them.
"Tatapusin ko lang itong araw. Kung gusto mo mauna, mauna ka na."
"Hindi lang ikaw ang gustong makita na lumubog ang araw. Manonood din ako." He said as I look at him who was now watching the sunset rigorously. Na para bang huling araw na ito sa buong buhay niya. The rays of the sun reflect on his skin, his brown sharp eyes seem so cold at first glance but are full of love to give.
"Bakit? May binabalak ka nanaman?" ani niya na para bang minamaltrato ko siya araw-araw.
"Ang OA OA mo!" Nakataas na kilay na sabi ko.
He laughed and pinched my cheek quickly. Kapag nakuha ko ang kamay mo ay babaliin ko iyan. Sinasabi ko sa'yo!
"Mawawala na yung araw, umuwi na tayo." Aya ko. Anong oras na rin.
"Anong umuwi? Nag cut tayo?"Sabi niya.
Doon lang ako tinamaan ng reyalidad. Oo nga pala! Nag cut ako! Bakit ko ba 'yon ginawa!?
"Alas siete pa ng gabi uwian natin. Ang weird na makikita nila tayo na naka uniporme ng ganitong oras." Natatawa niyang sabi habang pinaiikot ang bola niya. Ni hindi niya ako tinitignan.
Napa tingin ako sa uniporme na suot suot ko ngayon. Tama siya. Bakit nga ba kasi mag cu-cutting ang council president na katulad ko? Ngayon lang ako tinatamaan ng inis sa sarili. I should have been more rational!
"Bakit hindi mo ako pinigilan?" Naiinis na tanong ko.
"Mukhang kailangan mong tumakas." Sambit niya na hindi pa rin tumitingin sa mga mata ko.
"Not playing the game is for cowards," I said, firmly.
"Mali mali ka nanaman. Not playing the game means one is choosing the games to play. Hindi lahat ng laban ay laban mo." Napatulala ako sa sinabi niya. But I pulled my grip and gulped.
"You don't even know me so stop lecturing me," I said without giving him any emotions.
He only knows my name and saved me for an hour. I got so comfortable for a moment.
Kailangan ko nang bumalik. Tinalikuran ko siya at nag simulang mag lakad nang hawakan niya ang pala-pulsohan ko.
BINABASA MO ANG
The Winter's Warmth
RomanceA daughter who lived most of her life being no one's choice. Olivia, a top student, and a high achiever aims for every sky-scrapping thing since she was a child. Kai, a member of the chess and basketball team meets Liv and attempts to start a life r...
