Two Hearts, One Rhythm

Chapter 30

"Mish, be careful. Maputik diyan."

"Ugh, my shoes! Hindi na siya white, Kai!"

He laughed before assisting me. "Alam niyang pupunta ng sementeryo, tapos magsusuot ng white shoes."

I punched his arm. "Stop it! White shoes ang bagay sa outfit ko!" I said while pointing at my khaki Gucci sweater and black leather shorts.

He raised his hands defensively. "Okay, okay! Pero don't complain kapag hindi na naalis ang putik sa sapatos mo. I already told you about it earlier."

"Ugh, fine! But please carry me na lang. Sakit na rin ng legs ko." I said as I waited for him to carry me.

He rolled his eyes but still carried me bridal-style afterwards. I smiled in triumph while encircling my hands on his neck.

"Malayo pa ba?"

"Few more steps na lang."

"Okay!"

He chuckled as his grip under my thighs tightened.

Nakarating na kami sa province ni Kai but I convinced him to visit his parents muna before going to his house. Kaya nandito kami sa cemetery where his parents were buried.

"We're here. I'll put you down." Kai informed me as he slowly put me down. Ang paligid ng damo ay basa dahil umambon kanina and he placed me sa medyo tuyo na grass.

"Hi, mama. Hi, papa. Nandito na po ulit ako, kasama 'yong lagi kong nakekwento 'pag dumadayo ako dito." Kai said as he looked down.

Napatingin ako sa baba and I read his parents' names on the epitaph. The death dates were far from one another.

I waved below. "Hello po! I'm Mildred Anastasia Frontera, but everyone calls me Misha. It's so nice to finally meet you po. Your son is an amazing human being."

Kai chuckled as he pulled me closer to him. Bawal kami umupo sa lapag since basa kaya nakatayo lang kami sa harap ng lapida ng parents niya.

I looked up to him. "Is it okay to ask you about what happened to them? You never told me about it."

Kai smiled before hugging me from the back. His chin is resting on my shoulder. "My mother died when she gave birth to me."

"Oh, my gosh. I'm so sorry. Don't kwento na. It's okay."

"It's okay, Mish. It took me years to finally stop blaming myself for what happened, but I'm good now. Napanaginipan ko rin kasi si mama na galit daw siya sa akin dahil sinisisi ko sarili ko sa pagkamatay niya."

I held his arms that were hugging me. "Are you sure you're okay? I can't even fathom the pain of losing a parent."

He kissed my temple. "Yes, I'm fine, Mish. My mother didn't want me to spend my living years in pain so I leveled up."

"She must be proud of you."

"Of course, she is. She helped me in finding you."

"Okay, stop. You're making my heartbeat wild."

He laughed.

"What about your papa? What happened?"

I heard him sigh before tightening his hug on me. "He got caught up with a drunk driver in the middle of the night. Pauwi siya dito sa probinsya noon."

"Kai, I'm so sorry. Please don't make kwento na."

"It's okay, Mish. Sayo ko lang naman nasabi 'to, aside doon sa dalawang itlog."

I smiled. "Well, I'm honored to belong to the egg squad."

He chuckled before turning serious. "Bata pa ako noong nangyari 'yon. I know he was still grieving over the loss of my mother pero minahal niya ako at hindi sinisi. I grew up here, sa bahay nila lola ako nakatira. My father is working in Manila dahil konti lang ang job openings dito sa probinsya."