He Was My Umbrella

54

"Because of the big amount of space between us, it just made us more eager to be together again."

"Yeah, I guess so..."

I shrugged and tried to fall asleep. Just as when I was about to shut down after a few minutes of trying, I felt him go closer to me.

"You're the best thing that ever came back, Atty. Adelaide." He whispered in my ear, and then kissed my cheek slightly. After that, he held my face on both sides and then kissed my forehead. It lasted for about 4 seconds.

Maybe he thought I was already asleep and I didn't know what he did.

He sat down on the couch and I peeked and saw him yawning and getting comfortable with cushions.

I appreciate Renzo for what he's doing for me now. But, I think it's the wrong idea to fall for him again.

Hindi ba sapat na rason na iniwan niya ako sa ere noon para hindi na mahulog sa kaniya ngayon?

I mean, Renzo was just my typical teenage love. I can't explain my status with him now. Yes, there's still a small amount of love in my heart for him. But, I don't think that amount can make me want him anymore.

The way I looked at Renzo changed. Years ago, he was just an older brother to me. But now, we're both adults and I don't think I see him as a brother anymore. I guess we're friends?

And, honestly, I don't really think I can be in a relationship right now. There's just a lot on my plate, and he has too. Him running a company must be so stressful.

Sigurado din akong maraming trabaho pagkalabas ko sa ospital. Halos mga isang linggo pa ako bago makapasok dahil hindi pa fully healed ang mga sugat ko at kailangan daw ng full recovery bago ako bumalik sa trabaho.

Nagtatrabaho pa rin naman ako kahit nasa ospital, pero through laptop lang muna. I can't handle current cases so, pinagaaralan ko munang maigi ang bawat isa dahil may time ako.

Cheska is currently running the firm whilst I'm gone. I know that she's doing this for me and I can't thank her enough. Hays, napaka life-saver niya talaga.

A week later, we're on our way to my house since I was already an out-patient. Renzo's driving for me since my car is still under repairing. Isang side lang naman ang nabangga so I didn't have to buy a new one. Nakasuhan na rin ang bumangga sa 'kin ng drunk-driving at reckless driving.

"Bale anong RA ang nilabag niya?" Tanong sa akin ni Renzo.

"RA 10586 - An Act Penalizing Persons Driving Under The Influence Of Alcohol, Dangerous Drugs, And Similar Substances, And For Other Purposes" Otherwise known as the "Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013". 3 months minimum and 20 years maximum ang imprisonment period sa ganiyang kaso. Pero in his case, 5 years ata, plus the fine of repair ng nabangga." Sabi ko.

"Grabe, abogadong-abogado ka na talaga, Di." Manghang sabi sa 'kin ni Renzo.

"Daan muna ako sa bahay niyo bago mo ako ihatid, ha? Gusto kong makita si Lunay-nay."

"Okay, Tita Adi."

I glared at him. I feel so old na kaya. Parang dati, 15 lang ako tapos, sampung taon na pala ang nakalipas. Dati, pangarap ko lang lahat ng ito, tapos ngayon nasa akin na.

Later on, tumawag si Andrea kay Renz.

[Hi, Sir. Sama ka sa amin! Kain tayo lunch kasama si Jam!] Masayang sabi ni Andi.

"Uh, thanks for the invite, Andi. The thing is I'm with my girlfriend so I can't..."

WHAT?!

Nandilat ako nang mapalingon ako sa kaniya. Binaba niya na din ang tawag maya-maya.

"What the fuck did you just say?!" Sigaw ko sa kaniya.

"Relax, sinabi ko lang 'yon para tigilan na niya ako. May crush kasi sa akin si Andi, e basta ayaw ko lang na may ganoon sa katrabaho." Sabi niya.

May point, kaso what if tanungin siya kung sino ang girlfriend niya tapos wala siyang masabi? Hay nako, bahala ka na, Renzo.

We arrived at their house and they all hugged me when they saw me. Aw, they really are my family, aren't they?

"I'm so glad that you're okay now!" Sabi sa akin ni Tita Sally.

"You can get your car by next week na daw. Malapit na daw matapos ang repair," sabi naman ni Ate Rach. Siya kasi ang nag-asikaso ng pagawa ng kotse.

"Salamat sa inyong lahat, ah!" Masaya kong sabi sa kanila.

Doon na rin ako kumain ng lunch dahil nagluto si Renzo ng kare-kare.

"Do you remember when we were at your condo and I cooked thi-"

He stopped talking when he realized that he was bringing up something from the past.

Those were the days talaga! Crush na crush ko pa siya noon, tapos feeling ko nasa panaginip ako tuwing kasama ko siya! Those moments felt so surreal! And looking back now, I did have a good teenage life, because of him.

I wasn't in love, but I felt the love. Love and care from no one before. Renzo really was my source of happiness back then.

But after everything, my life has changed. I became more focused on my goal to the point that I left my life behind. Though, I'm glad that my life is within my reach again, but it wasn't the same.

I'm hoping that it would be better.

My life experiences brought me to where I am now. People around me also helped me to grow and adapt.

I know that Renzo wasn't the same anymore. Lalo na 'yung pakikitungo niya sa mga tao, bumalik sa dating ugali niya noong una ko siyang nakilala. He wasn't socially active anymore. 

After eating I went around the house. There were minimal changes. Nakauwi na rin nga pala si Tito Chad, sadyang wala siya ngayon dahil may inasikaso daw. 

Binuksan ko ang isang pinto na sa pagkakaalam ko ay stock room noon. Wow.  The room turned into a music room. White ang walls, may fluffy carpet. May tatlong gitara, isang acoustic at dalawang electric. May piano din, mga ukulele. Napansin ko ding soundproof ang room. May mic pa nga doon at airconditioned pa ang room. 

"Wow, you found this room na pala, Ate Adi!" Masayang sabi ni Raine nang pumasok siya sa kwarto. 

"This is so nice naman. Kailan niyo 'to inayos?" Tanong ko. 

"Mga 3 years ago, siguro, Ate. Ay, tama. Mga 1 year after mong umalis," sabi ni Rai. 

"Can I try that?" Itinuro ko ang pastel green and white na electric guitar. 

"Sure," sabi ni Rai. Sinet-up niya ang amplifier at ibinigay sa akin ang gitara. 

I barely remember the songs that I practiced on the EG. But there's this one I remember. 

"Ang oras kapag hinayaang lumipas..... Madarama mo hanggang bukas. 'Di mababawi muli...."

Here comes the guitar solo. (Play the YT video)

"At natapos ang himas ng sandali , 'di kukubli aking tinig. Nang lumipas na't 'di man lang nasabi, salamat hanggang sa muli...." Pagkanta ko. 

"Mackenzie Raine, didn't I tell you na 'wag mo munang gamitin ang gitara dahil ipapagamit ko 'yan kay A-" 

Natigilan si Renzo nang makitang hawak hawak ko ang gitara pagpasok niya ng music room. 

"Sorry, Kuya! Nawala sa loob ko. Ate Adi wanted to try kasi the electric guitar! Sorry, Kuya." Pagpapasensiya ni Raine. 

"I'm sorry, I didn't know na may paggagamitan ka pala nito," ibinalik ko ang gitara sa kinalalagyan. 

"It's okay. Sa 'yo ko naman talaga ipapagamit kaso nakita mo na pala," nahihiyang sabi niya. "You were playing 'Di Na Muli, right?" 

"Yes. It's the only thing I remember to play." 

Because it was the song that symbolized what happened to us. 

*****