HE WAS BORN WHEN I WAS NOT
"Don't move, tangi," sabi niya nong akmang tatayo na sana ako mula sa pagkakaupo.
We are here at the library reviewing because we are going to take the exam later.
"Why?" I asked without looking at him.
"I'm painting," he replied. I didn't move anymore, and I just continued my review.
After a few minutes, he stood up in his chair and immediately came up to me to show me what he had done.
"Wow! you are really good at painting portrait, tangi!" Namamanghang sabi ko sa kanya habang tinititigan ko pa rin 'yong painting na ginawa niya. "Hold this and I'll take a picture of you. Bilis!" agad na kinuha ko 'yong cellphone ko at pinikturan siya.
"Call your dad and tell him that you're going to come home late because we will attend Grace's birthday party," he said. I immediately call my dad, and he said: keep safe to both of us.
We immediately got on his motorcycle, but it surprised me when we stopped at the church.
"Akala ko ba pupunta tayo sa party?"
"Ipagdadasal muna kita before this day ends."
I just stared at him praying habang ikinulong niya 'yong kanang kamay ko sa pagitan ng mga palad niya and I heard his heavy sight before he opens his eyes.
"Anong ipinagdasal mo?"
"It's for me to keep and for you to find." He smiled at me, but it never reaches his eyes. "Tara na, tangi. Baka mahuli na tayo sa party ni Grace."
After an hour finally, we're here at Luna's Hotel, where is the party held.
"Mauna kana lang muna pumasok sa loob because I'm going to answer this call." I just nodded at him. "I'll be quick," he said, and then he kissed me on my forehead before we walk separately.
Pagpasok ko pa lang ay kitang-kita ko na kung gaano karami 'yong tao sa loob at nong inilibot ko 'yong buong paningin ko dito sa loob ng hotel ay sakto namang nakita ko 'yong mga kaibigan ko nong grades school kaya agad na nilapitan ko sila.
"Hi, guys!!!"
"Oh my ghod! Dollar!!!" sigaw ni Danica at agad na niyakap ako.
"Na miss ko kayo! Grabe ang tagal na nating hindi nagkikita."
"We miss you too, Doll!" Kristel said, and then she kissed me on my cheeks.
"Nothing's changing; you are still the old Dollar, coming late when you go to events." Natatawang sabi ni Naomi sabay yumakap sa 'kin.
"Traffic kasi eh hahaha."
"Kumusta kana pala, Doll?"
"I'm good naman, kayo? Kumusta buhay bilang mag-asawa?" Mapang-asar na tanong ko kay Fredd habang mapanuksong tinitigan namin sila.
"Ito sobrang malas kasi sino ba namang mag-aakalang magiging asawa ko 'tong unggoy na 'to!" sagot ni Grace sabay iniirapan 'yong asawa niya.
"Ahh, mukhang unggoy? Kaya pala patay na patay ka sa 'kin?"
"Che! Mandiri ka nga!"
Natawa na lang kami sa asaran nila kasi hindi namin akalain na sila pala 'yong magkakatuluyan sa kabila ng pandidiri nila sa isa't isa noong nasa grades school pa lang kami.
"How about you, Dollar? Kumusta na kayo ni Yen?"
I smiled bitterly . "He left me without saying goodbye, Fredd."
"Weh? S-seryoso ka?" I just nodded in response to them as they were still in shock staring at me.
"Bakit? Napaka imposible naman yatang magagawa sa'yo ni Yen na iwan kana lang basta basta kasi kitang-kita namin kung gaano ka niya ka mahal eh."
