Aligning the Stars (GXG)

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒆

"That's why it seems impossible to believe that the stars could be aligned for both of them. For she was too busy looking at the moon while ignoring the stars that shine brightly when she's around."

—

Malamig ang simoy ng hangin ngayon, madilim na rin ang kalangitan ngunit kita pa rin ang pagningning ng mga bituin at buwan, tila ba sinasamahan at dinadamayan kami sa katahimikan na bumabalot sa'min.

Rinig ko ang pag buntong hininga ng Propesora na siyang nagpatingin sa'kin sa kanya. My heart ached as I watched her walk ahead of me, ramdam ko kung gaano kabigat ang nararamdaman niya. Of course.. because we're both feeling the same way.

Being in love with somebody who can't reciprocate their feelings.

Ilang buwan na nga ba?

Ah.. magta-tatlong buwan na ata.

Tatlong buwan simula ng mawala siya.

Tatlong buwan simula ng magbago ang lahat.

Tatlong buwan na tanging iyak at pananahimik lang ang tila nararamdaman ng babaeng mahal ko dahil sa pagkawala ng taong.. mahal niya.

Funny, isn't it?

Is it a bad thing to say that even when she's gone.. siya pa rin ang laman ng puso't-isipan niya.

And I felt a little envy of that.

I wished that I could take away her pain, but I knew that there was nothing I could do. All I could do was stand by and watch as she suffered in silence. I still kept on walking behind her, leaving a little distance as I wouldn't want to bother her when she's been feeling disconnected with the world. Pero nang tumigil ito sa paglalakad ay napatigil rin ako as I wondered if she was okay or not.

"Ms. Del Mundo.."

Unti-unti itong humarap sa'kin, at 'eto na naman 'tong puso ko. Even if sadness was evident on her face, it still doesn't hide the beauty that she has.

Oh, how I hated seeing that the Professor who used to be so full of life and were all smiles has suddenly turned grim. The lightness inside her was gone.

"Astrea, you don't have to follow me. I'll be alright on my own." The way her voice sounded cold and hoarse made me think otherwise.

I could tell that she was hurting, and I wanted to reach out and comfort her. But she hasn't been really talking to me that much since the person she's in love with is gone. I wanted to tell her that I was here for her, that she didn't have to face her pain alone. But I remained silent, knowing that I had no right to intrude in her life.

You don't deserve to feel that kind of pain, Ms. Del Mundo.

She's still in her work clothes, only wearing her thin coat dress, and even her feet seem to be a little red because of her heels, as it has been a while since we've walked.

"Sasamahan po kita. Delikado na po at gabi na, maraming mga masasamang tao ang pagala-gala dito."

She stares at me, a little too long that I could feel every single beat of my heart racing as I couldn't really handle it every time our eyes are in contact with each other.