Sapantaha

116

“Carbonel, Kalopsia Dy, with highest honor.”

“Carbonel is an academic achiever since nursery. During her junior high journey, she won a lot of awards and got most of extraculucular points.”

“This school year, she won first place in feature writing, english category, three times in press con journalism 2023. A Supreme Student Government President and been in a different position in the org for four years straight. Five trophies taken from five quiz bees...”

Wala na akong masyadong narinig pagkatapos noon. Kasama ko sa pag-akyat sa entablado si Daddy. Nakipagkamay sa mga school’s offcial at tinanggap ang mga medalya at sertipikong nakapangalan sa akin.

“Made it.” I whispered.

“Congratulations, my Yakal!”

We had a group hug and class picture once again with our achievements shown in it this time.

“Goodluck to everyone’s chosen path...”

We bid our goodbyes to each other. I was shock when Clei is with our Principal and some of the head teachers.

“We are honored to be a part of you two’s junior high school journey. Thank you for choosing us.”

Ipinagpaalam ako ni Clei na hindi muna kami uuwi. Pinayagan naman ako ni Daddy but I promise to be at home before dinner because of a little celebration that he requested. He want it bigger but I refused.

“Saan ba tayo?”

“Saan mo gusto?” She asked.

I gulped. “Kay Uranus...” Mahina kong tugon.

“Huy!” Para naman agad siyang inaasinan.

I chuckled lightly. “Gusto ko lang makipag-usap sana...”

“Your wish is my command!”

I realized that what I did doesn’t deserve to be forgotten without uttering a word to fix it.

“Kalopsia...”

“Uranus,”

I smiled. Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo sa isang bench sa garden ng paaralan. He stayed on his resting face. Yeah? I would gladly accept silent and cold treatment that I deserved.

“Hi... how have you been?”

“All right. Ikaw? Nakakatulog ka naman ba ng maayos?” He chuckled lightly.

I gulped. “Hindi...”

“Hmm?”

Napanguso ako. “Araw-araw akong binabagabag ng konsensiya ko,”

“I just wanted to say sorry personally for the damage I’d cause. Believe me or not, I did not expect I would reached that far, beyond the bounderies.”

Suddenly, I forgot where the line is. Crossing the line is the biggest mistake.

“Pasensiya na sa naging pag-eksena ko sa relasyon niyo ni Cassandra. I realized it too late that I was harming you two.”

He smiled a little. “Wala ka namang dapat ihingi ng tawad, Waffles.”

“I entertained you at doon pa lang, mali na ako. Siguro, na-curious lang talaga ako kung sino ka kaya hindi ko namalayang may kakaiba na pala. If I did not entertain you, would you still do those?” He asked.

Hindi ko na kailangang mag-isip ng isasagot.

“Hindi.” Mabilis kong tugon. “Umamin lang gusto ko, wala akong balak ma-involve at maging parte ng buhay mo. Wala naman akong plano na maging chatmate mo or what.”

“I guess the blame really has to be on me.” Mahina siyang tumawa, lighten up the mood.

Umiling ako. “Kasalanan mo bang nagustuhan kita?”

“Of course, no.” Tanong ko, sagot ko.

“I like you...”

I nodded. “But not in the way I wanted you to like me.”

His eyes answered me yes. Not in the way I wanted him to see, like, and love me.

I stared directly into his eyes. This may be the last? I heard he might take senior high school in the different area. That’s quite good, I guess. Cutting ties in this situation is the best thing to do.

“Bakit ako?”

Lumamlam ang mga mata ko. “Bakit hindi ikaw?”

“Kahit hindi ikaw?” He asked, made my heart ached.

But I still nodded with a small smile. I am contented on what are we right now and where tadhana would bring us. Tama nga ang hinuha ko, may mga kuwentong sa ganitong eksena nagtatapos. Katulad ng sa amin.

“Ikaw lang kahit hindi ako... kahit hindi maging ako, Uranus.”