Meet me in the golden scenery

05

I WOKE UP at eight in the morning. Badtrip agad ako nang naalala kong wala akong choice na i-meet si Kian sa bridge mamaya. Bwiset! Why did I left my bag in his car last night! Such a moronic move!

"Kheanne, san ka after class? Tara, club tayo!" Excited na sabi ni Judy.

"I want to, but I can't." I finished it off with a sigh.

"Huh? Kailan ka pa nag no sa clubbing? Ikaw ba 'yan Kheanne? Atsaka, matagal na tayong hindi nakapag club! Kheanne naman, oh!" She shook my left arm so aggressively and whined like a kid. Seriously, what am I going to do with this girl.

"I can't nga, may pupuntahan pa ako mamaya." Blanko kong sabi. Tinignan naman ako ni Judy na parang hindi siya makapaniwala na tinanggihan ko siya. Hindi naman kasi ako tumatanggi sa mga gala.

But honestly, it's much better that way. Nag-i-imbita kasi ng mga guy friends si Judy kapag nag clu-club kami. Hinihingi pa ng iba ang number ko. I just feel uncomfortable.

"Okay.." Lungkot na tugon ni Judy.

I looked at her direction and saw her shoulders brought down. Matamlay na siyang nakatunganga at nakaupo sa gilid ko. Magkatabi kasi kami dito sa bench ng school guardhouse.

"Okay, fine.." I rolled my eyes at her.

Her face lit up immediately with excitement and joy. Tumayo siya at niyakap ako ng napakahigpit.

"Aylabyu, Kheanne! The best ka talaga!"

I laughed as she giggled like a baby. I asked her to let go of me and she did.

"Basta mamaya na mga 8pm, okay? After nalang sa pupuntahan ko." I said.

"'San ka ba kase pupunta at mas inuna mo pa 'yan kaysa sa club natin?" She raised a brow at me and crossed her arms.

I debated whether I should tell her but then it would not stop her from asking me the same question all over again until I give her an answer.

"I have to meet someone at the bridge." I finally said.

"HUH?!" She exclaimed. "May boyfriend ka na?! Diba sabi mo sa'kin noon na dapat special 'yung unang tao na makakasama mo sa bridge?!"

"Hindi ko 'yun boyfriend! Atsaka, wag mo nalang isipin 'yung sinabi ko sayo noon. I was still a kid back then, I didn't know what I was saying." I sigh.

I promised myself back then that the first person who'd watch the sunset with me at the bridge must be special. You know, someone who has been with me since then. Someone who cares and accepts me regardless of my imperfections. Nakakalungkot lang na hindi ko 'yun matutupad. Eh, eto kasing si Kian! Sa bridge pa talaga makikipag meet!

"Eh, sino ba kasi 'yang i-me-meet mo sa bridge?"

***

"Kian!" Sigaw ko sa cellphone ko nang tinawanan niya lang ako nang tinanong ko kung nasaan na siya.

['San ka ba kase banda?] Sagot niya naman na may halong tawa pa rin.

"Sa gitna ng bridge. Ano ba! Anong oras na, oh! May pupuntahan pa ako!" Yell after yell after yell.

Nakakbwesit din naman kasi 'tong si Kian, e! Kanina pa ako dito nag aantay sa bridge! Tinawagan ko siya sa messenger, hindi niya naman sasabihin kung nasaan na siya ngayon! Crazy freak.

"I'll end the call, I swear to god!" I gritted my teeth with anger and mixed emotions. I still have to go to the club with Judy later for fuck's sake!