Why Not Me [EXTENDED VERSION]

Kabanata 3

Alam mo ‘yong pakiramdam na bigla ka na lang nawalan ng hininga? Para bang may humigop ng lahat ng hangin sa paligid mo, iniwan kang naghahabol, naghahanap ng kahit kaunting hangin pero wala kang makuha? ‘Yong lahat ng gusto mong sabihin, lahat ng tanong, lahat ng sigaw na gustong kumawala mula sa bibig mo, pero parang may nakabara sa lalamunan mo, pinipigilan kang magsalita?

“I am courting Kisses, Dal.”

“I am courting Kisses, Dal.”

“I am courting Kisses, Dal.”

Such simple words, but they hit like a wrecking ball, tearing through me with no warning, no mercy.

Why?

Why was he so cruel to me?

Kasabay nang pagkakasabi niya noon ay biglang may dumating at tumigil na sasakyan sa harapan namin, at the same time, our gate opened, revealing my parents that were smiling to each other while holding-hands, which I was so thankful on the other hand because had not of that interruption, I probably would just crumble into a heap at Vini’s feet, begging him to take those words back and not to do this to me.

“Oh! There you are, my doll! You are just on time,” sabi ni Dee-dee sabay lapit at akbay sa akin. “We have visitors tonight.”

Mula sa naguguluhang tingin ko sa kaniya ay nilingon ko si Mumeee na sinasalubong ‘yong mga taong bumababa roon sa biglang dumating na sasakyan. A mature couple, appearing to be around my parents’ age or maybe slightly older, gracefully exited the backseat.

“Good evening,” Mumeee greeted them.

Dee-dee pulled me to them. He planted a gentle kiss on the woman’s cheeks, then, offered a firm handshake to the man she was with.

“Good evening,” bati niya.

“Good evening,” the man responded, then glanced at me and back at my parents. “Is that already her?”

Dee-dee nodded. Samantalang, si Mumeee naman ang nagpakilala sa akin doon sa mga bisita nila. But all along, I was not with myself. My mind was still with what Vini had told me and my heart was still breaking at that thought. I was so hurt to the point I could feel sensation akin to a sharp pain beneath my ribcage.

I am courting Kisses, Dal.

I am courting Kisses, Dal.

I am courting Kisses, Dal.

I shook my head off those thoughts and was about to tilt my head to Vini remembering about him, when Mumeee warranted my attention.

“She is Dalilah,” aniya sa kanila.

“Siya na ba talaga ‘yon? The last I remembered, she was still so small,” sabi noong lalaki.

Huh?

Nagkita na ba kami noong bata pa ako?

“Yes, Erol, she is that baby,” natatawang tango ni Mumeee.