To Love the Dawn

31

With Solana being away from me, I wasn't at ease. I did give up some of my academic responsibilities and work to make sure that Sol was okay. I would leave in the middle of a quiz to drive from Manila to their hometown. I would leave anything for Sol's safety.

I stood up in the middle of our quiz. My professor looked at me. All the students glanced at me.

"Mr. Ponce de Leon, where are you going? We're in the middle of a quiz here."

"Sorry, sir. Emergency lang." I proceeded with my plan. And that is to choose Solana over anything else.

Without second thoughts, I went to my car. I called the police in Sol's area. Unfortunately, they wouldn't help me because according to them, it hasn't been 24 hours since Sol went missing. I couldn't help but get worried as Sol hadn't replied yet.

"Tulog pa si Sol. Hayaan mo at gigisingin ko na. Nag-almusal ka na ba?"

"Ah, hindi pa po. Diretso lang po kasi 'yung byahe ko." Napabuntong-hininga si ate Divina. "Kailangan ko lang pong masigurong ayos lang si Sol."

"Sol? May bisita ka!" sigaw ni ate Divina mula sa labas. Bumangon ako at inayos ang sarili bago lumabas ng k'warto. "Diyos ko, ang aga mo naman. Sakto, mamaya pa ang pasok niyang si Solana."

"David?" Kinusot-kusot niya ang kaniyang mga mata. Sinisigurong tama ang nakikita niya. "Bakit nandito ka? Wala ka bang pasok?"

I immediately surveyed her body. She looks fine to me. She held my hand and pulled me inside her room. She made me sit on her bed. Napasimangot nalang ako.

"Who's Warren? Did he do something to you?"

"Pumunta ka rito dahil do'n? David, nagsayang ka nanaman ng gas. At saka, wala ka bang paso-"

"Sol, did you really think I'd just do nothing? All I received was a text message. Malay ko ba kung ikaw talaga ang nag-text n'on. I was worried. I contacted the police in your area but they said they couldn't help me because it hasn't been 24 hours."

"I'm sorry... Okay naman ako. Wala namang ibang ginawa si Warren sa 'kin. Ang mabuti pa, matulog ka na muna rito. Buong gabi ka bumyahe. Kailangan mong matulog, David." I reached for her hand and pulled her for a hug. I felt her brushing my hair with her finger as I encircled my arms around her waist.

There was one time when I wasn't expecting to see Solana. I immediately hugged her. I missed her. I knew I really did.

"Kailan ka pa umuwi?" mahinang tanong ko.

"Noong isang gabi pa. Nakita nga kita sa bar. Naghahalikan kayo ni Clara. Alam mo naman siguro na nakauwi na ako. Sa akin galing 'yung coffee." She broke the hug. I held her wrist and pulled her somewhere more private. "David, I love you. Not as a friend, but as a woman. Hindi naman ako manhid para hindi makaramdam ng kilig sa mga ginagawa mo. Hindi na kasi ako bata. I know how much you've reminded me not to fall in love with you but for some reason, I forgot about your reminders."

I didn't know how to react. Ni minsan hindi sumagi sa isip ko ang ganitong bagay pagdating kay Sol.

"Solana, I'm sorry but that's not how I see you. Parang kapatid na kita. Lahat ng ginagawa ko para sa 'yo, hindi 'yon dahil gusto kita bilang babae o ano pa man."

"Alam ko naman, e... Mahal mo si Zelena... Sige, una na ako. Ingat ka." She had tears in her eyes. She left as soon as she finished her sentence. I was left in shock. I couldn't process anything.