His Signs of Affection

Sign No. 19

19

...

Signs.

Signs that can range from uses like 'to indirectly tell our confessions' up to conveying the tiniest thoughts that we can secretly say.

Even a single sigh can be a sign.

When our high walls collapsed and crushed our strength to the ground, and when the point of life is drifted by a single change of direction of the ink that draws it. A single sigh can say all of it.

Everyone does show signs. The extroverts, ambiverts, and every other else.

Even me.

'Cause right now, I am showing some of the signs I didn't expect to do.

With my every step being like a race between my two feet; shaking the little cracks on the road. With the strength of my heart reaching to belong with the every breath I take, making use of every second to beat.

A tear-stained face marked by the underlying doubt and repentance.

Anyone that would look, will see and know—

The meaning behind the person running under a heavy rain; like a child looking for something that he wants.

Anyone can tell—

That this person finally found his happiness and is ready to run for it. Ready to go through, despite the barriers.

Ready to accept his heart's desire.

I caught my breath as I got to Rupell's house. Mabilis kong pinindot ang doorbell nang paulit-ulit kahit nanginginig ang aking kamay.

Sa bawat pagkurap ng aking mga mata ay ang pagtulo ng aking mga luha habang nararamdaman ko ang mabilis na pagtibok ng aking puso. Sa pagdaloy ng tubig-ulan sa buo kong katawan ay ang pagtulo rin ng aking mga luha.

"R-rupell," I said with a voice slightly above a whisper. Filled with fear, but still driven by hope.

Ilang beses ko pang pinindot ang doorbell ngunit walang Rupell na lumabas. Kahit anong sigaw ko ay tila walang nakakarinig.

I bit my lower lip as my body froze due to the coldness of the rain that is continuing to soak my body.

Nanginginig kong muling pinindot ang door bell. I gathered all my hope. Sa isip ko ay pilit kong hinihiling na makita siya.

I was about to shout again when suddenly, I noticed a middle-aged woman looking at me from the neighborhood. Mabilis kong pinunasan ang aking mga mata.

My eyes quivered as I tried to compose myself.

"I-iho, okay ka lang ba?" alala nitong tanong.

Nanginginig akong umiling sa kanya. "A-ate... ate, nakita niyo ba si Rupell? Umuwi po ba siya? N-nasa loob po ba siya??" Tila nawalan ng preno ang aking bibig.

"Pasensya na pero wala dyan yung may-ari, iho. Kaaalis lang para bumisita sa sementeryo," wika ng ale.

"S-saang sementeryo po?" I abruptly asked.

There was a space of silence.

"A-ang alam ko eh dun sa pinaglibingan ng tatay niya. Sa may San Demetrus," tugon ng babae matapos ang ilang segundo.

A little shine of hope altered my mind despite the coldness after hearing her. Nakita ko nalang ang sarili kong tumatango. "S-salamat po," sambit ko pa.

Tila magsasalita pa sana yung ale pero hindi ko na siya nahintay. I didn't waste even a single minute.

Basang-basa man ay pumara ako sa mga dumadaang tricycle. Inabot pa ako ng ilang minuto bago may nagpasakay sa 'kin.