ROMEO AND ROMEO (Montana Series 1 | BXB)

40: Sandy Sheets

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Andres' things remained untouched in his room, but the whole room still looked empty. The silence was speaking loud volumes. Though he's not with us, I could still feel his presence, etched into the walls and woven into his pillows and sandy sheets.

I ran my fingers over his study table, imagining him and feeling the warmth of his touch. A heavy sigh escaped my mouth as I stared at his photo hanging on the wall.

I missed waking up each morning seeing him on my window. I missed the way he teased and made fun of me. I missed our constant arguments. I missed how he wrapped his strong arms around me while we were sharing sweet kisses. I missed everything about him, including the little things.

My days didn't feel complete without him, but I had to continue and fulfill his wish for me to live well. Perhaps, I would be allowed to keep him in the next life.

"Hi, Elio," said Jacob and dropped a pile of books in front of me. We're at the library of King Arthur University. "Kumain ka na?" tanong niya.

"Hindi pa, pero hindi pa ako nagugutom," nakangiti kong sagot. "Bakit ang dami mong dalang libro?"

He sighed and said, "I needed some reference for a new composion. Our teacher want us to compose five songs using the five stages of grief."

"Aw. That's torture," I reacted.

"Kaya nga. Mas masarap talagang bumalik sa high school. We were also busy back then, but still, we could have a good time."

"Totally. Parang papatayin tayo ng requirements ngayong college na tayo."

"How about you? What are you doing?" Jacob asked and sat on the chair in front of me.

"Finishing my essay about Les Miserables," I answered.

It's been three years since we graduated in high school. Tatlong taon na kami sa college ngunit hindi pa rin ako masanay-sanay sa tambak na requirements. Kahit may natatapos ako ay tila hindi ako nauubusan ng gagawin.

Studying could be a busy time, especially when you're eagerly waiting for love to come your way. But it's been a long time since I erased the thought of waiting, because it would only lead mo to a sad memory.

"By the way, pupunta ka ba sa kasal ni Bullet?" tanong ni Jacob.

Mabilis akong napalingon sa kanya. "Bullet? Ikakasal na siya? Kanino?"

"Kanino pa ba? Of course, kay Dayana," sagot nito. "You don't know? Sabagay, hindi ka naman kasi active sa social media. Pati nga cellphone mo ay hindi mo masyadong ginagalaw."

"I have more important things to do than scanning my phone and spend time with social media," I said and smirked. "Anyway, kailan sila ikakasal?"

"Next week na," sagot niya habang inaayos ang mga librong dala niya.

"Bakit ang bilis naman? Huwag mong sabihing buntis na si Dayana?"

"Absolutely. Alam mo naman si Bullet, anak ng vice mayor kaya kailangan nilang magpakasal agad bago pa lumaki ang tiyan ni Dayana."

I shook my head while smiling. "I'm happy for them, but I hope Dayana will still pursue her dream of becoming a famous artist."

"Huwag kang magalala sa future ni Dayana, secured na ang buhay niya. His future husband is wildly rich."

Over the past years, my friends and I had drifted down our own paths. After graduating from high school, we all embarked on our own direction. Some chased their dreams, and others started bulding their own families.