Symphonic Waves (Ciudad de Escalante #6)

Phase 37

"Dr. Graciano really allow you?" ani Constance sa gitna ng hapag-kainan. May bahid nang pagtutol sa kanyang boses at parang nagdadalawang-isip sa gusto ko. It's dinner time and we're having casual conservation in our family. Our topic now is all about my plans next month.

"Yes, Constance. Sabi ni Doc pwede na raw. Mom and Dad, too. Hindi ba, Mom? Daddy?" sambit ko dahil matagal na rin ako nagpaalam para sa pag-alis ko papuntang Italy. It's one of the remaining things I wanted to do in my bucket list.

"Yes, you are free to do whatever you want sweetheart," si Mom at nginitian ako.

My brother gasped.

"Dad? Even you? Hindi ba kayo nag-aalala—"

"I'm worried, of course. That's why we considered the logistics of your sister's trip," sabi ni Daddy na tumulong at sumuporta sa akin sa pag-aayos ng lahat. Everything is ready and finalize. Kung aalis nga ako ngayon, wala na ako kailangan alalahanin pa. I also have my secret bodyguards and nurses with me.

"Yup, everything is settled. Kailangan ko raw dalhin palagi ang medical records at medication ko. And I already searched where I can schedule my regular check-ins with a local physician there," paninigurado ko para hindi na siya mag-alala pa.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure to take all the necessary precautions and stay in touch with Dr. Graciano or with you, throughout my trip," I assured once more.

Wala nang nagawa ang kapatid ko para suportahan na lamang ang plano ko. Among everyone, he's worrying about me the most. Hanggang ngayon, alam kong hindi pa rin niya matanggap ang desisyon ko at nasasaktan siya araw araw. Still, I know, he'll get through it eventually. He's strong.

"Hello, sorry late. May appointment sa clinic ng morning," sambit ko nang makarating na sa plaza kung saan ginaganap ang isang project namin sa church. Agad ko nang nilapag ang backpack ko sa tent at kinuha ang uniform na susuotin ngayong araw.

"Okay lang, Ceres! Ano ka ba," Tumawa si Marian. She's ny churchmate. Halos narito na rin ang iba at kanina pa nagsisimula.

"Nandito na ba lahat ng mga volunteers?" tanong ko at pinasadahan ang bawat tent.

Halos sakupin namin ang buong plaza para sa project na ito. It's called Teach-A-Thon, where children are free to join us in various activities and lessons about Math, Science, English, Music, Arts, and many more.

"Yep, kanina pa sila nandito. At mukhang tuwang-tuwa ang mga bata sa kanila," sabi ni Marian at nakangiting pinapanood ang mga volunteers na nage-enjoy sa pagtuturo sa mga bata. Napangiti rin ako habang pinapanood silang magtawanan at makipagbiruan.

But my smile faded when I darted my eyes at the tent for music lessons. Napasinghap ako nang makita si Sylvan na may hawak na gitara sa gitna at tinuturuan ang ilang bata na nandoon ng mga basic chords.

"He's really crazy," I mouthed and searched for the list of volunteers.

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita ang kanyang pangalan doon na nakarehistro para sa Music lessons sa umaga, Science sa hapon at Math sa gabi! Ano na naman naiisip niya ngayon?

Is Sylvan really volunteering for the common good? I don't think so...

"What are you doing, huh?" I whispered when I got near him. Nang pumatak ang lunch time, hindi na ako nagdalawang-isip na kausapin siya. Hindi naman siya nagulat o nagtaka na nandito ako dahil nagtagpo na ang mga mata namin kanina. And I'm sure he knows I'll be here!

"Volunteering? As a servant of God?" he said playfully. Like me, he's also wearing our uniform customized for this project. I gasped at his answer. What did he say again? Servant of God?

"You're an atheist, as far as I can remember," I chuckled sarcastically.

He smirked.

"I don't believe in God, but I do believe in goodness, Ceres," aniya at makahulugan akong tiningnan. Inikutan ko lamang siya ng mata at huminga nang malalim. He and his eye thingy! Please, I'm too smart to be seduce by him, right?

"I told you, I don't want to see you unless you fix your life," pagpapaalala ko sa usapan namin. He shouldn't be here. Sa dami ng mga pinanggagawa niya lately, dapat iyon ang inuuna niya.

"Yeah, I did," makumpiyansa niyang sabi at tumingin sa isang tent. "Can you see the handsome young boy over there? It's my brother..."

What? Agad akong tumingin sa tinuturo niya. His little brother is also here? My lips parted when I saw the resemblance. Kapatid nga niya iyon at dahil nasa Science tent pa, mukhang kapani-paniwala nga ang sinasabi niya.

"I'm going home for a week now," pagpapatuloy niya.

"How about your parents? Magkagalit pa rin ba kayo?" tanong ko nang humarap muli siya sa akin.

He smiled and shook his head.

"Not anymore. I beg for forgiveness and set aside my pride like what you wanted. But still, I won't agree to the marriage they wanted for me."

I swallowed. Really? He did that?

"How about your withdrawal for the exchange student program?" tanong kong muli. Naitaas ko ang isang kilay ko nang tumikhim siya at natahimik saglit na para bang pinag-iisipan ang bibitawan na salita.

"That one. Still thinking about it," he whispered and his lips compressed in thin line.

"What? Why?" Nalilito kong sabi.

"Long-distance relationship is hard. I can't be away from you," agap niya kaya natawa ako nang hindi makapaniwala.

"We're not in a relationship, Sylvan," I asserted. That's his reason? I'm not convince! Why would I take a huge part in his reckless decision? Desidido siyang umalis noon pa man. Hindi pwedeng dahil sa akin kaya tatalikuran niya iyon.

"I don't want to be a world-class doctor anymore, Ceres. I'm fine being the ordinary, here in CDE."

I scoffed, not sure what to say. Hindi ko alam kung ako ba ang problema dahil parang kinokontrol ko ang mga desisyon niya. Kung ayaw niyang umalis, nasa sa kanya naman iyon pero kasi alam kong gustong-gusto niya noon pa. He worked hard for it! I witnessed how badly he wanted it.

"You're just confused. You put your life on the line to become who you are right now. Think about it once again, okay?" I advised.

"I already did. Trust me..." he said softly.

I sighed.

"You can't change your mind just like that. It's your future we're talking about here—"

"Yes, that's the future I wanted before I met you. But it's not all about me anymore. It's about us," giit niya kaya napaawang ang bibig ko. I don't know why he's doing and saying this. But he can't stay here! Just for me. That's ridiculous! He should leave.

"You can't be serious, Sylvan..." naguguluhan kong sabi at umiling.

"I don't think I can be either. Pero seryoso na ako, can't you see it? What should I do so you could believe me, hmm?"

"If you're just doing this so I could give you a chance, or forgive you, I already did, okay? So, now, take it back. You can't withdraw. Stop this act. It's not funny," Tinigasan ko na ang boses ko para seryosohin na niya talaga.

"Look, out there, in Silverstone, there's a lot of opportunities waiting for you. It could offer a life much better from what you have right now..." pangungumbinsi ko kahit alam kong alam naman na niya iyon.

Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko nang pumungay ang mga mata niyang nakatitig sa akin.

"Any place is not better without you in it." He smiled weakly. Bumagsak ang balikat ko nang maramdaman na hindi na magbabago ang kanyang desisyon sa ngayon.

My heart pounded inside its ribcage. He can't be serious, really. I can't be the reason why he's not leaving. Dahil kung oo, ano'ng ibig sabihin no'n? He loves me that much? Is he really willing to sacrifice everything just to be with me?

Na mas matimbang ako sa mga oportunidad na makukuha niya kung sakali? He's an ambitious man! His dreams are more important than romantic feelings. That's why he doesn't want to commit all this time! I don't get him anymore. But he should leave, for real. Because I am leaving too, in months. I'll be gone, for good. We can't be together either way.