Anakin, I Remember

Chapter 1

I remember that day.

It was just one of the typical days.

Good. Light.

Smile-inducing.

Fun-filled.

The wind was stronger than my self-belief, but it felt extremely nice.

Kulay-abo ang mga naglalakihang ulap sa kalangitan. Iyong tipong mapapatakbo ka na lang palabas ng bahay niyo para mabilisang akasin ang mga sinampay niyong damit kapag nakita mo.

Nagsasayawan ang mga puno at halaman. The leaves were falling to the ground in an enchanting way. The neighborhood showed no sign of turmoil. There was barely anyone outside. Kung may ingay man, iyon ay nagmumula sa mga aso sa kapitbahay.

I lifted my gaze, pushing a few pieces of hair out of my face. And just when I was about to turn away from the gate, something caught my attention—or should I say, someone.

Kumunot ang aking noo sa sandaling mamataan ko sa hindi kalayuan ang isa pang tao na mabagal na naglalakad, dala-dala ang bulto at mukha na ubod ng pamilyar sa akin.

Tinatangay ng marahas na hangin ang buhok niya sa iba't ibang direksyon. He was looking in my direction. One thing was for sure—I didn't know what to make of the look on his face. He just had this inscrutable look on his face.

He donned a grey T-shirt, a pair of relaxed-fit khaki trousers, and a pair of black sliders. Walang labis, walang kulang.

It's really him.

Pero teka.

Bakit siya nandito?

He told me earlier today that he had somewhere else to be tonight so he wouldn't be able to come over and join us for a sleepover. So, I had assumed that he's going to join his cousins—who came all the way from New York—later for a night out.

Minsan lang kasi umuwi ng Pinas 'yong mga 'yon. Minsan lang sila magkita-kita ng mga pinsan niya sa mother's side. Plus, iba rin 'yong bond na pinagsasaluhan nila. Kaya nga wala akong reklamo nang sabihan niya ako kanina na hindi siya makakasama sa amin ngayon.

Napakibit-balikat na lamang ako at nauwi sa panonood sa mahaba niyang mga binti na mag-unahan sa pag-abante. The closer he got, the clearer everything became to me.

The moment he stopped in front of the closed gate I was standing on the other side of, a warm, woody scent enveloped me. I had to purse my lips. Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ako o ano. Kaunti na lang, mahihigitan niya na 'yong gate namin!

Parang kailan lang noong hindi pa siya ganito katangkad. In fact, I was inches taller than him and Jacko before. Literal na mapapayat silang bata noon na parang elastic band na na-stretch ang mga buto. Paano ba maging favorite ni Lord?

"Hi."

From his hair, my eyes went down to his face, only to be greeted by the usual solemn look that he wore.

I arched a brow. "Ginagawa mo rito?"

"Bakit? Bawal?" he blurted out flatly.

I couldn't help but grin. "Sinong nagsabing welcome ka rito? Uwi na!"

He briefly looked away, rolling his eyes mockingly. "Nakauwi na."

"Wow, ha. Bahay mo 'to, eh, 'no?"

"Oo," sagot niya na may kasama pang umaapaw na kumpyansa.

"Labo ng mata mo," I joshed even more.

Some parts of his face were adorably reddish. Medyo mapungay ang mga mata niyang pantay ang mga talukap at hindi ko alam kung dahil ba kagigising niya lang kaya ganoon o ano.