Miara's Mistakes

(121) July 18, 2020

Goodbye

"Miara? Miara? Are you done?" Dali-daling hinablot ni Miara ang bag nang marinig ang boses ni Primo sa may pintuan. "I think your friends are here."

Pagkabukas niya ng pintuan, ang bagong-ligong Primo ang una niyang nakita. He's wearing his usual plain white shirt and black parachute shorts.

"Someone's knocking. I think it's them," pag-iimporma niya.

Miara smiled at him and winked. "Morning, pogi!"

Primo chuckled and Miara did her best not to mind it. She headed to the door and checked the people outside through the peephole.

Tama nga si Primo at sina Isa at Ali ang mga nasa labas.

"Just let them in," ani Primo habang nakasandal sa dingding. Bigla namang na-conscious si Miara nang mapagtanto na tahimik pala siyang pinagmamasdan ng lalaki.

Miara opened the door and was greeted by the loud voices of Ali and Isa. Muntik na silang matumba dahil bigla na lang siyang niyakap ng dalawa.

"Hi, Kuya Pogi, I'm Ali," ani Ali sabay lahad ng kamay. Ganoon din ang ginawa ni Isa.

"Academic rival pala ng kapatid mo," dagdag pa ni Ali sabay turo kay Isa na bigla namang sumimangot.

Isa forced a smile while shaking her head. "Magkamukha kayo pero mas gwapo ka."

Primo let out a laugh kaya sandali namang natulala si Miara sa kaniya. Napakagat labi na lang ang babae nang napagtanto ang nangyari.

"Don't let him hear that. It'll break his heart," natatawang sagot ni Primo.

Miara smiled too. Sigurado akong mami-miss kita. Bakit kaya?

Isa grunted and frowned even more. "Walang puso 'yon!"

Humalakhak si Ali, mukhang may tinatagong tukso. Si Isa naman, dumiretso na sa may living room at kinuha ang duffel bag na pinadala nila kay Miara.

"Don't mind her. She's just a bit bitter that no one won in their debate," aniya at sumunod na sa kaibigan. "Sila ni Timotheo ang team captains."

"It's a debate! It's fine if there's no winner. Winning is not the point!" Pagsali muli ni Isa sa usapan.

"Oh, see?" Ani Ali sabay balik ng tingin kay Primo. "She's still triggered. Your brother was so aggressive and I think it surprised Isa... but I don't know, I guess it's an academic rival thing."

Napatingin si Primo kay Miara kaya nagulat naman ang isa. Sabay silang natawa at napailing-iling.

"He's not aggressive," Primo said defensively while still laughing. Parang hindi ito makapaniwala sa narinig. "He's probably just trying to impress you."

"Impress me?" Gulat na tanong ni Isa, parang nainsulto pa. "No offense, but ew."

Her response made Primo laugh even more. Si Miara naman, tulala pa rin sa kaniya pero nadala na rin sa kaniyang tawa.

"None taken." Primo turned to Miara and neared her. Pagkatapos kunin nina Isa at Ali ang shoulder bag at duffel bag ay nauna silang lumabas.

Isa and Ali chatted with Primo while Miara just smiled and nodded the whole time.

"Miara, goodbye kiss na kay Kuya pogi!" Ali pointed to Primo who was behind Miara. Out of panic, she turned around to face Primo but her panicky hands hit him.

Napalunok si Primo at napahawak may tiyan niya. Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ni Miara.

"Saan kita natamaan?" Aniya, mas nag-panic pa.

Primo shook his head. "I'd rather not say."

Nahihiyang napapikit si Miara, hindi na alam kung paano harapin ang lalaki.

"Hala mo, Miara!"

"Nag-sorry na ako!"

"That's not enough!"

"Eh anong gusto niyong gawin ko? Offer ako ng massage?" Medyo naiinis na sagot ni Miara sa mga kaibigan pero humalakhak lang ang dalawa. Mas uminit ang pisngi ni Miara nang nakitawa rin si Primo.

She turned to him with a pout and he immediately straightened up.

"Sa labas lang kami, ah?" Ani Isa bago hinarap si Primo. "Thank you."

Primo at smiled at the two before turning to Miara.

"So, this is it?"

Miara looked down with a small smile. "Yeah, I guess so."

The two of them opened their arms together, inviting each other for a hug. Miara encircled her arms around Primo's neck while his were around her waist.

This is comfortable. She thought.

"Maraming salamat," bulong niya. Hindi ito sumagot pero naramdaman ni Miara na mas dumikit ang gilid ng mukha ni Primo sa kaniya. "I owe you a lot."

Miara was the first to let go. Kung hindi niya kinalas ang yakap ay baka isipin pa ng isa na gustong-gusto niya ang bisig nito kahit iyon naman talaga ang totoo.

"Goodbye, Primo."

Primo smiled and nodded. "Goodbye for now." He then raised his fist, making Miara chuckle.

Nag-fist bump ang dalawa at dumiretso na sa labas si Miara.

It was just a fist bump, why does it hurt?