"That's not for you to say," I answered. "I can leave whenever I want. I could vanish again without any traces. I can be gone again and never come back."
The loud pounding on my chest was still there, but I kept fighting the idea of passing out. I can't. At least not in front of him.
"I know you can do that. That's why I won't let a moment pass doing nothing," he smiled. "Time has gone like a tick of a clock but I loved you in every millisecond of it."
Deep breaths, Tarhatta. Deep breaths. Do not be fooled by his words!
"Every place in the world follows a different time zone. You may have loved me here in the Philippines, but you're twelve hours late in Canada time," I tried my best to grin. "Now, Mr. Obenieta, if you would still compare love to a clock, get your metaphors right next time."
He gaped at me, not believing what he just heard. Binalik ko ang bouquet sa kanya and without much of looking back, I hurried for the sidewalk to take a cab. Halos pasalamatan ko lahat ng santo nang agad na may nagpasakay sa 'kin.
My breathing was shallow as I fumbled for my medicine inside my bag. I always take it with me because anxiety is like a sniper, it would shoot you at your most unguarded times.
I took it immediately and waited for its effect. When I got the hold of myself, I realized that the cab wasn't moving. Hindi ko pa pala nasasabi kung saan ako pupunta. Pinahiran ko muna ang mukha bago nag-angat ng tingin sa driver na nakatingin na pala sa akin mula sa rearview mirror.
The passing of time drew lines on his face that puckered his forehead and cheeks. His brown eyes shadowed adoration as his wide smile brought me comfort just like the good old days. Lumipas na ang panahon, ngunit hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang ngiti niyang iyon.
"K-Kuya Carlos."
"Alfred," nakangiti pa ring aniya. "Ay, Ms. Tarhatta na pala ngayon."
Nagkakamot siya ng ulo dahil sa pagkakamali habang ako naman ay naiyak sa muli naming pagkikita. I jumped out of my seat to give him a hug. Seconds later, I already felt his palm caressing my back. That made me sob like a little girl crying on her father's arms.
"Nakaka-proud ka, anak," mahinang bulong niya.
Kumalas ako sa pagyakap at bumalik sa upuan. "Kamusta po kayo?" Hindi pa siya nakakasagot ay nagtanong ulit ako. "Bakit pala taxi na ang minamaneho ninyo?"
"Sagot para sa una mong tanong, maayos naman ako. Pangalawang sagot, pinaalis ako ni Ma'am Melanie noong..." natigilan siya. "Basta, hindi na ako kailangan ng mga Obenieta."
My heart ached after hearing it and wanted to ask more about it, but I chose not to.
"Saan ka pala, ma'am? Libreng sakay na 'to."
Agad akong umiling. "No, Kuya Carlos. I will pay. Kaya ko na pong magbayad ng pamasahe sa bawat pagsakay ko sa kotseng dala ninyo hindi tulad dati."
"Wala iyon, Ms. Tarhatta. Nobya kayo noon ng amo ko kaya marapat lang na pagsilbihan din kita."
"Tarhatta o Tar na lang po ang itawag ninyo sa 'kin," I smiled as an idea crossed my mind. "Pwede po ba akong makabisita sa inyo?"
"Naku, pwedeng-pwede, Miss—ay, Tar. Kailan mo ba gusto at nang makahanda kami?"
"Ngayon po."
"Ngayon?" nagkamot siya ng ulo. "Baka makalat ang bahay namin."
"Wala hong kaso 'yon sa akin, Kuya."
Ilang beses pa akong nagpumilit at tinatahak na namin ang daan patungo sa kanila. This is the first time I felt at ease after seeing someone from the past. His and his family's kind hearts are engraved in my mind. I owe them a lot.
BINABASA MO ANG
Her Fearless Ways
RomansaLiving has never been easy for Alfreda Guevero. She grew up in an abusive household with a fear of her life ending in the hands of her own family. Thankfully, she has Malkovich Larson Obenieta, a friend whom she secretly likes for years. A bunch of...
