Fidelity

58th

Pupunta rin ako

Hindi ko alam na ganoon pala ang iniisip niya. Marami nang nangyari matapos ang namagitan samin at hindi ko na masyadong inanalisa ang pakitungo niya sa akin. In my head, I just knew it was normal for him to be indifferent considering everything that has happened between us.

I thought keeping distance was just the standard behavior after something like that. So I didn't put much meaning to it when he did.

I felt the gentle night breeze against my skin. The atmosphere suddenly feels weird. This isn't what I was aiming for. Hindi ito ang intensyon kong mangyari. This is far from what I envisioned to happen.

"Hey, that was.. a l-long time ago," I said, trying to lighten up the mood. "Nung engagement party pa lang nila Raya, sinabi ko nang kalimutan na natin yon. I mean, come on... we're too old to dwell so much on the past. Hindi rin ako marunong magtanim ng sama ng loob, alam mo 'yan. It's just a waste of energy."

I keep on moving forward because I believe that's how life works. Naniniwala rin ako na hinihilom ng panahon ang anumang sugat. With time, you get to reflect and think a lot. Mga bagay na mahirap gawin sa gitna ng tensyonadong sitwasyon. Mga panahon kung saan puno tayo ng galit at hinanakit. But with time, there's calm after the storm. One gets past the raging set of emotions. Time heals. We grow and our perspective does too.

"At isa pa, I know Cal and Raya are having a hard time because of us!" pasaring ko. "Best man ka ba naman at maid of honor ako... Nakakahiya! This should be the best time of their lives. Wag natin ipagkait 'yon sa kanila. Getting along is the best gift we could possibly give them for their wedding,"

I'm glad Davion and I were able to talk it out last night. Well, I did all the talking— he barely said anything except when asked. But atleast we came to an agreement! That we won't make things awkward for Cal and Raya anymore. Gusto ko ngang magkasundo na kami lalo pa matapos lahat ng nalaman ko sa kanya nitong mga nakaraan! That he owns Chunk and he's Vegan! Heck, I would do anything to be friends with one!

But I know it wouldn't be easy considering how wary he still was last night when he gave me a ride. We still have a long way to go before he finally loosen up around me.

"Tuloy ka... Kunin ko lang yung laptop 'ko," ani Einj pagdating ko sa bahay nila sa Calle Nueva.

Linggo ngayon at nagkasundo kaming magkita sa kanila. We will be editing a short video clip for Raya's bridal shower. Ayaw naming kapusin ng oras kaya't napagdesisyonan naming simulan na ito kahit wala pa si Adea. Sa makalawa pa kasi ang balik nito mula sa tournament niya sa ibang bansa.

"I can't believe we have to make this ourselves," ani Einj habang binubuksan ang laptop. "Ang dami ko sanang kilalang video editors pero itong si Adea ang nagpasimuno na wag nang kumuha dahil sayang daw! Tapos siya itong wala ngayon!"

I did agree with Adea when she said it though. Kami-kaming girls lang din naman kasi ang manonood at maiksing video clip lang talaga ang plano. One-minute mahigit lang halos. We just wanted to play something funny during that night and I thought it would be a waste to pay someone else to do it too. Tingin ko ay mas nakakatawa kung kami mismo ang gagawa, kahit pa wala rin akong experience sa pag-eedit.

"I don't even have a software for video editing. What should I download?" aniya.

"There's a lot of good reviews about Adobe and DaVinci," wika ko habang nagbobrowse sa phone.

Sinubukan naming idownload ang isa roon ngunit hindi supported ng system ng laptop ni Einj. We tried the other one but the installation alone is already taking forever.

"This is not going to work. Let's just borrow someone else's laptop." ani Einj bago dinampot ang phone para tumawag. "I'm pretty sure Davion has an editor installed on his. I think he's home right now,"

Mukha namang pumayag ito base sa usapan nila. I can only hear Einj's end of the conversation though.

"Should we go get it?" tanong ko pagkababa niya ng tawag.

"Nah.. hahatid niya na lang 'yon," she certainly said.

Pumili na lang muna kami ng mga photos na isasama sa edit. I was sorting the images on her laptop folder when the doorbell rang. Inunahan na ni Einj ang maid sa pagpunta sa pinto.

Nilihis ko ang kurtina sa living room nila Einj at sumilip sa labas. I saw Davion handing the laptop and its charger to Einj. He was wearing pambahay fits and a crocs.

Einj came in alone with the laptop. Binuksan namin iyon at nagsimulang magtransfer ng mga files. Connected na ang laptop sa wifi nila Einj pagbukas pa lang namin.

We then began downloading music and audios. Ngunit nag-error iyon dahil sa unstable connection. Mukhang nagloloko ang internet provider nila Einj at hindi na lang laptop ang problema.

As if on cue, I saw an advisory posted by the network on their Facebook page. May undergoing maintenance daw.

Einj immediately decided to relocate while cursing their internet provider. She initially thought of going to Adea's but realized that they do have the same network. We ended up going at Davion's.

He looks less tensed to see me at his doorstep this time when he let us inside.

Kumuha siya ng dalawang floor cushions at nilapag iyon sa sahig. He also left us with some cookies before going back to his gaming chair. Hindi ko maiwasang mapatitig sa pusang agad na pumatong at humiga sa hita niya pagkaupo niya.

"This should be enough, right?" ani Einj matapos magcut ng music.

We just then threw everything in and added some unhinged captions that got us bursting into laughter.

"D, pano 'to isesave as a video?" tanong ni Einj nang makuntento kami.

Davion held the cat on his left hand and went near us. Pumagitna siya samin ni Einj at inabot ang mouse. The cat was staring straight at me as if she was judging me the whole time. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. The bitch didn't back down.

Animals are usually tame and friendly around me, especially pets. I'm an advocate of animal rights, for pete's sake! What's this cat's problem with me?

"Sol, are you heading home after this? Pahatid na kita sa driver," ani Einj nang matapos kami at nagliligpit na lang. "You didn't bring your car right?"

"Yeah, nag-grab lang ako kanina." sagot ko.

"Papunta rin ako sa Salcedo." ani Davion habang sinusuot ang hoodie na dinampot niya mula sa couch. "Hatid na kita,"