𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐦

Chapter 17

"Look at the stars, oh!"

Haru pointed to the night skies filled with bright stars. My mouth went agape and my eyes shined because I could see everything above clearly. Kanina ay abala kaming kumakain ng Balot-and I was not expecting him to eat it. He said that he tried it one time with Yuna and he's actually liking it.

"Ang ganda..." I said breathtakingly. Isa isa kong timuturo-turo ang mga bituin doon, naturang binibilang kahit na hindi ko naman talaga mabilang ang lahat ng 'yon.

"Can you also see the crescent moon?" tanong niya pa sa akin.

I nodded well. Nandoon ang crescent moon sa tabi ng maraming bituin. Wow..! Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang araw na akong hindi nakakita ng mga bituin at buwan na ganito kaklaro. Palagi kasing umuulan sa Villaba, at tsaka, ang daming street lights din doon. Parang ang mga 'yon ay tinatapatan ang ilaw ng mga bituin at buwan.

Aside from that, I was also amused because I never expected to see those clearly. City kasi ito, ibig sabihin mas maraming street lights at isali na rin natin ang mga ilaw ng mga sasakyan. Perhaps this is indeed a miracle. Just by looking at those, gives me a lot of hope to always believe in better days.

"I'm very happy, Zinny..."

I slowly looked my way to him. When I could see his face now, I blinked my eyes, trying to understand him. Ang genuine ng ngiti niya... Even his eyes speak a lot of joy.

"Bakit..?" My heart skipped a beat.

"Kasi... totoo na ang ngiti mo ngayon..." He laughed a bit, trying not to be awkward. "I mean... these past few days, you've been through a lot of emotional breakdowns... Ang hirap humanap ng way kung paano ka pasayahin. I'm happy at least for a very short time, I made you smile and be happy."

Hindi ko alam, but right after he said those words in an honest way, I suddenly became emotional. Pero that wasn't that fast... My tears didn't fall in an instant. Parang bumubuo pa 'yon sa mga mata ko... I was trying to fight my burst of emotions.

"Alam mo..." I breathed hard. "Nakakainis ka..."

He held my hand sweetly. "Why?"

Bumagsak na ang luha sa aking mga mata. "Kasi... palagi mo na lang ako pinapasaya..."

Nang tuluyan akong naluha ay parang na-trigger din ang emosyon niya, kaya naman ay naluha rin siya. Ang ending tuloy umiiyak na kami habang tinuturo kung sino ang may pasimuno. We also laughed in between, trying to subside the overwhelm we felt.

"I'm sorry kung nasabi ko 'yon..." he said. "I just felt so happy seeing you happy. You know your happiness means a lot to me... lalo na ngayon na I've witnessed you breaking down and not being able to have a good amount of sleep."

Masuyo niyang hinalikan ang kamay ko. "Always remember, Zinny, that I'll be here beside you. Kahit ano'ng mangyari, I'll still be here."

Napaluha ulit ako at umiling-iling. "Huwag mong sabihin 'yan..."

"Bakit naman..?" His face went soft.

Inalis ko ang natitirang luha sa mukha ko gamit ang isang kamay na hindi niya hawak. "Kasi... natatakot ako... na baka gagawa ang tadhanang ilayo tayo sa isa't isa. I mean, words are so strong. Pati hangin ngayon ay may dalang bad luck."

Masuyo niya akong hinila sa isang mahigpit na yakap. I cried on his shoulder and said: "Pero sa kabila no'n ay nagpapasalamat ako. Bihira lang na tao ang katulad mo... na talagang nandito palagi sa tabi ko. Ang iba kasi, parang... ayaw nila makisali sa kung anuman ang pinagdadaanan na sakit ng isang tao. They would think that it's not their problem at all."