My First Kiss Stealer (Completed)

Chapter XXXII

Dreams, Goals, Achievements & Illusion

I just concluded that my heart now never beats for Michael anymore.

"Pangarap ko rin na maging national athlete sana. Iyong magko-compete inernationally representing our country. I can do good with that by improving my craft in basketball." That was Michael's statement in my interview question for the school paper.

Now that we are face-to-face here in the editorial office and interacting with the questions I prepared, I felt like he is just a normal person in front of me. No skipping heartbeats. No palpitations. I can look at his eyes straight and not be distracted by his appeal.

"Last question ko na."

"Last question na agad! Ang bilis naman ng interview mo."

"Portion lang kasi iyong mga interview sa achievers hindi naman buong section ng broadsheet."

"I'm just kidding Lorraine." He smiled. "Hit it."

I checked first my recorder. Baka kasi ubos na iyong memory ng cellphone ko at di na pala nare-record iyong usapan namin.

"What are your plans for Jobel?" That question is out of the topic and will never reach the publication. It's just that I have this curiosity on what will he do with my friend.

"No personal question please...." He was about to stand on his chair.

"Wait lang Michael." Pinigilan ko ang kamay niya. "Ito naman, nag-aalala lang ako sa inyong dalawa."

Muli siyang naupo at umiling-umiling. "You're unbelievable Lorraine. Matapos ng ginawa namin sa iyo nag-aalala ka pa sa sitwasyon namin? I'm really sorry Raine." Lumungkot ang mukha niya. "Sana mapatawad mo pa ako in the future sa lahat ng kasalanang nagawa ko sa iyo."

"Believe it or not, gusto ko kayo ni Jobel na magka-ayos. Matagal ko na kayong pinatawad ni Jobel. Michael, gawin mo ang lahat para mapalambot ang puso niya. Alam kong mahal mo siya. Huwag mo naman sana siyang susukuan."

Ang lalim ng buntong-hiningang pinakawalan niya. "Kung alam mo lang Lorraine ang mga paghihirap ko para kay Jobel. Minsan.... gusto ko na ngang sumuko." Ramdam ko ang bigat ng pinagdadaanan ni Michael. I've been there too.

"Please Michael, don't give up on her. Habaan mo pa ang pisi mo. If you really love her, do some more. Pigain mo pa ang sarili mo kasi alam kong hindi ka rin niya matitiis. I know that she loves you too. May mga problema siya ngayon at kailangan niya ng taong matibay niyang masasandigan. Please bear with her a little more."

"Thanks Lorraine. You really are a good person. Sana maging masaya ka rin."

"Well, I'm always happy."

"Ibig kong sabihin, sana hindi ka mahirapang hanapin ang taong magmamahal sa iyo ng walang pag-aalinlangan... ng walang limitations... ng walang hang-ups. I really mean it."

"Salamat Michael. Sige na, tapos na ang interview. Baka may gagawin ka pa." He stood up.

"Got to go sa library. May research pa ako. Salamat ulit Lorraine. I'll wait for the next issue. Kailan ba iyan ire-release?"

"Most probably, before graduation ma-release namin ito."

"Okay." He went out of the door.

I was left alone inside the editorial office. But it didn't take long kasi dumating naman si Jake. Ngayon din iyong schedule ng interview niya sa akin.

"Nakasalubong ko si Michael. In-interview mo rin siya?"

"Yup. Shall we start?" I said.

Umupo siya doon sa silyang inupuan ni Michael kanina dito sa round table. Dito kami madalas nagdi-diskusyon ni Ms. Manuel. Sa mga staffers, ako lang ay may specific table and chair dito sa office. Syempre, si Ms. Manuel din meron. Iyong ibang members, sa mga mesa na may desktop computer nagte-table kapag kinakailangan. Bihira kasi silang maglagi dito. Unlike me, pag oras na ng editing mas comfortable dito dahil iyong mga kailangan ko aabutin ko lang sa mga files.