The Bliss Isolation

Kabanata 5

Michelle's POV

♪Minamasdan na naman ang kawalan
Ako'y hinahatid ng mga bituin sa 'yo♪

I hummed along to the song as I watched my foot step awkwardly on the rocky path. Inilagay ko ang aking mga kamay sa likod at bahagyang tumatango habang tahimik kaming naglalakad ng aking kasama sa madilim na daanan. Tanging ang liwanag na mula sa buwan at ng flashlight ang nagsisilbing gabay sa aming dalawa.

Sa bawat pagsimoy ng hangin ay nililipad ang nakalagay kong buhok at ang dulo ng suot kong bestida. Ang dampi ng lamig sa aking balat ay nagdudulot ng pagtatayuan ng aking mga balahibo kaya hindi ko maiwasang manginig ng kaunti kahit may suot na cardigan.

♪Sa'n man maglayag
Ikaw lang patutunguhan
At sa aking pagdating
Sa 'yo ko lang sasabihing♪

I glanced at the woman beside me as she quietly walked to my right side, guiding me onto the sidewalk. Nang um-angat ang aking atensyon sa harapan, saktong dumaan ang isang sasakyan na may kabilisan ang pagmamaneho at nilagpasan kami.

♪Kay palad na ikaw
Ang kapiling ko sa ilalim ng buwan
At kay saya na ikaw
Ang katabi ko sa pagsikat ng araw♪

♪Ooh-ooh, oh, ooh-ooh, oh♪

I tried looking at her, but she was just staring straight ahead, her brows furrowing. My lips formed in a thin line as I averted my eyes from her. Sa hindi malamang dahilan ay natutuwa ako sa kaniya ngayon. Kung p'wede lang tumawa ay kanina ko pa ginawa pero sinusubukan kong pigilan.

Wala akong ideya pero siguro sa kadahilanang kilala ko siya ay nagkakaganito ako. I can't just completely fathom on how her mind changes this instantly. Hindi pa rin rumerehistro sa akin na naglalakad ako ngayon kasama siya papunta sa kapihan na gusto kong subukan.

When in reality, she declined. She clearly said how she didn't want to come with me.

But now we are walking on our way, being guided by the moon.

♪'Di mawawala, gabay ang kalawakan
Dama ang pananabik, ako'y papalapit na, giliw♪

Hanggang saan nga ba talaga ang totoong Jov?

This might sound strange, but I have this urge to be close to her---not just close, but a close friend. I am usually careful with who I let into my life, yet the thought of having her as someone I can call a "friend" feels like an intriguing possibility.

♪Parating na'ng dapithapon
At kay sarap umuwi sa 'yo
Kaya tuwing gabi
Ako'y nananalangin dahil♪

"Jov," tawag ko sa kaniya kaya saglit siyang tumingin sa akin.

"Bakit?"

"I want to apologize..." I uttered as I cleared my throat. "Sorry for burdening you. It wasn't really my attention to make more things complicated. I just... I just don't know how to do things at first hand, so I'm trying to discover my skills from trying."

♪Kay palad na ikaw
Ang kapiling ko sa ilalim ng buwan
At kay saya na ikaw
Ang katabi ko sa pagsikat ng araw♪

♪Ooh-ooh, oh, ooh-ooh, oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, oh, ooh-ooh, oh♪

Hininaan ko ang tunog ng musika na sinasakop ang katahimikan namin para marinig niya ako. This is the chance I have been looking for, so might as well grab the opportunity. The only reason I let the music fill the silence between us was because of the awkwardness I felt earlier.

"I'm not saying this to ask for your forgiveness. I just want to express my sincere apology because I don't want to stay here feeling like I'm not on good terms with someone," I continued, biting my lower lip. "And I don't want to make you uncomfortable with my presence, especially since I'm just a visitor here. You're not the one who should have to adjust---it's me."