Reckless Romances

Chapter 35 - Moon

Sabi nila, kapag patay ka na, your brain will play your favorite memories in seven minutes—one final look at your life. I always wonder if that would be enough. Maiksi ang pitong minuto para balikan ko ang lahat ng paborito kong alaala... para balikan ko siya.

Seven minutes lang ba talaga, God? Can I ask for more than that?

Kahit na alam kong iisang mukha lang ang makikita ko sa buong pitong minuto, puwede po bang bagalan Niyo?

Remember the girl I was praying for? Gabi-gabi ko siyang pinagdarasal Sa 'yo noon kaya alam kong natatandaan Mo siya. Remember her, God? She's my wife now. But I... I left her.

I know You know I would trade anything just to be with her again. Kahit ano, isusuko ko, makita ko lang ulit siya... o kahit marinig ko lang ang boses niya.

One final look at my moon.

***

I watched myself smiling awkwardly at Maxine, but she's not smiling back at me. Nakataas ang mga kilay niya habang nililipad ng hangin ang mahaba at tuwid niyang buhok. She looked irritated. And now... I know why, but my eighteen-year-old self didn't.

"Maxine, right? Napanood ko 'yong game niyo kahapon. Ang galing mo talaga mag-volleyball 'no? Nilampaso mo 'yong school namin!"

Nakakahiya ka, Gabriel? Just shut up and walk away!

"Kuya, you're making me uncomfortable. Stop talking to me, please. Hindi kita kilala," mataray na sagot ni Maxine.

That's my girl! She should have punched me back then.

"I'm Leonard Gabriel Del Rosario, 18 years old. Ayan ah... kilala mo na ako," my younger self continued.

Napasapo ako sa noo ko at napailing. Maling-mali talaga na kay Hunter ako nagpaturo kung paano ako makakalapit kay Maxine noon.

Wrong move, Gabriel.

Biglang dumilim ang buong paligid. Hindi na ako nakatayo malapit sa gate ng school na pinapasukan noon ni Maxine—nasa ballroom na ako ng isang hotel. Maraming anino. Maingay. Tumutugtog ang mga awit ng Apo Hiking Society, ang paboritong banda ni Tito Royce. Napayuko ako sa suot ko. I wasn't wearing my white bloody shirt anymore. I am now wearing the navy blue tuxedo that my mom chose for me for Tito Royce's birthday from years ago.

I am not just watching my memories—I am in my memories.

"Kinakabahan ako, Gabriel..."

Napasinghap ako nang marinig ko ang malambing niyang tinig. Agad akong napalingon sa kaliwa ko. Malikot ang mga singkit niyang mata at papalapit na sa bibig niya ang kanang kamay niya. Nakasuot siya ng itim at makinang na evening gown. Nakalugay ang mahaba niyang buhok. She's not wearing any make-up but her cheeks were blushing and her lips were red.

"W-What if they don't like me?" She bit her nails anxiously. I gently pulled her right hand away from her scarlet lips.

"They will like you. Trust me." I smiled at her. Flashing my upper teeth.

"B-Bakit ba kasi kailangang ipakilala mo pa ako? Hindi pa naman tayo!" She crossed her arms in front of her. Nagsalubong din ang mga kilay niyang bagay na bagay sa singkit niyang mga mata.

"Kailangan ba'ng tayo na bago kita ipakilala?" nakangiting sagot ko habang nakatitig sa mukha niyang halatang naiirita na. Ang ganda niya pa rin kahit nakabusangot at tiger-look na.

"Ilang buwan na rin naman kitang nililigawan...a-and I want you to meet my Mom and my Step Dad, because I'm serious about us, Maxine," I declared with my raspy voice.