The Love We Are Meant To Find

Chapter 5

Calix sat on the bench, his shoulders shaking with each sob that escaped his lips.  The world around him blurred, a kaleidoscope of  grey and green. In the distance, a familiar figure emerged from the hazy landscape. April, the girl he had met at Prom, was approaching him, her face etched with concern.  She was like a beacon of warmth in his cold, desolate world.

"Hey, Cali! Calix right?" Tinapik ng dalaga ang likod ni Calix upang kuhanin ang atensyon nito.

Agad nag punas ng luha ang binata, "bakit ka umiiyak? Anong nangyari?" Nag aalalang tanong ni April.

"Athena April? April 'di ba?... ah wala.. wala lang."

"Sus, mag sisinungaling kapa.. sige na kwento mo na.. sige ka mag tatampo ako."

"Kasi my sister, Meisha... ipapadala siya ng mga magulang namin sa Amerika, habang ako maiiwan para pag-aralan ang negosyong hindi ko naman gusto."

"Bakit kailangan sa amerika pa? May Med School naman ang pilipinas," nagtatakang tanong ni April sa binata.

"Education is better abroad than in the Philippines, and... the truth is, my parents are sending Meisha overseas to study. It's a big decision for them, especially nag-iisang anak na babae 'yon. They want her to focus on her future and not get sidetracked by relationships. Nag-aalala din sila na baka masira ang magandang kinabukasan nito kung makikipag date na ang kapatid ko.  It's tough, because Meisha and one of my friends have started developing feelings for each other.  My parents want to cut things off before anything serious develops between them." Anito.

"It's heartbreaking that your own family is making this so hard.  Maybe this is a chance for Meisha to experience something new, but it doesn't mean you have to be alone in this battle.  You're not alone in this, Calix.  I'm here for you." April said, then hugged Calix. Calix couldn't hold back his tears and cried in the girl's arms.

Sinalubong ng mga mata nina Meisha at Lianne ang nakikitang eksena nina April at Calix.  Isang kakaibang init ang sumabog sa dibdib ni Lianne, pero agad niyang pinilit na patayin ang nararamdaman na 'yon.  May boyfriend naman siya, maling maramdaman ang mga ganitong bagay.

Tumakbo si Meisha sa palikuran ng paaralan, at doon umiyak.
"Because of me, my brother is crying... he talked to mom and dad to let me pursue my dreams. He doesn't want the same thing to happen to me, being forced to study and work in a business I don't want, like what happening to him. He wants me to have the freedom to follow my own dreams." Umiiyak na sabi nito kay Lianne, tinapik ni Lianne ang likod ni Meisha para pakalmahin.

"Ginagawa naman nila kung ano yung akala nilang tama para sainyo, eh."

"Tama? Lianne tama bang pwersahin kami sa isang bagay na ayaw naman namin, yung pilitin na ilayo kami sa isa't isa ng sarili kong kapatid?" umiiyak na sabi ni Meisha kay Lianne.

"Have you told your boyfriend that our parents are sending us to America?" Meisha added, her voice trembling slightly.

"Hindi pa, may isang buwan pa naman para masabi ko. Humahanap pa ako ng tamang oras para don," sagot ni Lianne.

"Sigurado ka bang maiintindihan ka ni Martin?" Meisha asked.

"Hindi ko alam, pero sana."

***
"Close pala kayo nung April, Calix."

"Hindi naman, madalas lang na siya ang kasama ko." Sagot ni Calix.

"Baka pag balik namin ni Meisha, may girlfriend kana." Ani ni Lianne.

"Sino? Ako?"

"Oo, kayo na ba ni April?

"Hindi... mabait lang si April. Malungkot at masakit sakin na aalis kayo ng kapatid ko at dinadamayan ako ni April don." May parte sa puso ni Lianne ang naka hinga dahil doon.