Chapter 13
Natatandaan ko pang mabuti. Malinaw na malinaw ang paliwanag sa 'kin ni Eli noon kung bakit mabilis na nahulog ang loob niya kay Naomy—kahit alam niyang wala siyang pag-asa mula pa umpisa...
We had our first "heart-to-heart" talk a week after we met again in our TLE Club reunion. He's also convincing me further about the "relationship deal".
"Naiintindihan kita. Ang tagal mong hinangaan si Lorcan. Nag-date pa kayo at nagkaroon ka ng pag-asa kahit papaano. Kaya mahihirapan ka talagang maka-move on. You saw a glimpse of what could have been," sabi ni Eli habang nakatingala sa madilim na langit.
Katatapos ko lang ikuwento sa kanya mula umpisa hanggang dulo kung bakit minahal ko si Lorcan. At kung bakit sa tingin ko, hindi na 'ko makaka-move on.
"Huwag mong madiliin. I understand that. Ako nga, hirap na hirap din. Kahit ngayong taon ko lang naman nakilala si Naomy. Hindi madaling kalimutan ang babaeng katulad niya."
Pumikit siya at napahilot sa batok. "I think it's really a sin and yet, I let myself feel things. Mahirap siguro talaga mapigilan ang puso."
Napatitig ako kay Eli dahil hindi ako sanay na seryosong-seryoso siya at hindi nagbibiro. Since high school, he's always the smiling guy who can make everyone laugh.
But not tonight. I still appreciate this side of him, though. We've been apart for many years, but Eli's showing me his rawness already.
"What made you fall for Naomy even though it's crystal clear you'll never have a chance with her?" I innocently and very curiously asked him. Ngayon lang ako nakarinig ng ganitong kuwento.
My three besties used to tell me that boys don't go for women when they know they will just be rejected at the end. Automatic daw sa isang lalaki na doon sila sa babaeng mapi-feed ang "ego" nila. Pinipili raw ng lalaki 'yong alam nilang magkakagusto rin pabalik sa kanila o mahuhuli nila nang mabilis.
Pero itong si Eli, parang wala sigurong pakialam sa ego.
"I'm sorry if my words will offend you, but before you met Naomy, you know she's already pregnant with Lonzo's child. You know she's your cousin's girlfriend. Magkakapamilya na sila, pero na-fall ka pa rin? Ahm... isn't that stupidity in your end?"
Mula sa pagtingala sa langit ay napayuko sa 'kin si Eli. "Hindi ka nakaka-offend magsalita kasi ang liit ng boses mo. Cute."
Napabuga ako ng hangin. "You're dodging my question, Elizardo."
"You're dodging my question, Elizardo," ulit niya habang ginagaya ang maliit at mahinhin kong boses.
Sinimangutan ko siya. Eli chuckled. "Ang cute mo pa rin, Ciela. Parang hindi ka talaga tumanda mula noong high school."
"I told you everything why I fell in love with Lorcan, and you understood. Thus, I want to understand you too. At kung gusto mong pumayag ako sa 'relationship' na in-o-offer mo sa 'kin..."
Napangisi siya at napakamot-kamot sa batok. Napayuko siya at parang nahihiya. "At first, it was physical attraction. Yes, she's not more beautiful than my ex-girlfriends, but... She shines. She's plain and simple, but there's a different glow in Naomy that I couldn't explain."
"Pregnant women glow differently, they said."
"Oo, puwede. Pero..." Pumikit si Eli. "Basta kapag nakita mo siguro siya, mas maiintindihan mo 'ko. She's been through a very rough life, but still, she was able to give genuine care and service to people.
