A Young Heart's Promise

19

Mikha

Inikot ko ang aking paningin sa parking area habang inis na napapasuklay sa aking buhok. "Damn it!"

"Mikha!"

Mabilis ko lang sinulyapan si Stacey na naglalakad na rin palabas ng bar. Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad habang hinahanap ko ang aking sasakyan.

"Mikha Lim!!! Would you stop right there!" Puno na ng pagkainis ang tinig ni Stacey.

I sighed in frustration and waited for her. I combed my hair and faced her. "What is it that you want now, Stacey Sevilleja?!"

She rolled her eyes and lightly tapped my shoulder. "You're so impossible, Mikha!!! I can't believe you'd do that!"

"You know me so well, Stacey. You should not be this surprise anymore!" Bale wala kong sabi. "Besides, wala akong nakikitang masama sa pagiging pranka at pagiging honest ko!"

"But its Aiah— my cousin and your friend that we are talking about!!!!" Puno ng diin niyang sabi.

I sighed in frustration. Am I heartless if I'm not feeling guilty right now?!

"Babi can you come with me? I'll introduce you to my new manager." Nakangiti ng matamis si Aiah habang humawak siya sa aking braso.

I tried to fake a smile hearing the endearment. Noong una, it was just fine kahit pa nga hindi na ako nagtanong why she ended up calling me like that. I mean, it was cute somehow. But recently, hindi ko alam pero naiirita na akong marinig mula sa kanya ang 'Babi' na 'yan! "What are you doing Aiah?"

Nangunot ang noo niya at saka nagkibit balikat. "Nothing. Gusto lang kitang ipakilala. Wala namang masama dun 'di ba?"

Why do you have to be so nice?! Ang hirap tuloy pakitaan siya ng masama. "Ai, you don't have to. Isa lang din ako sa mga guests at sa mga kaibigan mo. Hindi mo na ako kailangang ipakilala pa sa lahat."

"But I want them to know that I have someone special right now." Puno ng kahulugan nyang sabi. "C'mon Babi, its not a big deal. Who knows, next time mameet ulit natin sila, atleast may idea na sila kung sino ka sa buhay ko."

I nervously chuckled. "Why? Who am I in your life Aiah?" I didn't mean to sound sarcastic but looking at her reaction mukhang ganon na rin ang naging dating para sa kanya.

Dahan-dahan nyang ibinaba ang kamay nyang nakahawak sa aking braso. Napakagat labi siya saka nahihiyang nag iwas ng tingin. "R-Right. S-Sorry I-I t-think I misunderstood everything." Mahina niyang turan.

I tightened my jaw. Ang hirap palang maging masamang tao lalo na kung kasing bait ni Aiah ang involve. "Don't be sorry Aiah." I bit my lip and held her hand. "Oh God! Why do you have to be this nice?!"

Napatawa siya ng pagak. "How do I take that, Babi? As a compliment or as criticism?!"

Huminga ako ng malalim saka napatingin sa bandang likuran ni Aiah kung saan nakatayo si Stacey at nakataas ang kilay na nakamasid sa amin. "Stop calling me Babi." I said with conviction. Kahit kinakain na ako ng konsensya ko, pinilit kong salubungin ang mga mata ni Aiah na ngayon ay napuno na ng lungkot. "You've been like this for how many years now, Aiah. Hindi ka ba napapagod?"

"For you, I-I g-guess I never will.."

Binitawan ko na ang kanyang kamay. "I can't see you the way you want me to see you." Pranka kong sabi. I should have done this long time ago. "You're too good for me, Aiah. I have too many demons inside me and you don't deserve those!"