On That Same Year

Chapter 18

“If you’re given a chance to bring back something that’s been lost or missing, what would it be? And why?”

I saw how he puffed an air before pausing and gather his courage to answer the question carefully.

“You can do this, Ruzh.” I murmured to myself, Ruzh fixes himself before answering.

“Good afternoon everyone, in my point of view if I were given a chance to bring back something that's been lost or missing..” he pause for a moment. “It would probably how happy my family is before.” he added and with that, everyone became silent.

I could feel my heart slowly forming a heavy void within my chest, I cannot explain why I felt this too but one thing for sure is I knew, I feel sad after hearing that answer of him.

Kagaya ko alam ko kahit hindi ko tignan ang ekspresyon ng dalawa kong kasama ngayon, alam ko their happy faces are slowly turning into a sad one.

“Because now, we're distant as ever and I just wanna live to that moment where are smiles wasn't all a lie back then.” he smiled, a sad one. “Kahit hindi na ako manatili sa moment na 'yon, basta makita ko lang ulit yung mga ngiti naming mag pamilya na walang halong bakas ng kasinungalingan.” he continued trying not to surpress a broken voice, I saw how tight he held the microphone and there I knew he was in the verge of crying but didn't wanna make it obvious.

“U-uh, I'm sorry if you got startled by my answer but that's all. Thank you!” he said in his happy tone but looking at his eyes right now I could tell he's lying.

Everyone clapped their hands loudly and some of them even yelled that they are so proud of Ruzh.

“Siguro malungkot ang pinagdaanan ng pamilya n'ya.” saad ni Riza.

“Yeah, I feel bad for him..” Addi replied.

“Hindi ko talaga ini-expect na maririnig ko 'to sa kanya kasi alam mo, ever since he got transferred in our school and entered me and Iris's classroom. Akala ko talaga nang galing sya sa isang magandang pamilya at syempre a complete and a happy one.” mahabang litanya ni Riza.

They continued on yapping but I remained silent, ibinaba ko ang kamay kong masaya ko pang iwinagayway kanina bago pa tuluyang makabunot ng question si Ruzh.

I've realize, hindi ko pa nga talaga s'ya gaanong kilala. I know I'm not fully aware about his whole story yet but hearing him saying all of that earlier makes me wanna hug him so tight, it must have been tough for him that time.

Poor Ruzh.

“At ngayon, ito na ang pinaka-inaasahan n'yong pagkakataon. Ang malaman kung sino ang nag wagi sa ating mga kandidata ngayong hapon!” the MC said and I immediately shifted my gaze through the stage.

Agad namang hinanap ng mata ko si Ruzh, hindi na nakahawak si Bianca sa kanyang braso ngayon at kitang-kita ko mula rito kung gaano nag iba ang mood ni Ruzh. Kanina lang ay masayang masaya pa ito ngunit ngayon, may kung anong nakabalot sa kanyang awra na nagsasabing hayaan na muna s'ya upang makapag-isip ng mabuti.

I feel worried.

“And now, our Mr. Intramurals is...Who do you is it?” the MC continued on doing his part, I didn't even know sa mismong mananalo na s'ya ngayon. I must've lost in my own thoughts.

“Ruzh! Ruzh! Ruzh!” malakas na sigaw ng mga estudyante.

“Our Mr. Intramurals for this year is....Ruzh Korman!” pagkarinig niyon ay agad na naghiyawan sa tuwa ang mga tao at gayon na rin si Addi at Riza, they even shake me out of happiness.

“Sabi ko na, s'ya yung mananalo eh!” masayang sigaw ni Addi.

Kaagad namang kinoronahan si Ruzh at binigyan ng award kasama ang principal at class adviser namin. Matapos silang kunan ng litrato, walang sabi-sabi nalang akong hinatak ng dalawa kong kasama papuntang intablado upang makakuha rin ng litrato kasama si Ruzh.