My Prince Next Door

Chapter 3 - Balaclava

~Sarang's

Everything is changing gradually. Dahan-dahan na nag-iiba ang mga bagay sa paligid ko. I'm not saying that I don't like it. It's just that everything is changing in a very fast phase. My father is being sweeter than before. He visits me every night ever since the night he told me that I will be going home to Isle Bellagio on my semestral break. Parang nagpapalakas siya sa akin.

Another, my new neighbor. Kael. Nakakasabay ko siya pumasok. Well, sa elevator lang naman at sa parking lot. Magkatabi kasi ang sasakyan namin. Medyo awkward lang kasi lagi niya akong binabati. Katulad na lang kanina.

"Hi Winter! Have a nice day!" at sumakay na siya sa sasakyan niya.

Nakakapanibago pero I have to bear this change if I want to survive. And hide the small feelings starting to rise in the deepest part of my heart.

Papunta na ako sa 10 am class ko ng bigla akong tinawag ng best friend kong si Elisha.

"Bes! Saan klase mo?" tanong niya sa akin.
"Sa 3rd floor. Ikaw ba?" tanong ko.
"Pupunta akong faculty room. May itatanong ako sa prof ko. Break ko naman." sabi niya.
"Ngiting-ngiti ka diyan?" tanong ko sa kanya.
"I. cannot. believe. it." kitang-kita sa mata niya ang sobrang saya.
"What? What's the problem?" tanong ko.
"You are wearing your favorite pink lippie! Oh M G!" nagtatalon niyang sinabi.
"Naubos na yung red kong lip balm. No choice ako." totoo naman eh!
"After 2 years! Hindi ka na naka-red na lippie! I'm so happy! Yes!" she was holding my hand tightly. "Oh? Straight face pa din? Poker face? Smile naman jan bes!"
I gave her a fake smile. "Okay na?"
"Naku. Nag-iiba na bes ha! Lalabas ka na sa 'Balaclava' mo." sabi niya.
"Balaclava... Balaclava... Meet na lang tayo ng lunch." aakyat na ako sa hagdan.
"I know... You're getting there. Despite your front of being cold, natatago pa rin ang warm na Sarang Solstice! I'm happy na may development." Kumaway na siya. "Bye bes! Text na lang!"

Balaclava: a warm hat that covers the head, neck, and most of the face. (m-w.com)

Palaging sinasabi ni Elisha sa akin yan. Masyado ko daw tinatago ang sarili ko making me an epitome of winter. Ayoko na kasing masaktan. Ayoko na ulit mangyari ang dati. Pinipilit kong maging manhid. Hindi ngumiti. Walang tuwa sa puso ko. Walang pinapakitang emosyon. Ayoko.

Nasa loob na ko ng classroom. Binuksan ko ang iPod ko at pinatugtog ang kantang paborito ko.

(a/n: please play video)

Answering Machine

The Replacement

Try and breathe some life into a letter
Losing hope, we'll never be together
My courage is at its peak
You know what I mean
How do you say you're okay
To an answering machine?
How do you say goodnight
To an answering machine?

I remembered the times I called my Dad. Palagi na lang siyang nasa meeting. Secretary niya lang ang nakakausap ko. Busy daw siya. May ka-meeting daw siya. He doesn't want to be disturbed at the moment. Kaunting oras lang naman ang hinihingi ko nun. Ang makamusta ko siya. Marinig ko ang boses niya. Marinig ko na mahal niya ako kahit wala na si Mom.

Big time's got its losers
Small town's got its vices
A handful of friends
One needs a match, one needs some ice
Call-waiting phone in another time zone
How do you say I miss you
To an answering machine?
How do say good night
To an answering machine?