Bus Ride

Bus Ride

Eine Vuycankiat

I rode a bus going home. Then I looked out at the window, thinking of the things I've done before. So much pain, so much heart aches. I knew it was wrong to leave the Philippines, the place where I grew up, because I knew everyone would miss me and all. Auntie Belen, kuya Lloyd, ate Ann, Uncle George, I would miss them too, especially Sam. She was my best friend, my first love, and my girlfriend. We've been best friends since Middle School.

I had to leave though, cause my father who worked in Korea told us that I should have my college there together with my twin sister. I never knew the reason but I always asked mom. But she said she never knew. We still did what he said and still respected him as a father even though he was never there for us like one. Birthdays, Christmas days, Graduation, never came.

Then one day, after me and sis finished college, father came home with a lipstick mark at his cheek. Mom noticed it. Then she raged. World War III came. Sis and I ran to our room. She cried at the corner. But I just got frustrated. I cussed. I swore. I cursed his name. I never did this before. And I never wanted to do it. But I was still mad.

After the argument, mom said we should leave and pack our bags. So we left father in Korea. Then, we came back home. Now that we're back after five years, Sam doesn't remember me because her close friend and neighbor, Franco, told me that she got hit in the head real hard last week. I couldn't believe all the things he said were true. So I rang her doorbell, knocked her front door, and shouted her name. But no one came out. No one responded. I did some walling at their front door and of course cried. Franco didn't stop me from crying but he tried to comfort me in any way. After being hit in the head though, Franco tried helping her recall all the things that happened before. That they were close friends, that she's always happy for others, that she's an amazing person. But it never worked.

That was a long time ago. I should forget all that. That dreadful event happened like three years ago and I have to move on. Still daydreaming, a girl seated beside me together with another guy. You see, the place in the bus where I've seated has three seats. I'm at the seat that's beside the window. She was busy planning with him about some birthday party that's going to be held about next week. Just like what Sam and I used to do for our other friends' birthday parties. That just made me more depressed.

After a few minutes, they stopped talking and the girl beside me fell asleep. Just then I realized this lady beside me is Sam together with a person I don't know. They're really close so they must be a couple. My heart ached. Then while Sam was sleeping, she placed her head on his shoulder. After that feeling, I felt like a thousand bullets hit me straight in the heart. I opened my bag, put my head inside and pretended I was looking for something. But no, I was crying. I couldn't move on. I just can't stop. I wiped my tears with my hanky and tried to stop cause that was a long time ago and I have to wake up to reality.

Okay, I stopped. Breathe in, breathe out. I'm okay now. I looked outside the window again and tried to stop being so OA. Soon, the bus shook and Sam's head turned to my shoulder and she placed it there. I blushed. I asked him if she's tired or something. He answered a yes because they came from a restaurant together with their other friends for and ate dinner. He asked me though if it was okay if she stayed on my shoulder until she wakes up or until they reach their destination. I nodded a yes because I wanted to cherish the moment and I still loved her. I cried again but only with one tear. Then, I wiped it with my hanky. I knew I was wrong before because I gave up on her easily. And I'm mad at myself for doing so, until now.

The barker of the bus shouted SM Fairview. This is my destination and theirs too cause he waked Sam up for they're going to go now. Sam looked at me and apologized and I replied that it was okay. Then she told me that I kind of looked a bit familiar to her. I replied, "Oh really? My I have your name and number so that we can talk some more?" I pretended I didn't know her so that it won't be obvious that we've met before and I won't cause trouble. Then she asked, "Okay. What's your name first?" I told her, "I'm Joseph. Joseph Alvarez." "Okay. My name's Sam. Samantha Alcalde. Here's my number. See you after some time!" She waved and gave me a cute smile while we stood up and went out of the bus. I smiled back. I felt like I was walking on air when she said all that. At least her memories are slowly coming back to her.

I'll never forget my best friend. I just hope your memories come back. Get well soon, Sam.