A Letter to Him

Introduction

The dried leaves resting on the asphalt road suddenly swept away by a car rushing with the wind. A guy in his early 20's drives his car freely on the country side. Enjoying the fresh air that touches his face and combs his hair along. With his right arm on the wheels and his left arm sways outside the window. He stopped by the seaside and feel the breeze hugged him gently.

Sarap ng buhay nya 'no? Sa isip ko lang nabuo yan. I always create scenarios inside my head. Things that I know will happen to me only in my wildest imagination. Bakit? Kasi, wala kong kotse. I live in a city na malayo sa seaside. At ang tanging hangin na dumadampi sa muka ko ay galing sa usok ng mga sasakyan. Ganon talaga, libre mangarap. Minsan fairy tale naman tayo ha?

Ay teka, may nagtext sakin.

"Are you coming bro?"

Eto. Weekend na naman. Magkikita kita ulit kami ng barkada. We've been like this since we graduated high school. May chances na hindi kompleto, pero ganon talaga, dapat may priority pa din kami on our own. Pero may occasion this time, birthday ng pinsan ko na si Andrew.

In his pad.

"Hey bro! I thought you're not coming. Pero buti na lang andito ka na." Inabot ang whiskey at umakbay sakin. "On the way na daw sina Krizzy and Gab. Oo nga pala, papakilala kita sa friends ko. They're nice and single, and I'm sure you'll enjoy your time with them."

He's my cousin, Andrew Serafini. Pinsan ko sya sa father side, Italian ang father nya and his parents reside in Italy. Same lang kami ng age kaya medyo close kami kesa sa ibang mga pinsan namin. Kaya since childhood, kami lang talaga ang nagkakaintindihan. Kahit malaki difference namin sa personality, nagkakasundo naman. Masyado syang spoiled sa mommy nya. Kaya kahit anong hingin nya, ibibigay naman sa kanya. Malambing din kasi kahit sa mom ko, parang si mom na din kasi ang nagpalaki sa kanya.

"Alam mo bro, dapat sinusubukan mo maging friendly lalo na ngayon at-- hey hon.. I've been waiting for you!" Dumating ang girlfriend nya at iniwan ako mag-isa. He's the type of guy na hindi tumatagal sa isang relasyon. Kung seryoso na, bigla naman sya magloloko at sasabihin na nasasakal sya sa girlfriend nya. Kung sya naman ang lokohin, parang sinukluban ng langit at lupa.

Mejo malaki ang pad ni Andrew para sa isang tao. Ito ang katas ng parents nya sa Italy. Nalapit ako sa may terrace at may narinig ako na nagtatalo.

"If you will insist your point of view, hinding hindi mo maiintindihan ang situation ko. Please naman Tanya! I fcked up once at work and I won't let Mr. Rodesa step on me again! That attitude won't help me. It's not what I need right now! All I'm asking is a little understanding."

"I'm sorry, I tried to approach you in a nice way naman." Sagot na mahinahon ni Tanya.

"Fine." Huminga ng malalim. Silence. "I'm sorry, babe. Napagtaasan kita ng boses. Look, it's not you-"

"--it's me. Jerk lines, bro." Singit ng pinsan ko na nakikinig din pala sa usapan ng iba. "Ang galing talaga ng timing ng Jeric na yan. Bakit ba hindi mo sabihan yang bestfriend mo na hiwalayan na yang lalaki na yan? He's a jerk. You know--JER(i)K!" sabay tawa ng malakas at lumabas sa terrace.

"Chill guys. It's my birthday! Forget about work problems and you know--some 'jerks' at work. Let's have some fun!"  Inakbayan si Jeric at pinasok sa loob sabay kindat sakin. I get it. My turn to console my bestfriend.

"Away na naman." I know it's not a good conversation starter.

"Sanay na 'ko." I can see her trying to control her tears.

"Alam ko naman na normal lang sa relationship yung misunderstandings. Pero hindi yung ipamuka sayo na hindi ka nakakatulong sa kanya, hindi tama. I know you, you always do your best. " I added.