One|Shot
written by: someonelikelynresh
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11:01 P.M.
Hinagis ko ang pula kong hand bag sa malambot na couch kasunod noon ang pagbagsak ko sa pagod na pagod kong katawan. Inilibot ko ang paningin ko sa cozy kong condo unit at napa buntong hinga. Napakalat na naman ng unit ko. Well, cleaning is not my style. I glance on the wall clock hanging on the pink wall. It's already eleven in the evening.
Nakaramdam ako ng kirot sa ulo ko. I massage the side of my head hoping it will magically disappear. Anong araw na nga ba ngayon? Bigla akong kinutuban na meron akong dapat maalala. Sa sobrang busy ko sa trabaho ang dami kong nakalalimutan. I tried to think deeper but only worsen the pain in my head.
"Shane~"
Napadilat ako at agad napatayo.
"Ven?!"
Agad akong nagtatakbo papunta sa pintuan dahil doon kamuntik pa akong madulas. When I unlock the door a smiling Ven is what I saw. Nakaangat ang dalawa niyang kamay. May bitbit siyang isang box ng pizza at isang bote ng pepsi sa kabila
"Ven!" tumalon ako at agad siyang niyakap siya sa leeg.
"Aack-- Kalma Shane you're choking me." he chuckled
I step back then open the door. Tumuloy siya at nilagay sa maliit na coffee table ang dala niya. He wander his eyes around and I saw how he frowned when he saw my messy unit. And oh I forgot to tell OC nga pala itong lalaking ito.
"If I don't know you Shane, I would assume a monster resides in here" he said while picking crumpled papers which was there since last week. I just chuckled and took a bite on my pizza.
"How's your day?" He asked. Nililinis pa din niya ang lahat ng kalat ko actually ang buong unit na.
"Truck" I answered. He raised an eyebrow at me
"Truck?"
"Combination of tired and suck" I wink at him
"Stop inventing words" I just stick my tongue out. Umupo siya sa tabi ko habang tagaktak na ang pawis niya. Grabe, ang bilis na linis ng unit ko. I open my drawer and get a face towel and wiped his sweaty face.
"I may suck at cleaning but there's one thing I am very good at"
"And it is?" Tanong niya
"Taking care of my boyfriend" I hand him one slice of pizza. He smiled at ne and planted a sweet kiss on my forehead. I continued eating but I caught him staring at me.
"Shane"
"Ven?"
He fish something on his pocket. A small black rectangular box.
"I miss you so much," hindi ko siya maintindihan
"Did I sounded weird?" Tumawa siya
"Gago" I mouthed
He open the box and there lay a beautiful necklace with a snow flake pendant. I remained staring at him.
"Siguro pagod ka kaya hindi mo maalala kung ano meron ngayon, but always remember that I love you Shane" he cupped my face.
My tears starts to race down and I don't know why the fuck I am crying. Ano ba kasi meron ngayon? Wala namang may birthday ngayon at lalong hindi namin monthsarry. Ano ba kasi meron sa araw na ito? I glance back on the wall clock. It's already 11:04. Bakit parang ang bagal ng oras?
"Don't stress yourself kung hindi mo maalala" he gave me a smile enough to calm my confuse mind.
Pinatalikod niya ako at isinuot ang kwintas. He wrap his arms around my neck. It's so warm.. so tender.. so full of love.
"I love you so much Ven" I whispered
"I wish we could stay like this. But we can't" he said in a melancholic voice that made me turn around and face him with anxious expression.
"W-What do you mean?" Naguguluhan na ako, ano ba talaga meron ngayon?!
"I love you so much Shane, always remember that" he bent down and met my soft lips. It lasted for a couple of seconds. Napadilat ako.
Nakatulog pala ako. Napanaginipan ko na naman si Ven. I put my feet down para pumunta sa kusina. I am expecting to step on crumpled papers but to my surprise.. I look around and saw my once messy unit is now so clean. Napadako ang tingin ko sa coffee table at may karton nga ng pizza. Dali-dali kong kinapa ang leeg.
The necklace is here. He was here! I burst in tears when I finally remember what is the thing I should remember today--- Ven's 1st death anniversary. Isang taon na mula ng naganap ang isang malagim na car crash na nagpahiwalay sa kanya sa akin.
Panaginip lang ba lahat? I touch my lips... everything is so surreal. Napangiti ako sa kawalan. Binabantayan niya pa din ako.
"I love you so much Shane, always remember that"
I glance back on the wall clock for the last time. It's wishful 11:11. And my wish is you... Ven.
