I told Xander what happen the last five day. Except what happens in the house at iniiwasan ko din na makarating doon ang usapan. I told him about our new workmates. I told him how I struggle the first day his not around but he's just smiling.
"What matters is you managed to live through that day without me. You made it out alive" sagot niya. Ngumuso lang ako at tinuloy ang kwento ko.
Hindi ko pinansin lahat ng mga sinabi niya na malalalim. Nag-absent lang siya ng limang araw naging malalim na din siyang magsalita.
"Let's build some sand castle" nakangiti siyang nakatingin sa akin.
"Sandcastles are wash away by the water. Mapapagod lang tayo" sabi ko.
"It's worth the fun Alex" He smiled.
Tumango ako. Then let's have a taste of fun for a while. I love building sandcastles when I was a kid anyway.
That's what I always do when I was a kid dahil takot akong pumunta sa tubig dahil hindi ako marunong lumangoy. I suddenly remember those swim wear I bought. Hindi ko naman pala sila magagamit dahil hindi ako marunong lumangoy. Ngayon ko lang naalala na may phobia pala ako sa malalim na parte ng dagat.
"Let's go"
Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at mabilis na tumayo. I was about to ask him about the things we will use but to my surprise he reached something behind us. I turned to look at a bucket with shovel, brush and cups.
Hindi ko napigilan matawa.
Handang handa siya! He's a boy scout after all. Umiling iling ako habang tinitignan siyang magbuhat ng gagamitin namin. Tinignan ko ang suot niya at mas marealize ko na pinaghandaan niya talaga ang araw na ito. He's wearing a board shorts. Nakasando lang din siya. Mabuti na lang at nagshort ako kahit papaano.
He's holding my hand when he shouted run. At pareho kaming tumakbo palapit sa mga bata na nagtatayo ng kanilang sand castle. Nakangiti siya habang pinipigilan kong matawa. Nagkakatinginan kami habang tumatakbo.
This moment is one of those memories I promise to keep. My heart flutters as he hold my hand tighter. We searched for a good spot then we decided to sit. Some of the kids are giving us some weird stares while they shook their heads.
"Makikilaro kami ha" I heard Xander said.
Tumango ang mga bata at nginitian siya. I noticed how useless I am as he try to build the foundation of our sandcastle. That's why I volunteered to fetch some waters and wet sands para may gamitin siya.
"She's not helping anyway" a kid said as he look at me.
"She's a princess. His prince is building her one" another kid said.
Naging mas maingay ang pwesto nila Xander dahil nagkaroon sila ng paligsahan kasama ang mga bata na pagandahan ng sandcastle. I placed the bucket with half sand beside Xander.
Hindi ko napigilan mapatingin sa mga bata na nagtatawanan at nakangiti. Their smile is a reflection of how life hasn't managed to taint them yet. Of how innocent and young this kids are. They haven't faced the cruelty of the world yet and I hope they won't ever had to.
Halos patapos na si Xander sa sandcastle namin ng biglang may lumapit na bata sa kanya na umiiyak. The little girl pulled his shirt and continued sobbing. Agad akong lumapit sa kanya at ganoon din si Xander.
"Bakit baby?" Malumanay na tanong ni Xander sa bata.
Xander wipe the tears from the kid's face. Tumingin sa kanya ang bata.
BINABASA MO ANG
When Time Runs Out
Ficção AdolescenteA story about family, childhood sweetheart, first love, promises, second chances and the mysterious way in life that lead you back home. A story about who you were and who you will be. The moments that makes you feel alive and the times that will ma...
