The Boy I Once Loved

Epilogue

Isang taon lang din ang inilagi ko sa ibang bansa. Tinapos ko lang ang kontrata ko at umuwi na rin agad ako sa Pilipinas. Syempre, bago umuwi eh sinulit ko muna ang last day ko sa US. I spent my time wandering alone. I took photos of the places I have visited. Sinigurado kong mapupuntahan ko lahat bago lisanin ang lugar na iyon. Malaki ang naging parte nito sa buhay ko, at ito din ang dahilan kung bakit nakilala ko ang taong muling magpapatibok ng puso ko.

"Are you really sure na gusto mo ng umuwi?" Cloud said while looking at his Mac and Cheese in awe.

My god! Ang hilig talaga nito sa pagkain.

"Oo naman. It's been a long time..."

"Paano pag nakita mo siya ulit?"

Silence filled the air between us. It's not like I haven't moved on.. I just don't know what should I say and how should I react.

"It's alright. You don't have to answer it.. What matters the most is I will always be your end game."

He winked.

"Yuck."

I rolled my eyes.

I continue eating my food. We're having brunch with his sisters in Belle Harlem and I swear the food were all good! Her sisters are busy talking with some patron kaya hindi nila naririnig ang usapan namin ni Cloud. The place is cozy.. And somehow, kahit sandali, nakalimutan kong marami akong haharapin pagbalik ko.

Ready na ba talaga ako?

"Settled na ba 'yung case na hinahawakan mo ngayon?"

"Oo. Natapos ko din! Muntik na akong magka-wrinkles dahil doon.."

"Bakit di ka kasi humingi ng tulong sa'kin?"

And that's what I hate about Cloud. He always help me. Some say it's a good thing but for me, no. Tinuturuan nya lang akong maging dependent sa kanya.

"Cloud, I'm handling this case and I believe it's my business, definitely not yours."

He just smiled in response.

Tinapos na namin ang pagkain at hinatid na rin ako ni Cloud sa apartment ko sa 39th Street. It's a long day... And I'm too exhausted. Pinagkasya ko na lang ang sarili ko sa couch at hinayaang lamunin ng antok.

Before I close my eyes, narinig kong nag-ring ang viber ko.

Someone is calling me...

But I'm too tired to pick up the phone.

Nahinto ang pagtunog pero naulit na naman ito. Wala na akong nagawa kundi tumayo at kunin ang bag ko. Nakapikit pa nga ako habang kinukuha ang phone ko sa loob nito. I didn't bother to look who's calling kaya sinagot ko agad ito.

"You look sleepy..."

"Ahuh... Why are you calling Cloud?"

"What----I'm not... Uhh... Yes, it's Cloud.. I'm Cloud.."

I giggled. "You're crazy! Of course ikaw si Cloud!"

I heard Cloud murmuring something pero hindi ko na narinig 'yon.

"Please don't open your eyes... Not yet.. Not just yet.."

Bakit ganun? Parang nag-iba ang boses ni Cloud? O baka hindi... Ah. Inaantok lang talaga ako.

"Ano?!"

"I miss you."

Oh my G! Parang iba talaga ang boses ni Cloud. Is he drunk? Or just sleepy as I am?

"Okay... I miss you too.. Kakakita lang natin kanina ah?"

I heard him cussed.

"Sino ba si Cloud sa buhay mo?!"