Chapter 10
Flashback 8 years ago...
On the last day of camp, Gerald and Sarah agreed to meet up on their favourite spot under the tree. They sat in silence for some time until Gerald started talking...
“Sasa... I’ve known you for such a short time but I feel like you’ve been part of my life since before. ‘Di ko ma-explain eh...Parang destiny. I feel so much for you right now. I really wanna say it’s uhm...it’s...it’s love but I don’t want you to think I’m impulsive. I can almost hear you ask me, baka nabibigla ka lang...or I read people in highly emotional situations are more likely to ...fall in love. So, I really wanna think this through, take it slow. And if you’ll allow me to get to know you...kahit na malayo tayo, I’ll be patient and try hard to talk to you as much..”
“I’m really flattered.. and I don’t want to deny that I feel something too pero I want to be sure also. The 2 months of knowing you showed me what an amazing person you are. Thank you for making me appreciate myself more. Tanggap na tanggap mo ako eh. Sana ganyan din dad ko... “
“Hayaan mo, pagdasal natin yan. Malay mo... uhm...may pag-asa ba ako if ever?”
“Pag-asa saan?”
“Ang labo mo naman...”
“Ikaw kaya ang Malabo...nanliligaw ka ba?”
“Do I have to spell it out? Gosh, I’m not used to this! I guess, I am ...nanliligaw.”
Biglang nahiya bigla si Sarah, na-conscious dahil nakatitig na naman sa kanya ang binata.
“Ah...ikaw, nasa sa’yo yan Ge...” habang nakatingin sa baba. Sarah was suddenly teary eyed. “Pero mahirap yata...”
Hinawakan ni Gerald ang kamay ni Sarah and said, “I can do it. I hope you give me the chance. I’ll get 2 jobs so I can call you often.. we can chat or email each other...”
“Grabe ka naman mag-effort Ge..”
“Basta ayaw na kitang...what’s the term? Pakyawan? “
“Huh?? Pakyaw? Ano ako, tinda sa palengke?!!!” Tawang tawang sinabi ni Sarah.
“ I mean, I don’t want to let you go..”
“Ahhhh! Pakawalan! ..Okay!” Kilig na kilig si Sarah sa mga sinasabi ng kaibigan.
“Can I give you something? It’s my favourite shirt and I always want to sleep in it. Sana gamitin once in a while. I’ll feel good knowing you’re wearing something from me. Parang malapit na din ako sa’yo”
“Huh? Baka hanapin mo ‘to later on.. “ nag ipilit pa din ni Gerald ang regalo. “ Thank you and aalagaan ko ‘to..kahit manipis na siya.”
“ i sprayed some cologne on it for maximum effect...”
Inamoy ni Sarah ang T-shirt at biglang naramdaman niyang nangingilid na ang kanyang luha. It suddenly set in that she was going home and leaving her new found friend. And although he promised to constantly talk to her, she knew that being apart could eventually take its toll on them. He might meet someone else, or she would, and things may change. What they had now was something really beautiful. It was a friendship that felt so right.
“Sarah? Are you crying?”
“Hinde, something got in my eye. Ba’t naman ako maiiyak?” At dito nagsimulang dumami pa ang pagpatak ng kanyang luha. “Dahil maghihiwalay na tayo? Because i’m not sure of what my future holds for me? Because you’re one of the good things i’ve ever come close to and now, you’re going away...”
“Hold that Sarah...I’m not going away. Never. Not as long as you want me in your life. ”
“Promise Gerald?”
“I promise..” and with that, Gerald took her hand and gently placed a gentle kiss on it. While holding it close to his lips, Gerald looked at Sarah, never letting the sight of her go. Memorizing each feature..her eyes, lips and nose. Imprinting it in his memory. He finally took out his camera and took a photo of himself with her. Unbeknownst to Sarah, matagal nang kinukunan ng litrato ni Gerald ang dalaga kung kaya’t may collection na din ito ng pictures para kanyang maitago.
Biglang may tumawag sa pangalan ni Sarah. Paglingon niya, natanaw niya si Angie, isa sa mga staff ng Camp. “Hey Sarah, I think your ride is here...your uncle’s been asking around for you, getting antsy.”
“O ano, Ge, mauuna na ako ha? Mag iingat ka parati. I don’t want to say goodbye....Later okay?”
“Later? Definitely!”
And with that, he took her bags and walked with her to her uncle’s car. They hugged each other before they parted. Gerald looked at the car where Sarah was as it gradually become smaller and was gone. He promised himself that this was going to be the last time he would ever let her go.
