One Shots

Universe

I looked at the venue from where I parked my car while waiting for someone.

Maingay, magulo. I felt nostalgic in an instant, ganitong ganito kami noong kabataan namin. And somehow, it made me feel like I just graduated yesterday.

But seriously, at 28, it's kinda weird that it'll be my first time attending our reunion.

Pero masisisi ba ako ng batchmates ko? I have been busy all these years.

"Kodalyn." I heard a voice called out my name.

Nilingon ko ang may-ari ng boses. There's the gorgeous woman standing beside her red sedan.

Tomorrow's our graduation day. Kung pwede lang sana huminto ang oras ngayon. Sana, huminto na. 'Cause this moment is perfect. I'm with the only girl I liked since tenth grade. Yung natatanging babaeng gumulo sa puso't isip ko.

Luckily, that girl's mine now for almost a year. Grabeng tibay, lakas ng loob, dose-dosenang timba ng luha at isang dagat ng pagtyatyaga ang kinailangan ko para makuha ang matamis na oo ng isang super studious at straight (dati) na nilalang na tulad niya.

And when I finally got that yes, I have no intentions of ever letting her go. Sixteen palang ako, pero sigurado na ako na natagpuan ko na yung taong makakasama ko panghabang-buhay. Hihihi. Maybe, kung maririnig ng ina ko ang thoughts ko now, makakakuha ako ng batok at sermon doon, 'Pagmamahal kada forever ang alam mong bata ka, pag-aaral ang atupagin mo!' That's my mother fav line.

We're lying on the rooftop floor of the school building.

"I told you to look at the stars, Kodalyn." sabi ni Nicole nang maramdaman niya siguro na sa kanya lang nakatuon ang atensyon ko.

"What's the point of doing that if I'm staring at my universe?" I asked her.

Tama naman ako 'di ba? Why settle for less if I have more than enough? And Nicole's undeniably that 'more-than-enough'.

Lumingon siya sa akin.

"That's so sweet of you. But I'm allergic to sweets, remind you." paalala niya with a faint smile on her face.

There's something in that smile, but I didn't bother to ask.

"Yeah, I'll keep that in my mind as I keep you in my heart." and I winked at her.

Her smile fainted more.

Binalik niya ang atensyon niya sa kalangitan. Napatingin na rin ako sa kalangitan, with her image in my mind.
Hinding hindi ako magsasawang isipin siya. Hinding hindi ako titigil na tanawin siya sa dakong ito ng isipan ko.

"What's your dream in life, Kodalyn?" narinig kong tanong niya.

Gusto ko sanang sabihin na, 'Ikaw'. Kase partly, totoong-totoo. Korni mang pakinggan. But try experiencing loving someone who literally seems to live at your dreams and have moments with like you two are residents of neverland. Baka maintindihan niyo ako. That when a night passes with the absence of that someone in your dream, you'll wake up the next day a bit incomplete. Maiintindihan niyo ako, swear.

But knowing Nicole? She won't really buy that answer. Ganoon yata kapag nasobrahan sa talino. O baka siya lang? Yung taong hindi talaga naapektuhan ng mga banat, cheesy lines and romantic scenarios. Ewan ko ba.

"To be a successful architect and having you beside me with all the triumph I'll ever have." masaya kong wika. "Ikaw ba?"

"I wanted to be a successful cardiologist." she firmly answered.

Ngayon palang, alam kong magiging matagumpay siya sa larangan ng medisina. She's intelligent and talented.

"You'll be. Alam kong kayang kaya mo. Ikaw pa ba? Don't worry, I'll be always there for you no matter what." I assured her and reached for her hand.

Pero nakaramdam na ako ng kaba ng agad niyang bawiin ang kamay niya. Umayos siya at umupo na.

"Too bad, I'm not sure if I want that."

Napaupo na rin ako.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin, Nicole?" naguguluhan kong tanong.

"This is just pointless, Kodalyn. I'm sorry." And she left me, speechless.

She's a future cardiologist but she broke a heart that night.

"Nicole." I said with a sweet smile, and took steps closer to her.

Twelve years could heal that broken heart. That's the power of time if only I'd let it be. But I choose her over and over again even it meant breaking my heart a thousand times. Nagmukha man akong tanga sa mata ng iba, I didn't give a single damn.

She's my universe, I couldn't give her up.

I offered my hand and without any hesitation, she took it. And held it tight.

We stared at each other for a little bit longer tonight.

Never give up on your universe.
Never give up on love.

"Thank you for patiently waiting." she said.

"For you, I will. Always. Alam mo yan. You're worth it." I smiled. She sweetly smiled back.

"Hope, we aren't too late." she commented.

"I don't think that it really matter now. We're here, yun ang mahalaga." makahulugan kong wika.