One Shots

Ghost

"So in short, break na kayo ni, what's her name again, Jelyn or Jermaine?" tanong sa akin ni Luke, ang guy bestfriend ko.

"Jelyn, I guess, is the name of the girl I got a casual hook up with from one of the parties we attended about a week ago. Jermaine's the girl I met at the bar three days ago. Yung tinutukoy ko is si Amara, ano ka ba? She had been my playmate for almost a month. And we didn't break up, okay? Wala namang kami. So, I simply told her, we're done." I corrected him.

Mataman niya muna akong tinitigan bago umiling.

"Kailan ka ba magseseryoso, MK?" seryosong tanong niya. I irked with his question. Like, what the eff?

"Pag pumuti na ang uwak." pilosopong sagot ko. "So it's like far from being possible, okay?"

"You know what, I guess if only the ghost of yesterday would only come back. Baka, magseryoso ka. ULIT." may diin na sabi niya.

"Just like what the fuck are you talking about?" cool kong tanong.

"Don't play stupid, 'di mo bagay. Pero sige ang sinasabi ko is, what if babalik yung isang taong sineryoso mo noon sa buhay mo ngayon, maybe, just maybe, babalik ka rin sa pagiging matino mo."

"That's cringey." I commented.

"Just come to think of it, come on."

I looked at the glass I'm holding.

Seira.

She's a certified ghost in my life. The thought of her coming back to my life is a.. ano bang pwedeng itawag roon? Ah basta. Yung maiisip ko pa nga lang yung pinaka memorable na moment ko sa kaniya, sumasakit na ulo ko. How much more kung babalik pa siya sa buhay ko 'di ba?

Three years ago

I'm currently on the lover's ferris wheel at the largest amusement park here on the Philippines. Sobrang bagal ng ikot neto, lalo na at papalapit na sa tuktok. Tanaw mula sa labas ang iba't ibang ilaw mula sa iba pang rides sa park, city lights at ang mga bituin sa kalangitan. Too bad, tonight isn't the night for a moon lover just like the girl sitting beside me. But still, the scenic view is perfect for her, I know. I will always know. Lalo na at nakikita ko naman, hindi niya mapigilan ang sarili niya sa pagtanaw at malunod sa sandaling ito.

"Do you remember the first time we met?" tanong ko.

Napalingon siya sa akin, her eyes are shining brighter than the stars on the night sky. They never shined liked this before. Ngayon pa lang, I felt my chest tightening.

If only all the stars we see have life. If only everything's true.

There's a sweet smile forming on her lips. Tumango siya.

"How could I ever forget that moment? That's my birthday, so it was supposedly my day. But you came like a storm of trouble. You ruined my day. Sobrang naasar ako sa iyo noon." sabi niya.

I chuckled, with half a heart.

"I'm sorry for that. But you know what? That's the exact moment I started liking you." pag-amin ko.

"Talaga?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya. "But I cursed you so bad that time."

"And I liked even the way you cursed me." I informed her more.

She remained silent and I took that moment as an oppurtunity to take note in my head every little detail of her face.

Almond shaped dark brown eyes
Perfectly shaped brows
Slightly pointed nose
Full lips
Tatlong maliliit na nunal sa pisngi
Jet black and straight hair, shoulder length cut

"You see, I like your good sides as well as the bad. I like the imperfect you, I like everything about you, Seira. I will always do." I honestly said. I'll like it forever only if it's the truest you.

Lumamlam ang kanyang mga mata.

"Why are you being cheesy right now? Nakakapanibago. 'Ni hindi ka nga naging ganyan noong nililigawan mo ako a." she said.

I just smiled as an answer. Now, it's my turn to look outside.

"Sobrang gusto kita, Seira. That's why I courted you kahit na hindi ko alam kung pano. You're one hell of a lady and you gave me a really hard time. But I liked you even more for doing so. Kaya nga kahit sobrang hirap mong ligawan, hindi ako tumigil hanggat 'di ko nakukuha ang matamis mong oo because I know back then that having you as my girl will be all worth it. And it did." sabi ko bago ko siya muling tiningnan.

It was worth it, welcoming again these crazy feelings, until I knew the truth.

"Seven months being with you isn't perfect but it's a total bliss, Seira." I added.

A bliss for me, a game for you.

I reached for her right hand and held it tight.

"Wait, you will not be proposing right?" she asked.

I laughed, bago umiling.

"Good. I'm not ready for anything like that. Gosh, I'm only 19." she said, relieved. "Pero bakit ka ba kase biglang naging ganito?"

Humugot ako nang isang malalim na hininga bago magsalita ulit.

"I'm breaking up with you, Seira." You fooled me enough. I added in my mind.

Present time.

Inisang lagok ko ang laman ng kopitang hawak ko. Pang ilang baso ko na ba ito? I dunno. Nawala ako sa bilang. Hindi rin naman yun mahalaga.

I would never ever want her back. It's like the gist of the quote I've read somewhere. Kung cancer survivor ka ba, gugustuhin mo bang magka cancer ulit? No way, right.

"The thought made me sick." I dismissed. Tumayo ako at pumunta sa dance floor.

I have to get out the silly feeling the thought made me feel. I danced wildly. Grinded here, grinded there.

Hanggang may mabunggo ako at na out of balance kaming pareho.

Good heavens, I landed on top of a lady.

"I'm sorry." hinging paumanhin ko.

"Just get off on top of me, okay?!" iritadong tinig nito ang sumagot.

I'm drunk. But I know who owns that voice. And that tone? I heard it that day, shit feels like a deja vu.

Sakto, lumiwanag nang kaunti ang lighting sa dance floor. Hindi ako nagkakamali.

We're both stunned upon seeing each other. And the next thing that happened is that she pulled me close and kissed me. Right then and there.

She's a ghost, a ghost couldn't kiss me.

But I found myself kissing her back.