My Handsome Katipunero

WAKAS

I felt the old, salty breeze kiss my skin.

Ang mahinahong tunog ng mga alon na humahampas sa dalampasigan ay tila ba isang himig pampatulog.

It was peaceful and calm. I can feel the rough sand under my bare feet. I opened my eyes and it was already sunset. I watched the line where the tangerine colored sky meets the sea. The sea, perfectly calm, was like a peaceful lake reflecting the orange sky with the fiery orb as it sank beneath the horizon.

Napakaganda. Ngunit isang lalaki ang umagaw ng aking atensyon.

He stood like a statue on the shore with his arms outstretched. A fringe of lace spread over the cold beach, wetting his bare feet. Isinasayaw ng hangin ang itim nitong buhok.

My heart pounded inside my chest. There was longing in my heart. I want to run to him. I want to hug him and never let him go. I wanna feel his warmth wrapped around me.

Kilala ko ang lalaking 'yon. Kilalang-kilala ko ang tindig na 'yon. My heart knows him.

I shouted his name, but no sound came out. Again... I tried, but I couldn't hear myself.

What was his name?

Who is he?

Why do I miss him?

I clutched my chest. Why? Why am I feeling this way? Why do I want to cry?

Slowly, the man turned to face me. His dark brown eyes landed on mine. The moment he turned, the sun finally rested. Faint, small yellow lights appeared one by one until they turned into a galaxy of stars.

Fireflies. A swarm of fireflies.

The man smiled and I felt a tear fell down my cheek.

Yumuko ito at tinignan ang maliliit na along humahampas sa kanyang mga paa.

"Ganito pala ang pakiramdam ng isang taong malaya," he said. His smooth and gentle voice strummed my heart.

"Para akong isang ibong malayang lumilipad sa kalangitan. Napakagaan sa pakiramdam. Tila ba ako'y idinuduyan sa hangin. Walang kahit anong iniisip. Walang pinoproblema."

Ibinalik niya ang tingin sakin, "Ngunit, ang titigan ka lamang, mas malaya pa ako sa kalayaang nararanasan ko ngayon. Tingnan lamang kita at ako'y masaya na. Wala na marahil tatalo pa sa kasiyahang nadarama ko sa tuwing kasama kita, sa tuwing nakikita ko ang iyong mga ngiti."

Who are you?   

Another gentle smile appeared on his lips and the faint glow of the fireflies grew brighter. "Pasensya na kung pinaghintay kita. Mahal na mahal kita... Kristin."

Pumalibot sa kanya ang libo-libong alitaptap. I stepped forward. One step, two step, until I can't count it no more. I ran towards him. I stretched an arm and tried to reach him. I reached for him before the fireflies could completely swallowed him.

But I was too late.

Agad akong napabangon mula sa pagkakahiga. Pilit na hinahabol ang hininga. Para bang pinipiga ang dibdib ko at mukhang wala itong planong tumigil. Napayuko ako habang hawak-hawak ang aking dibdib.

Kumawala mula sa bibig ko ang isang hikbi.

I was crying. Again.

Umiiyak ulit ako dahil sa isang lalaki sa panaginip ko na hindi ko naman kilala. I was longing for a guy that I do not know.