Eryl Jasmine Valencia
“Uuwi ka na agad Eryl?” Tanong ni Dino habang tinatahak ko ang daan ko papuntang gate ng resort. I didn't bid them farewell. Magtetext nalang ako pag naka-uwi na ako para hindi na sila matanong. That was my plan. Pero dahil tinanong ako ni Dino ngayon di ko alam ang isasagot ko.
“Sasamahan ako ni Eryl, Dino.” biglang sulpot ni Parker na ikinakunot ng noo ko.
“Huh? Kailan pa kayo naging close, Parker? ” Napakati nalang si Dino habang nagtatanong.
“Kailangan close kami? Dun ka na Dino dami ko pang ikukwento sa kanya.” ngumiti lang ako kay Dino habang tumango lang siya sa akin saka naglakad papasok.
“Leaving without saying a word? Thats bad and you might hurt our classmates feeling. Bukas na ang graduation ah? Can Irene come?” he laughed saka tumigil sabay tingin sa akin.
“You can go home now.” He muttered while looking at Dino.
“Hindi ko alam kung anong tumatakbo sa isip mo.” I stated honestly.
I will admit that Parker and I are not that close but what is he doing? Its weird.
“Ako alam ko ang tumatakbo sa isip ko. Ikaw.” He looked me in the eye. “Do you know what you're thinking?”
I honestly don't know what to say to his question. It is like a bullet that I can't easily catch because its too fast and I might end up hurting myself.
“I don't know. I don't know on how to handle this situation anymore. But I want it more. I want to be with her but she can't be with me. Fate really have a good time playing at me.” I didn't know how I constructed those sentences.
“Why do you want to be with her in the first place?” he asks. He asked me like he known me for years.
“I just want to. Isn't that enough reason to be with someone?” Umiling siya sa sagot ko and a smile curved on his lips.
“You need a concrete reason to make it happen. After creating it and making it concrete if you're dealing with staying then make your reason long.” napakunot ako ng noo dahil sa sinabi niya.
Make my reason long? My eyebrows already shouting that "I don't get what you're saying!"
“It seems like you don't get me in the last part.” he laughed.
“Halimbawa nga ng sa iyo. You want to stay but she can't stay with you. Why do you want to? Or like, love, need?” anong gusto niyang i pull out sa usapan namin? Napasipa ako sa batong nadaanan namin. Naglalakad-lakad lang kami habang nag-uusap.
“You know like is a simple bomb. It will exploded and it will fade. Its just minutes and staying with her I don't want it to be minutes.” napatango lang siya sa sagot ko kasabay nito ang pagbagsak ng balikat ko.
“Need? Her father already said that she don't need me and she can't have me. I might end up putting her lifeline and that is what I'm doing when I'm with her.” Humabi ako ng isang malalim na buntong-hininga.
“The only choice left is love.” Tinataas-baba niya pa ang kilay niya.
My eyes have twitch.
“It is left but it is like a longer version of like. Love don't last too. It will explode and it will gone.” Napasuklay ako ng buhok ko.
“Life don't last too. But it is real and it brings happiness and sorrow. You can borrow a time to life so it will last for a minute.” He smiles and waved his hands. “And additional. I have read something that Falling in love just takes four minutes. You should risk it. Even if for just one second.” ngumiti ako nang kunot ang noo.
My first gun has fired me up to live. I have to be with her. I just have to. I just want to.
- - - - - - - - - -
“Irene! Irene!” Sigaw ko habang bitbit ang isang boquet ng rosas at isang basket ng prutas. I knocked at her door.
“Irene?” I knocked three times but no one is responding.
“I bought you a flower and fruits.” I laughed. “If you don't open this door you have to pay for this.” I don't know what I am saying.
The door clicked its knob and she was lying on her bed and her dad is there too.
“I don't have to pay on what you have bought for me.” she smiled so weak.
“Sorry, but I just want to be with you.” a couple of tears escaped on her eyes and a smile is curve on her lips. I wish I could her.
“You know that we can't. I will die.” She said bluntly and sound so sad.
“And sorry for interrupting the conversation but Jasmine. My daughter and I have to go now.” I don't know why my eyes are pouring a tears.
“You will go?” Irene nodded.
“Like you. I won't regret leaving you. If you will forget me. Marami ka pang makilala na Irene. I promised I won't be sad. Just promise me you will not too.” She smiles like she is not giving me a farewell.
“We should go.” Mr. Uala announced.
“Can I have atleast a minute or two? I just want to create a meaningful yet a memorable conversation with her.” napatingin si Mr. Uala sa akin saka inilipat ang tingin kay Irene. Isang tango lang ang isinagot niya sa tatay niya saka lumabas ito.
“I love you.” Siya ang unang nagsalita. Walang hirap at diretso. “But we can't, it is hard but I have to sign it off for me... Or us?” she said.
“I am learning to accept that I love you but we just lost our game. Parang laro na akala natin panalo na tayo pero i-aanounce bigla na practice palang pala and a real game has yet to come.” she looked at me saka sumenyas na lumapit. Nasa labas kase ako ng plastic na mosquito net hinawi ko iyon saka napangiti nang makita siyang wala ng nakaharang na kahit ano.
Nang makarating ako sa tabi ng kama niya isang ngiti na gusto ng magpahinga ang bumungad sa akin. I really should have to let her go.
“Live happily. Kung may oras ako babalik ako. Swear.” she said as she kisses my hand so I did and let her go. Literally and figuratively.
My gun was fired me earlier but taking my first bullet was not that awful. It is at first but my gunshot heart will heal its own even how bloody it is.
BINABASA MO ANG
Damsels 01: Creating You (#MoonStarAwards 2018-2019 And #WattisAwardPrtcpnt2018)
Mystery / ThrillerYou are innocent, silent and weak. You may be a man in their eyes but I am still looking you like a boy who never grows up inside. Creating you by love and care matters. But I should have been more careful putting the pieces inside you. Accidentally...
