The Last Trade

TRADE 7

Conan Andrew Alvez

I MUST BE SEEING SOMETHING.

This can't be true, right?

But who the hell is this man am I seeing right now?

"This is fucking ridiculous." I said as I am looking at the familiar figure far from where I am standing right now.

The reason why I came here at the mall is to look for my mom but instead of seeing my mom, I've seen someone else.

I must be imagining things.

Hindi siya pwedeng nandito sa Pilipinas.

He's gone.

He went somewhere far, away from us.

"I still remember that day vividly." I said as I recall that fateful day.

[Start of flashback]

A month after that day, I decided to go to Allyson's house to check on him.

After all, I of all the people know that he's not okay. He's far from okay.

Hours later, I was able to arrive in front of their house just to see someone unfamiliar closing the gates of their house.

I quickly ran towards that person to ask if Allyson is in there. But I was shocked when the person said that they already went to the airport.

Shock enveloped my whole body.

Why would they go there?

"Shit!" I said and ran back to my car and immediately started it. I did what I could and I drove as fast as I could to the airport.

I could not even bother my surroundings, not minding if I might bump into other cars because I kept thinking of Allyson and the reason why they went to the airport...

Kahit na alam ko na ang sagot.

An hour later, I was inside the airport looking them.

Lakad-takbo ang ginawa ko, not minding people looking at me as I am in a hurry, like a child lost somewhere.

But I didn't manage to find them.

They were already gone.

[End of flashback]

"He can't be here, he's... Shit!" Inis na mura ko bago kusang maglakad ang mga paa ko patungo sa lugar ng pamilyar na tao.

I have this feeling again.

Is he really back?

"He's changed a lot." I whispered as I am slowly walking towards him.

His soft features are still there but the sign of maturity is evident.

"Shit..." Muling mura ko habang unti-unting lumilinaw ang kanyang mukha.

He's become more beautiful.

"Wag mo na akong tawaging Sir ulit,  okay?" Dinig kong sabi niya sa kausap niya.

Damn that voice.

He's here.

"Opo—I mean, oo. Sige, Alvear." Sagot ng kausap niya.

So he's using his second given name now?

"Okay, let's go. I'm sure naghihintay na sina Mama." Sabi niya bago siya sumakay.