Breathing Blues 2 [ ONLINE - UNDER REVISION ]

101

Chapter 101
Song chapter: Hard times by Paramore

Summer's POV

Hindi gaano karami ang tao nang makarating kami sa Diner na napili. We were fascinated with the interior design of the Diner. It was retro themed!

Pagkapili namin ng table, we chose foods we want to order.

"Hoy guys, sinong mag-oorder?" tanong ni Dale sa amin.

"Ikaw na!" sabi ni Ashiana.

Napa-face palm si Zandrake dahil sa walang sawang pagtatalo ng dalawa. "Ako na nga!" sabi niya.

Natawa na lang kami dahil palagi na lang si Zandrake ang um-oorder sa tuwing kumakain kami sa labas.

While we are waiting for the ordered meals, we were enjoying the music inside the Diner. Like, who won't enjoy such song by Paramore?

"Yie! Katapat niya si Ansiel." biglang bulong ni Keira sa tabi ko.

"Hikhok." 'yon lang ang sinabi ko at natatawang inirapan siya.

Your ship has already sinked, Keira. I don't like Ansiel more than friends like what Keira thinks. It's just that, mas napalapit ang loob ko sa kanya ngayong mas naging close ang barkada namin.

"Ang tagal. Gutom na ako." reklamo ni Sabrina.

"Mas matagal ka. Yieeee!" pauso ni Jo Anie. Natawa kaming lahat dahil may bago na namang pauso.

We were taking photos together while waiting. After few minutes, dumating na ang pinakahihintay namin.

Ansiel lead the prayer.

Hindi alam ni June, may in-order na cake si Zandrake para sa kanya. Pinaghatian naming tropa ang bayad doon. It was for the surprise.

"Happy birthday, Hunyo! Happy birthday, Hunyo!" we sang while clapping our hands.

"Tangina niyo talaga, guys. Mga pakulo niyo naman oh." sabi niya at pinunasan ang namumuong luha sa mga mata niya.

Umiwas ako ng tingin dahil baka mahawa ako sa luha ni June.

"Yiyiyi!" we cheered.

"Salamat sa effort mga tao." he smiled.

"Walang anuman!"

Napangiti ako. Ang saya lang sa feeling na kasama ko sila. Masayang mapabilang sa pamilya na alam mong tanggap ka, naiintindihan ka, itatama ka, iga-guide ka at higit sa lahat, mahal ka.

Hindi naiwasan ang kulitan at kalokohan habang kumakain kami.

And then suddenly, we were all silent.

"Guys. Mauulit pa naman 'to, diba?" Dale asked, with unusual sad tone. Nabasag ang katahimikan.

My heart skipped a beat. Kinakabahan ako na baka hindi na maulit 'to at mawalay ako sa kanila. And I think, I can't handle it. Masyado na akong nasanay at na-attach sa kanila.

"Oo naman. Bakit hindi?"

"Wala. Natakot lang ako."

"Walang dapat ikatakot, Dale." Ansiel assured him.

We nodded. "We're all gonna grow up together. We are not growing apart." I said.

"Walang bibitaw sa pamilyang 'to."

"Walang bibitaw!" we chant.

When I saw their smiles on their faces, para bang nabunutan ako ng tinik, gumaan ang pakiramdam ko.

Alam kong lahat kami may mga pinagdadaanan. We all have problems. May mga panahon na naiisip na nakakasawa na at nakakapagod na.

Nakakaproud na makita ko silang nakangiti despite their problems. They still manage to have fun and smile. And I can tell, these smiles are not smiles and laughter of pretending.

It's starting to embrace happiness and letting go of the negativity no matter how hard it is.

I couldn't help but to stare at him.

Napangiti ako. Ansiel looks so great when he smile and laugh. His eyes were twinkling because of happiness. I know this guy has been feeling blues deep inside and yet he's fighting them.

"Ngiti ka dyan, Summer? Baka matunaw." Keira whispered to me.

"Sira ka talaga, Keira."

"Kidding! Nakakaproud noh?" she asked with a smile.

"Sobra. Sobrang proud ako sa inyo."

At this moment, it's as if their smile is the most precious thing in the world.

We ended June's birthday celebration with a hug, with our hearts— feeling delighted and grateful with each other.