Laying Under The Same Stars

Prologue

The soft glow of the television illuminated the darkened room, casting flickering shadows on the walls as two figures sat huddled together on the worn-out couch. 

"Teka lang kasi, hintayin mo muna ako diyan. What if ma-ambush ka na naman uli?" Ani ng isang lalaki habang ang daliri niya ay mapupudpod na sa gigil sa cellphone.

Ngumisi si Adeline, at kitang-kita ang concentration na hindi naalis sa kanya. "Ayan, napatay ko na siya oh! Hindi niya ako kayang patayin twice in a row." pinagmamalaki niyang sinabi.

Their laughter echoed through the room as they continued to play, the sound mingling with the background music of the game. Sa pagkalipas ng ilang taon, they had shared this ritual, spending countless hours lost in the virtual worlds of their favorite games.

It's the same long night, same time at 10 o'clock. 

But tonight was different. Tonight, as they sat side by side on the couch, a sense of anticipation, longing, and guilt hung in the air.

Pagkalipas ng ilang minuto, umalingawngaw ang tahimik na himig ng pagkapanalo mula sa kanilang mga cellphone.

Victory

Nag-apir silang dalawa, at nag-celebrate.

Just like the same celebrations made for

every. single. game. 

played from the past few years. 

Naramdaman na nila ang pagod at humilata sa couch. Humilata ang lalaki, at 'di hamak ang ngiti nito sa kanyang labi. "Good gameee! ang ganda talaga ng chemistry nating dalawa eh 'no?" Nakangisi niyang sinabi habang nakahilata.

They didn't know what the future held in store for them, but one thing was certain, and it's that they are bound to paths of uncertainty. Bumalot ng katahimikan ang paligid, at parehas silang nakatitig sa skylight ng bahay.

It was only Adeline, him, and the universe at that moment

Finally, Adeline broke the silence, her voice soft with emotion. "I can't believe they are making you transfer tomorrow because of that-t incident." aniya. 

Hindi na niya pinigilan, at tila bang nagkaroon siya ng lakas na sabihin ang lahat ng gusto niya.

"Look, I-I'm sorry you have to do that because of me" mangiyak-ngiyak niyang sinabi.

It is all because of that. fucking. incident.

our lives were messed up  and we 

were forced to be separated

Bahid sa mukha ng lalaki ang lungkot, ngunit pinatahan nito ang babae. "Hey, it's going to be alright. "Look, It feels like just yesterday noong Grade 1 pa lang tayo, and met you as our neighbor." Aniya habang nakangiti.

They sat in silence for a moment, lost in their own thoughts. For as long as they could remember, they had been inseparable, sharing everything from their deepest secrets to their wildest dreams

*?* nodded, his own voice thick with emotion. "It's going to be weird not having you around all the time, but I didn't regret any of what I did." 

"And I hope you don't too-" dagdag niya, nang biglang may narinig silang footsteps at tunog ng door knob na pilit na binubuksan. "Adeline? Kanina ka pa, lumabas ka na diyan. Dahil lang sa lalaking yun ganyan ka na?" 

Please stop, not again

"Oh shit, I got to go." tarantang sinabi ng lalaki. 

Bago lumabas, tumingin siya sa babae ng ilang segundo. Punong-puno ng emosyong hindi pa niya mawari sa oras na ito dahil sa adrenaline.

"Before I go tomorrow, I'll force my parents to see you at least one last time. I promise " nakangiti niyang sinabi, hanggang sa tuluyan nang mawala sa paningin ng dalaga.

Farewell, Addie

Outside, the stars twinkled in the night sky, a silent reminder from the universe of this moment, that may be the last from these two individuals. As the minutes ticked by, the two figures lay down on their beds in silent solidarity. They didn't know what the future held in store for them, but one thing was certain, and it's that they are bound to paths of uncertainty.

And as they sat together in the quiet darkness of their respective rooms, they knew that no matter how far apart they may be, they would always be laying under the same stars. 

Or would they?