Strings and Arrows

Chapter 32

Nakita ko si Carlo na nakatayo sa hindi kalayuan. Hindi ko alam anong ginagawa niya sa labas ng classroom niya but one thing's for sure. He looked troubled. Hindi kaya ay binasted na siya ni Maris?

It's been two days already since you know? He did his grand proposal at ang pag-antala ko doon. Hindi ko man lang pa napasalamatan ng maayos si Carlo. Maybe this is the right moment. Para na rin makausap ko siya at makamusta tungkol sa nangyari.

I started walking towards his direction nang bigla namang dumating si Maris.

Oh damn. Mukhang mali yata itong timing ko ah.

I was about to go back when I heard a sob. And it was from Maris.

"I am so sorry Carlo. I tried promise. I gave you a chance and I also gave myself a chance." Maris said between her sobs.

"Sshh. It's okay Maris. I understand and I'm happy that you tried and you gave it a chance." Carlo replied.

Damn! Kawawa naman si Carlo. Nahimatay na 'ko't lahat-lahat! Pero masasaktan at masasaktan pa rin talaga siya. Sila. Kahit anong gawin kong pag-antala, darating at darating pa rin talaga. I know. But at least I tried.

"I am so sorry. Please 'wag mong isipin na may mali o may problema sa 'yo. You are such a gentleman at bihira na lang makahanap ng ganoon dito. You're very good looking and so smart. But I just really see you as a good friend."

I tried to take a sneek peak. Then there I saw Carlo with a sad smile on his face while hugging the crying Maris.

"I understand. I understand. It's okay. Don't cry. Baka mamaya isipin pa ng iba na pinaiyak kita." He said with a little chuckle. Tangina! Naiiyak na rin tuloy ako para sa kaniya. Don't laugh man!

"Please don't avoid me. Continue being my best friend."

Nakita kong kumalas si Carlo mula sa pagkakayakap at pinunasan ang mga luha ni Maris.

He slowly nodded his head and showed a genuine smile. A Genuinely sad smile.

"Yes Maris. I will. Kahit masakit." Upon saying those words, I heard Maris cried even more at mas lalong hinigpitan ni Carlo ang yakap niya dito.

Ouch. Dammit I can feel his pain! Sa tingin ko tuloy ay ang selfish ng wish ni Maris kay Carlo. But then, I can't blame them.

Umalis na agad ako mula sa pagtatago dahil baka makita pa nila 'ko. Tangina umiiyak pa naman ako. Ano 'yon? Parang nakikiramay din ako?

Eh sa hindi ko naman masisisi ang sarili ko dahil matagal ko nang alam na masasaktan at masasaktan pa rin silang dalawa!

I stopped for a moment nang ma-realize kong nasa Reading Kiosk na pala ako dito sa bakanteng lote.

I heaved out a deep sigh bago naupo sa pinakamalapit na bench. I took some books at sinubukang magbasa. Wala talagang nagpupupunta dito dahil kung may ibang gustong mag-basa ay sa library ang diretso kasi may Wifi din naman doon. For emergency purposes lang din naman ang Kiosk na ito. Mabuti na rin 'yon dahil walang tao dito at napakapayapa.

Naisip ko na naman 'yong nangyari kanina. I can't help it. Bumabalik at bumabalik lang ang mga iyon sa utak ko. Nag-guilty kasi ako. Big time.

At least private na 'yong pag-sagot ni Maris sa kaniya diba? Well, technically sinagot naman talaga ni Maris si Carlo. Maling sagot nga lang. And that's kind of painful.

Tumayo ako at nagpunta sa book shelves para maghanap ng magandang libro. Lilibangin ko na lang muna saglit ang sarili ko sa paghahanap at pagbabasa ng magandang libro.

I spotted a beautiful book. It's a Drama Novel where the guy sacrifices himself in order for the girl to live a happy life. He left something special para sa babae nang sa ganoon ay maalala siya nito kahit papaano.

I sat comfortably and was about to read the book when I noticed Carlo walking. Dumaan siya at mukhang tulala. Lalapitan ko na ba siya? Tamang oras na ba 'to?

Well, nothing's a perfect day for something. Any day could be perfect.

Everyting happens unexpectedly and if that happens, you'll sometimes think that it's meant to happen that day.

Binalik ko muna ang libro saka nagmadaling lapitan si Carlo.

"Carlo! Sandali."

He stopped nang marinig ang tawag ko. He faced me and smiled weakly.

"Oh hey Spirit. Kumusta? Ayos ka na ba?"

"Well, ilang beses mo na akong niligtas at tinulungan. Pero hindi pa kita napapasalamatan ng maayos kaya I just want to Thank you. For you know, being always there. I mean, being a friend."

He smiled but it's a sad one.

"A friend. Of course. I get that a lot." Tila may iba siyang pinapahiwatig nang sabihin niya iyon. And for a moment, I felt sad. For him.

I tapped his back and gave him a reassuring smile.

"Trust me, I fully understand what you're feeling right now. Ilang beses rin akong na-brokenhearted."

"But we have completely different stories. I was rejected. Ikaw, naghiwalay kayo."

"Well, yeah. But still, alam ko ang pakiramdam na iwan o hindi piliin ng taong mahal mo. Pero you know what? 'Wag kang mawawalan ng pag-asa ha? May darating na mas magandang blessing para sa 'yo."

"Thank you Spirit. I really appreciate it."

I gave him a tight hug na ikinagulat niya. Kumalas naman agad ako kasi parang na-awkward yata siya. Hala.

"Shit. Sorry Carlo, I got carried away."

Napakamot naman ako sa ulo ko dahil sa hiya. To my surprise, he actually laughed.

"What's funny?" I asked nang nakasalubong ang kilay.

"You. You're funny but in an adorable way. Thank you for lifting up my mood, Spirit."

Oh. Well, I wasn't expecting that but I'm happy that he's happy now.

"So pa'no ba 'yan? I should go. May klase pa 'ko eh. Bye!" Pagpapaalam ko sa kaniya.

Nginitian niya lang ako saka tinanguan.

Tinalikuran ko na siya at naglakad na palayo.

Trust me Carlo, alam kong magiging masaya ka rin sa love life mo. And when that time comes, God knows how much I'll be happier for him.

Alam kong darating din ang tamang mga arrows para sa 'yo.

Nagtungo na 'ko pabalik sa classroom ko. May klase na kasi ako sa susunod na subject namin. Mabuti lang talaga at bakante 'yong previous class ko kasi nagawa ko ring pasalamatan ng maayos si Carlo.