[Quin]
"Tulungan na po kita," alok ko kay Sister Grace na abala sa paghuhugas ng pinggan. Ala-sais na ng gabi pero hindi pa rin tapos si Raven sa kakakwento ng mga bagay-bagay sa mga bata. They are gathered in a circle under a tree and from here, I can clearly hear their small laughter.
The stars above, the light breeze and the faint music from the strum of his guitar and his voice serenaded the silent night aside the little voices of children.
How cute... and dreamy.
"Salamat nang marami, hija." Ngiti niya, isang tipid at matamis na ngiti. Tipid rin akong ngumiti sa kan'ya at tumango bago sinimulang hugasan ang mga baso't kutsara. Napailing-iling na lang ako nang maya-maya ay marinig ko na naman ang tawanan ng mga bata.
Is he really singing or making fun of his voice?
"Nakatutuwa. Kahit na... nasa rurok na ng tagumpay ang batang 'yon ay hindi pa rin niya kinalimutan ang lugar na 'to." Nanatili lang akong nakikinig sa kan'ya pagkatapos kong tanungin kung bakit.
"Kahit pagod siya sa trabaho ay may panahon pa rin siya sa mga batang 'yan. Nasisiyahan daw kasi siya sa mga bata." I saw her look up to them from the window in the corner where we can see the scenery clearly.
"Alam namin na darating ang panahong magkakaroon na siya ng sariling pamilya at mas kailangan niya itong pagtuunan ng pansin, kaya kung sakali mang mangyari 'yon... Handa na kami na hindi niya mabisita palagi."
I can't help but agree. She's right. When Raven finds his 'soulmate' and the woman he is bound to be with, he will surely change his priorities.
Hindi ko kayang maging masaya sa naisip. That would mean he'll stop bothering me too. Well, that is what it mean to grow older. Things change and they will never be the same again.
Everyday, a change is always what it is. Either you learn more, or you close the door for improvement within you. Pero hindi naman ibig sabihin no'n ay gano'n pa rin bukas. Hindi mo nga naman alam ang mga mangyayari sa'yo. Lalo na sa hinaharap.
"Mukhang aburido na nga 'yong magkaanak eh. Sana lang ay kayanin mong bigyan siya ng isang dosena." Tawa pa niya. Napalingon tuloy ako kay Sister nang wala sa oras, nag-iinit ang pisngi sa hiya.
Yes, Quin. This is really what will happen if you continue being with that guy.
"Uhm, hindi po kami. Magkaibigan lang po," tanggi ko. I know we're too intimate to be called friends, but I don't wanna assume that there is a deeper meaning of this.
He never said a thing about it. About us. What if he's just playing around, right? He might be interested because I am not the same with women he is associated with... But once I give in, he will get tired...
"Hala eh? Hindi pa ba siya nanliligaw sa'yo?" nagtataka niyang tanong pero mukhang ako ang mas nagtaka. The disbelief in her voice is so creepy. Does she really expect that guy to court me?
"Nanliligaw? Hindi po." He won't of course! Wala namang rason para gawin niya 'yon.
Like I said, he's probably just... playing around with me. Men, I know.
"Torpe talaga. Alam mo bang palagi niyang ikinukwento ang tungkol sa babaeng gustong-gusto niyang pakasalan? Pati nga sa... So..." Natigilan siya bahagya na parang nag-iisip. "Social media ba 'yon? Oo, social media nga!" Banayad siyang natawa. I stared at Sister's solemn face.
The wrinkles and the proof of age is making her face light and serene. She looks like she has nothing in life that she regretted. And my insecurity is attacking me again. Screw this.
BINABASA MO ANG
A Crossroad ✔
RomanceQuindal Angelo is uptight, too focused on her dreams and selfish preferences. She's the epitome of a woman who won't need a man for the rest of her life. Like, why would she? She hates complications. But, not until the handsome- ahem ahem, the dro...
