Mundo maging IKAW

Chapter 4

*Anthony's POV*

I stayed in our townhouse. Binalikan ko ang mga naiwan kong alaala doon. Pumasok ako sa kwarto ko at nandun pa rin pala ang maliit na bookshelf na punong-puno ng mga libro at mga self-pub books ko. Nakakamiss pala dito. Nagpahinga na ako dahil napagod din ako sa byahe.

I currently writing a poem. It's a Shakespearean sonnet which I usually write. It's about our hometown.

"I miss the place where I begin to smile,
The place where I see the perfect sunshine,
And the sunset in the beautiful isle,
Where I could feel that everything is fine;
One thing I always want to remember,
How I walked at early in the morning,
Making a bonding with my grandfather,
Telling a story while we were walking;
I badly miss those happy memories,
When I feel the happiness in my heart~
Full of sincerity and endless bliss,
Like the way I love the beauty of art;
One day, I would go back to my hometown,
When I won't experience any breakdown."

Ang tagal kong natapos ang tulang iyan dahil hindi ko mahanap ang pulso ko sa pagsusulat. I think it's about time para balikan na rin ang pagsusulat ko.

Two years after, nabalitaan kong may anak na sina April at Chester. Unti-unti ko na ring natatanggap ang katotohanang hindi na siya magiging akin. May kanya-kanya na kaming mga buhay kaya masaya na rin ako para sa kanila.

One day, naisipan kong pumunta sa park at maglakad-lakad muna para mag-isip ng plot ng gagawin kong story. I checked my phone when it vibrated. Hindi ko pala napatay ang data. Papatayin ko na sana ito nang biglang may nagpop up mula sa youtube. It was the song Game of Questions by I Belong to the Zoo. I was curious about it so I clicked its link then watch it.

"Taking a bus ride to your place..."🎶

I suddenly clicked the pause button when I heard the first line of the song. I remember April. The first time we met again after a long time. Bigla na lamang bumalik ang lahat ng alaala namin sa bus na iyon. I really miss her a lot.

I continued playing the song. Nasa part na ng chorus ang kanta.

"Why do we have to fall in love with the person who doesn't feel the same way as we do..."🎶

Nagulat ako ng biglang may kumalabit sakin. That's why I clicked the pause button again.

"Hi!"

"H-hello?"

"I heard the song from your phone, is that your favorite one?"

"A-ah no, it isn't."

"Ah okay. Sorry for disturbing you. Btw, I'm Catrina Ignacio. I'm having a vacation here."

"I'm Anthony Tenorio. Are you from the Philippines?"

"Yeah. How about you?"

"Yeah. Two years na ako dito."

She suddenly clicked the play button without asking my permission, but I just let her to do that.

"Fan na fan ako ng mga opm mula noon." sabi nya nang matapos ang kanta.

"Hmm... Ako medyo lang." I answered coldly.

"What's your favorite song?" she asked.

"Mundo by IV of Spades."

"Wow! That's one of my favorite songs."

"Ah okay."

Aalis na sana ako nang biglang hinatak nya ang kamay.

"Ah wait!"

"What?"

"Can you help me?"

"No. Excuse me."

"Please, Anthony?"

"Hays. Fine. What is it?"

"I-I am lost. I don't know how I'm going home."

"Where is your exact address?"

"Here."

May inabot siyang papel sakin at nakasulat doon ang address niya. Malapit lang pala iyon sa bahay namin kaya inaya ko syang sumama sakin.

"Come with me, I know where it is."

"Okay. Thank you!"

Kapit na kapit siya sa kamay ko na parang takot na takot siya. While we're walking, she sings a song.

"Sa'n darating ang mga salita..."

Napabitaw ako sa pagkakahawak niya dahil sa kinanta niya. I looked at her with a frown.

"What's wrong?"

"Don't sing that song again."

"But why?"

"Nothing."

"Na nanggagaling sa aming dalawa..."

"Stop it!"

"Kung lumisan pa, 'wag naman sana..."

"I said stop!"

"Ika'y kumapit na nang di makawala..."

I walked faster. Naiinis ako sa kanya. Ang kulit niya. Ayun, nasa likod ko pa rin siya habang patuloy sa pagkanta. Hays nakakahiya.

"Limutin na ang mundo..."

I suddenly stopped walking when I heard that part.

"Stop it."

"Why? I just sang your favorite song."

Argh! I hate that line. Pinapaalala niya sakin ang mga bagay na dapat ay matagal ko ng kinalimutan. Hindi ko siya magawang tingnan dahil baka mainis lang ako lalo.

Nakarating na kami sa bahay nila na malapit lang sa bahay namin. Such a walking distance.

"You're here."

"Thank you, Anthony!"

"You're welcome, bye!"

"A-ah wait!"

"Why?"

"May nagpapabigay nito sa'yo." she said while she's handling a letter.

"Sino? Kanino to galing?"

"I don't know. Just open it when you're at home."

Tumakbo na siya paakyat sa bahay nila kaya hindi ko na nagawang magtanong pa. Umuwi na ako sa bahay at pabagsak na humiga sa kama. Kanino kaya galing tong letter?

Agad kong binuksan at binasa ang sulat na sa likod nito ay may pictures. It was April. I came down back to the house of Catrina, but she left with her bag according to the owner of the house.

I don't know what to do. I'm scared. I'm nervous. I have to go back to the Philippines as soon as possible. Para kay April.