f l a s h b a c k
"Oh Beadel, sayo 'to."
Inabot sa'kin ni Ate Mona ang shot ko. We are here at the Podium with some of our Ateneo friends. Birthday kasi ni Kat.
"Balita ko Bacon invited December Avenue ngayon ah. Lets wait Bei ha before we go home."
"Te Mowns naman may game ako bukas bawal mapuyat." I drink another shot then look around.
Ang daming tao. Kat and Bacon's friends are almost here. Kunsabagay minsan lang kasi magparty si Kat kaya siguro talagang pinaghandaan na. Besides Kat got the MVP last conference na rin. This is also her way of thanksgiving na rin.
"Hey whats up mga nigga!!!??" Nagulat ako kasi tinapik ni Jules balikat ko. I did not see her coming, maybe im too busy looking around.
Baka sakali lang naman na i get to see his face. Its been a while since i saw him.
"Oh Jules, you're here pala. Who's with you?" Ate Mona ask Jules as she sit beside me.
"Im with Dani and Pongs pero kumukuha pa sila ng drinks. I miss you ate Bei." Jules even embrace me. I smile at her.
Hanggang kailan ako maghihintay na para bang wala ng papalit sayo?
Nasan ka man
Sigaw ng puso ko'y ikaw hanggang ngayon
"Oh my gosh they're here na pala!" Ate Mona even get up and see who's singing in the small stage. Indeed, December Avenue is here.
"Tara sa unahan Bei and Jules!"
"Tara Ate Bei, lets sing our hearts out. Kakamiss din ang live band eh."
Jules and Ate Mona are walking in front of me. Wala na rin akong nagawa kaysa magmukmok ako sa upuan ko, might as well join them na rin.
While walking i feel like someone is looking at me thats why i look around .
Isaac is here and i wave at him. He's with other Bebob.
Mike is also holding a glass of beer and smile at me.
I look at the high chairs. Many former UAAP players are here.
Parang reunion.
"OY RAVENA BAKIT KA LATE?"
Agad akong napalingon sa pinanggalingan ng boses. It was Anton giving Thirdy a high five.
He's here already and i dont feel like breathing. Parang ang sikip ng lugar para sakin. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa bote ng beer sa kamay ko habang binaling ko ang atensyon ko sa banda sa harapan ko.
Kung sana lamang ay nakita mo ang lungkot sa'yong ngiti
Isang umagang 'di ka nagbalik
Gumising ka at ng makita mo
Ang tamis ng sandali ng kahapong 'di magbabalik
I miss him.
Im sure of that. It's been one and half a year since i last talked to him.
Nagtetext pa sya sakin noon after that night that i gave up. Ilang buwan na paulit ulit. Text, chats and call pero ni isa wala akong sinagot hanggang sya na rin ang kusang tumigil.
I glance at his direction once again. He's now sitting at the high chair at the bartender. He's now laughing with Anton. Ang ingay nila at naririnig ko na rin usapan nila.
"Oh Paps, alam ko na bakit ka nalate nagkita kayo ni Patrice ano?" It was Matt's voice and i somehow know Patrice, the beauty queen. The one she's currently dating.
I took a sip of my beer. Ang pait, parang ako.
"She's dating that Patrice. Dani told me." Napalingon ako kay Jules na katabi ko ngayon. Nakatingin pa rin sya sa banda.
