One Great Love (COMPLETED)

28: Make or Break

ANDRES

Maaga kaming bumangon para sa araw ng botohan. Naghanda ng almusal para sa marami ang Lolo Jose dahil magdadatingan na ang aking mga tiyo't tiya pati na mga pinsan na boboto. Narinig ko na ang kanilang mga pag-uusap nang makarating sila habang naririto ako sa aking kwarto. Naka-upo sa gilid ng kama habang nakaharap sa salamin na nakadikit sa aparador.

I looked like a mess. More exactly like a piece of shit. Namamaga ang mga mata ko. My beard grew faster than I thought. Tumubo na din ang dalawang tigyawat sa aking noo at isa sa baba. From the past two nights, I pleaded for Gino to reach me. Hindi niya sinasagot ang mga tawag at texts ko. He sometimes was online but never read my messages.

Three knocks on my door and it opened. There was April, my cousin.

"AJ!" She greeted and entered my room. Kasunod niya sina Aaron at Ari. But excitement shifted to worrisome when they saw me. "Are you all right?"

They sat beside me and I felt Ari's hand caressed my back. "Are you and Gino in a fight?"

Suddenly, a mention of his name made my eyes teary. Mabilis kong pinunasan ang papatulong luha at tumikhim.

"It's just a petty fight." I tried to shrug the reality that it was a hard one. For me, at least.

Stilettos clacking on the wooden floor was heard inside my room. My always stunning Auntie Adriana entered in her vintage Chanel dress and sunglasses. Nang mapatingin ako sa kanya, kagaya ng mga pinsan ko, nag-alala din sa akin.

"My dear! What happened to you?" Lumapit siya at tumayo ako para bumeso sa kanya. "Did somebody hurt you? Is it Gino?"

Ari lend her phone to her Mom and they all looked at something. All their eyes went to me.

"Ano 'yan?" Walang gana kong tanong.

Inabot ni Ari ang kanyang telepono sa akin. It was a stolen photo of me and Zac sitting next to each other on the greeny-hills. The following photo was when he put his arms across my shoulder.

"That's nothing." But then maybe it irked more fire. "He's just a friend." Napapa-iling na lang ako.

Narinig namin ang boses ni Kuya Javier na tinawag na kaming umalis na para bumoto. Nauna na silang naglabasan ng kwarto at ako'y sandaling nagpa-iwan. Before leaving, I tried calling Gino, for the most hundredth time. Still, he was unattended.

Mainit ang tanghaling iyon nang dumating kami sa mababang paaralan kung saan kami ay nakarehistro. Kasabay namin ang Uncle Nacio na siyang suot pa ang kanyang political color. I placed my votes and had an indelible ink on my forefinger. We gathered for a family photo showing our inked nails.

Late lunch was held at Uncle Nacio's. The family favorites were served and all are having a sumptuous meal. I tried my best to eat as much as I can. I talked and shared my insights on how the campaign went and my stay as well. Kahit sa panandaliang panahon ay nakalimutan kong may iniinda pala akong problema.

Nang hapon ding iyon ay nagpaalam na sila at kinailangang bumalik na ng Manila. Hindi na nila mahihintay ang resulta sapagkat may mga pasok pa sila sa kanilang mga trabaho kinabukasan. Nagpa-iwan si Lolo Jose sa bahay nina Uncle Nacio dahil sasama ito sa headquarters habang naghihintay ng resulta.

Sinabi ko na lamang na hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ko at umuwi na. Naka-upo ako sa baitang ng hagdanan at pinagmamasdan ang hawak kong cellphone. Mga oras na ang lumipas mula nang tumawag ako kay Gino pero wala pa din.

Sa gitna ng aking pag-iisip kung ano na nga ba ang sitwasyon namin ng nobyo ko, isang busina ang pumukaw sa aking atensyon. He waved when I turned my eyes on him.