Violin Tears (Edited)

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Krisha:

"Aki..." I mouthed breathlessly. Nagkusot-kusot pa ako ng mga mata ko bago ako muling tumitig sa kanya. He smiled back at me when I looked again. It was real. Not just another imagination.

"Lucrezia…" he uttered. Mukhang siyang kung sino na kagagaling lang mula sa isang malalang sakit. There're dark circles under his eyes, humpak ang mga pisngi, and his skin is pale. Skinhead na siya ngayon at nakasuot ng bonnet. He was wearing a plain white sweater and a cargo pants.

Marami akong tanong para sa kanya; and I should be angry for the years he left me hanging. But seeing him again pulled all the years like it was only yesterday since we last saw each other. I can't make myself be mad at him. I loved him. And I'm a fool to admit that I still love him. I want to run to him; pero may humawak sa kamay ko. I glanced at Rho who was tightly holding my hand.

Hindi siya sa’kin nakatingin kundi kay Aki. "Nagbalik ka na pala. Ano’ng ginagawa mo dito?" He asked him sternly.

"I am a benefactor here so I have the right reason to be here; and my other reason was because I want to greet Lucrezia."

I was mazed; fazed at the same time. "A-alam mong pupunta ako dito?"

Marahan siyang tumango. "Nagsabi ako kanila mamita na pupunta ako dito. Happy birthday."

"Thank you," tipid kong sagot. Things started to get a bit awkward when we all fell out of words to say. Mabuti na lamang at pinuntahan kami ng head nun para sabihing dumating na ang mga kasamahan namin. Agad akong hinila ni Rho palabas ng main hall. Wala na si Aki pagbalik namin kasama ng aming mga blockmates. I just heard a car's engine from the window.

Tulong-tulong naming nilinis, inayos, at dinecorate ang hall bago namin pinapasok ang mga kids. Most of them ay naka-face mask at karamihan din ay nakawheelchair. They were still young but they were already stricken by cancer. Sinimulan namin ang event with prayers. Ang emcee ng program ay ang blockmate kong bading. Napuno ng tawanan ang hall dahil sa kanya. Then we have games and food. Kinantahan nila ako ng birthday song bago ko hipan ang 18 candles sa cake. Pagkatapos nu’n, it's present time! Pero imbes na ako ang bibigyan ng gift, ako ang nagpaka-santa claus. Plus, I gave a check to the head of the institution para makatulong sa pagpapagamot ng mga kids dito.

Ang dami naming picture picture moments. Masaya ako. But I don't know. I feel hollow inside.

I wish—

"Ms. Bear, ayos ka lang ba?" tanong sa’kin ni Rho. We're currently inside his car, jammed on a heavy traffic in EDSA. Pauwi na kami mula sa institution. Tumingin ako sa kanya. Ayoko siyang saktan. Siya kasi ‘yung nagtyagang bumuo sa’kin nu’ng nabasag ako.

But I really don't know what to do now. Nababagabag ang puso ko. I should be happy dahil kasama ko ‘yung taong hindi ako kayang saktan. I can't falter now…

Huminga ako nang malalim. Shocked lang siguro ako sa biglaang pagsulpot ni Aki. Namissed ko lang siya. ‘yun lang ‘yun! Bukas paggising ko, wala na ‘to. "Napagod lang siguro ako. Maaga akong matutulog ngayon," I finally said.