Bagwis
Hindi ko naman talaga kayang tiisin si Siena.
It took me a few days to come around only because I kept bugging Mak for tips on how to get Siena to fall for me again. "Hindi na yata ako mahal, Lakambakod. Gusto ko lang naman yung isa pang pagkakataon na lumaban para sa amin."
"Langya. Baduy mo, Pare. Baka yang kabaduyan mo yung inayawan niya."
My shoulders slumped.
"Joke lang. Ito naman! Relax. Basta ang alam ko, nilambing ko si Tala. Niligawan. Pinakita sa kanya na siya lang yung mahal ko, kahit na alam kong patay na patay na sa akin yun," Mak grinned.
I was happy for my friend. It had also been millenia before he was even able to tell Tala how he felt and I was glad they finally were together.
Paano kaya kami ni Siena?
"Pinakaimportante, Pare... baka dapat magusap kayo. Alam ko namang matagal mo ng gustong itanong sa kanya kung bakit hindi ka niya pinupuntahan?"
I sighed. "Minsan iniisip ko bakit ba ako naging anghel at hindi taga-dagat. Bakit may pakpak pa ako ay hindi palikpik."
Mak nodded. "May dahilan yan, Bagwis. Mahalaga ang mga pakpak mo. Hayaan mo. Kakausapin ko din si Bathala. Baka pwede ka nyang gawing pato."
*
When she burned her hand, I went out for a bit and got her something. "Hi," I greeted timidly when I got back.
She was again wading in the pool and she smiled when she saw me.
"Kamusta na yung kamay mo?"
"It's better," she said, holding it up to show me.
"Good. Ito pala. Binili kita dun sa mall na malapit. Favorite din daw ito nila Mak at Tala. Gelato."
"Uy! Nakita ko ito sa TV!" She said, excitedly and dug in. "Salamat, Bagwis!" After eating for a few more minutes, she quietly asked, "Hindi ka na ba galit sa akin?"
"Hindi naman talaga ako galit," I said, tucking her hair behind her ear and taking that chance to caress her face. "Pero aaminin kong nasaktan ako nung hindi ka dumating. Pakiramdam ko kinalimutan mo na ako."
She was silent.
"Araw araw akong pumupunta doon. Kahit sabihin kong ayaw ko na, hindi ko pa din mapalampas na dumaan kasi baka sakaling nandun ka."
"Patawad, Bagwis. Hindi ko alam kung anong dapat kong sabihin —"
I couldn't listen to it. Not yet. "Aakyat na muna ako, Siena. Tawagin mo na lamang ako kung may kailangan ka. Maguusap tayo, pangako. Kaya lang hindi pa pala ako handa."
"Sandali."
I turned.
"Sabi mo araw araw kang nagpunta sa tagpuan natin? Totoo ba?"
I nodded sadly. "Yes, Siena. Everyday. Every single day for the past one hundred years."
