Moving Along The Beat

Prologue

"BA'T gising ka pa?"

Nilingon ko ang taong nagsalita mula sa likod ko.

"Wala lang. Ikaw?" tanong ko pabalik.

He just shrugged and walked towards me. Pareho na kaming naka-pajama.

Muli akong bumalik sa pagkakasandal pa-harap sa railings ng rooftop. Hindi kasi ako makatulog kaya naisipan kong umakyat muna rito.

Naramdaman ko namang tumabi siya sa'kin ngunit hindi siya humilig katulad ko. Nanatili lang siyang nakatayo kaya muli ko siyang nilingon.

I jokingly asked, "how's three or what month without me?"

His eyes kept darted at the sight in front of us. He fixed his glasses first before giving me a glance. "Nothing special."

I just nodded and did not ask further questions. Comfortable silence sorrounded us.

"How's staying here?" tanong niya sa kalagitnaan ng katahimikan.

Humarap ako sa kaniya at humilig na lang sa railings bago sumagot, "I'm enjoying." I smiled. "For sure you will too."

He just smiled.

As I stare at him, I couldn't help but wonder, what was going on in his mind? How could he keep himself from talking nonsense?

"What are you looking at?"

Nagising ako mula sa pagtitig sa kaniya at nagsalita, "wala. Iniisip ko lang kung anong iniisip mo."

Natahimik ito at ngumiti nang marahan, ngiting hindi umabot sa mata niya. "If you could read my mind..." tumingin siya sa'kin. "You'll stay away."

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Typographical and grammatical errors ahead.