Find Me • Kobe Paras

Find Me • 5

"Happy Birthday Kobe!" sabi ko, kakabukas niya lang ng pinto, he was wearing a sando and his shorts. I smiled, ang cute naman nito, ang sarap gawing key chain kahit ang laki laki.

"it's not yet my birthday." he said, I smiled, pushing my hair back into my ear.

"I know, But I want to be the first one who greets you." sabi ko kay kobe, he gave me a small smile.

It was 12:00, technically friday na. Kobe smiled at me and looked at the cake I was holding, malapit na mamatay ang apoy sa kandila

"blow it." sabi ko, he closed his eyes to wish and blew the cake, nasa pinto pa rin kami, triny ko na sumilip sa likod niya, ayaw niya kasi ako papasukin.

"it's not a good idea if I let you in" sabi ni kobe, holding the cake, I offered him a smile, and kissed his cheek.

"Happy Birthday again, Kobe!" maligaya kong sabi, kobe nodded and whispered a simple thank you.

"sige uuwi nalang ako." sabi ko, kobe nodded.

"ingat ka." he said, I nodded and walked towards the elevator.

Bumuhos ang luha ko, I know na may kasama siyang babae sa loob kaya't hindi niya ako pinapasok, he doesn't want to hurt me, but masakit eh.

Naaawa ako sa sarili ko, here I am, sitting in front of the stairs in his condo building, crying, hugging my knees.

"agatha?" a voice asked, I looked up to see who it was.

"bakit hindi ka pa umuuwi?" kobe asked, I smiled and wiped my tears.

"wala lang, nag-iisip lang ako." sagot ko sakanya, trying to be cheerful but his eyebrows furrowed.

"about?" he asked, sitting beside me.

"about life." sagot ko, surprised that he actually sat here beside me.

"pasok ka na" sabi ko, kobe looks at the moon above us, while I was admiring his features.

"mamaya na, napaisip na rin tuloy ako." sagot niya, tumango lang ako.

"gusto mo ng ice cream?" he asked, tumingin ako sakanya at nakatingin na siya sa akin. Tumango ako, tumayo siya at tinulungan akong tumayo.

Naglakad kami papunta sa ministop na malapit sa condo niya, silence enveloped us. Wala kaming pinag-usapan, we just walked together.

"anong flavor?" tanong ni kobe sa akin, tumingin ako, and I chose the chocolate one, he nodded and payed for it.

Umupo kami sa labas, I was looking at the cars passing by, while kobe was looking at his ice cream.

Ice cream is the one thing that makes me happy whenever i'm sad, I don't know pero bata pa lang ako, an ice cream can usually cheer me up, pero hindi ata sa pagkakataong ito.

"kobe." I started out, my voice small, he hummed in response.

"tell me if may girlfriend ka na ah." sagot ko, not looking at him, but I was aware of his stare.

"bakit?" he asked, I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"para lang ready ako, para hindi ako mabigla." sagot ko, trying to smile, kinain ko ng dali-dali ang ice cream ko dahil natutunaw na ito.

"wala pa akong girlfriend" kobe said out of the blue.

"pa" I repeated, kasi hindi ako tanga, I know na may sinusundo siya, I know na may babae sa condo niya right now and naawa lang siya sa akin kaya niya ako sinamahan.

"kobe" sambit ko muli,

"uwi ka na" sabi ko, kumunot ang noo niya.

"baka naiinip na siya kakahintay sayo" sabi ko, at ngumiti,

"agatha..." kobe said, but I smiled and looked at him.

"sige na," sabi ko at tinulak siya pabiro.

"kobe." tawag ko sakanya, lumingon siya para tignan ako.

"if you're ready, find me." sabi ko, his eyebrows furrowed, but I made a motion using my hands na mauna na siya, he smiled and jogged his way towards his condo building.

Tumingin ako sa kalangitan, isang gabi na may buwan at punong puno ng bituin, ngumiti ako sa sarili ko at itinapon ang apa ng ice cream na hindi ko man lang naubos.

Nginitian ko ang guwardiya, kahit ang puso ko, wasak na wasak na. Naglakad ako sa kahabaan ng katipunan, umiiyak at humihikbi ng tahimik, walang pake sa tingin o bulong ng nakakasalubong.

Ang sakit sakit na, pero bakit mahal ko pa rin siya?