Moving Along The Beat

Chapter 18

"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."

It was my turn to be silent, I felt the urge to ask but there's something in me na ayaw malaman ang mga sagot sa tanong na ibabato ko kung sakali.

I didn't know what happened but I suddenly felt awkward.

Mygad.

His dark chinky eyes pierced through me. "Hindi ka ba magtatanong?"

I decided to avoid his gaze. I could feel my cheeks burning. "Uhh..."

Handa na sana 'kong tumakbo, bahala na kung awkward bukas nang biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko.

Hoo. Saved by the bell!

"E-excuse me."

Hindi ko na siya hinintay sumagot at bigla na lang sinagot ang tawag nang hindi tinitingnan ang caller.

"Hello?"

"Clarisse."

Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig nang marinig si mama. Inalis ko pa sa tainga ang cellphone just to make sure it was her.

"M-ma?"

"Meet me at your graduation."

It's just one sentence but my eyes immediately watered as I heard her say that.

"Y-you knew?" I asked, shaking.

"Of course, you said that last month."

I laughed, without humor. "Y-you remembered?"

"Of course. What do you mean by that Clarisse?"

I laughed harder when I heard her irritated tone.

My God. I miss you ma.

"N-nothing."

"Sige na. I just called to say that."

Malungkot man dahil kailangan ko ng ibaba. Masaya pa rin ako.

"And one more thing..."

Napaangat ang kilay ko nang muling magsalita si mama.