Midnight Sky (Time Series #1)

Prologue

Tik Tok Tik Tok

Sabi nila 11:11 is a lucky time. Natutupad ang hiling at swerte ang oras na iyon. It was 10:30 in the evening and I am still at the top of the tower, waiting for my boyfriend to come. May sasabihin daw siyang importante and I am very excited on what it is. May pakiramdam akong magpopropose na siya sa akin ngayong 8th year namin. Alam kong asyumera na nga ako, pero this time malakas talaga ang kutob ko!

I stifled a smile before sighing.

This past 10 years was never been easy to me and he knows it well. I remember the first time we've met and it's here above this beautiful tower. Pagmalungkot, masaya, o may pinagdadaanan ako ay lagi akong pumupunta rito. It became my comfort zone and also my home.

Nakakamangha ang city lights at tanaw na tanaw mo rito ang ganda ng siyudad. Malayo sa malungkot na sulok ng aming bahay.

10 years ago, my brother died out of accident. At sinisisi ko ang sarili ko doon. My mother also blamed me for being an irresponsible sister to him. Ako nga ang may kasalanan. Kung sana lang ay hindi ako naging pabaya ay...

sana masaya pa kami, malayo sa ngayong sitwasyon namin.

My vision is getting blurry. I didn't know that the blurry view of city lights with the crescent moon above will form a beautiful, yet painful art in my eyes. This made me realize that lights from afar aren't blinding. That my vision from here wasn't that clear, but I can see up here how reality unfold in the dark with a little glow beyond and above.

Then I met Harold in this tower. Nakipagbreak ang girlfriend niya nang panahon na iyon dahil may iba na itong mahal. That day, I was really annoyed at him for concealing his true feelings, for cheering his girlfriend that it was alright, that they could still be friends when I know it hurts big time. Masyado siyang mabait para magparaya. Masyado siyang mabait para magpaubaya.

Para sa akin kasi, hindi ko kayang makipagkaibigan sa taong minsan ko nang minahal. Hindi ko kayang makita siya na may kasamang iba habang ako ay naghihintay at umaasa pa rin na babalikan niya. Hindi ko kayang magpigil nang nararamdaman ko lalo na kapag lagi ko siyang nakikita dahil kay hirap no'ng gawin.

And the story goes on. He became my shoulder to lean on, a friend, a lover, and a family. It's funny because I really don't like him at first. It's annoying that he is too kind and soft. It is annoying that he is too strong and brave to even let go.

I felt someone's hand snake on my waist. Naamoy ko ang mabango niyang pabango, ang mainit niyang yakap at ang malamig niyang halakhak.

Agad akong napangiti. I missed my man so much!

"Sorry, I made you wait," malambing niyang saad.

Hindi ko mapigilan ang gumuhit na ngiti saking kabi. Ayaw niya talagang pinaghihintay ako but it's fine.

"Okay lang, nalibang naman ako rito."

"Still, I made you wait."

Napanguso ako. Ayos lang naman talaga sa akin. Hindi ko nga naramdaman ang oras lalo na kapag kasama ko siya.

"Okay. Ano nga pala yung sasabihin mo?" I can't hide the excitement on my voice nang tinignan ko siya habang nakayakap siya sa akin.

I find it very romantic, him, hugging me at my back and with the view of the sky and city lights habang nakatingin ako sa gwapo niyang mukha. Very angelic!

Naagaw ng atensyon ko nang unti-unti siyang bumitaw sa pagkakayakap sa akin tila doon lang may nagsink in sa kanya. Seryoso niya akong tinignan na siyang nagpakaba sa akin. Kumalabog ang aking puso na dati ay sa tuwa at kilig ngunit ngayon ay parang iba ang ipinapahiwatig. Ngayon ko lang ito hindi nagustuhan.