The Rain in España (University Series #1)

31

"That's it..." 

We stayed silent for a while. Kalix did all the talk. Parang hindi pa nagpo-process sa utak ko lahat ng sinabi niya sa 'kin ngayon. He told me everything that happened right from the start including his struggles and what he did to overcome them. I stared at the waves continuously hitting the sand. Bawat hampas noon, parang humahampas din sa dibdib ko. 

"How's Kio?" I asked after the long silence. 

Natuyo na ang mga luha sa mata ko at ganoon rin sa kanya. I heard him sigh. "He's fine now. We're keeping him healthy with exercise and proper meal," maikling sagot niya. 

"And... Amethyst?" Tanong ko ulit. 

Natahimik siya sa sinabi ko. I somehow felt bad for Amethyst. Ang dami niyang natanggap na masasakit na salita kay Kalix. He even targeted her future profession. Para sa 'kin, masakit 'yun lalo na't maririnig ng ibang tao... But what she did was wrong too. 

"We're okay now." He nodded. "I learned how to forgive her upon entering law school. I just... realized that my grudge can do nothing. You were already gone from me and I also had to focus on my studies." 

"The photo..." Hindi ko na natuloy ang sasabihin ko.

"She was ninety percent drunk when she sent those messages. She actually wanted to explain to you but... I just... knew it wouldn't make any difference. I just accepted the fact that you're gone." He shrugged. 

"Kalix," I called. Lumingon siya sa 'kin. Hinahangin ang polong suot niya, mukhang dumiretso siya dito mula sa airport. Hindi man lang nakapagpalit ng shirt. Malalim ang tingin niya sa 'kin at hinihintay ang sasabihin ko. "I'm sorry," I was breathing heavily. 

He gave me a small smile and nodded. "It's fine now. You don't have to say sorry." He lied down on the sand, hands below his head. 

He seemed like a new person. He seemed so carefree now that he already explained everything I didn't know back then. Mukhang may nawalang malaking tinik sa puso niya at nakakayanan niya nang ngumiti sa 'kin ngayon. 

"No, I have to say sorry," pagpupumilit ko. 

Umiling pa rin siya sa 'kin. I stared at him before looking at the bright moon he was also staring at. Its light was reflected on the sea. 

"You were right, Luna," he said.

Napabalik ang tingin ko sa kanya, nagtataka. 

"It was a curse." He chuckled. "Whenever I look at the moon, I think of you. It haunted me." 

Napangiti ako at humiga rin sa tabi niya. Tinaas ko ang kamay ko at sinubukang hawakan ang buwan mula sa malayo kahit alam kong hindi 'yon mangyayari. Bumuntong-hininga ako at binaba ang kamay ko. 

"Did your mom... change her mind about law school?" I asked again.