It was just one of those nights. Nakahilata ako sa couch habang mga mata’y nakipagtitigan sa puting kisameng tila nilalarawan ang isipan ko ngayon - blanko. Gusto ko mang may isipin pero kahit ang umalingawngaw na boses ni DJ RC ay hindi umuubra.
Nakikinig ako ngayon sa pagsasadula nina DJ RC sa kuwentong ipinadala ng tagapakinig ng kanyang programa. Ito ang ginagawa kong stress reliever matapos ang mahabang araw. Nakakaenganyo kasi ang mga kuwento at madalas rin akong napapangiti lalo na kapag nasobrahan sa arte ang pagsasadula nila.
With the exception of today. Tila dumadaan lang sa aking mga tenga ang bawat salitang kanilang binibitawan.
I was hearing them but not listening.
Tila pagod at ayaw na yatang magproseso ng aking isipan ng kahit na ano, including these stories that I often enjoy.
“Pass,” I mumbled as I decided to turn off the radio. Bumangon ako mula sa pagkakahiga, nagtungo sa drawer na nakahilig sa glass wall nitong apartment ko. The radio was actually on top of it.
I was easily distracted by the view. It was one of the best I had seen and the very reason why I bought this apartment. Sabi nga nila noong balak ko pa lang bilhin ito ay magsasawa rin ako kalaunan. Yet I am still here, in awe of its beauty every single night. Ninanamnam pa rin ito na tila unang beses ko pa lang itong napagmasdan. Nawiwili pa rin sa kumikinang na mga ilaw na lalong tumitingkad sa lalim ng gabi.
I don't think I'll get tired of it.
But my reverie was put on halt. Nabaling ang buo kong atensyon sa radyo. I realized I was too absorbed that I had completely forgotten to switch it off when DJ RC finally read, “Just call me Rain”.
Rain.
That uncommon name again. Madalas ko nang marinig ang pangalang 'yan several times over his program since one of his senders used it as his pseudonym. And coincidentally, the stories that they have been sharing is as unique as that name.
“Gusto ko lang mabahagi ng aking kuwento. I don’t need any advice, just a platform to express. Hindi ko yata kakayanin kung hindi ko mailalabas ang saloobin ko.” DJ RC read in his slow mellow voice.
Nakatuon ulit ako sa nagtataasang building sa baba, nagdadalawang isip kong papakinggan ko ba ang kuwento ni Rain. But curiosity got hold of me.
“Simula nung bata ako, I always thought I’m the luckiest. Pinanganak ako sa may kaya na pamilya. My parents are known in their fields here in our city kaya siguro natatalsikan na rin kami ng pagiging sikat nila. We got to alot of grand parties when we were young, had dinner at expensive restaurants with other powerful families, and given VIP treatment wherever we went. I’m not boasting, ha. I’m just setting the fact that we are born rich and that almost everything goes the way I want it to be. But take note, almost. Almost lang kasi hindi naman talaga lahat ng ginusto ko nasusunod.”
There was a deep sigh from DJ RC accompanied by a slow melody in the background before he continued reading the letter.
“I enrolled in the most prestigious school when I entered high school. Hindi naman ako nahirapang makipaghalubilo kasi karamihan nang nag-aaral doon ay kakilala ko na rin . You know, our social status are of the same level. Except for a few though. Sila ’yong tinatawag na scholars. Mahihirap sila but was able to enroll since they are working students in the school. If you are into K-dramas, malamang iisipin niyo na binully namin sila just because the majority of us are well-off. But no. We treated them the same way we treat our friends.”
Para akong dinala ng kuwento ni Rain sa sarili kong kahapon. I shut my eyes closed for a few seconds then smiled. Nostalgic.
"And then there I met, Ace."
