Since Childhood

15: It wasn't a Dream

[Timothy’s Point of View]

I was on a date at that very moment. A date with a random girl I just met somewhere, a place that I can’t even recall where. We’re in a restaurant that she suggested. In the middle of our meal, may bigla nalang nag-ingay from not too far.

Of course, just like anybody else, I also want to fill my curiosity. Me and the woman I’m with stands up. Lumapit kami sa ingay at sa mga tao na nagumpisa nang magkumpulan. As we got nearer, screams from a woman became louder. She’s making a scene while accusing someone of being a slut or mistress.

I don’t really care if that wife ended up killing the bitch but when I realized it was Rhein, ganon na lang yung pagkulo ng dugo ko because of anger.

I just wanna jump in there, push the woman away and protect Rhein as much as I can. She was crying her heart out. Her face is all wet because of sweat and probably tears. Nobody dare to do that to her. Nobody because she’s such a strong one. Kaya naman hindi ko mapigilan ang magalit as to why is she letting that crazy wife treat her like that. Was it true? Is she really a mistress?

Without my knowledge, nakatikom na pala ang kamay ko as I mumble, “damn it, Rhein. Fight the fuck back!”

But she didn’t stand on her own. If she won’t, then I will. I’m gonna beat the fucking asshole.

*              *              *

In a sunny day like this every weekend, magkakasama lagi kami nina Davien, Gael and Hirro. Every weekend, iba’t ibang bahay ang tinatambayan namin. The pattern is Davien’s house, followed by Hirro’s, then Gael’s and lastly, mine. Today, na kayna Hirro kami. We are preparing for a basketball game. Magkakampi kami ni Davien habang magkakampi naman yung dalawa.

We played so much until all of us dropped. Until our knees are shaking and trembling because we were so worn out. Hirro and Gael won the game.

Dahil sa sobrang pagod, humiga kami sa court. Open field ang court pero madami namang puno on every border kaya hindi ganon kainit. We are all looking at the blue sky. Natatakpan ng malaking set ng ulap ang araw kaya makulimlim.

“Guys,” Davien spoke after calming his breath.

“what?” Gael asked habang nakahiga parin at nakatingin sa kalangitan.

“I’m going to ask you guys a huge favor.” There is a moment of silence bago sya nagpatuloy sa pagsasalita. “Please protect Daniela.”

The two sat up straight and then they look at Davien.

“Why? What happened? May nangyari bang masama?” The questions escaped my mouth uncontrolled.

“Nothing serious. Its just... she’s growing you know. Boys are going to try hit on her. I just don’t want her to be involved with guys. She’s still a child. And she can be easily swayed.”

“Honestly, Daniela is growing beautifully day by day. Kung hindi lang kita kaibigan Vien, matagal ko nang pinormahan si Daniela.” Gael admitted kaya naman napatingin kaming tatlo sa kanya.

“Gael can you hear yourself? Mas matanda ka nga kay Davien eh. Besides, Daniela is very young! That is child abuse!” Hirro said contradicted.

“Isang taon lang naman ang tanda ko kay Vien, Hirro. But the thought of calling him “kuya” just in case is disgusting.” Gael replied then he act as if he just had a goosebumps. Tapos ay nagtawanan silang dalawa ni Hirro.

Despite of the jokes coming around, Vien remained serious. Ako naman, I was quite disturbed with the thought that Gael find Rhein beautiful as much as I see her.

“Do not try to sway my sister, guys. I have known all of you for like lifetime. You never take girls seriously and my sister doesn’t deserve that. Kaya kung popormahan nyo si Niela, you are going to be my worst enemy.”

I turned stiff all of a sudden. What Vien just said made me feel so problematic.

Recently, I’ve recognized my feelings for Rhein in romantic way. Pero Davien is a great friend and I don’t want to sacrifice our friendship for my personal gain.

“Paano ba yan, Tim. Your love for Daniela is now impossible,” Panloloko ni Hirro dahil lagi nila akong inaasar kay Rhein.

Davien look at me. I can’t read the emotion in his eyes. Feeling like I was at the edge of a cliff, I spoke up.

“You are talking non sense, Hirro. Rhein is just a little sister to me and I will protect her just like my own sister.”

Bumangon si Vien mula sa pagkakahiga. He pat me on my shoulder and suggest that we play one more game.

*             *             *

It’s already 12 in the midnight nang pumasok ako sa cr para maligo. Hindi ko na alam kung ilang minuto na akong nakababad sa ilalim ng shower. Baka nga nasa isang oras na akong naliligo without noticing the time.

I switched the shower off and then I wrapped my half body with towel. I left the bathroom to geth dress. Just a sweatpants and plain white T-shirt with v-neck.

Time passed hanggang sa pumatak na ng alas dos ang orasan. I’m still wide fucking awake. Iniisip ko parin si Rhein and the incident earlier. The mistress thingy. The adultery accusation. Thinking all of that, I had my hand formed into firm fists.

Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo ko sa swivel chair na nasa tapat lang ng study table ko. Lumabas ako ng kwarto only to see the door of the room where Rhein was sleeping.

My feet move on their own. Lumakad ako papalapit sa pinto and my hand reached for the doorknob. I twisted it. Slowly, binuksan ko ang pinto and the warmness of the room felt incredibly awesome.

There on the bed, Rhein is sleeping peacefully. Like a graceful princess. My body felt like a puppet following it’s master’s order. The master is my brain along with my emotion. I sat next to her, get the strands of her hair out of her face.

She’s so beautiful. I can’t believe she’s the girl from my past. The girl who cried a lot of tears. The girl who is very weak that she cannot even stand for herself against her brother. Rhein grew into a very fine lady. Beautiful, successful, strong and independent. She’s near to being perfect.

I look at her lips. The urge of kissing her arises. Before I could stop myself, unti-unti ko na palang inilalapit ang mukha ko. Hanggang sa maglapat na nga ang mga labi naming.

A kiss that I’d been dreaming about.

I’ve tasted hundred different tastes of kiss but Rhein’s lips was far most best. This is the second time that I found kissing oh-so-satisfying. Ang una kasing halik ay ang galing kay Amanda on the night we shared the same bed long time ago. Although her letter claimed that the woman wasn’t her, malakas ang kutob ko na si Amanda talaga yon.

After that unforgettable night, ngayon ko na lang ulit naramdaman yung parehong saya because of a fucking kiss. Because it was Rhein this time.

I stayed a bit longer bago ako umalis.

The kiss that I stole from Rhein kept me awake kaya naman I decided to run in treadmill at the portch.

Not too long ago after I started exercising, I was distracted when Rhein showed up. All throughout of our brief conversation, I was looking at her lips that I finally get taste of.

After so many years of imagining, I finally answered my question about how it may feels like. It was divine.