The Promise Of Sagada

IX

IX

I didn't count days or weeks I spent here in Japan; all I know is that I'm the happiest when I see the man I love always. Just like before. Before we decided to live together, we were excited; we planned everything. Jerome always made plans to buy what our apartment needs, sobrang sipag ni Jerome, he always came home to me with money in his hands.

We learn how to budget, just like a married couple does. We plan our groceries; we plan the schedule of us who will be assigned to cleaning. We always had plans for us. I miss our relationship before.

"Saan ka pupunta?" I asked curiosly when I saw Jerome na nakabihis. I saw him wearing his favorite dark blue shirt and gray below the knee shorts. Tinitigan lang niya ako, habang ako ay dali-daling bumuntot sa kanya. Hinawakan ko ang laylayin ng damit niya na parang isang batang ayaw mawala.

I'm still wearing a purple pajama and a pink shirt, pero nang makita ko siyang papaalis na hindi na ako nagaksaya pa ng oras na magbihis. He didn't talk, but he just let me hold on to his shirt. Nakasimangot akong naka sunod sa kanya, "baka malayo pupuntahan mo ah? Init init maglakad!" Pagrereklamo ko, kasi bakit trip niya maglakad? May taxi naman!

"Bakit kasi sumama ka?" Napasinghal ako sa sagot niya, nakakairita ah! "Ayaw ko maiwan, gusto ko sama sayo." Tumigil siya sa paglalakad at tingnan ako, he rolled his eyes at nilagay ang kamay ko sa braso niya. "Para tayong mag ama, umayos ka ng hawak." I smiled at him at comfortable na humawak sa braso niya. Ngayon ay dahan-dahan na siyang naglalakad hindi katulad kanina na akala ko hinahabol ng aso.

Because of his slow walk, naigala ko ang paningin ko sa paligid. I close my eyes and feel the warm breeze; hindi gaanong kainit here. We walk on the other side where people usually walk; nakita ko ang mga dahon na bumabagsak. I think autumn is the right word for the weather here in Japan. Nakikita ko kasi ang pag babagsak ng mga dahon. I smiled at him when I saw him looking at me.

"This is our dream before, walking under the tree na may nag fa-fall na leaves." I giggled, remembering how I told him I want to be showered in leaves, and that became his dream too. "Do you want to wish?" He asked in a low voice. I smiled at him. I know he still wants to be distant, but I'm happy he's still remembering what I told him before.

"Yes! I'll make a wish ah pag nasalo ko yung dahon!" I giggled like a kid, then nakangusong nanghuli ng mga bumabagsak na dahon. "Kapag nahuli ko 'to matutupad wish ko hihi." I told him just like I told him before. I read before that when it's autumn in Japan, dapat makasalo ka ng dahon na bumabagsak and you can wish, tapos non ay matutupad daw.

Masaya kong hinahabol na mga bumabagsak, I giggle every time I fail to catch the falling leaves. "Let me help you." I can't help but feel goosebumps when I feel his warm breath on my neck as I feel his hands on mine. He guided my hands para makahuli kami ng dahon. I smiled, enjoying every moment our hands touched.

"Nahuli mo na papaa!" I jumped in excitement when I saw the leaves on my hands. I saw a little glint of happiness in his eyes. "Make a wish." I nodded my head and closed my eyes while holding the leaves. "I know this is just a myth, but I wish for my Jerome that his heart will be happy again. I'm ready to do everything for him; just please let me have his heart again. I'm willing to take care of his heart more gently."

I can't help but sob a little while wishing those words. I always pray for Jerome to be happy, but I want him to be happy in my arms again. "What's your wish?" He suddenly asked. I smiled at him, then looked at his leaves that were holding. Naka salo rin pala siya. "Sabay tayo sabihin wish natin." He nods his head while I'm staring at his eyes; we are now looking at each other's eyes.