Since Childhood

Epilogue

[Timothy's Point of View at the age 19]

Today, I plan to visit Rhein in her university. Matagal-tagal na din kasi simula nung huli kaming nagkita at nagkausap. Since I told her that Amanda and I are officially couple, it feels like she's doing her best to avoid me. I never heard anything from her yet. I tried texting her, asking her out like the usual but she always say she's busy.

Busy din ako sa college life but I always make time for Rhein, and of course, for my girlfriend, Amanda. Nahahati ko pa nga ang oras ko para kayna Davien. Sometimes, I'm wondering that maybe Rhein is angry at me because I steal Amanda. If there is other reason, I hope na nagseselos sya. But that'll be impossible. Hindi naman nya ako gusto. And I heard from Hirro na may boyfriend na daw sya.

Remembering that unwanted fact, I unconsciously grip tight on my bike. I step on the pedal rather faster.

Bakit ganito? I have girlfriend but every time na iniisip ko si Rhein and her boyfriend, I feel like a jealous lover.

And every time she ignore me, I feel hurt. Daig ko pa ang nabusted ng labin dalawang beses ng iisang babae lang.

Nagbike lang ako papunta sa university ni Rhein dahil kakagaling ko lang sa bahay ng classmate ko nearby.

Dahil medical student si Rhein, alam na alam ko kung saan sya pupuntahan. Ang hindi ko alam ay kung makikita ko sya.

I waited outside their building dahil hindi pwede ang outsider. Pinanuod ko ang pagpasok at paglabas ng mga estudyanteng mga naka puting uniform. Girls are either wearing white skirt or pants na parang mga nurse silang lahat.

I observe the time closely hanggang sa isang oras at kalahati na akong naghihintay. Medyo nakakangalay but ayoko naman na umuwi na lang.

At 5:46 P.M may motorbike rider na huminto sa tapat ng building. He took off his helmet and then he waited on his spot. I pulled my eyes away from him at nagabang na lang ulit ako. I check the time again and its almost six. When I raised my head, dagsa na ang mga med students na naglalabasan.

I look closely hanggang sa makita ko na si Rhein. She's wearing white pants, top and white shoe. Naka ID pa sya at may mga hawak syang med books. Her hair is neatly in a bun and she look stunning, bright... she look...  she look so beautiful. I haven't seen her for a long time at ang laki na ng pinagbago nya. She's just 17 pero she move and act like a grown up woman.

I smiled automatically. Tatakbo na sana ako papalapit kay Rhein ang kaso nakita ko syang kumaway sa rider kanina. She's smiling from ear to ear. While she's waving, kiniliti sya ng babaeng katabi nya. As if she's being teased.

When I look at the rider, kumakaway din sya. His smile as big as Rhein's. When they are only few feet apart, the guy open her arms and Rhein run to him.

Watching them is like watching a tragic movie. Out of no-fucking-where, I feel so hurt. Para akong naagawan.

The guy kissed her on her forehead. Because of what that stupid jerk have done, inasar na naman si Rhein ng mga babae nyang kaibigan. Her friends bid goodbyes saka na sya sumakay sa motorbike ng lalaki. Then they left.

I don't know what gotten to me but I head straight to their house. I wanna talk to Rhein. Gusto ko syang pagsabihan, pagbawalan ng kung anu-ano. But I asked myself. Why? Ano ba nya ako? I'm nobody. I'm just her childhood friend. A brother-like friend.

Nang makarating ako sa kanila, its just Davien and nanay Belinda who are home. Wala pa si tita Divina dahil nasa work pa daw. Ang ipinagtataka ko, why is Rhein isn't home yet? Di hamak naman na mas mabilis ang motorbike compared to mere bike.