Shooting Star
Chapter Two || Nicolo
“Nico, will you promise me something?”
“Anything.”
“You have to promise, that you’ll wait for me.”
I swallowed hard. I looked at her eyes. Na mu-mugto yung mga mata niya. Ang sakit, I really can’t stand seeing someone, especially girls, crying. I went closer and hugged her.
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March 2010
I lie wide awake as I remember that day. Up to now, sometimes I regret not answering her statement. But I personally committed on that promised, that’s why I didn’t dare to get rid of that ring ever since she left.
The door creaked loudly and the light turned on. “Nico?” It’s Ate Sophia, my elder sister. She called out softly; I looked at her and gave her a half smile. “What are you doing here? Hindi ba dapat nasa salabas ka? It’s your graduation party!”
“Okay na ko dito.”
“Hmp.”I heard her say. Then she sat at the edge of my bed. Her gazed shifted on my hand, pinag lalaruan ko kasi ung singsing na binigay ni Vera sakin, couple of months ago. “Ano? Babalik pa ba yang Vera na yan? It’s been months since the last time I heard you utter her name. Buhay pa ba yun? Did she call you or at least emailed you?” I shook my head no. “Hay! Ano ba yan?! Jusme! Napaka walang... ayoko ng magsalita! Halika na nga!”
I reluctantly stood up and followed her outside. Ang daming tao, the worst is, I don’t know them. Most of the people are mom and dad’s business friends, mga officemates ni Ate at Kuya.
I heard my dad laugh breathlessly, "Nicolo, come here." I smiled and walked to their side. May kausap sila na mag asawa din ata. "I want you to meet, Mr. Hernandez and his lovely wife." I stretch out my hand shook theirs.
"Ang laki mo na iho, at gwapo mo." Sabi ni Mrs. Hernandez.
"Thank you po."
"Alfredo, san ba mag aaral ang anak mo?"
"Baka La Salle."
I raised my eyebrow at mom. She nodded. Alam na niya yon. I started to walk silently, pero na ririnig ko pa rin ang usapan nila. Sabi ni Mr. Hernandez, "Yung unica iha ko din, baka sa La Salle, alam mo na. Nasa dugo ang pagiging La Sallista."
Then my dad chuckled, "oo nga naman, kaya nga dun ko pag aaralin si Nicolo eh."
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I sighed and get some beer. I head straight at the gazebo. I was surprised to see a girl, I assumed we’re on the same age. We smiled at each other, she was sitting on the bench inside the gazebo. She moved an inch. I sat beside her. From my peripheral vision, I saw her scooting farther away. She took a zip on her juice.
The silence was uncomfortable.
“Ang boring no?”
“Yeah, ang inet pa.”
“Mag su-summer na kasi eh.”
I gulped down my beer. Ang tahimik talaga,nakakarinig na ako ng mga cricket.
“Ang ganda dito.”
“Nakaka sawa na nga eh.”
“Huh? Bakit naman? So bahay niyo pla to... Cool huh? Parang ang sarap ngang tumira dito, parang kumpleto na lahat.”
