YOU ARE MY HOME

Chapter 04

Isa-isang kong tinitingnan ang mga pasaherong pababa ng escalator. Halos mag-iisang oras na din akong naghihintay dito sa NAIA Terminal 3.

After a few minutes, nakita ko ang isang pamilyar bulto. Nakilala ko agad kung sino 'yon.

"Hero!" I shouted while waving my hand to catch his attention.

I saw him pulling his luggage as soon as he stepped on the floor. I ran towards him immediately.

"Hey, Zac! Kamusta? Tila gumwapo ka 'ata!" bungad niya sa'kin.

He pulled me towards him and hugged me using his one hand, while the other hand was still holding his luggage. I was startled by his action and I couldn't move for a while.

"Uhmmm.." I mumbled.

I pulled myself away when I felt like the moment was getting awkward.
We've never seen each other for more than a year now and I admit, I really miss this guy. He's, after all, my bestfriend.

"Ay, sorry! Baka mapagkamalan akong bakla," he chuckled. He took a step away from me.

"Gago!" ismid ko.

He tapped my head while trying to hold his laughter. Tiningnan ko lang siya ng matalim.

Bakit wala man lang pasabi na may "yakap-yakap" pa palang mangyayari dito sa pagsundo ko? As if naman hindi niya kayang bumiyahe mag-isa.

"I bet you're hungry now. Kanina ka pa?" he asked and started walking towards the exit. Nakasunod lang ako sa likod niya.

"Hindi. Nabusog ako sa kakahintay," I answered sarcastically.

Hindi pa naman talaga ako gutom. Gusto ko lang sya asarin. I was trying to get his knapsack from his back para ako na ang magdala but he was giving me the "Kaya-ko-na-ito" look.

"Isang oras ka lang naman naghintay, e. Wala lang yan sa'yo. Nakaya mo nga maghintay sa inaasam na lovelife, diba? Oh, let me correct "naghihintay" pa rin pala," sabi pa niya at talagang diininan niya pa ang pagbigkas ng "naghihintay".

We were already outside waiting for a cab when I saw someone familiar few meters away from us.

Nakatalikod ang babae na nakasuot ng navy blue dress at doll shoes. Although she was not facing us, I could tell it was Kat.

She was talking to somebody and they were holding hands. Umaalog ang balikat nito na parang umiiyak. After a moment, the man touched her face to wipe her tears and later tucked her hair behind her ear.

Doon ko na nakita ang mukha ng lalake. It was the man in the cafe. 'Yong pumunta doon one time na nabighani ang lahat maliban sa'kin, syempre. Naalala ko 'yong pangalan sa screen ng cellphone ni Kat nang may tumawag sa kanya pero di niya sinagot.

This guy must be Aries.

Sinundo siguro nito ang lalake, may maleta din kasi sa tabi nito at halatang galing din sa biyahe.

Errr. How did Kat know that guy? Do they know each other that much to the point of holding each other's hand?

And, why is Kat crying?

"Uy. Who are you staring at?" tanong ni Hero. He lowered his head, trying to level his eyes to mine and getting a clear view of the scene.

"The love of my life."

I wasn't sure about my response. But, what I'm sure about is may relasyon ang dalawa. And I'm here staring at those two souls that feel connected while mine was lost.

Napatingala ako kay Hero. He was standing straight now while looking at Kat and guy.

"Does she know about it?" He looked at me and held my gaze for a long time.