When the Pen Bleeds

SIRIUS

" Ma. Our Science teacher said that there will be a meteor shower tonight. Can we go to our rooftop and star gaze?" Napalingon ako sa anak ko nang marinig ko siyang magsalita. He was in the sofa and peaking on the glass window.

I stopped from wiping the table and advanced my steps towards him. "If that's what you want then let's go." Saad ko dahilan para lingunin niya ako.

"Yey! Let's go!" He screamed with full of bliss.

" Anong oras daw ba yung meteor shower nak?" I asked while we're both lying in a mat and observing the calm navy blue skies that were full of stars giving a bright gleam to the night.

" Sabi daw 9pm po." He took a glance from his wrist watch. "Pero 8 pa lang ma. We still have to wait for one hour." He said without any trace of boredness from his tone. Mukhang desido talaga siyang makita yung meteor shower dahil tutok na tutok lang siya sa pagmamasid sa itaas.

"Ma! Look at that star." He exclaimed, pointing to one of those million stars that was shining the brightest among the others.

Memories automatically transported back to my mind upon seeing that particular star.

"Are you sure you will accept that expedition love?" seryosong tanong ko sa kaniya habang pareho kaming nakahiga sa damuhan at pinagmamasdan ang libu-libong bituin sa kalangitan.

Inalis niya ang tingin sa langit at hinarap ako sa pagkakahiga. Nilingon ko rin siya para pareho kaming magkatapat sa isa't-isa. Now I can see his eyes that resembles the gloomy night because of its dark color. "Of course I have to love. Isa pa, ako ang chief astronaut." kalmadong sagot niya para ipakitang hindi ako dapat mangamba sa pag-alis niya.

I rose up from the grass and sat, head resting on my knees. " But I'm worried. You will be on the outerspace for six months and I will be left here without any clue of what might happen to you." I mumbled with a cracked voice but enough for him to heard it.

I suddenly felt the warmth of his hand that touched my shoulder. " I'll be fine and I'll be back of course." He answered. His genuine beam made my eyes hot because of the tears that were threathened to fall any minute.

I know that I have to accept that we will part our ways for a short time because it is his job to fulfill but I can't supress the worries that I am feeling.

" Sinong kasama mo don?" Pag-iba ko ng topic para hindi matuloy ang mga nagbabadyang luha na gustong kumawala.l sa dalawang mata ko.

" Si Jake at Lula."

" So you will be with Lula?" He chuckled because of what I asked. "Probably because she's in my team." Sagot niya pero nanatili na lang akong tahimik. Kilala ko si Lula. That girl was so inlove with him to the point that she kept on messaging me that I should break up with my fiance. In short, I don't like her. At all.

" I know what you're thinking Ysabelle." He said calmly as his eyes were already fixed on the vastness of skies again. " You don't have to worry about her- about me. Kahit pa ilang buwan kami sa kalawakan, kailangan mo munang mabilang lahat ng bituin sa langit bago mo masabi kung ipagpapalit kita sa kaniya." He glanced at me this time and our eyes met once more. Despite of how dark his eyes is, I can still see how it glimmers with joy because he's with me.

"At alam mong imposibleng mabilang mo ang lahat ng bituin hindi ba?" I nodded. " Then you should also know that it is beyond impossible for me to love that girl because I already am - with you." Kasabay ng pagkatunaw ng puso ko ay ang dahang-dahang pagpatak ng luha ko dahil sa sobrang saya. I know that I'm with the right guy already.

" Do you see that brightest star up there?" tanong niya ng muli niyang iginala ang mga mata niya sa napakaliwanag na kalangitan. Tumango lang ako bilang sagot sa tanong niya. " That's me. I'm that brightest star in the night sky so you don't have to be sad while we're having our spaceflight. Kailangan mo lang hanapin 'yang pinakamaliwanag na bituin na 'yan para maramdaman mong hindi ka nag-iisa at hinding-hindi ka mag-iisa." He explained enthusiastically.

My eyebrows furrowed. " But I don't get what you mean." I answered but he just smile. " Alam kong maiintindihan mo rin ang sinasabi ko Ysabelle. I will always be your brightest star."

" Ma? Umiiyak ka ba? Tinatanong ko lang naman po kung anong tawag sa pinakamaliwang na bituin na 'yon." I quickly wiped my tears when I was pulled out from my reverie. Bumangon ako sa pagkakahiga at naramdaman kong gan'on din ang ginawa ng anak ko.

" Hindi niyo naman po kailangang sagutin yung tanong ko ma. Pero ma, alam mo ba gusto kong maging astronaut paglaki ko. Gusto ko ring tumapak sa buwan tapos lumutang sa ere." Bakas sa tuwa ang mukha ng anak ko habang sinasabi niya sa akin ang pangarap niya.

" But I won't let you." I answered and give him a sad smile. Ang masaya niyang mukha kanina ay napalitan ng lungkot at pagtataka. " Pero bakit ma? You should support me from what I want." He replied, in the verge of crying. " Diba dapat mothers should be happy with what their children's dream but why won't you let me become an astronaut someday?" He added, this time clear water were slowly streaming from his face.

I wiped his tears and looked back from the sky again. " You're asking me about that brightest star right?" I asked back but he just stayed silent and continue his silent cries. " That's your father. He left us when you were still in my belly." I closed my eyes when memories flashed to me once more. " He died during his spacewalk son. Sirius, your father , the brightest star in the night sky. " Tears spilled from my eyes. Naintindihan ko na kung bakit niya sinabi ang mga katagang 'yon bago siya umalis. Kahit na alam kong lagi niya lang kaming binabantayan sa gabi, ang sakit pa din para sa akin na nawala na siya sa tabi ko. I caressed the back of my son ang forced to curve my lips in front of him. " My brightest star left us and I can't lose another star Regulus."

WORK OF FICTION