The Other Half of a Song

Chapter 5: Regina

May 18, 1953

After three years of staying in America, studying Music, I requested for a week-long vacation and they allowed it. So, I wasted no time and immediately flew back to the Philippines. My 18th birthday's coming up and I intend to spend it with my family and Paeng.

As soon as I got out of the airport, I was welcomed by my parents and I craned my neck looking for Paeng. But instead of Paeng, a different young man welcomed me along with Mom and Dad. It was Carlos. The governor's first-born son and a friend of Paeng.

"Hi, Regina!" he greeted me but I didn't greet him back. I was clearly disappointed not to see Paeng welcoming me back in the airport.

"Dad, where's Paeng?" I asked.

"Oh... right." Dad slapped his forehead, "I'm sorry, Ina, we forgot to tell him we're already going to pick you up. Don't worry, you'll see him back in Marilag."

"Right." I replied, skeptical of Dad's actions. Paeng and I have been friends for so long, how can he forget about him?

The long ride to Marilag was a quiet one. Mom and Dad attempted to ask me questions about America and my studies in the Curtis Institute, but I kept answering them in single words.

This clearly told them that I was not in the mood to talk to them and so, they stopped asking me questions.

As soon as I arrived home, I went up to my room and saw the paper cup walkie talkie Paeng and I created as a Science project back when we were in elementary.

Since we created it, one cup is hanging by my window while the other cup is in his. We used it as a means of communication whenever we're in our own rooms.

I wondered if it was still working. So, I went towards the window where it was hanged, and spoke in it, "Paeng?" I called as I waited for him to show up on his window.

I waited for an answer, but there was none. So, I called again and I was about to give up after three tries, but Paeng showed up in his window.

"Ina!" he replied through the paper cup phone while waving, "I'm glad you're back!"

We agreed to meet by the legendary narra tree, which we have claimed now as our tree. I remember him engraving our initials on the trunk a week before graduation: "P.S and I.R" it read. I traced the engraved initials with my finger as I waited for him.

As I was doing so, I heard a harmonica playing. I turned around and saw Paeng going towards me while playing the harmonica I gave him. I smiled. Glad that he finally learned how to play that thing.

"Are you here to boast your newly acquired harmonica skills?" I asked and he just chuckled. "You could have just done that by the window instead of making me come here." I joked.

"I miss you." He said after putting the harmonica inside his pocket.

"I missed you too." He went towards me and hugged me. And I hugged him back.

"So... why'd you ask me to come down here?" I asked when we finally let go of each other.

Instead of answering me though, Paeng took my hand and we went towards the prairie by the river which is not too far away from our tree.

When we reached the prairie, I saw a picnic mat laid down on the ground. A picnic basket, the kite he built and I painted when we were ten, and a guitar placed over it. "What's all that?" I asked as we went towards it.

"It's the third Saturday of the month. We'll have a picnic like old times." I laughed as he explained. Paeng still remembered our age-old tradition of Picnic Saturdays.

So, we decided to fly the kite we both created first. When we were flying the kite, it felt like we were kids again, spirited and carefree. It felt like we have never been apart. It felt like home.

After flying the kite, we ate the snacks he brought and then, sang songs as he played in his guitar afterwards.

It was already getting dark when we finally got tired from playing and singing.

"I really missed you, Ina. I'm glad you're back even though just for a while. I'm sorry if I was not able to pick you up in the airport just like I promised." He suddenly said when he stopped playing his guitar and I looked up at the sky.

I did not want to cry in front of him but I was really feeling emotional that day.

"I'm sorry I was not there when they picked you up." he apologized again but I shook my head. It wasn't his fault. My Dad forgot about him. I was not mad at him nor will I ever get mad at him.

"It's alright. I just... I'm glad that you're here now. That we're together now." and I smiled at him.

I thought I was not going to see him that day. Not seeing him as they picked me up in the airport made me feel sad. But there he was, sitting beside me by the river as the sun sets, and the moon rises, the stars already becoming visible in the sky.

Him being there with me, made me feel finally at home. And that's what matters. That's the only thing that matters.

I continued looking up at the sky, forcing myself to not stare at him and gawk. But I can still see him in my peripheral view.

He was still very much like the Paeng I've known since I was a kid but somehow different. He's aging well, he's becoming more handsome, becoming wiser and kinder as time passes by. And my feelings for him, still hasn't changed. If anything... it only grew.

"Look! Isn't that the Big Dipper?" I exclaimed to distract us from the silence, but Paeng was so serious. A first.

I looked at Paeng to see if he's OK only to find him staring at me. "A-are you alright?" I asked, but still he remained quiet staring at me with those eyes, those eyes that never failed to make my heart beat fast.

And my heart continued to beat fast. Butterflies seem to have popped inside my tummy and started fluttering when Paeng went closer and closer until our lips almost met.

But he stopped, and moved slowly away. "Uhm... sorry. I think we should go home now." He said as he scratched his head, which he often does when he's nervous, his cheeks were red just like mine were.

He helped me up and together we went down the path towards our homes.

The walk home was quiet and awkward. And when we reached our house, Paeng bid me good night but he did not even look at me.

And I wondered... What just happened?