Sunrise

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

February 6 Saturday 6:20 pm

Nakaharap ako ngayon sa salamin sa kwarto ko. After taking all things into consideration, I have finally made my decision. I know that I'm making the right choice. But why I'm feeling that I'm losing a part of myself. Pero kailangan ko na talagang gawin ito kasi if I don't make a decision, I may end up hurting not only myself but those that I love.

I'm going to a formal dinner kaya naformal ako coat and tie to exact. I want to be presentable maski di maganda ang mangyayari sa gabing ito. As much as I don't want to go through with this night at kailangan. The longer that I prolong this, the harder the situation will be.

After taking one last look at myself, kinuha ko na ang lahat ng dapat kong dalhin. Let's get this over with.

Lumabas ako ng room ko at bumaba ng hagdan. Dumaan ako ng kitchen para magpaalam kay Mom.

Nakita ko siyang naghahanda ng dinner nila ni Dad.

"Mom, alis na ako. Baka kasi malate pa ako." Wika ko.

Lumingon si Mom at tinignan ako ng mabuti "Wow, napakaformal naman ng dinner niyo."

"Mom naman, minsan na nga lang ako magganito eh."

"Wala naman, Tristan. Di lang ako sanay na makita kang ganyan." Nakangiting sabi ni Mom.

Napangiti na rin ako "Mom, got to go na. I love you" Tapos lapit sa kanya at halik sa pisngi

"I love you too Tris. Ingat sa pagdrive." Habol na sabi niya.

Then lumabas na ako ng bahay. Naglakad papunta sa SUV ko. Binuksan at sumakay. Sa Greenbelt 3 ang dinner date namin. As much as I'm looking forward seeing her, the thing that I have to do is making my stomach turn into knots.

Habang nagmamaneho papunta sa tinitirahan niya, inisip ko kung paano ko gagawin ito. Alam ko ang dapat kong gawin pero I don't know how to do it. Hope that I have the courage to say the things that I want to say. Dumaan muna ako sa isang flower shop para kunin yung inorder kong flowers kahapon.

Then I started what would be the longest night of my life so far. Di talaga ako mapakali, so I decided to turn on the radio. As usual, its Saturday Slam in Magic 89.9.

I know that this won't be easy, but this is the right thing to do. Yun nga lang, ang hirap ng gagawin ko at I still don't know how I will do this. Bahala na nga, just have to keep my nerves at bay.

Nakarating ako sa place niya na ganun pa rin ang state of mind ko. Kinuha ko yung phone ko and send her a text message na nandito na ako. Nagreply naman siya na palabas na siya. So, I wait for her to show up, okay na rin kasi talagang kinakabahan ako and my stomach is turning into knots right now.

I was thinking so deep that I didn't notice that she was already knocking in the front left window of my car. I rolled down the window. Tapos nagsalita siya.

"TJ, okay ka lang. you're in deep thought kanina na nakatulala ka." Sabi niya.

I shook my my head at nagsalita "Ah wala naman. May iniisip lang ako. Don't mind me."

"Okay, pero pakiunlock naman ng door para makapasok ako." Mahinang tawa niya.

"Sorry." Sabay unlock ko ng door.

Pumasok na siya sa sasakyan. At umupo sa passenger seat. "Are you sure you're okay, TJ. Mukhang distracted ka kasi more than usual."

"Okay lang ako." Sabay kuha ng flowers sa backseat at ibinigay ko sa kanya. "Flowers for the beautiful lady." Ngiti ko pa.