BABALIK

27

Introduce

~♡~

"Wanna meet my boyfriend, you all?"

I saw Rex not so far from us. He was walking towards us.

I stood.

People on the table still looked surpised. He reached us with the other members of the Band. They all greeted me. Kuya Kevin furrowed. He seemed to study the guys beside me.

"He's Rex," I snaked my hand to his.

There's no turning back. I'll do it to the fullest.

"My boyfriend." I continued.

No. I didn't even felt a little nervous in my heart, my lungs are fine, too. They were doing just fine.

Hand still snaked at Rex.

I turned to Javier. I couldn't tell what's running through his mind, but I could sense, the anger and shame.

Tumayo siya sa pagkakaupo. May pwersa iyon. Matalim niyang tinignan si Rex. Pagkatapos ay dumapo ang tingin niya sa akin.

"Kuya Kevin, Rex." I motioned to Rex. Trying to change the intense atmosphere.

Mga ilang oras din ang nakalipas bago magpaalam si Kuya Kevin. Aalis na siya. Masaya ako na nakasama ko siya ngayon sa birthday ko. Kahit saglit lang. Kahit ilang oras lang.

"You surprised me. It's okay to have a boyfriend. Just know your limits."

"How do you think about him Kuya?" I asked.

Nakahawak siya sa baba niya na tila nag-iisip. "Hmm, gwapo, at saka mukha namang mabait."

I smiled.

"By the way, I really wanted to stay. Kaso, may appointment ako bukas. Hindi pwedeng wala ako ron." He continued.

He suddenly gave me a warm hug. I felt the hug like we wouldn't see each other for years, again.

I smiled.

"Naiintindihan ko naman po."

"Magpapaalam na rin ako sa ate Sofia mo. Sige na, samahan mo na sila roon sa pagkakantahan."

He turned his back on me. Leaving me that smile, walking with his hand in his pocket. My brother, he was so really handsome.

"Next time, sabihin mo sa'kin kung sinong girlfriend mo ha."

"Text ko sa'yo mamaya. I love you, Baby. Take care of yourself."

"I love you, too kuya." I whispered.

I made to walked. Heading to the people at the cottage. There are few people left here, and they were singing like damn crazy.

"Heto na ang prinsesa." Bryan started.

They all seemed to be getting to know each other. Ano kayang eksena ngayon kung hindi kasama ni Ayana si Sheen? Mukhang ayaw siyang bitawan si Sheen. But it seemed like she couldn't help looking at the other guys.

You can't make a move now, Pity girl.

I laughed internally.

Sina Ana, Nicole at Clarise naman, masaya silang nakikipag-usap sa mga old bandmates ko.

"Salamat sa inyo ah? Talagang nag-effort pa kayo na pumunta dito."

"Wala 'yon, ate." Jet said.

Dumako ang tingin ko sa lalaking nasa isang tabi lang habang naggigitara. Marahan niyang iniangat ang ulo niya at tumingin sa akin.

"Maybe, we could have some private space?"

Naghiyawan sila sa kilig. I was making my way to his place.

When I took his hand, lalo pang lumakas ang hiyawan.

"Bawal ang kiss." Sigaw ni Ayana.

I rolled my eyes.

Habang naglalakad kami, tahimik lang siya. Na-offend ko kaya siya? Dapat malaman niyang hindi totoo lahat ng sinabi ko.

"Rex." I called out, quietly

He just moaned.

"Kilala mo si Javier 'diba?" I paused, looking at him."It was all because of him."

Sapat ang liwanag ng buwan para makita ko ang ekspresiyon ng mukha niya.

He looked very disappointed.

"Hiyang-hiya ako kanina. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko." He explained.

Malamig na ang dampi ng hangin dahil gabi na. Ramdam ko iyon. Ramdam na ramdam ko iyon. Idagdag pa ang cold na usapan namin ngayon.

Ramdam ko yung lamig ng hangin, pati 'yong lamig ng boses at presensiya niya.

"I know. That is why, I decided to talk to you." I looked down, disgraced.

"Czarina." He called out.

I didn't response.

Nahihiya ako. I did, hurt his feelings. Alam ko. Alam ko naman.

"Sana naman pinaalam mo sa akin ang plano mo."

Parang gusto kong maglaho na lang sa hiya. Hindi na ako nakapagsalita. Tanging ang mga alon na lamang sa dagat ang naririnig ko at ang malamig na hangin sa balat ko.

"Sana mapatawad mo 'ko. Gusto ko lang naman na layuan na ako Javier."

Kahit nahihirapan akong magsalita, pinilit ko. Kahit alam kong hindi sapat ang dahilan. Wala lang talaga akong ibang maisip. Hindi ko na alam ang sasabihin.

Hindi ko namalayang tumutulo na ang mga luha ko. Wala naman siyang sinabing masama sa akin para masaktan at umiyak ako.

Ang totoo, ako pa nga ang may ginawa sa kaniyang hindi maganda.

"Sorry." I said, crying.

Naramdam kong lumingon siya sa akin. Mabilis kong pinusan ang mga luha sa mata ko.

After a few seconds, the next thing happened was he reaching for my face. He takes out something from his pocket. I was just staring at him while he wipped out my tears.

The proximity wanted to blow me out. I felt his breath fanning my face.

Marahan niyang pinupunasan ang mukha ko. Hindi siya tumitingin sa mga mata ko.

Until he found those hair covering my face. He placed them at the back of my ear, caring.

Napalumod ako ng laway.

He edged closer. Halos mapaurong na ako.

"Sandali." He whispered.

I felt the breathe. Para akong napako sa kinatatayuan ko. He was looking at me like he was having a research.

Napunta ang panyo niya sa ilalim ng kanang mata ko.

"Bakit naglalagay ka ng kulay itim sa pilik-mata?" He asked, looking at me.

We stood there for a while. Staring to each other. Napakainosente ng mukha niya. Heto na naman ang mga mata niya. Ang mga mata niya na tila isang karagatan. Para akong nilulunod sa kalaliman.

"Maganda ka naman kahit wala niyan."

Sa gitna talaga ng intimacy na iyon, nagawa pa niyang sabihin iyon?

I felt my cheeks blushing.

"Hindi ako galit. Okay lang 'yon." He continued, taking a step backward.

Now that we made one meter away from each other, I'm breathing normally.

Napakagat ako sa labi ko.

Nakakakilig.