Until Then

Kabanata 2

Vestine.

I don't really know what to feel. Would it be selfish if I say that i'm happy here?

Mom, will you be disappointed at me again?

Bumuntong hininga ako bago umupo sa damuhan. Kanina pa ako nagtatakbo rito. I just couldn't get enough of the feeling. I looked up at the beautiful mountain in front of me. It was peaceful.

"Hey..."

Napatingin ako sa gilid ko at nakita si Elaine. She was smiling at me and gestured if she can sit beside me. I nodded immediately.

"Of course." I said.

She sighed before sitting. We're both looking at the mountain.

"Ang gaan sa pakiramdam 'no?"

Agad akong napatingin sa kanya dahil sa sinabi nya. She was smiling genuinely at the mountain. Nang maramdaman akong nakatingin sa kanya ay agad syang napatingin sa akin. She laughed.

"Ay sorry, ang weird ko ba?" She asked, laughing a little.

I smiled back before looking down. Tiniklop ko ang paa ko sa aking harapan bago ito niyakap.

"No. I just find you so carefree." I answered while looking at the peaceful sight of the mountain.

I envy her. How can she look like this? Like she doesn't have any problem? They all look so carefree, though.

I couldn't help but to compare my life to theirs. Kung tutuusin, nasa akin na ang lahat. The life that people have been wanting. Designer clothes? Designer bags? An exclusive condo? A big walk in closet with clothes that are all branded? A car?

Name it all.

I have everything but why am I not happy? Maybe. . . Maybe it really aren't the things that counts. It's how you live your life the way you want it to be.

To be free can give you the happiness no one and nothing could ever give.

"Hmm. Talaga ba? Baka siguro dahil sa soft features ko?" Tumatawang sagot ni Elaine.

I laughed with her, "Maybe..." I whispered.

We both went silent, feeling the peaceful atmosphere. I smiled upon roaming my eyes around.

The horses that are standing just still. The cows. The grass on the field that dances together with the wind. The peaceful mountain.

And. . . someone sitting beside me.

Sa buong buhay ko wala akong nakatabi ng tahimik. All of them who had the chance to sit beside me was for the sake of work. This is my first time to have someone sit beside me without telling me my schedule, telling me what to do for the conference, asking me about my photograph, asking me which designer bag I prefer.

"Hoy!"

Napatalon ako dahil sa gulat nang biglang sumigaw si Gab sa likuran namin. Agad kaming napalingon sa likuran namin. He laughed when he saw how shocked we were. Ry, who was standing beside him, laughed a little while the other girl, the one who walked out earlier, had a small smile on her lips.

"Walangya ka, Gabriel!" Sigaw ni Elaine habang pinagsasasapak sa braso si Gab.

Napahawak pa si Gab sa kanyang tyan dahil sa kakatawa. I can almost see tears forming in his eyes. He was very pleased with our reaction.

He pointed at Elaine's face while laughing, "Nakita mo ba ang mukha mo? Ang pangit! Buti si Vestine inborn maganda!" He said while laughing.

I couldn't help but laugh with what he said. Alam kong nagbibiro lang sya dahil maganda naman talaga si Elaine. She has soft features, making her look exactly like an innocent angel.