Building Promises ( Ventura Series #2 )

Kabanata 14

Sherine

I got mesmerized at his voice. The way he sing. The way he tap the beatbox and the way he delivered the song. I think his version is better than original.

"Do you like it?" I nodded. I Don't know what to say. "Thanks. Sorry, my voice sucks"

I laughed. "Ang ganda nga ng boses mo. Parang walang panama ang boses ni Elias at Lux" ani ko.

"Kinantahan ka ni...lux?" He said in low tone. "Anong kinanta n'ya sa'yo?" Tila nag iba ang tono niya.

Naging aligaga ako sa hindi malamang kadahilanan. "Ahm- h-hindi lang naman ako ang kinantahan n'ya. N-nag paturo kasi si Elias kay lux mag guitara. Tsaka, kaming tatlo ang kinantahan- hindi lang ako."

Ang naka kunot niyang noo ay umayos at napalitan ng ngiti sa labi. He changed his mood so fast!

"Ah, akala ko kinantahan ka n'ya. Pero mas maganda naman ang boses ko diba? Mas nagustuhan mo ang pagkanta ko kaysa sa pag kanta n'ya diba?"

Tumingin siya sa akin at doon— napag aralan ko ang kaniyang mukha. Something changed. The dark circles in his eyes becomes darker and big. Hindi naman ganito ang itsura niya nung nakita ko siya sa bahay nila jen.

Instead of answering his questions. I moved closer to him. I put my hand to his face and rub his cheek closer to his eyes using my thumb. He jumped a little. Kinuha nya ang kamay ko at dinala iyon sa kanyang labi at pinatakan ng halik.

"Why you look sad?" He asked.

"Natutulog kaba ng maayos? Bakit ang laki na ng eyebags mo? Hindi naman 'yan ganyan kalaki dati-" he crashed his lips into mine.

"Don't worry too much, I'm fine. I'm just thinking some- stuff. Nothing's special." Aniya.

"Are you sure?" He nodded. Ngumiti ako. "Gusto mo kantahan din kita?"

"Baka maka tulog ako dito kung kakantahan mo ako"

"Okay lang, kung makaka tulog ka naman sa kanta- bakit hindi? Para naman mabawasan na 'yang eyebags mo. G-gusto mo ba doon ka nalang matulog sa kwarto ko?" I bit my bottom lip.

He chuckled and squeezed my hand. "Hindi na, dito nalang ako sa sofa. I want your lap as my pillow. Mas nakaka sigurado ako na hindi ka aalis sa tabi ko."

Ngumiti ako at pumunta sa dulo ng sofa, nag lagay pa ako ng maliit ng throw pillow at ti-nap ito. Ngumiti siya at umiling saka humiga at umunan sa akin.

I caressed his hair and start singgin.

"An eight year old girl had a panic attack. 'Cause the father she loved left and never looked back"

I remember my dad. He's always not in the house because he's busy looking for my cousin.

"No longer the hero, she counted on
He told her he loved her and then he was gone"

The day he took his own life is the most unforgettable and painful day to my life. Gone, my father slash best friend and also my knight and shining armor. He pulled the trigger In front of me and all I can do that time is to cry and to utter his name. I tried to beg, but it looks like his mind cannot be changed anymore.

"She tried to look happy in front of her friends. But knew that she'd never feel normal again. She fought back the tears as they filled her eyes. And wanted him back just to tell him goodbye"

Lagi kong pinipilit ang sarili ko na maging masaya ng mamatay si papà. But then I remember that I have jen and Elias. They made me happy even little things. At ang kasiyahan na nararamdaman ko na iyon ay totoo at walang halong pag papanggap.