Petrichor's Haven

/61/ - Freedom Finally

"So, ano talagang plano mo?" Humigop si Taji ng kape at saka sinipat ang kaibigang nasa harap. "Just tell me. I will try opening it up to Miss Minerva."

Unsure, David just shrugged, panning his eyes at the almost empty café. Day off niya ngayon pero nag-aalangan pa rin siyang dito tumambay na walang tinatrabaho. "Hindi ko alam." Muli siyang kumibit-balikat sabay sipat kay Gab na abalang-abala sa ginagawa nito sa kanyang notebook. "I'm hesitant. Siguradong pag-iinitan ako ng mga kasama mo 'pag bumalik ako."

Umismid si Taji at tumikhim, inayos ang kanyang kwelyo at saka itinukod ang dalawang siko sa mesa. "Susubukan mo lang naman." He pressed his lips together for a moment, trying to first compose the right words before uttering them. "At saka huwag ka nang mag-alala. This time, I got you. You got us."

Napaangat ng tingin si Gab, napalinga sa dalawa. Gusto niyang magsalita upang ipursige ang kapatid na ipagpatuloy ang pangarap nito. Pero hindi niya matanggal sa kanyang dibdib ang takot na baka isa siya sa mga magiging dahilan upang mapahamak muli si David. She couldn't let her brother be pained again.

"Tatanggapin pa kaya ako?" David asked skeptically. "For sure, Miss Minerva will still be apprehensive about it. I exited the group without notifying her. And now, babalik ako?"

"Well," Taji maintained. "Sa bagay. Pero I believe Miss Minerva will fully understand your case."

Silence ruled for a moment. It made them think as rational as possible.

"Tingin mo?" Still uncertain and fearful, David took a sip of his coffee, trying to calm his heart at least. "How about the others?"

"Kuya," Gab butted in, closing her journal and setting it aside. "Maybe it's time now to fight for what is rightfully yours." Gab pursed her lips, allowing a corner of her mouth to lift. Kahit na nagdadalawang-isip siya ngayon, she had to uplift her brother's spirit. David deserved to go back to the group and reclaim his post.

"Paano si amang?" Dahan-dahang pumorma ang gatla sa noo ni David, naguguluhan, natatakot. "Si inang? Sigurado akong hindi sila papayag." Bumuga siya ng mabigat na hangin pagkatapos nun. Yes, he badly wanted to make music again. But it's the uncertainty and disquietude which halted him. What if...

"Ako na ang bahalang magpaliwanag sa kanila." Gab beamed, a sign of assurance. She could let her parents understand David's dream, she thought. Nobody should dare stop David to reach for the stars this time. No one! "Maiintindihan ka rin nila. Promise ko 'yan."

Pagkatapos nun, ngumiti nang mapakla si David. His heart was excited for the possibility that he might be reconnecting with his long lost friend anytime soon but at the same time, he was scared. Takot siyang buksan muli ang kanyang pinto. Takot siyang magpapasok ulit ng kahit sino man. Baka hindi na niya kayang labanan ang kanyang kahinaan 'pag nagkataon.

"Dave," Taji pressed. "I know what you're thinking right now. But I would like to reiterate what your sister just said. Panahon na upang tuparin mo ang mga pangarap mo para sa iyong sarili. Ang tagal mong nagkulong sa gitna ng dilim. Please allow yourself to be free this time." He paused, making sure that he had established eye contact with his best friend. "Don't worry, you won't be facing this alone. This time, you have me and Gab who will stay behind you along the way." Tinapik niya ang balikat ng matalik na kaibigan. "Please be free now, bud."

Humugot ng malalim na hininga si David. A spark of bravery had somehow reignited inside him after Taji said those words. It moved him, it made him realize something—something he neglected for the longest time in his life. Ang tagal na pala niyang pinababayaan at sinasaktan ang sarili. He had been so unfair to himself, blaming himself for the things that were out of his control, inflicting pain to hurt himself—hoping that it would make everything better.