Under the Same Starry Skies

Chapter 8

[Anak, malapit na mga graduation ng mga kapatid mo. Makakapunta ka ba? Isama mo na rin ang mga kaibigan mo.]

"Kailan ba, Mommy? May pasok na kami niyan next week, e."

Holy week kasi ngayon kaya next week na magre-resume ang klase namin. Hindi ko lang alam kung bakit late na naman magpapa-graduation ang school nina Ayisha.

[Sa Thursday moving up ni Kyle at kinabukasan, graduation ng babae mong kapatid.]

"Sige po. Hindi makakarating 'yong tatlo, 'Ma. Ang alam ko, may gagawin sila bukas, eh. Ewan ko lang kay Reign. Babiyahe na pala ako bukas, 'no?"

[Oo, 'Nak, sige. Ihahanda na naming ang mga guest room.]

Mom ended the call, so I got rid of my phone and continued watching the movie the man beside me and I were watching. Nasa condo na niya kami ngayon. Kanina, pagkatapos kumain, hinatidnamin ang tatlo sa amin at dumiretso na kami rito.

"You're leaving tomorrow?" He asked while playing with my hair.

"Mag-a-attend lang ako ng graduation at moving up ceremony ng mga kapatid ko sa Manila. Babalik din ako sa Saturday," wika ko.

"Mag-iingat ka, ah?" He patted my head. "Do you want me to go with you?"

"Won't you go to the resort tomorrow?"

"I'll go in the morning. You could wait for me here if it's okay with you. Or do you want to visit the resort tomorrow?" He kept on asking. "How about this? I'll just catch up? Go to Manila first andI'll go after visiting the resort."

"Hindi naman kailangan na pumunta ka. Gusto mo ba talagang pumunta? Hassle," sabi ko.

"I'm your boyfriend. It's kind of my job," he added.

"Ay, sus! 'Di nga?"

"Why not? After visiting the resort, I will probably just sit here and stare at the T.V. I'd like to be with you, but if you don't like me to come with you . . ."

"It's totally okay but coming with me to attend Ayisha's graduation and Kyle's moving up ceremony also means meeting my family in Manila. Is that okay with you?" He nodded. "Yes."

"Let's just book a hotel. Meron naman kaming guest room pero nakakahiya sa bahay. Baka makalat."

"No, it's totally fine!"

I heard my phone ring again but this time, it was Reign.

[Beb, I heard it's your siblings' graduations? I'll go, okay?]

"Babiyahe ako bukas, free ka?"

[Around 2 PM, yeah. I'll be doing some things pa kasi sa morning. Why? Let's hang?]

"Oo, sana."

[Sure! Call me if you're here.]

"I will. See you!" I said excitedly. Matagal ko na siyang hindi nakasama sa mga gala kaya gusto ko na siyang makita ulit. "Si Reign."

"Oh, your other friend," he said and nodded.

After finishing two more movies, he drove me home so I could use my own car tomorrow. The three were still playing when I came back. Sinabi ko na rin na aalis ako kinabukasan at babalik ako sa Sabado.

The next morning, I packed my bag and prepared for the three-hour drive. I simply wore a white tee, tied it, and wore black leggings with my AF1's. When the clock striked 9, I started my engine and drove to a café and a souvenir shop. As soon as I got some coffee and some souvenirs, I drove away from Baguio City to Manila.