Love in Bangketa

35

And the week came... kung saan hirap na hirap pa rin akong sabihin kay Max. For almost eight months... I was finally going home.

Time flew so fast... without even me realizing it. Did it really fly fast? Or I was the only one thinking that way? Or... maybe, I was just too distracted by Max's goofiness?

I have already packed my things up. Tito Gerard also talked to his friend where I worked. He also talked to Max. Ilang beses na rin akong tinatanong ni Max kung bakit. I should not leave him clueless... right? I must not.

So, I texted Max to fetch me over. Sadness and confusion crossed his face. I wonder what Tito Gerard has told him to make him feel this way. I wanted to caress his face. I wanted to tell him that... kahit magkalayo kami, he is still the one I want.

"Mukhang marami tayong pagu-usapan ngayon, Xynnah," Panimula niya nang tumigil kami sa lugar kung saan wala kang ibang maririnig at mararamdaman kun'di ang malamig na hangin.

I looked at him. Just like before... he will always shine like the stars. I drifted my sight away. It was so hard for me to leave, pero alam ni Max... alam niya kung ga'no ko ka gustong bumalik ngayon sa paga-aral. And that's because of him.

"Grade 9 lang natapos mo?" I asked him. Nang tumingin siya sa'kin, I almost laughed at his face. We were currently eating Carbonara here sa mall. Lagi niya na lang akong tinitreat.

He looked like a small kid, waiting for his mom to wipe off that sauce on his mouth. So, kinuha ko ang tissue sa tabi ko. I wiped his mouth. Nagulat pa siya sa ginawa ko, but I just rolled an eye.

Napakamot siya sa ulo niya. "Hindi mo naman sinabi na may sauce pala ako sa bibig. Sorry, Xynnah. Makalat talaga ako kumain,"

"Yeah, right. It's not that obvious talaga," I grinned.

He smiled. "Oo, grade 9 lang natapos ko. Tinulungan ko na kasi si Mama no'n kasi... yun yung taong namatay si Papa. Kung kailan grade 9 ako,"

Napatigil ako sa pagkain. How old was he now? 20 na? Quite a long time now, but it was still obvious that up until now, it hurt him. It's still affecting him.

"Let's divert this talk with othe---"

"No secrets, 'di ba, Xynnah? At saka... okay lang naman sa'kin... matagal na 'yon," Aniya. I let him make kwento to me. Habang palayo nang palayo ang kwento niya, mas lalong nalulusaw ang puso ko.

"Dapat nga ay magkakaroon ako ng kapatid, pero nakunan si Mama. Sayang lang... kasi, malapit na lumabas kapatid ko. Pero, dahil sa sobrang kalungkutan ni Mama, pati kapatid ko, maagang napasama kay Papa,"

"Do you miss your dad?" I dumbly asked. Before I could even make bawi of what I asked, he already answered it.

"Oo... sobra. Lagi. Araw-araw," Aniya. Right now... it feels like I wasn't talking to an adult Max. I was talking to a little Max...