A Silent Serenade

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Maybe The Night

This night, is not like the other nights. It was clearly different and I don't want to acknowledge it. My mind and heart doesn't want to. As he kneeled and took off my shoe, I felt a sudden cold breeze.

"It seems like you're not used to wearing these." Itinaas n'ya pa ang pumps ko. Wala sa sarili lang akong napatango. He then put them down and smiled.

"Hindi mo naman kailangan pilitin ang sarili mong suotin ang ganito, I'm sure you'll look the best when you wear what you actually want." Sabi n'ya na para bang alam n'ya na tama ang sinasabi n'ya.

"Pano mo naman nasabi na ayaw ko sa mga ganito?" Tumitig s'ya saakin at bumuntong hininga.

"I'm not saying that you don't like it, what I'm saying is, don't force yourself. It's not healthy, 'ya know." Inabot n'ya iyong plastic bag na mula sa convenience store. Nilabas n'ya doon ang isang box ng band-aid. Kulay pink iyong band-aid at may strawberry na design. I thought that it was kinda cute, but it's not my thing though.

"Tignan mo, may paltos ka na." He placed the center of the band-aid at the side of my toe and slowly peeled of the sides and stick it there.

"Hindi mo naman kailangan---" I was about to tell him that he didn't really need to do this.

"You're dress is Chanel, didn't know you're into luxury items? You collect?" Putol n'ya sa akin. I sighed, but just answered him. It's almost as if he didn't want me to start that conversation. As if he's avoiding it.

"No, kay Mommy 'to. But how did you know...?"

"Oh, my mom has that dress. It's her favourite, actually. Kaya nagulat ako nang makita kong suot mo 'yan, you looked so different from the first time I saw you. Iba rin ang pangalan mo," nang matapos n'yang ilagay ang isang band-aid sa likod ng paa ko, tumayo s'ya at umupo sa tapat ko.

"Salamat." I gave him a small smile. For his kindness.

I must've been wrong for only seeing the surface, for judging him. He seems to be better than what I thought. Pero kahit ganon, I can't stop myself from doubting him. Mahirap parin para sakin ang mag tiwala.

"Ganyan dapat. Smile ka lang, 'di naman masama ngumiti kung minsan." Napa-iling lang ako sa kanya at napangiti ulit.

"You know what? When I first saw you, I thought at that time that you were the saddest person I've ever seen." Tumitig s'ya saakin nag seryoso, ngayon imbes na umiwas sa tingin n'ya. Sinalubong ko ito.

"Pano mo nasabi na malungkot ako?"

"Hindi ko alam, basta alam ko malungkot ka. Malay ko rin naman sa'yo kung bakit ka malungkot." Tumawa s'ya at tumayo.

"Let's go, it's getting late." Nauna na s'ya sa motor n'ya at ako naman ay naka-upo parin, looking at him walk away.

I looked at the moon, high up above. I whispered to it, 'why?'. Why did we meet? Can I trust this guy? Why do I feel like he's someone who...

Agad kong pinutol ang iniisip as doubts run through me. Thoughts of being undeserving of love clouded my mind once again. The thought that I should never play with fire, cause I know I'll just burn and maybe...turn to ashes.

"You're not coming?" I snapped out of my thought suddenly. Agad rin akong napatayo, kinuha ang guitar case kong nasa katabing upuan ko at naglakad ng dahan-dahan pauntang motor n'ya. I bet he's cold now too.

Umangkas na s'ya sa motor at sumunod na ako.

"Di ka ba giniginaw?" Tanong ko sa kanya nang papaandar na kami.