Every Sunset was Once a Sunrise

12 : Dream

That was our first and last argument until I graduated high school and finally be able to attend the same university as him. At kung ano man ang naituro sa akin ng higit kumulang dalawang taong iyon, ay marahil ang maging pasensyosa at magtiwala. And that communication without being open with one another's feelings and honest thoughts is futile. So Raf and I decided to never read between each other's lines. Kung may gustong sabihin ay diretsahin, lalo na kung may kinikimkim na sama ng loob o naiisip na pagdududa. We argue about little things from time to time but it never turned into something big.

I get to meet his sister and niece during weekends and breaks, within my senior year. We're with them mostly on summers because Raf spent those breaks here with his mom.

"What's your name, baby?" Pinisil ko ang maliliit na daliri ng pamangkin niyang nakahawak sa kamay ko, habang nakatalungko ako sa harap nito.

"What's your name daw?" Raf inquired while smiling at his three year old niece who's sitting on a small wooden chair in front of us. She tried uttering a word but it ended up muffled. "Hmn? What's that again?"

"Na-nie!" mas malinaw nitong bulalas muli habang pumapapak ng biskwit sa isang kamay.

Chuckling, Raf glance at me then said, "She meant to say Ranie."

I can't help but smile when she turned to me, eyes are a pair of innocent curiosity. Muli kong pinisil nang marahan ang maliliit at malalambot nitong daliri. "Hello, Ranie!"

She just continued staring at me, still biting on her biscuit while chewing. Her cheeks are round with a touch of natural blush, like it was screaming to say pinch me.

"Nu want?"

Nagkatinginan kami ni Raf at sabay na natawa nang imaniobra sa akin ni Ranie ang hawak na biskwit. Hinalikan ni Raf ang pisngi ng pamangkin sabay sinabing, "Why not give Ate Lew a kiss instead?"

Mula sa pagtingin kay Raf ay bumaling ito sa akin. Her biscuit stained lips immediately stretched for a pucker with arms extending towards my direction.

She's so cute I can't contain it!

Pagkalapit ko ng mukha sa kaniya'y sinapo niya ito ng maliit niyang palad. She kissed my cheek and I couldn't seem to control the smile on my face.

Ranie and her uncle giggled at me. Itinawa ko na lang rin ang mga naiwang mugmog ng biskwit sa pisngi na siyang pinalis ni Raf.

I felt something tugged inside of me. Something I've never felt before. Something warm. Something I never thought to be a part of a future that I want.

"Lew, may welcome party para sa mga freshmen sa college natin mamaya, you in?" It was Denise, my block mate, who asked me this.

"Sure!"

"'Yon! Do you drink though?" Jake, another block mate asked.

"'Course, who doesn't?" kaswal kong kibit-balikat.

Some of my guys block mate's hoots and whistles resounded right after. Do I look like an angel to them or something?

"I see," pangisi-ngising ani Jake. Ang tingin nito'y nagtagal pa sa akin ng ilang sandali.

Napailing na lang ako sa mga ito bago nagtipa ng text para kay Raf.

You:

Welcome party later for the freshies. Just letting you know :)

Ibabalik ko na sana ang phone sa bag ng mag-beep ito para sa isang text.