When Destiny Plays (Soon to be Published under Grenierielly Publishing)

Chapter 76

Month of May, tila napakabilis ng panahon. Parang kailan lamang noong senior high school students pa sila. Sa pagbabalik nila sa pag-aaral, isa na silang ganap na college student. Isang pikit na lang at makakatulong na sila sa kanilang mga pamilya.

They wish everyone to savor the success someday. Success that would make them cry, tears of joy. Success that made them put their full efforts before obtaining it. Success that somehow became their source of suffering, but would surely be their source of happiness very soon.

Binisita nina Eunice at Tori ang puntod ng kanilang namayapang kaibigan. The trio that became a duo since the other one had fallen, but would always remain as a part of the group.

"Hello, Rina." Eunice sat down beside Tori and started examining Sabrina's grave.

Hindi lamang sila bumisita kundi nagdala rin sila ng makakain nila. Sari-saring pagkain na paborito nilang kainin ang naroroon, pati na rin ang paborito ni Sabrina na cheeseburger. Food lover silang lahat—and no one can beat their weirdness when it comes to their favorite food combinations.

"Nagdala kami ng favorite burger mo, wala nga lang hot sauce kasi naubusan daw sila e," Eunice smirked after hearing Tori.

"Kailan ba nagustuhan ni Sabrina ang hot sauce?" tanong ni Eunice habang nagpipigil sa pagtawa niya.

Tori frowned at her and placed her two fingers under her chin. "Ako pala 'yung may favorite ng hot sauce 'no? Buang ko naman do'n..." bulong niya sa sarili niya.

"Pero... hello Sabrina! We missed you so much!" Tori exclaimed excitedly since she was able to visit Sabrina.

Pitong buwan, pitong buwan na nilang hindi nakakasama si Sabrina. Pitong buwan na ang nakalipas nang mangyari ang trahedya sa buhay ni Sabrina na naging sanhi ng kanyang pagkawala sa mundong kinagagalawan. She didn't deserve it, but destiny is the controller of people's lives, most of the time.

"Miss ka na namin Miss Eiffel Tower—" before Eunice could even possibly end what she was about to say, Tori spoke.

"Lady Red Rose, yayain sana kita bumangon... kaso baka sa pagbalik mo... sumama na ako e," biro ni Tori ngunit hindi natawa si Eunice nang marinig niya iyon mula kay Tori.

"Hoy! Bad 'yon ah!" sermon niya kay Tori sabay tapik sa braso nito.

"It was just a joke... at alam kong... ayaw na rin ni Sabrina na may makaranas ng naranasan niya..." Tori's gaze shifted at her friend's grave.

Natahimik si Eunice at sumimangot. "The fact na hindi... niya n-nakilala ang m-mga... magulang niya at isa siyang a-ampon... ang sakit ng dating no'n... p-para sa 'kin," Tori's voice cracked as she tried to speak clearly, but she couldn't. Muling namang bumalik sa isipan niya ang masakit na nakaraan ni Sabrina.

"Does her parents... e-even find her? Do they even... c-care for her?" Eunice gently rubbed Tori's back to comfort her.

"I don't think... they even know that her name is... Sabrina," sagot ni Eunice.

"And... I don't think... her parents know that she had fallen... a-already," dagdag pa niya.

Tori wiped her tears and wrapped her arms around Eunice. "Let's enjoy and love our lives. We will never know when will be all our last in this world."

Eunice nodded as she agreed to what she heard from Tori. "I know, that's why even though I feel sad about something... I always try my best to continue living. This is a gift from God," wika ni Eunice, ang mga mata ay nakatitig sa langit habang may ngiti sa kanyang labi.

"I appreciate my life though it's not flawless, still... I learned from my mistakes and that is the best realization for me."

Tori once again took a deep breath while her arms were still wrapped around Eunice. They had a nice conversation, talking about different topics and laughing at their stories. For Eunice, great gift from destiny was when she and her friends were destined to meet and had each other's back until her last breath. Her true friends never left her, true friends would always be truthful, and true friends is a gift from destiny and fate.

***

"So... how's your day?" tanong ni Rei.

He invited Koeli for a friendly date this afternoon since her sister asked him. Akalain mo nga naman na ang isang kuya ay may matutunan sa nakababata niyang kapatid tungkol sa pag-ibig.

"Maayos naman, ikaw? Kumusta ka na?" tanong naman pabalik ni Koeli.

She knew from the very beginning that Rei likes her, but she acted cool about it because she also does. Sabi niya, magpaparaya na siya. Moving on would be her best decision ngunit hindi natuloy dahil nalaman niya ang katotohanan mula kay Rei. Hindi man kapani-paniwala noon ngunit natutunan niyang maniwala dahil hindi lamang iyon nasabi ni Rei, kundi pinapadama na rin ng binata sa kanya kung gaano siya kahalaga.

"Um... I was wondering if... pwede mo akong t-turuan maggitara?" he asked sheepishly.

Koeli paused for a moment, then chuckled and rolled her eyes. "Pwedeng-pwede naman... pero... ano ba talaga ang rason mo kung bakit mo ako pinapunta rito?" It was an awkward question for Rei, but he was ready to answer it though he was too nervous.

Napalunok na lamang si Rei ngunit ang mga mata ay pawang nakatitig pa rin sa magandang dalaga sa kanyang harapan. Napapakagat labi na lang din siya sa sobrang kaba na nararamdaman niya. He knew he made a huge mistake from the beginning, but he will not allow himself to fail again. One mistake is better than two or more mistakes. Lalo na't ang pinag-uusapan dito ay ang babaeng nagugustuhan niya.

"A-ano... gusto kong... maging malapit sa'yo saka... maging magkaibigan na rin ulit tayo—"

"Rei, we're friends. Alam mo 'yon," sabi naman ni Koeli nang sumingit sa pagsasalita ni Rei.

Rei slowly nodded his head and scratched the back of his nape when he felt shy while talking to Koeli. "Yeah... sure... and—"

"Parang ayaw mo ata ako maging kaibigan... ulit," Koeli said and made a giggle.

Rei shook his head and cleared his throat. "N-no, hindi 'yan totoo. In fact, masaya nga ako na n-naging... magkaibigan ulit tayo e," he said while stuttering.

Umiwas siya ng tingin kay Koeli at inilipat ang titig sa kanan niya. "Kahit na walang tayo..." he murmured and it made Koeli raised an eyebrow.

"Basta! Sa ayaw at sa gusto mo... kaibigan kita." She crossed her arms and stuck her tongue out at Rei, her childish personality.

Seryosong titig ang ginawa ni Rei habang si Koeli naman ay inaasar siya. "Pa'no kung ayaw ko?" he asked seriously.

Napatigil si Koeli sa pang-aasar nang bigla siyang makaramdam ng kaba at ipinagtaka ang nasabi ni Rei. "A-ayaw... mo? Bakit... naman?"

"Pa'no kung... ayaw kong maging kaibigan ka lang at gusto ko akin ka lang?" Napalunok si Koeli sa naging tanong ni Rei. He smirked once he recognized that Koeli was speechless.

Inipit ni Koeli ang buhok niya sa likod ng tainga niya na para bang nang-aakit at nagpapaganda sa harap ng binata. "H-hindi naman 'yon issue sa 'kin—"

"Gusto kong bumawi. Enough na ang second chance mo para sa 'kin."

"I already told you, you deserve a second chance, Rei."

A smile was formed across his face when he heard Koeli's reply. "So, am I allowed to use it now?" Napakagat si Rei sa ibabang bahagi ng labi niya at itinaas ang isang kilay na para bang nag-aantay ng sagot.

He once again recognized the bright part of his life when Koeli made a nice feedback, and he was very thankful to Koeli. She made him inspired and motivated to start a new chapter of his life.

Koeli stared at him and flashed him a smile. "Please, don't waste it."