Apricity (Published under PSICOM)

40th

He's happy

Ilang beses ko na nga bang hinanda ang sarili ko para dito?

Marami. Hindi ko na mabilang. Masyado nang marami.

I've imagined meeting him again a million times. With different possible scenarios, places, and reactions.

From accidentally crossing each other's path on a busy road, to encountering each other in a college reunion or homecoming.

Mula sa mga pinaka posibleng pangyayari hanggang sa pinaka imposible. Lahat yon ay naisip ko na. Lahat yon ay napaghandaan ko na.

And in all those scenes that play in my mind, I always handle the situation with composure and calmness.

Ngunit tulad nga ng sabi nila, things don't always go according to plan.

"The creation of the first ever Artifacts' Museum in the history of our town is an important milestone in our ongoing effort to expand educational opportunities that engage local families, inspire young minds, and build upon the strengths that our community has to offer,"

Habang nagsasalita ang Presidente ng proyekto ay nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataon upang magmuni-muni sa gilid.

Laking pasasalamat ko at naitawid ko nang maayos ang unang bahagi ng programa kanina. Experience really molds a person's professionalism. I managed to stay collected throughout my spiels.

Nakapatong ang dalawang palad ko sa kandungan habang nakaupo. Nilalaro ng kanang kamay ang singsing na nasa ring finger ng kaliwang kamay. I always find myself holding it whenever I feel uneasy. I seek comfort and solace from it. It's a promise ring.

Sakto namang nag-vibrate ang cellphone ko para sa isang mensahe mula kay Elcid.

Elcid:

You sure you don't want me to watch?

Napabuntong-hininga ako.

Sana pala ay hinayaan ko na lang siyang manood. I'm tempted to reply no and ask him to come. I'd surely feel better if he's here right now. Yun nga lang ay alam kong abala siya.

Einj:

yes you're busy anyway, just take care of yourself!!

Elcid:

What time do you finish?

Sinagot ko iyon at aniya'y sabay na kaming kumain pagkatapos. Pinadalhan ko sya ng huling mensahe bago tinago na rin muna ang phone upang ihanda ang sarili sa muling pagtayo at pagsasalita.

Inabangan kong matapos ang speech ng Presidente ngunit mukhang mahaba pa pala iyon. Sa takbo ng talumpati niya ay tila matatagalan pa bago makarating sa dulo.

Sumandal ako sa upuan at hindi namalayan ang paglipad ng tingin. Kusa itong bumagsak sa isang tao. Kumabog ang dibdib ko sa kung saan ako dinala ng mga mata ko.

Ito ang unang beses ko syang matititigan mula pa kanina. I never really had the chance to even glance at him. I want to think that it was because I was too focused on hosting. But a part of me is saying that I just didn't have the guts to.

He looks so damn fine, I must say. Hindi naman ako bitter para siraan siya. His hair was fixed nicely. I'm not sure if he got a new hairstyle or it was just done for this event. Nevertheless, it only made him look even better. I doubt he'll look bad in anything anyway.