Light Up The Sky

Chapter 10

"Where should I put this?" tanong ni Liam habang hawak ang isang frame kung saan nakalagay ang isang moon calligraphy.

Lux in tenebris.

Light in darkness.

Ngumiti ako at inilibot ang mga mata ko sa loob ng room ko. Even if it's challenging to put everything together, my room looks super soothing and peaceful. The inspiring patterns, cozy fabrics, pops of green, velvet touches, and rattan and fringe accents of my bohemian-style bedroom feed my soul.

"There." Itinuro ko ang space sa itaas ng nightstand kung saan may nakalagay din na isa pang frame. But this time, it's a quote I find somewhere.

This is your life, this is your journey, but this is not a lonely path. It is filled with light and grace, and the kind of hope that lasts.

"Okay."

Habang inilalagay niya ang frame na iyon, naupo ako sa hanging rattan chair at pinanood siya. For weeks, we're both busy arranging things here in my room. Tinutulungan niya ako tuwing Sundays dahil iyon ang pahinga niya sa academic responsibilities at trabaho.

And now, super lapit na naming maayos ang lahat.

"It's done," pagod na sabi ni Liam at hinayaan ang sariling mahulog sa bed ko.

Ang pareho niyang kamay ay nasa magkabilang gilid habang ang mga mata nya ay nakatitig sa ceiling kung nasaan ang isang bamboo pendant light. He's wearing a black open sides tank top and khaki shorts.

Dati ay hindi siya ganiyan manamit dahil lagi niyang sinisigurado na hindi nakikita ang katawan niya. But maybe, as time passes by, he became that comfortable with me.

Tumayo ako. "Do you want water? I'll get you some."

Itinagilid niya muna ang ulo niya upang tumingin sa akin bago umupo. His both hands are in between his spreaded thighs. Medyo magulo ang kaniyang buhok ngunit bumabagay sa kaniya.

Palagi naman.

"Ako na lang. Do you want to drink?" Umiling ako ngunit ngumiti lang siya at agad na tumayo. "Wait for me."

Nang makalabas siya, napanguso ako at muling napaupo. I swing myself while wandering my eyes around. Hanggang sa dumapo ang mga mata ko sa Christmas presents na binili ko noong isang araw.

And guess what, I chose that myself. Dati kasi ay hindi ako pinapayagang lumabas kahit pa kasama sina Ate Norry. Ngayon, because of Liam, I feel like I can go out na. Mas malimit na kaysa noon.

Ngunit naghiwalay kami ni Liam nang mamili para may excitement pa rin dahil hindi namin alam ang regalo sa isa't isa. Well, I bought him a custom camera wrist strap. Hindi ko kasi alam kung ano'ng ireregalo sa kaniya dahil pakiramdam ko nasa kaniya na lahat.

Si Ate Nory naman ay binilhan ko ng two piglets. I heard that her family is having a hard time about financial matters and I wanted to help. At para hindi mahalata ang pagtulong ko, piglets ang naisip kong paraan para regaluhan siya. Her family can take care of them and eventually sell them for additional income.

I always give her, my yaya, a present every Christmas. If I'm not mistaken, the first gift I gave her was a cell phone with a radio so she could listen to her favorite radio program before. Iniipon ko ang allowance ko dati noong grade school ako to buy her something because she really matters to me.

Pwede naman akong humingi sa parents ko ng cash. They will freely give how much I want without asking where will I spend it. But I feel like it's not good if I will give someone a present that doesn't come from my own money.

Well, my allowance came from my parents naman. But, I think, choosing to keep it will make a difference.

Sina Ate Terry at Manang Terentina naman ay binilhan ko ng bagong damit. Tapos si Kuya Jomar ay bagong phone dahil super luma na ng kaniya. Last year, because I wasn't with them, I just told them to pick whatever they want when they went to a bazaar. I know kasi na they earn just enough for the barest necessities and almost never get to buy what they really want.