Cigarettes and Daydreams (Erudite Series #1)

Kapitulo 30

Since I was 15, my cigarettes and daydreams were the only things keeping me sane and distracted during nighttime. I admit, momentarily, they were my best friends. The sky was my ready-to-listen friend. But I knew that my mind and heart had been longing for something else, something more comforting and deep.

And I'm pretty sure I found it after seeing Chance, who I once called Isko, waiting for a jeep to go to Quiapo along with the other passengers.

"Congratulations, Ahia!" bati ni Wesley bago ibigay ang bouquet. "Thank you, Shoti." Humalik si Chance sa noo ni Wesley.

Today was Isko's graduation, and while I looked at him, I felt myself develop quicker than a woodpecker pecking an acorn into a tree for the winter season.

Kung noon, nangangarap lang ako ng gising, ngayon, nagmamahal na ako ng buo. Technically, hindi boyfriend ang hinahanap ko noon. Dahil nasanay na akong maging mag-isa, wala akong kongkretong gusto. Basta ang alam ko, may nais ako.

When Chance came, I realized I was yearning for a person who'd bring me peace. Someone who'd hear my rants and truths without anything in return. His love for me showed me a moment in infinity, ease during difficulty, and a silver lining within the clouds.

Habang minamahal niya ako, naghihilom ako sa matagal na sugat na inalagaan ko. Lumaki ako at naging mas mabuti sa maraming aspeto—sa katotohanan, sa boundaries, sa sarili, at sa iba.

Bumati rin ang ilang kaibigan ni Chance sa kanya.

"Congrats, Luy!"

"'grats, Chance!"

"Congratulations, Chance!"

"Good luck, dok!"

Nang makita ako ni Chance, tinahak niya ang daan patungo sa akin. Ang green niyang graduation dress ay kapareho ng ibang mga graduates. Hindi niya suot ang salamin niya ngayon, naka-contact lens daw siya dahil ni-request ng Mama niya para sa picture-taking.

"Congrats, Isko." Inabot ko ang regalo kong bracelet sa kanya. "Thanks, Iska."

Dahil natanggap ako roon sa pag-tutor sa kakilala ni Chance at nagtratrabaho pa rin ako roon sa Burger Machine, nakayanan kong bumili ng regalo. Mas malaki kasi ang bayad doon sa kakilala ni Chance, kaya... may sumobra sa pera. Sinusubukan kong pantayan ang standards nung magulang ng bata para hindi lang limang buwan ang aking pagtratrabaho sa kanila.

"Wait for me?"

"Oo, sige na, mag-picture kayo ng pamilya mo."

His mother stared at her son before giving me a glance.

It's been more than a month, but Mrs. Luy's facade towards me never shifted. I figured she just liked it better if she didn't show me any emotion. It was probably because Chance would react negatively if she continued to openly show her disapproval of me as her son's girlfriend.

This situation reminded me of what I learned in our PolSci 11 class—not every fight can be settled.

I tried to fix it but to no avail. Chance tried to make her understand it wasn't my fault that he wanted to stop med school at some point but to no avail as well. I guess this was the end. There was no point in punching a solid rock. You'd just bleed and get tired.

"Achi! Join us!" maligayang sambit ni Wesley nung nag-p-picture sila ng kuya niya. Hinila ako ni Kenneth at itinabi sa kuya niya.

Napangiti na lang ako kahit na medyo na-out of place. Chance held my waist as he put his arm around his little brother's neck. "What'd I tell you? He likes you," bulong ng nobyo ko.

"Hindi mo na talaga pinakawalan 'yan," balik ko na siyang nagpatawa sa kanya.

Ilang kuha pa ang nangyari bago nagpasya ang pamilya niyang tumungo na sa restaurant kung saan sila nagpa-reserve. Plano ko sanang sumunod na lang dahil ayaw ko namang sumama sa kotse nila kung hindi ako welcome. Hindi kasi nanalo sa akin si Chance nung sabihin kong susunod na lang ako. Pero, hindi tulad ni Mrs. Luy, tinanggap ako ni Mr. Luy at pinasabay sa biyahe.