Those words felt like magic.
It all seems like the glimmer I need after the hardships I’ve been through. Those wisp of glitters from a wand that will turn me to be okay. I only have to twirl and watch how the magic changes me.
Unti-unting lumapit si Kuya Maddox sa akin. Napatakip ako sa bibig dahil nagsimula nang humikbi.
He smiled a little and I cried harder.
“Hmm?” He lifted his arms for a hug. “Halika r-rito, Achie,” napatakip na ako sa buong mukha noong marinig ang garalgal sa boses niya.
Siya na mismo ang nagsara ng distansya namin. The biting cold lessens as his embrace deepens.
“I’m sorry… “ he managed to utter.
I almost slipped from his grasp after hearing that. Nanlalambot ang tuhod. Humigpit lalo ang yakap niya sa akin. My cries echo around the neighborhood but I can’t seem to stop them.
Noong sinisinok na ay binuhos ko na ang kahihiyan kay Kuya Maddox. I removed my hands from my face and started pounding his chest.
“B-bakit ang tagal mo?! What took you so long?” nakayuko, nakapikit, at sumisigaw kong bato. “You said it yourself… that you’ll recover soon! I believed that! I believed you, Kuya!”
“I’m sorry, Achie. I know… I know that. Salamat sa paniniwala sa akin. I’m sorry for everything my family and I brought to you. I’m truly sorry…”
Umiling-iling ako at nanghina. My hands went limp on my sides. Hinigit pa muli ako ni Kuya Maddox at itinago sa dibdib niya.
“That was totally okay! Ayos l-lang iyon!”
“No. It’s not, Achie,” unti-unti ay hinawakan niya ako sa magkabilang pisngi at pilit iharap sa kanya.
I opened my eyes but I absolutely shut it when it stared right into him.
“You’re left with no choice but to be the sponge of our chaos. You don’t deserve that. You will never deserve that. Kahit sa amin pa iyan o kahit kanino…” pawi niya sa mga luha ko. Dumilat muli ako.
“H-hindi na kayo iba sa akin.”
“But that still doesn’t mean that you’re responsible for us, right?” maliit siyang ngumiti at tumatango. “Achie, I want you to protect yourself and be mindful of whatever you’re picking up on.”
Umiling pa rin ako bilang pagtanggi. His brows furrowed.
“I wanted to do it and… I’m not regretting every single thing about it.”
Lumabi ako noong may pumatak na sa mga mata ni Kuya Maddox. His mouth opened and shut.
“Kaya pinapaalis mo ako noon sa inyo? First, about Miki… and then, the last time we saw each other. You always want me out of your house.”
Tumagilid ang ulo ko at ngayon ay pinupunasan na ang pisngi niya.
“May naaalala ka na noon, ‘di ba? Bakit hindi mo ako kinausap? Kahit tayong dalawa lang? I’ll be so glad to hear of your recovery.”
I traced his face with my fingertips. His cheeks that are so red from the cold, his dried full lips, and it went to his eyes that fluttered closed at my touch.
“Achie, s-sorry. As much as I want to say that I didn’t mean that, but I do. I know that was not the right way, the right words, reactions, and everything… but I just want you out of our chaos. It hurts me so much to see you and make you go through that. It’s just so wrong.”
I released sobs as I looked at his face. His eyes fluttered open and I could see the scattered dots on the white of his eyes. My stars here on this Earth.
“Are you… really okay now? How are you? Can you remember everything? Ang paningin mo? Malinaw ba?”
Tumango-tango lang si Kuya Maddox. His lips trembled and embraced me again. Ngayon ay sinuklian ko na iyon.
“I’m more than fine now, Achie… thank you so much. Sa lahat-lahat.”
I silently cried and tapped him on his back.
Sumiksik ang ulo niya sa balikat ko. And my heart almost melted as he relaxed against me completely. I could hear his sobs. I could draw the rhythm of his breathing.
Pagpasok sa apartment ay hindi pa rin matigil ang pag-iyak ko.
“Achie? Sino iyon? Sino ba iyon, ha? Ano ang ginawa sa’yo?”
Umiling-iling ako kay Ate Precy at halos hindi na makahinga.
“Ano ba iyon? Ano ang nangyari? Diyos ko! Ngayon ka lang nagkakaganito. Achie?”
I just used to pray for times like this. Laging hinihiling ang paggaling ni Kuya Maddox. I wanted his healing more than anything and now, I couldn’t even be more thankful.
I slowed down my bicycle when I’m nearing our apartment building. Sa malapit na kanto ay nandoon na si Kuya Maddox at nakatanaw sa akin.
He gave me a tiny wave as he released himself from leaning on the wall.
“Kuya,” I halted to a stop. Nagawa ko pang mangiti sa gitna ng malamig na paligid.
He can be alone now. He can see me even for afar. He recognizes me.
“Kumain ka na, Achie?”
“Uh, hindi pa. Dumidiretso ako pauwi.”
He looked down on his watch. Ako tuloy ay nakuryoso rin.
“Kanina ka pa rito?”
“Hindi naman. Just before you usually arrive.”
Maliit akong ngumuso at nag-iwas ng tingin. I looked back at him and pointed everywhere.
“Uhm, ikaw? Kumain ka na ba?” tumanaw ako sa apartment at iniisip kung ano ang pagkain na nandoon.
“Not yet.”
Napatango-tango ako at bahagyang nataranta. Nakapagluto ba si Ate Precy? Puwede ko naman sigurong imbitahan si Kuya Maddox?
“Teka… tingnan ko kung mayroon sa apartment, Kuya Maddox,” sumenyas ako na sumunod siya sa akin.
I heard him chuckle. “I’m here to ask you out for dinner, Achie. Puwede ka ba ngayon?”
Naestatwa ako at parang hinalukay ang sikmura.
“Or maybe some other time?” ngumuso siya sa building namin. “I can accept that invitation though. Sa susunod?”
Napalunok ako at hindi alam ang uunahin. I even raise my hand to absorb it and stop him from talking. Natawa muli si Kuya Maddox.
“Hindi ko alam kung mayroon sa apartment, e… pero! Pero puwede naman ako ngayon.”
I mentally note to myself to stack our groceries.
YOU ARE READING
Seen There, Done That (Sensara Series 1)
RomanceThe thing about Kashina Eve Natividad is you'll never see her struggling. People though, don't realize that just because she appears strong, quiet, and calm doesn't mean she doesn't have much to say. She'll never be your favorite sunshines or sunri...
