"Hi po tita, si Cedric po ito. Ganda ko parin po 'no? Hehe."
"Mas maganda pa po kayo kesa kay Cedric, tita."
"What do you mean 'mas' e hindi naman talaga maganda 'tong si Cedric."
"Hehe 'wag po kayong maniwala rito kay Ace, tita. Mamaya ka sakin Ace." Cedric whispered her last sentence.
Nandito kami ngayon sa grave ng mama ko. Kompleto kami, nandito sa Xavier, Cedric, Ace at Jayden. Isinama nalang pala namin si Ace, sabi nya kase kahapon hindi daw sya makakasama.
Tho it was awkward for me and Jayden, hindi ko nalang sya halos binibigyang pansin para hindi na muna maalala ang nangyari kagabi kahit ngayon man lang. I know that she's aware na iniiwasan ko sya, ano naman diba?
In loving memory of...
Kathleen M. Hamada
1978–2017
Nakahiga si Ace sa damuhan at ginawang unan ang lap ko, while Cedric is busy na kinukuha yung mga natitirang patay na bulaklak sa lalagyan para itapon at palitan ng bago. Xavier on the other hand is playing with his guitar katabi si Jayden.
"Ced, kelan ba kase dinner nyo ni Ms. V-President?" Tanong ni Ace.
Cedric released a deep sigh, pagod na sya dahil kanina pa tanong nang tanong si Ace.
"Bukas ng tanghali, ano masaya kana?"
"Ha? Dinner? Tanghali? That's possible pala?" Usal ni gaga.
"Alam nyo guys, kanta nalang tayo. Ikaw Ace, tigilan mo na yang si Cedric dahil kanina pa kumukulo dugo nyan sayo." Sabi naman ni Xavier.
Xavier started to play with his guitar again, maya-maya ay kumanta rin si Jayden.
I'm at a payphone
Trying to call home
All of my change I spent on you
Where have the times gone?
Baby, it's all wrong
Where are the plans we made for two?
Itinukod ko ang aking magkabilang kamay sa likuran at ine-enjoy ang paligid. Sumabay na rin si Cedric sa kanta habang nasa lap ko parin ang ulo ni Ace.
If "happy ever after" did exist
I would still be holding you like this
All those fairy tales are full of shit
One more fucking love song, I'll be sick
I closed my eyes at pinapakiramdaman ang kanta. This song is meant for us... the one who's singing in front of me right now.
Mommy, am I a failure?
"Hoy gago, palitan nyo nga 'yang kanta nyo. Para naman kayong hindi nag grade 2 nyan." Anas ni Ace.
Cedric laughed and said, "Walang matatamaan."
Iniba naman agad ni Xavier ang tono ng tugtog nya, kalaunan ay kumanta rin si Ace.
Tell me something girl
Are you happy in this modern world?
Or do you need more?
Is there something else you've searchin' for?
Napatingin agad ako kay Ace, ganda ng boses nya ngl. I placed my other hand sa cheek nya while nakatukod parin ang isa kong kamay sa likuran.
I'm falling, in all the good times
I found myself longing for change
And in the bad times,
I feel myself.
YOU ARE READING
The Party And The After Party
General FictionA young woman's life is upended when she finds herself falling for an unexpected person - her new stepsister. Torn between past love and a new, undeniable attraction, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance. This story is a heartfe...
