Paper Memories

Chapter 32-II

Chapter 32-II

"Cervantes! Wala na kayong exam?"

"Nagpasa lang kami, my blockmates would arrive in a bit." I nonchalantly said to the theater arts crew that greeted me. Medyo ilang araw nang umuulan kaya bagsak din ang katawan ko, to add to my awful feelings is the matters I left at home." Dumaan lang ako para tumingin, mamaya pa naman ang rehearsal namin eh."

The guy shrugged, brushing off his hands." Tumulong ka dun sa set pieces."

"Alin? Marami na akong naitulong sa props." I argued. Ronald and I have done enough props for them, they're now asking too much. Tumango yung kausap ko saka tinuro ang itaas ng parte ng stage. He's pointing towards the hanging props and lightings up there. I look down again, and around the area. Both men and women is working on the stage mechanism." Dyan ba sa flying system? Hindi naman ako marunong dyan eh. And hey, I'm not from your course."

"Kaya mo naman yan eh, i-l-latch lang yung mga props.

"W-well, bakit ba kasi ang rami nating props? Kulang na lang pati itong stage high-tech. Does the floor move too? What else? I haven't seen it yet..."

"Kung professionals na kami oo mas high-tech pa 'tong stage, pero nasa college pa lang tayo. We can't make the peak of what Kiera wants yet."Sagot niya sakin habang nagsimulang magbuhat ng mga inaayos niya din na gamit." Kung ayaw mo tulong edi umuwi ka na lang muna, mamaya pa naman ang rehearsals niyo."

I gasp, umiling agad ako."I-I don't want to go home..."

Just two more days to go and Art Month Celebration would start.

I could take Ronald with me there, tapos makakakagawa ako ng paraan para magbati kami. But for now, I can't back to face him. He didn't leave, he didn't runaway again but he won't open the door of his for me. Siya na lang diyan pero ayaw kong mabaliw kakaisip, kaya napatingala na lang ako sa taas ng stage kung saan kailangan ko tumulong ngayon. About the play of the girl Esther, the story of the damned and fallen witch...

Fallen... It's funny if the play would end in a tragedy.

"You can use this when you take photograph later. Maraming booths dun, last day na din kasi." I called Ronald just before he could exit the room, he looks pale eventhough he's simply with me. Presentation date ng Underworld Lillies, huling araw ng Art Month." Like I said before, pwede naman sayo na lang 'tong DSLR camera ko.I think you'll need it more."

Ronald shook his head." Hihiramin ko lang yung sayo para mamaya."

I conceded, glancing at his old point shoot camera that has the initials D.E.V., then instantly back to him."Well, if you say so. Just tell me you change your mind. But, that aside...Ayos ka lang ba? Masama ba pakiramdam mo?O galit ka sakin? I j-just want you to have fun when go to school later."

"Kung panira ako dun, edi hindi ako sasama."

"I'm not saying that---bumabawi lang ako."

"Sa baba na lang ako maghihintay. Mag-aayos ka pa." Pag-iiba ni Ronald ng usapan sabay abot niya ng pinapagamit kong DSLR camera. I'm bringing the car today and I only need to dress simply since I would still change for my role, but I still prepared a lot of things. Kaya masyaa na ako na kasama ko si Ronald, na pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto." May laman ba 'tong camera? Titingnan ko yung laman habang naghihintay."

"Wait, your bruises are showing."

"Huh? Ano yun?"

"Gamitin mo na lang yung jacket na bagong bigay ko sayo, hindi 'to. Dumudulas. Para hindi halata yang pasa mo." I gently pulled his wrist to point it out, some of his bruises in his forearm is showing when he lifts his hands. Makikita yun kapag tinaas niya ang kamay niya para kumuha ng pictures. Naiilang siya. He wanted to back away but I already holding his face tighter to inspect another wound" Ito pang sa mukha mo, hindi ko napansin nung isa... I think I should put a bandaid to hide it."

"Hindi naman halata, Ate--- nng rami mong napapansin sakin.""

" I don't want others to pay attention you because of a bad impression. Ayaw kong mapasama ka dahil sakin." I explained as I let him go, despite his towering frame he felt so fragile now. I've done this a lot of times anyway. I'm used to it. Treating him." Kunin ko lang yung medicine box. Hanapin ko din yung jacket mo tapos aalis na tayo."

Ronald scoffed."Bakit hindi na lang kasi si Percival ang isama mo?"

I felt cold, napatigil ako. "Wala siya, hindi ba nag-paalam sayo?"

"Hindi ko alam ang sinasabi mo, huwag sakin hanapin." Ronald instantly regretted what he brought. Mukang nainsecure siya sa pinunto ko kaya hinila niya pababa yung mangas ng jacket niya." Baba na ako, Ate. May band-aid naman din yata sa baba."

I sighed, alright---no need to force him.

Today is our theater performance and art month. I already attended our last rehearsal yesterday, while the actual play is around noon. So I have all morning to attend the booths in the quadrangle and class gimiks of the blocks. The theater show would end by 4:30 or 5:00 pm, Keira's class would be the last to perform.Pagkatapos nun hanggang gabi pwede kaming magkasama ni Ronald, dala ko naman yung kotse.

When we arrived at school, si Nabi agad ang sumalubong samin.

"You're here! Ang aga na naman ng dating mo." Nabi greeted me as soon as we're on the open grounds lot, she's not an early bird, she must be already to look for me. May ilang siyang hawak-hawak na snacks at inumin." Early morning date really? Want to show off you're with your boyfrie----Oh. It's not that guy."

I smiled to her, may icing ng crepes sa muka niya."Percival's out of town."

"Aw, poor you, Sheena. You missed your chance of showing your witch costume to your boyfriend." Nabi narrated teasingly, biting on her crepes again. She must wants to hang around. Para naman siyang bata kumain, kaya pinunasan ko yung gilid ng labi niya kaya agad siya namula." W-what? May icing sa mukha ko? You should have said so! Kanina ko pa tong kaharap na kasama mo!'

"Ronald's nice, hindi naman niya yan ipagkakalat."

"Sheena! I don't belive you!"

I just shrug, nilibot ko ulit ang paningin ko sa kabuuhan ng campus. Maraming banderitas ang nakasabit, nasa open grounds ang float ng kada departments, may stalls para sa snacks and meals at booths para sa mga palaro. This is afterall Vitruvius Art Month Celebration, lumas ang creativity ng lahat." He won't, he don't tell anyone about anything--- you'd be fine, Nabi. Diba, Ron? Hindi ka naman magsasabi?"

"Wala akong pakialam kung ganyan siya kumain."

"Hey! He's mean! He's not your other boyfriend or what right? He looks young."

"Of course not, Nabi. Don't say that out loud." Mahinang tawa ko habang pinagmamasdan ang parang tanturms ni Nabi. It's like she's having a staring contest with Ronald who was way taller than her. Nang magsawa siya dun, isiniksik niya ang sarili niya sa tabi ko. This woman is acting like a jealous girlfriend." He's going to watch me perform later, magaling din siya kumuha ng pictures."

Nabi glance at Ron again." How old are you?"

Ronald's eyes remained elsewhere, but softly replied." Fourteen."

For some reason, the fact that Ronald didn't lie about his age this time left a bad taste in my mouth. Dati tinago niya sa akin ang edad niya, per okay Nabi basta na lang niya pinaalam yun. I look at Nabi, she just nonchalantly accepted his response." I see, you'se so tall. So is he your cousin or something? He's like a little brother? Diba only child ka, Sheena?"

"Yeah, it's like that---I'm looking out for him."