Pagkapasok palang namin ng maliit na gate sa harap ng rest house ay automatic na nagbukas ang mga ilaw sa loob at labas ng bahay. Because of the light that illuminates the house, I can't help but be amazed. Almost everything was painted in white except for the details that highlight its edges. Sigurado akong siya rin ang nag-disenyo nito.
"I usually go here everytime I'm lonely or whenever I think of you..." aniya sabay lingon sa akin. "This was where I celebrated my 19th birthday. You were here with me. Naalala mo?"
Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi niya. Iginala ko agad ang mata ko sa paligid. Hindi ko maalala na dito iyon ginanap. Masyado yata akong nakafocus sa kanya noon kaya hindi ko matandaan ang hitsura ng lugar. Saka gabi na kaya hindi kita ang kabuuan.
"Hindi ko maalala..."
"You always forget about me," nagtatampo niyang sabi habang pinagbubuksan ako ng pintuan.
"Hindi ko lang maalala na dito iyon ginanap. Drama mo..."
Tumawa siya at iginaya ako sa loob. His rest house isn't that big. But a family of five members can occupy this.
There are three bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom and a living room. Walang ikalawang palapag pero mayroon namang terrace sa harap ng bahay para matanaw ng mabuti ang dagat.
Tumungo si Cryd sa kusina para kumuha ng maiinom or something. Habang ako'y nanatiling pinagmamasdan ang loob ng bahay.
Napukaw ang atensyon ko ng isang keyboard. Tanda ko'y mayroon din siyang piano sa bahay niyang inuuwian. And as far as I know, he's not into music. So, I wonder why...
"I bought that for you," sabi ni Cryd nang maabutan akong nakahawak sa keyboard. Base sigurado sa ekspresyon ko'y nabasa niya ang kuryosidad na namuo sa akin.
Ibinaba ko ang kamay ko at tinignan siya. "Para sa'kin?"
"Uhuh..." saka sumimsim sa isang baso ng tubig.
"Bakit?" taka kong tanong.
He shrugged and walked closer to me. Nag-squat siya at inabot ang isang cord para mai-on ang instrument.
"I was hoping you'd come here one day to play me a piece," he flashed smile and stood straight.
Kinapa ko ang keyboard nang mai-on ang power nito. It's been weeks since I last played this. Wala naman kasing ganito kina Tita Alma dahil walang sanay tumugtog sa kanila.
"Even the aquarium in my office was made for you. That's why it was empty. I was hoping you'd give life in it because I know you're fond of fishes," aniya.
"Matagal ko na nga iyong gustong pakialaman kaso ayoko namang manghimasok. Sa'yo 'yon eh."
"You should've asked me. I'd say yes right away. You're the main reason why there's an aquarium in my office..."
"Next time," tawa ko.
"We could shop for aquarium fishes tomorrow. Blue thang, clown fish..." suggest niya at itinapat ang baso ng tubig sa aking bibig. "Drink. You'll dehydrate..."
Kukunin ko sana ang baso kaso nag-insist siya na siya ang magpapainom sa akin. Hinayaan ko nalang.
"May mga gawain ka bukas, 'di ba?" tanong ko pagkatapos. Medyo gabi na kasi at panigurado akong kailangan na rin talaga niyang magpahinga. I'm sleepy too.
"Marami ba?" he asked and placed the glass on top of a table near us.
"You have to visit three sites," I told him. Trying to remember the exact appointments he has for tomorrow.
"Reschedule. I want to spend the whole day with you..." kumapit siya sa baywang ako. Dahilan para manghina akong muli.
"Before we sleep, will you please play a piece for me?" he asked softly.
BINABASA MO ANG
I Heard You
Romance{ Constantine Series: Book 1 } "I love you. Do you hear me? I said, I love you..." - After getting rejected by his long-time crush, Cryd Constantine meets the shy and timid girl, Savanna Esquivel, who is crying alone on a rainy day in a waiting shed...
