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15
To the one who never left
"What are you doing back here?" nag-angat ako ng tingin at nakita ko ang pagtabi sa akin ni Reema. Imbes na maupo sa front row kasama nila Puma, mas pinili kong maupo sa last row at taimtim na makinig sa misa. Imbes na magkaroon ng eulogy, humiling si Cooper ng isang simpleng misa. Para kasi sa kanya, Eulogy = Iyakan.
"I prefer to be away from the crowd," sabi ko na lamang.
Bumuntong-hininga si Reema. Namumugto ang mga mata niya pero sa kabila nito ay may ngiti siya sa mukha. "Don't let the cloud in your mind win, Shane. Don't let the cloud rain on your parade."
"I can't help it. My name's Hurricane Shane," biro ko na lamang.
"Then go be a fucking Hurricane and don't let your mind kill your happiness," maangas na sambit ni Reema sabay flip ng buhok niya.
"I think i'm becoming bipolar too," napabuntong-hininga na lamang ako.
Biglang humarap sa akin si Reema, walang kaemo-emosyon ang mukha at pananalita. "First of all, putangina you for using Bipolar lightly. Second of all, Bipolar is not an adjective you can use for your own damn convenience. Third of all, before you claim that you are bipolar, go see a fucking professional and show me your diagnosis. Do I have to say my fourth of all and fifth of all?"
"I'm sorry, Reema. Forgive my uncultured ass." I apologized quickly for my ignorance which she immediately and calmly accepted. Cooper was actually worried for Reema and he made us promise to keep an eye on her during and after the funeral. Reema might be all feisty and smiley when there are people around but I know she's taking things pretty hard. Her eyes are swollen almost every day and there are times she's just staring blankly ahead.
"How about we go out next week? There's this new spa that i've been dying to try," pag-iiba ko ng usapan. Dahil si Reema ang kausap ko, hindi ko alam kung ngingitian ko ba siya ng todo o magtataray kaya naman nagpaka-poker face na lamang ako.
"I can't, I'm seeing my therapist," Mataray na sambit ni Reema pero sa kabila nito ay lumitaw ang isang tipid na ngiti sa mukha niya. "Let's go the day after that. There's also this Thai restaurant i've been dying to try,"
"I like that." Tumango-tango ako at ngumiti rin ng tipid.
"Now go say goodbye to Cooper," Reema said.
I stood up from where I was sitting. As I walked towards Cooper and Agatha's coffin, I picked up two white roses. I placed each one on top of their coffins. "I wish you eternal happiness because that's what you both deserve. Thank you for everything." I whispered under my breath. No tears came out from my eyes my heart still felt like it was being ripped into shreds.
