How We Unravel

Fifteen

Fifteen: Sunshine

Pinaglalaruan ko ang singsing na nasa daliri ko; ang singsing na dapat ay sumpa ng pagmamahalan, ang singsing na dapat ay simbolo ng walang katapusan.

Pero paano kami napunta rito?

Paano niya nagawa sa akin 'to?

Paano?

Mga katanungan na alam ko ay hindi ko makukuha ang sagot. Gusto kong matawa sa sarili ko. I always end up being rock-bottom.

Am I cursed?

I'm so tired.

"Can you state the full account of the abuse?" My attorney said while holding a pen on her left hand. My brain failed to register her question. Nanatili lamang ang mga mata ko sa kan'yang kamay at pinapanood siyang magsulat. She's left-handed, just like Art. Just like how he paints in his canvas.

Just like how he holds my hand.

Nagulat ako nang may maramdaman sa kamay ko. When I looked at it, I saw Art's left hand slowly crawling until it fully conquered my palm. He was loosely holding my hand as if he was still asking for permission.

We've been trekking for a few hours and both of us are already breathless; good thing we already reached the first camping site.

Inangat ko ang tingin sa kan'ya pero nanatili ang kan'yang mga mata na nakatitig sa malayo, looking at our small group and the guides pitching the tent. His eyeglasses were forming a fog but he didn't seem to mind. His shoulder exaggeratedly moved up and down because of his heavy breathing. When I didn't object, pinagsalikop niya lalo ang aming mga daliri at dahan dahang lumapit sa akin.

The sun was already setting, painting the sky in its usual crimson color. I would have wanted to get a photo of it but both of us are already exhausted.

Hinayaan kong hawakan niya ang kamay ko ng ilan pang minuto. The temperature is dropping so I can already feel the coldness of the wind despite my five layers of clothing and two scarves that cover my neck.

The view was a vast formation of tall grass and greens. I was still catching my breath when Art suddenly stood up and because he was holding me, he pulled me towards him.

I arched my brow at him but he just flashed his boyish grin, causing his eyes to shrink.

"Doon tayo," he pointed out at the elevated part of the mountain. I rolled my eyes but still followed him.

Nagulat ako nang bigla siyang tumakbo at dahil mahigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa akin, napatakbo na rin ako.

"Art! Ano ba!" I said, breathless, but a smile formed on my lips. Humahampas ang malamig na hangin sa aking pisngi at lalo lamang iyon lumakas nang maabot namin ang tuktok.

"Wow," I said as I looked at the view below us. It was so breathtaking that I felt my jaw dropped. I haven't seen anything as beautiful as this. Afar, I can see the sun almost hidden behind the mountains, intensifying the outline of the silhouette.

Naramdaman ko ang pagkawala ng hawak ni Art sa kamay ko habang inaayos niya ang kan'yang camera.

"Midnight," he called, and when I turned to look at him, he clicked his camera and I almost closed my eyes in anticipation of the flash but there was nothing.