Ocean of Feathers

Chapter 77

The short story is dedicated to Belle Avanzado. Thank you for helping me during the muting days!

Chapter 77

I buried half of my face behind my knees as I stared outside the glass window. I pulled the thick blanket around my shoulders before I tightly hugged my legs and returned my gaze outside.

The first snow of winter has started.

The aroma from my newly brewed cup of coffee near the pile of my books and the sound of the wood cracking from the fireplace made me feel at peace.

Winter in your own wonderland is a paradise.

This should make me feel like I am inside in my paradise again, but this year's winter is different...

It's different... without you.

A silly tear glided down on my right cheek. I hope you're here... with your fingers trying to ease the tears from my eyes.

"Yuki..."

***

"Yuki!"

Malakas na sigaw ko sa kababata ko. He's my schoolmate and he's always late in school. Kaya nakiusap sa akin ang Mama niya na ako na mismo ang sumundo sa anak niya at gisingin ng maaga.

Marahas niyang tinakpan ng unan ang ulo niya.

"Belle... mauna ka na. Maaga pa... come on... don't be serious about my mother's—" hindi ko siya pinatapos sa pagrereklamo niya dahil pinaghahampas ko na siya ng unan.

"Wake up! Wake up! You idiot!"

Kaya wala siyang pinagpilian kundi bumangon at padabog na bumaba sa kama.

"Belle naman!"

Bago ko pa siya tuluyang mapagmasdan dahil naka-boxers lang siya, tumalikod na ako.

"Now you're shy? Come on..."

"Huwag mo akong ma-come on come on, Yuki! Maligo ka na at hihintayin kita sa ibaba!"

"Alright. Masyado ka nang nasasanay sa paggising sa akin, baka masanay na ako niyan. Practicing, eh? Mag-aapply ka rin ba na maging girl--"

"Asa ka!"

Bago pa kung anu-ano ang sabihin sa akin ng half-japanese kong kababata nagmadali na akong lumabas ng kwarto niya. Her mother was grinning at me when I gave her a thumbs up.

Ganoon lagi ang routine namin ni Yuki nang pumapasok kami, we're always together until we graduated.

I got a license as a nurse and he's an engineer. Akala ko magtutuluy-tuloy na... I was just waiting for him to make the first move, kasi nararamdaman ko rin sa kanya iyong nararamdaman ko para sa kanya.

"Belle..."

"Yes?" lumingon ako sa kanya habang nakatanaw kami sa rooftop ng bahay nila.

"I like you... I love you since we were kids. C-Can we date?" he asked me awkwardly.

Saglit akong napatitig sa kanya at natawa na lang ako.

"Hindi pa ba tayo nagde-date, Yuki? Lagi na tayong magkasama... we are each other's world na nga..."

"But it isn't official..." kibit balikat na sabi niya. "So..."

Ngumisi ako sa kanya. "Alright. Yes."

He chuckled.

I thought our conversation will stay casual, but when Yuki pulled me closer and took the distance between... I suddenly forgot the we were childhood friends.

And yes, we're lovers.

My first and last kiss with him.

Why? Because that evening... it was winter when the love of my life had a car accident.