Ocean of Feathers

Chapter 136

The short story is dedicated to Yvone Alamag. Thank you for helping me during muting days!

Chapter 136

"Oh, gosh, you're late! Ten minutes! Pinaghintay mo ako ng ten minutes!" Madramang sabi ko.

He chuckled. I tried to act normal even if this might be our last date together. Hindi ko ginalaw ang kamay ko at pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay, alam niya ang ibig kong sabihin. Siya na iyong magsusuot ng seatbelt sa akin.

Umiiling na lang siya habang nakangisi nang inaayos na niya ang seatbelt.

"Saan tayo pupunta?" tanong ko nang nagsisimula na siyang magmaneho.

"I don't know."

Natawa na rin ako. He's usually like this. Akon a iyong laging nag-iisip kung saan kami mag-da-date, but it's okay with me. Ganoon naman kasi talaga kami masaya na kami ni Samuel.

Hanggang sa hinayaan ko ang sarili kong pagsawain ang mga mata ko na titigan siya. "Are you sure about this?"

He sighed. "I know that you're happy chasing your dreams. Hindi kita pipigilan." I could see the pain in his eyes.

"Can you wait for me?"

"I can always wait for you."

Ibinuka ko ang labi ko para magsalita ngunit pinigilan ko ang sarili ko sa anumang sasabihin ko. It was selfish of me to keep him nang walang kasiguraduhan kong kailan ako uuwi.

I'd build my career in the States. My family and I were even planning to stay there for good. Ano na lang ang gagawin ko kay Samuel?

"I'm sorry . . . mali ako nang sinabi, love . . ."

Mas lalo siyang natahimik sa sinabi ko. Hinawakan ko na lang ang kamay niya habang nagmamaneho siya.

We spent that day like we were used to. We walked in the park, held hands, laughed together, ate together, and even kissed.

Nang nasa harapan na kami ng bahay, hindi agad ako lumabas ng sasakyan niya, humalik ako sa pisngi niya at ngumiti sa kanya. "I love you."

That was my last day before I went to the States and started my career as an engineer.

I knew I was still young back then, but everything with him was so magical that sometimes I thought I could feel that fleeting and hazy moment with someone again. Nagkaroon naman ako ng mga date sa ibang bansa ngunit hindi naman iyon umaabot sa kaya ko nang bumalik sa relasyon. Kaya ibinuhos ko ang oras sa trabaho.

Not until five years had passed, it was during the conference of our team, and everyone was seated in our seats as one of our bosses introduced the new engineer in our group. Inaasar pa nga ako ng mga kaibigan ko na Filipino daw at baka nga forever ko na daw.

Kapwa na kami nakaharap sa unahan nang unti-unti nang pumasok ang pamilyar na lalaki na ngayon ay nakangiti sa aming lahat. Muntik ko nang mabitawan ang ballpen na hawak ko at pinilit ko ang sarili kong hindi tawagin siya.

His eyes locked mine, and his familiar smile almost took my breath away. "Let's welcome to our team, Engr. Samuel Del Rosario."

"I heard the other companies wanted him as well. Seems like our company offered him a great deal," bulong ng kaibigan ko.

"Hello, everyone—" iyon lang ang narinig ko sa sinabi niya dahil halos wala na akong maintindihan.

It was our coffee break, and I was in the pantry. Kukuha sana ako ng tasa sa taas nang may tumulong na sa akin at nang lumingon ako ay si Samuel iyon. "It's been a while, Yvonne."

"Hi . . ." I tried to act casual.

Dahil wala namang tao sa pantry at kami lang ay sinabi ko na sa kanya ang narinig ko. "I heard they gave you a great offer that's why you chose this company."

He chuckled. "Of course, they have you."