Guard the Heart

Kabanata 51

KABANATA 51

Photo shoot

Akala ko naman saan siya kakain, sa isang street food alley lang pala, sa may mga barbeque. Bababa na sana siya but I stopped him. Baka pagkaguluhan pa siya. Sinabi ko na ako na ang bibili at takeout na lang. Iyon nga ang ginawa ko. He parked in somewhere na tahimik at walang mga tao hindi naman kami lumayo.

We are sitting on the hood of his car. Walang arte siyang kumakain habang tinitingnan ko lang siya. Inalok niya ako pero busog naman ako.

Bigla akong may naisip. I'm curious all of a sudden. "Ano na palang nangyari doon sa condo? The one you gave me."

"It's still there." He shrugged his shoulder. "It's under your name remember?"

"W-What?"

The hell! Hindi ko alam 'yon!

"Before I underwent the surgery and lost my memory hinabilin ko kay Lourd. I believe it's still good. Haven't been there for a long time."

I look at him in disbelief. "Hindi nga? Hindi mo binenta? How about the car?"

Kinunotan niya ako ng noo. "It's in there, too. And why would I do that?"

"Eh kasi, 'di ba wala na tayo?" Napalabi ako. "So..."

"I won't do that. And it's in your name... You should have taken it, but then you have Als." He almost said his last words bitterly.

Kung pwede ko lang sabihing siya ang gusto ni Als at hindi naman ako. But I won't betray my dear friend.

"He is just my friend. We are bestfriends. Parang si Lucky."

He rolled his eyes.

We went inside the car and drove back after he finished eating. Silly, kakain na nga lang magpapasama pa. We were just silent. Hawak lang niya ang kamay ko at bibitaw lang kung kailangan. I can't help but stare at him while he drives seriously.

"I want to go there," I blurted out.

He glanced my way.

"Doon sa condo."

He got what I mean and made a turn. After 30 minutes I already saw the familiar tower. It had some improvements compared to the last time I saw it. I still can't believe that he really keeps. Kaya kailangan makita ko talaga.

He parked in the basement and unlocked the doors. Nauna akong bumaba at nagpalinga-linga.

"Your car is parked over there." Tinuro niya ang pinakadulong lane. "Wanna check it out?"

"Sa susunod na. Let's go the unit," I said, a bit excited.

"Okay."

We rode the lift and when it open on the right floor, my excitement doubled. May iilang pagbabago na sa hallway, some modifications. Tatanungin ko pa lang sana nasaan ang keycard pero siya na mismo ang nagbukas.

"Lourd gave it back to me," aniya.

He turned on the lights. Bumungad sa akin ang parehong set up ng living area. The mint green couch and the flatscreen TV... all furniture and appliances are in the same place when I left if, I remember correctly. I felt emotional as I recall my memories here... our memories together.

My gaze lingered when I caught a frame that I am sure wasn't here before. My lips parted in amazement. Napabaling ako kay Juancho na nasa tabi ko. He is looking at the portrait, too.

"Oh my! You did this?"

It was my half-body sketch. I look so young in it. Seryoso at bahagyang nakalingon. My hair is lightly swaying. Namamangha ako. I take a close look and read the date. Mas lalo akong namangha. It was a week after I left!