The Universe and Beyond

Universe 4: The Bonsai and The Promise

ZEN

"So?" nag-aalangang tanong sa 'kin ni Rozend. Nangungusap ang mga mata niya. It's hard to even say no if he looks like this, like a lost puppy.

"Why are you so interested with my thoughts?" nakataas ang kilay na tanong ko.

"What you are doing – writing stuffs and tying it on a bonsai tree, looks like poetry and art to me. I like prose and poetry you see. And your thoughts are art. I love art," diretsong sagot niya. His caramel eyes twinkle like stars as if he just found something so interesting and amazing. It really shows how he's head-over-heels for art. His obsession with art amazes and scares me a bit. And he's just so honest that I hate it.

"If only you know what I'm actually writing, you won't say that," sabi ko. Inalis ko ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa braso ko. Marami akong sinulat na reklamo tungkol sa kanya. Kung alam lang niya, siguradong hindi na niya gugustuhing alamin kung ano ang iniisip ko.

"Even if you write that I'm annoying, I won't mind. I still think it's beautiful," he grinned from ear-to-ear.

Siniringan ko siya. Nakababasa ba siya ng iniisip ng tao? He's on point. Gusto ko ng sumuko dahil sa pagiging persistent niya. Gusto ko na lang pumayag para tigilan na niya ang pangungulit pero palagay ko mas lalo siyang mangungulit. "Ayaw ko ng makulit. Ayaw ko ng maingay," mariing sabi ko sa kanya.

"Okay." But it doesn't feel like he really understands what I'm meaning to. And it doesn't feel like he will do as I say.

Napailing ako. I helplessly looked at him. "Bahala ka na nga," inis na saad ko.

Lumapad ang ngiti niya at hinila na ako pabalik sa puntod. "Magsulat ka na ulit, Lola. Magbabasa lang ako," saad niya.

"Talagang career na career mo na ang pagtawag sa 'kin ng Lola?" nakataas ang kilay na tanong ko.

"Okay lang yan. Magkaibigan na naman tayo," nakangiting sagot niya habang tinatanggal ang mga sulat sa bonsai at binabasa ito.

"He's not good with direction either. Sounds like a lie." Tiningnan niya ako at tumango. "It's a lie," he confirmed. "I'm good with direction. Gusto ko lang sumama sa pupuntahan mo." Ibinalik niya ang isinulat ko sa bonsai.

"Pwede ba huwag mo ng basahin 'yan. It's embarassing," giit ko sa kanya. Namumula ang mukha ko dahil sa ginagawa niya.

Hindi niya pinansin ang sinabi ko. Muli siyang nagbukas ng isang papel. "It's all right. At least I'll know what you think. I won't second guess," he said. "Once upon a time, there was a girl who loves art but her love for it dies together with her best friend."

"Pwede ba huwag mong basahin nang malakas. Just keep it to yourself. Sinabi ko nga di ba, ayaw ko ng maingay!" I scribbled on the paper strips but I can't think properly. I am conscious of him reading all my notes, my thoughts. I feel so naked around him.

"That's sad," he commented on the note I wrote. "Don't worry. We'll revive your love for art soon."

Nagdududang tiningnan ko siya. "Ano'ng balak mong gawin?"

"We'll join the summer camp," he said with confidence.

"Seriously?" Parang ang lakas na ng loob niyang magdesisyon para sa 'kin.

"Seriously. It's summer and it's boring to just stay in the house after all. Kung magmumukmok ka lang sa bahay, hindi ka makaka-move on sa best friend mo. You have to broaden your horizon and experience new things to cope," seryosong saad niya. "Can I have a paper and pen? I'll write something too."