YOU DON'T NEED TO DUST OFF
by: arysrus | read at your own risk
My own thoughts stopped me from moving. A mind full of questions and a heart that's been scattered into pieces. Betrayal, being unwanted and swirling scene of them holding their hands keep creeping on my mind.
Like how I play the water on my feet and how my hot tears dripped; nonstop pain spread all over my system. A sea underneath the full moon, sent nostalgia. I missed how I admire all these scenery, way back— when I am still little, and only into things that looks beautiful, a little girl who doesn't know the feeling of being in love.
A little girl who's mindful of everything, the children on the play ground— the clouds beside the sun and moon, the wounds on my knee and nutella's— the sweetest thing.
But when I grow up, little by little. I understand pain, I mourn, I lost tracks. I lost myself. Who will be able to tide up all my pieces and fix the broken Isshi? Who would dare to do that?
Nilakad ko ang dakong ito papunta sa kabilang gilid, kanina pa ako nakapaa at binababad ito sa tubig dagat. It's eight in the evening— I guess.
I hugged myself purposely because of how the breeze embrace me. Pero mas natuon ang atensyon ko sa lalaking nakaupo 'di kalayuan. He is topless, and sincerely staring at the moon; like he is reading it but can't find answers.
Naglakad ako palapit, parang hinihila ng sariling paa palapit sa kanya.
He is in sweat short, barefoot— intently looking at the shade of the moon.
Nang mapansin ang presensya ko, ay ginawaran n'ya agad ako ng malamlam na tingin.
His dark eyes bore into me; tinignan ako simula ulo hanggang paa. Halata ang gulat at pagtataka. A few while, tumingin ulit siya sa buwan. I am thinking if he is a vampire, or he's just a selenophile.
Tanging buwan ang nagbibigay ilaw sa amin ngayon, kaya nang dumilim — siguro'y may dumaang ulap ay bumangon na s'ya.
"You're staring," napansin n'ya sa wakas ang matagal kong pagtitig. Inayos ko ang tayo at yumuko. Napahiya sa ginawa.
"Sorry," I apologize, yet he just nodded, I am about to throw another question when he turned his back and take a step away from me. Oo nga naman Isshi, sino ba itong inaapproach mo? Do you even know this guy to ask him questions. Are you interested?
I wanna answer myself. When this tall guy returned and gripped on my wrist, wala akong maramdamang sakit, naglakad s'ya ng mabilis hila-hila ako.
Nang nasa lilim na kami ng isang puno ay binitawan na n'ya ako. Titig na titig s'ya habang kunot na kunot ang noo. Tinignan n'ya ang paa ko sa buhangin, napansin din ata na nakapaa ako. Lumingalinga s'ya sa paligid at nang makita ang kung ano ay kinuha n'ya iyon.
Lumapit s'ya ulit sa akin at nilapag sa harap ang pares ng tsinelas.
"Wear that and don't ever come back here."
Aniya sa matigas na pananalita at lumisan.
Sinunod ko ang kagustuhan ng estranghero at umalis na lamang sa lugar na iyon. I planned to take my vacation para mabawasan ang sakit na hatid ni Ace at Nicole. Pero nadagdagan lamang ang iniisip ko dahil sa senaryong nangyari kagabi.
I am eating my breakfast at the moment wearing my see-through and a bikini top at shorts. Hindi ako makakain ng ayos dahil sa nangyari kagabi, kaya nang marinig ko ang pamilyar na boses ay napalinga kaagad ako.
I saw him— this time mas klaro na siya, and oh, he got a cut near his left eye. Nagmarka ang sugat, siguro'y malalim ito nung sariwa pa kaya ganyan ang itsura.
Napansin n'ya ulit ang titig ko kaya walang anu-ano'y lumapit siya sa akin.
"What are you doing here?" His baritone voice fills my ear, tinignan siya.
"I am a guest here, stop asking why the fuck I am here, can't you see I am eating my breakfast."
His jaw clenched after my response. Pinilit niyang maupo sa harap ko kahit alam kong labag iyon sa loob n'ya.
