Euphony (TBS 3)

030

NOVICE

I stared at my pitiful guitar. Katatapos lang ng klase namin and I had to hurry to the Arts building for our band practice.

I sighed. How can I use this? Kulang iyong string. Ang sabi ng bwisit na Carlisle na iyon papalitan niya. I even waited for him at lunch because I thought he would give it to me.

" Akala ko ba may band practice kayo?" Inangat ko ang aking ulo para makita si Patchouli na nakatayo sa harap ko.

I frowned a little. " I was waiting for my replacement string."

" Ah, wala pa si Lyle?"

Umiling ako. Patchouli sat beside me. Ipinasok ko muna iyong gitara sa case at saka itinabi.

" Lyle seems genuine, with his making it up to you thing." panimula niya.

I sighed again. " No matter how genuine he looks like if he isn't sorry for all the things he had done to me, wala rin namang kwenta iyon."

" You think so? Minsan hindi ako makapaniwala na you were inseparable before tapos biglang hindi na kayo nag-usap. I mean we were always together pero kayong dalawa, may bad air sa pagitan ninyo."

Kumunot ang aking noo nang may mapagtanto. " Why are you here? Nasaan ang boyfriend mo?"

She grinned. " Kinuha iyong sasakyan niya. Anyways," she stood up. " You should make up your mind. Our time on earth is limited, Novice. Huwag mong sayangin sa pag-iipon ng sama ng loob. It's bad for the health."

I rolled my eyes. " Whatever. Umuwi ka na nga." pagtataboy ko.

When Patchouli left, I couldn't help but wonder about her words. Hindi naman ako nag-iipon ng sama ng loob. In fact, I don't really feel anything at all.

" Hey," I looked up to the new comer. Hindi na ako nagulat na si Lyle na ang nasa  harap ko at hingal na hingal. My forehead creased.

Tumayo ako kasama mg aking guitar case. I opened my palm to him, ready to receive the new string. Napatingin naman siya sa nakalahad kong kamay.

" I'm sorry," napakamot siya sa batok. " I couldn't find a D'addario. Okay lang ba kung ibang brand?"

I pursed my lips. Wala naman akong magagawa kung bumili siya ng ibang brand. All I want is to complete the strings of my guitar. Hindi ko nga alam kung paano niya naputol eh. I shouldn't have trusted him with my property.

" It's fine." I answered lamely. I checked the time on my wristwatch.

" Where is it? Kailangan ko ng pumunta sa practice. I can't be late." medyo inis kong sabi kasi ang tagal niyang ibigay.

"Novice," he called my name in a gentle manner. His eyes softened too. Bahagyang umawang ang aking labi.

" I'm sorry, not for the string, but for everything. I'm sorry for breaking your trust. I'm sorry that I wasn't a best friend to you. I am an idiot for doing that. Sobrang gago ko na ipinagkalat na gusto mo si Michael kahit na sinabi mong dapat walang makaalam. Napahiya ka noon at noong kinukutya ka nila, hindi ko man lang nagawa iyong respondibilidad ko bilang bestfriend mo. You're probably think I am disgusting for having a relationship with one of those girls." he sadly smiled. I can see the genuineness in his eyes. Nakatitig lang ako sa kaniya. Pilit kong itinatanong kung bakit siya ganito.

Should I thank someone for putting some sense on him?

" I'm sorry. I know it's damn too late to ask for your forgiveness. Ngayon ko lang narealize na ito pala ang hinahanap mo sa akin. I'm sorry, I was too dumb to realize that." nagyuko siya. He then put his hand in his pocket to get something. May inilabas siyang maliit na plastic. Napagtanto kong iyon ang bagong string na binili niya.

Kinuha ko iyon nang ilahad niya sa akin. I couldn't look straight in his eyes.

" Thanks." sabi ko.

" Am I forgiven, Nov?" aniya pa. I pressed my lips together. It's not easy to forgive, lalo na at matagal bago siya humingi ng patawad. But then, I know him. Kahit ganito siya kakulit ay mataas din ang kaniyang pride, kaya hindi na ako nagtaka na umabot pa ng apat na taon bago siya nag-sorry sa akin.

All I want is for him to say sorry. And here it is. Pero bakit ang sa dibdib?

Ah, oo nga pala.

I wasn't attractive to Michael. Heck, I don't even like him. It was Carlisle all along but he doesn't know that. Kasi alam kong bawal magkagusto sa kaniya. He is my best friend for pete's sake!

But not anymore.

Or so I thought.

Huminga ako nang malalim bago humarap sa kaniya. He had this puppy eyes plastered on his face.

" Okay, you're forgiven."

Ngumiti siya nang napakalapad. I was shocked when he pinched my cheek all of a sudden. Napasinghap ako.

" Ang cute naman ng best friend ko." he chuckled.

Right, I am his best friend.