Ludic Selcouth #1: Cracked Beat

Hit #23

“Sig, nung isang araw pa kami hindi nagkaka-usap...” I said while staring at the screen of my cellphone. Kasalukuyan kaming nasa unit at mag-oovernight dito si Signy.

“Maybe heʼs really busy these past few days? Since talagang palipat-lipat sila ng bansa.” I know that. But weʼre atleast updating each other even if itʼs just once a day. Like, “hey baby, weʼre currently resting before we leave the country. Canʼt call you for the next few hours.”

Bumuntong hininga na lang ako at tumitig sa nakabukas na tv. Ilang buwan na rin nang umalis sila. I was crying heavily in Signyʼs shoulder when their plane finally departed. Tsaka ko lang nailabas nang tuloy-tuloy ang mga luha ko nang hindi na sila nakikita.

I was so lonely without him. Sobrang nahihirapan talaga ako at hindi rin kami ganoon kadalas magkausap. But Iʼm adjusting now. Kasalakuyan na rin akong nagrereview para sa board exam sa November.

Muli kong tiningnan ang screen ng cellphone. Kahapon pa ako naghihintay sa tawag niya. Iʼm not flooding him with chats but Iʼm updating him once my day started and when my day already ended.

Hindi pa nakakatulong ang mga rumors na nababasa ko sa internet. Ang dalas nilang magkasama ni Dalla. May mga lumalabas pa na pictures na nasa restaurant silang dalawa. Pilit ko iyong inalis sa isip ko at binitawan na lang ang cellphone. Siguro ay ang busy niya nga nitong mga nakaraang araw. I should just wait. Heʼll surely call me once his schedule cleared.

“But Zemira, did you already ask Tase about the leaked photos of him with Dalla?” I shook my head.

“I donʼt want to ask about it.” mataman naman akong tiningnan ni Signy at tinaasan ng kilay.

“And why is that? Baka mamaya kung ano nang pamimikot ang ginagawa ng Dalla na 'yon sa boyfriend mo! Sheʼs acting like his girlfriend! Lalo na sa instagram!” I sighed heavily.

“Iyon ay kung magpapapikot siya.” umiling-iling naman si Signy at tinabihan ako.

“You should still ask about it, for your peace of mind. Alam ko namang kung ano-ano na ring tumatakbo riyan sa isip mo.” hindi na ako sumagot at tumitig na lang ulit sa tv.

We just watched movies until 12 midnight. Nang magutom ay nag-aya siya sa kusina. Habang naghahalungkat si Signy sa ref ay naupo lang ako sa high stool at nagpahalumbaba. Maya-maya pa ay biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko na nakapatong sa counter top. Sabay kaming napatingin doʼn ni Signy.

Nanlaki ang mata ko at agad na sinagot iyon. Tase is calling!

“Tase!”

“Did I disturb you? Itʼs already midnight there...”

“No, no. Nandito si Signy, we were watching some movies. We just took a break.”

“Hmm... Iʼm sorry I wasnʼt able to call you yesterday. We were invited on a music show.” napatango-tango naman ako na parang nakikita niya ako.

“Thatʼs fine. I understand.” saglit na natahimik ang kabilang linya at paghinga niya lang ang naririnig ko.

“I miss you...” I smiled with what he said.

“I miss you more, Tase...” I bit my lips and looked at Signy. Tumaas ang kilay niya. Tila sinasabing itanong ko na kay Tase yung mga kumakalat na pictures.

“You should sleep now. Donʼt you have a class tomorrow?”

“I have. Iʼll sleep around 1 am. What are you doing now?”

“Iʼm inside of my hotel room— Tase! Letʼs visit the art gallery that they were talking about!” agad kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa boses na iyon.