The Wings Called Prequel (COMPLETED)

Chapter 34

I'm here again at the bar with Ian. I want someone to talk to right now, I was actually planning to apologize, but I don't think this is the right timing, I'll let them calm first, because I know they're still mad at me, mahirap mag-explain sa taong galit—sarado ang utak.

"Man, hindi solusyon ang pagpapakalasing," Ian says as he arrives. "Ano bang nangyari kanina?"

I take a deep breath. "My fault tho," I said. "Walong araw akong wala sa klase. I know this is insane but... I-I want to be with Proverbs, just right after two days."

"I don't understand," Ian commented. "Bakit? Anong meron after two days? That's kinda weird to hear."

"Right after two days... wala nang Proverbs..." mahinang saad ko saka tumungga. I couldn't believe myself being able to say those supposedly secret words, but what else can I do? I can't hide this any longer either.

Ian frowned. "Wait, what? May sakit ba si Proverbs?"

I slowly shook my head habang naglalagay ng inumin sa baso ko. "Sort of, she just can't live a normal life like us."

"More-like, may taning ang buhay niya?"

"Exactly," I faked a laugh.

"So... ano nang plano mo?"

I shrugged. "That's why I called you. Aside sa wala ka kanina, ikaw 'yung may girlfriend dito."

He chuckled. "Alam mo, hindi naman ako magaling sa mga advice advice na 'yan e, lalo na 'yang sa'yo, iniisip ko pa lang na may taning 'yung buhay ni Eleale, hindi ko rin alam kung anong gagawin ko. Siguro, magdadasal na lang ako na sana may himalang mangyayari. Wala naman tayong magagawa kung gusto na silang kunin ng langit. Siguro kailangan na lang din nating tanggapin na they're just here para ipakita sa'tin 'yung mundo, kasi 'yun 'yung isang pinakamagandang epekto ng love, 'yung realizations—'yung lessons. Mawawala man sila sa kamay natin pero 'yung lessons, habang buhay mo 'yang dadalhin," he says and shruggs. "Well, it's just you decide anyway. Baka ibabaon mo rin sa hukay."

I frowned. "No way. Why would I do that?"

He laughs. "That was Timothy before having Proverbs. Halata namang marami kang natutunan. Kailan ba nagsimula? 'Yung tinulungan mo 'yung matanda?"

Napaisip naman ako sa sinabi ni Ian. That mysterious old man... mukha naman siyang mahina na nung tinulungan ko siya mula sa tsuper, but when I saw him again at the Candle Station, he looks so stronger than I ever thought, he's more than Proverbs.

"Hindi ko pa siya nakikita do'n ah. Siguro nagulat na lang ako nung nag-uusap kami ni Eleale sa labas ng bar tapos bigla niyang tinawag pangalan ko at hinahanap ka raw niya," Ian added. "Where did you get that girl, Man? Parang hindi ko akalain na papatol ka sa mga unsophisticated."

Ngumiti na lang ako sa kawalan. Kahit ako hindi rin makapaniwalang nangyayari 'to. Parang noon lang siya pa 'yung kinaaayawan ko, but look at me now...

***

A sunbeams woke me up. I look around, finding out that this isn't my room. Agad akong napatingin sa relo ko, it's still seven in the morning.

"Oh, you're awake," napalingon ako sa kung saan nanggaling ang boses na 'yun. "Coffee or tea?" Eleale asked.

"Coffee," I replied. "Where am I?"