Carpe Diem

Once More

GABRIEL'S POV

Umalis ako ng Pilipinas at nagpuntang Canada gamit ang mga ipon ko. Pwede namang magleave lalo pa't I have my reasons. Two of my loved ones, died at the same week and I just lost the love of my life.

Tumuloy ako sa isang kaibigan ni Mom, kanila Ninang Lindsay. She's also my ninang pero hindi kami masyadong close kasi nagmigrate na sila and Canadian citizen na sila pero lagi naman niya akong pinadadalhan ng regalo every Christmas. She's also one call away, kaya naman heto at pinatuloy niya ako sa kanila.

"Gabbi, mas nakakatipid talaga kung dito ka tutuloy kaysa magrent ka ng condo. I'm glad you accept my offer and I am sorry for your lost," ang sabi ni Ninang.

"Thank you po," tipid kong sabi. Tatlo lang silang nakatira rito. Si Ninang Lindsay, Ninong Alfred, the Canadian and their daughter, Maris. She's two years younger than me and I am grateful that she's friendly because I am not.

I am explorong Canada and right now, we are in Banff National Park where nestled amid the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, this tiny mountain town is in Alberta. We are hiking in Banff National Park and others are floating down the Bow River.

"Ang ganda talaga dito sa Canada 'no? That's why you settled here," sabi ko kay Maris but my eyes are focused on the view.

Maris is shorter than I, but she's taller than Chloie. I think she's about 5'7, and her skin is white and her hair is straight and black. Even though she has an accent and she's totally different from a typical Filipima girl, it's visible through her features that she's a Filipina. Her eyes is expressive, and her nose is pointed like his father. Her lips are thin and pinkish.

Pero kahit na maganda siya, I can't like her, and it's because I'm taken by heart. Even though ilang months na akong single, 'yung puso ko, na kay Chloie at hindi niya ibinalik iyon sa akin.

"Yeah! Why don't you live here too? I mean, Gab, no offense but wala ka nang babalikan sa Philippines?" Now, I looked at her. She's now serious while looking at the view. "That's why you take vacation here right? Aside from that? Hindi ba pain na lang ang babalikan mo roon? Your brother and you father already died and--"

Tumingin siya sa akin at nakita niyang nakatulala na ako and that moment she realized that she crossed the line and she shuts up.

"Oh right! I crossed the line I'm sorry," pilit siyang tumawa. Though she crossed the line, napag-isip ako. She's right, ano pa nga ba ang babalikan ko roon kung hindi ang pain?

Kaya naman I decided to start a new life here. I worked here but not as a soldier anymore. I tried to be a call center agent here. Wala lang, I just tried a life without violence. For some reasons, I feel like am slowly recovering, but not complete.

Hindi na ako nakatira ngayon kanila Ninang Lindsay, I rent a condo here but it's just near them kaya naman nakakapagbonding pa rin kami ni Maris. She's the only friend of mine here. Si Ninang and Ninong sila ang tumatayo kong pamilya rito.

"Sige na Gab, come with me! It's my bestie's birthday and I'm sure you'll enjoy! I know the bar and it's really fun there. Who knows? Baka makahanap ka ng girlfriend mo there so let's g na!" Anyaya sa akin ni Maris one evening sa condo ko. Talagang hinintay niya akong umuwi galing trabaho para lang sa bagay na ito.

"I'm into bar also before, but iba na ako ngayon. Ako na 'yong tipo ng tao na mas pipiliing matulog kaysa may party kaya naman sige na Maris, I hope you enjoy the party," pagtataboy ko sa kaniya at unti-unting hinihila palabas ng condo ko while laughing. She looks frustrated kasi.

"But Gab--"

My laptop rang because Beauty called me through video call. I answered it since minsan lang din siya tumawag and namimiss ko na rin talaga ang nag-iisa ko na lang na kapatid ngayon.