19 – SUNSET
673 Words
"Meet me at the park.."
I stared at the message I sent to him. Unsure if he will come, hindi naman kasi siya nagreply at wala rin naman akong sinabi kung saang park kami magkikita.
Sana hindi siya dumating.. I silently prayed.
But after a few minutes..
"K-kanina ka pa ba?" hinahabol pa ang hiningang turan niya, bahagya siyang nakayuko at nakalagay ang dalawang kamay sa magkabilang tuhod. He's panting hard na akala mo'y nakipagkarera sa sampung kabayo, so I guess tinakbo niya mula sa University nila hanggang dito sa park na kinaroroonan ko. He's wearing his jersey, mukhang kahit sembreak nagpa-practice sila. "B-bakit ngayon ka lang nakipagkita? Hindi mo na ba ako iiwasan? Hindi ka na ba galit? A-alam mo pareho lang naman tayong nagulat sa nangyari, h-hindi ko rin naman alam na hahalikan niya ako!"sunod-sunod niyang tanong matapos ang ilang segundo. "She's a childhood friend and ever since, ganun na talaga siya sa'kin. Naalala ko nga during her 7th birthday, when she asked to make a wish before blowing her candles, she wished to be my wife.That's absurd, right?" he laughed awkwardly and stopped when he noticed na siya lang naman ang tumatawa. He cleared his throat at bahagyang inayos ang gym bag na dala niya. "So I guess, we're not here to talk about that incident.." he stated.
I nodded at tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo ko sa swing.
"Let's go on a date.."
Nanatili siyang walang reaksyon na tila pinoproseso pa ang sinabi ko.
"D-date?" he stuttered.
"Ge. wag na lang.." I shrugged at tatalikuran na sana siya but he held my arm.
"Wala ng bawian Rish.." he smiled like an idiot, para tuloy ang sarap niyang suntukin ng limampung beses.
"Sigurado kang dito lang tayo?" he asked me na tinugon ko lang ng tango. "Akala ko kasi sa mall tayo o dun sa park o kaya naman sa beach.."
I frowned.
"Sabi mo kasi date.." maktol na naman niya. "Yun pala dito lang tayo sa rooftop.."
"What's wrong with that? I want to watch the sunset.."
Nanahimik naman ito at ipinatong sa balikat ko ang kaninang suot na jacket.
"Parang pumayat ka.." pang-ilang beses na niyang puna, "Hindi ka ba makakain ng maayos dahil hindi mo ako nakikita?" ngingiti-ngiti pa niyang turan.
"Why? Hindi ka ba makakain ng maayos dahil iniiwasan kita?" I asked him back na ikinatahimik niya. Tss.
"Wag mo na kasi akong iiwasan ng ganun.." nakangusong pahayag nito. "Kung may problema, pag-usapan natin.."
"Wala namang problema.." sagot ko at ibinaling ang paningin sa kuhay kahel na kalangitan.
"Then why you're avoiding me?"
I ignored his question.
Kinuha ko ang dala kong back pack mula sa kanya at bago pa siya makapagprotesta, inilabas ko na ang pakay ko.
"W-what's this?" tanong niya while scanning the container. "Banana cue?" he asked after he opened it. "L-luto mo?"
I bit my lower lip as I nodded.
"Niluto mo para sa'kin?" he enthusiastically said, as he started eating it.
I sighed in relief as he smiled at me.
I know it tastes good.. thanks to some simple scientific principles that I applied to improve my food and have a little more fun in the kitchen.
The key is to pay attention, learn to interpret and understand measurements, and make sure you have the basic tools to help you succeed..
"Hala! Naubos ko.." Krisz exclaimed. "S-sorry.. ang sarap kasi." turan pa nito while caressing his tummy.
"I'am glad you like it.."
Sunod-sunod namang tumango si Krisz at hindi napapawi ang ngiti.
How I wish, that smile lasts longer..
Napalunok ako at hinarap ang papalubog na araw..
"Anong mas maganda para sa iyo, sunrise o sunset?" he asked while staring at me, I can saw him at my peripheral vision. "Mas gusto ko ang sunrise, it represents hope and new beginning.."
I nodded.
"Then be it, Krisz.." I turned my back at him. "Start a new beginning without me.."
"W-what do you mean?"
"Sunset means good bye for me.." I gasped and close my eyes. "K-Krisz, stop courting me from now on."
- Writer
