Sad But Never Tragic

CHAPTER 02: TEARDROPS ON HIS SHIRT

CHAPTER 02: TEARDROPS ON HIS SHIRT

He was supposed to be in bed urging himself to do his homework but he was there, searching for someone he doesn't even know.

"For your information there was someone here waiting for you to get home. Anong oras na, may balak ka pa bang umuwi, Boni?! Did you cut class and forget the time?"

Natawa ang binata at bahagyang inilayo sa tainga ang cellphone dahil masyadong malakas ang boses ng nasa kabilang linya.

He sighed, looking at the sun setting.

"May inasikaso lang, pauwi na rin ako," sagot ni Boni na sinagot lang ng nasa kabilang linya ng buntonghininga bago patayin ang tawag.

Napabuntonghininga si Boni at binalik sa bulsa ang cellphone.

"Bahala na ang panginoon sa 'yo, brother Jacinto, ha? Baka kasi kapag hindi pa ako umuwi ngayon ay sunduin pa ako ng demonyo," wika niya pa habang binabagtas ang daan patungo sa riles ng tren kung saan may malapit na shortcut tungo sa kabilang barangay.

Hindi masyadong matao sa may riles, bawal dumaan kasi para lang ang riles sa tren pero si Boni ay isang batang pasaway.

Ngunit hindi lang pala si Boni ang batang pasaway dahil sa hindi kalayuan, ilang metro mula sa kinatatayuan niya ay isang lalaki ang nasa gitna ng riles; isang lalaking naka-wheelchair ang nasa gitna ng riles.

Boni's eyes widened, but the moment he saw the train approaching, his eyes must've jumped off it's sockets.

Parang may sariling buhay ang kanyang mga paa at kumaripas nang takbo patungo sa lalaki. Ilang beses siyang muntikang sumubsob ngunit masyadong malakas ang pagnanais niyang iligtas ang isa pang batang pasaway.

"Jacinto!"

Jacinto couldn't looked around but he heard Boni. An unfamiliar voice made him realised that he's afraid of death.

He tried to move by pushing the wheels but it's stucked.

"s**t, Jacinto!"

Jacinto couldn't help but cry as he waited for the train to demolish his body, but he felt nothing.

Instead he felt something soft and warm that he couldn't even feel the impact from falling on the ground.

Nilingon niya ang riles, lumagpas na ang tren at naiwan ang kanyang wheelchair na malamang ay sa junk shop ang magiging destinasyon.

It hit him.

"Malakas talaga ang guardian angel ko, 'di ba?"

Unti-unting pumilig ang ulo ni Jacinto patungo sa pinanggalingan ng tinig at napagtantong siya ay nakapatong sa isang lalaking hindi niya kilala.

It was Boni.

Boni smiled at him but Jacinto couldn't stretch his lips to smile, it crumbled as his tears began to flow like a waterfall.

Napabuntonghininga si Boni at hinagod na lamang ang likod ni Jacinto. They were in that position until Boni carefully pushed Jacinto to sit on his lap, "Ngalay na ko, Jacinto," natatawang sambit niya at unti-unting bumangon.

Maingat niyang binuhat si Jacinto upang pareho silang makaupo nang maayos.

"Anong weight mo?" he asked.

Napakamot sa ulo si Boni at pinagmasdan ang lalaki sa kanyang tabi na halos hindi na makahinga dahil walang patid ang kanyang pag-iyak.

Boni heaved a sigh and turned his back on Jacinto that made the latter finally raised his head and frowned at his back.

"Wala akong panyo o tissue kaya gamitin mo na lang ang likod ko at umiyak. Pwede ka ring suminga, baka hindi ka na makahinga e," sambit niya dahilan upang bahagyang mapangiti si Jacinto.

He cried silently while Boni tried to restrain himself from moving or making unnecessary noises no matter how ticklish Jacinto's touches could be.

Nanatili sila sa ganoong posisyon hanggang sa tumunog ang cellphone ni Boni na agad niyang kinuha.

Boni sighed as he read a message from his sister.

Hinarap niya si Jacinto, "Alam mo ba ang address ng bahay niyo? Contact details ng relatives mo?"

Umiling lamang si Jacinto.

"Buti pala alam ko address niyo at contact details ng kapatid mo 'no? So, tara?"

Tumayo si Boni at inabot ang kanyang kamay kay Jacinto. Tinitigan lamang iyon ng huli bago umiling.

"I can't walk," Jacinto uttered, staring at his feet.

Boni laughed, "Alam ko, kaya nga, tara at bubuhatin kita."