Chasing Rainbows

THE RAIN

"What does the rain make you remember?"

The raindrops are heavily pouring. I can hear them fall. Dinig ko ang pagpatak ng mga ito sa aming bubong. Nakatanaw ako sa bintana at pinagmamasdan ang madilim na paligid. Ang malamig na simoy ng hangin na dumadampi sa aking mukha ay tila bumubulong sa akin habang pinapaalala ang pangalan ng isang taong matagal ko nang kinalimutan.

I got up from bed and opened my cabinet. I took the small red box and opened it. I sat on my bed and looked at what I'm holding. It's a red bracelet with a name on it. Three long years have already passed but I'm still hurt when it rains because I remember that one rainy afternoon... and I remember him.

Tumila na ang ulan at unti- unti ko nang nasisilayan ang pagsikat ng araw. Mag aalas- sais na rin pala nang umaga. Tumingin ako sa kalendaryo at nakita kong nabilugan ang araw na ito.

All of a sudden, I came to realize that today is the Mapúa University Entrance Exam. This is a big day for me for this decides my fate of entry in Mapúa University- my dream school.

Knowing how prestigious Mapúa University is, I won't waste the chance na binigay nila sa akin. Because I graduated with High Honors in Senior High School, I was given the rare opportunity to get in to this university as long as I pass their entrance exam. I spent the vacation preparing for it because this is something I really want.

*beep*

1 message received:

"You ready? Be there in 10 minutes."

It's from Phil, my boyfriend. Phil is the son of Tito Uly. my mother's partner. Phil's family is rich. Tito Uly is a businessman. His family is indeed close to mine. My mother and Tito Uly are childhood friends who turned out to be love birds. Cringy, isn't it? Tito Uly's wife died few years ago due to a car accident. They have a son. His name is Philip Marquez.

Philip or Phil helped me mend my broken heart. We started as friends. Akala ko noon di na ako makakapag- move on from Nat pero he was there and he had my back. He gave me his shoulders where I could cry on. Gradually but eventually, I saw myself back on my feet again. I considered him my friend whom I shared stories and laughters with whenever we watched movies together.

Until this one day...

After our Moving Up Ceremony in Junior High School, he invited me to accompany him to buy something. Unknowingly, he brought me to a top of a hill. It was already 7 in the evening and the lights of our place were indeed sparkling before my eyes from up above.

"Ang ganda."

Ito ang narinig ko mula sa kanyang mga bibig.

"Oo nga. Ang ganda talaga," I seconded.

"I wouldn't want to take my eyes off of you. You are the lights that blinded me. And even if you've blinded me, I can say that it is beautiful. You are beautiful."

I paused for a while. I looked at Phil and my eyes caught his eyes glowing while staring at me. All that followed was awkward silence.

"Jacob..."

"Umm? Bakit?" I asked him.

"I love you. Pwede ba kitang ligawan?"

He was straightforward. It was during this moment when I felt like the stars aligned. Baka ito na ang opportunity ko to move on and finally forget.

"I think.. so," mahina kong sagot sabay ngiti sa kanya. I saw his eyes glowed. Ngumiti rin siya sa akin at hinawakan niya ang kamay ko. While holding each other's hands, on top of a hill overlooking the lights below, I felt my heart beat for someone again.

Before we graduated in Senior High School, I gave Phil the "yes" that he deserves. I eventually fell in love with his sweet gestures. He is caring. He has a sweet voice that is music to my ears.

And that's the beginning of our lovestory.

"Uy. Okay ka lang? Kanina ka pa tulala," sambit ni Phil habang kami ay nakaupo sa dining area.

What a day it is to reminisce my memories with the two men in my life! One in my past and one in my present. Mahal ko si Phil, I am sure of this. Hindi ko lang alam kung bakit patuloy akong binabangungot ng aking kahapon.

"I'm okay. Just anxious about the exam," I briefly answered.

Bago kami umalis ng bahay ay niyakap ko si mama.

"You can do it, anak," these words of encouragement from my mother pushed me further to do my best in taking the exam.

We headed to the city to take the test. Today's a very long day and it seems like my head is breaking. I know in myself that I did my best. And all I can do now is to pray, hope, and wait for the results.

Saan na ba si Phil?

Nasa Faculty of Architecture ang kanyang room. May kalayuan mula sa room kung saan ako nag- exam. Hindi pa siya nagte- text kaya I assume that he isn't finished yet.

Nagdesisyon akong puntahan na lamang siya sa Faculty of Architecture Building para makapaglibot- libot na rin. This campus is indeed wide. Maraming mga estudyante ang nagkalat sa kung saan- saan. May mga ilang nakaupo sa bench sa ilalim ng mga puno. May mga nakaupo sa damuhan sa gitna ng oval habang pinapanood ang mga athletes na nag- tre training. May mga katulad ko ring examinees na nag-iikot ikot.

Malapit na rin ako sa Building ng Faculty of Architecture. Kinuha ko ang phone ko mula sa aking bulsa upang i- text si Phil na nandito ako sa building ng Architecture. Habang nag- ta type ako ay...

Blagggg!

"Ahh ehh... I'm sorry." Ito ang mabilis kong sabi sa babae na nakatayo sa harap ko, katulad ko at tila gulat din sa nangyari.

Dahil sa pagte- text ko ay hindi ko siya nakita at naiwasan. Nabangga ko siya. Hays. This is so embarassing.

"No, it's okay. Di rin kasi ako nakaiwas. Pasensiya ka na, nagmamadali kasi ako. Sige," banggit niya sabay karipas ng takbo papalayo na parang may hinahabol.

Lumingon ako at sinundan ko nang tingin ang babaeng ito. Halata naman sa itsura ng buhok niyang magulo na nagmamadali nga siya. Bagamat hindi maayos ang buhok niya ay hindi ko maikakailang maganda siya. Mapupungay ang mga mata, maputi at makinis ang kutis at matangos ang ilong.

After the unpleasant encounter, I headed towards a cafeteria to wait for Phil.

"I'm here at the cafeteria in front of your faculty. I'll be waiting you here," I texted him.

Umorder ako ng Taro Milk Tea pampalamig ng ulo. Habang nakaupo ako sa loob ng Beautiful Life Café, pinagmamasdan ko ang building na nasa harap, Faculty of Architecture.

Naalala ko tuloy si Nat.

Bata pa lamang kami ay lagi na niyang sinasabi sa akin na gusto niyang maging Architect balang araw. Balak pa nga niyang lagyan ng hagdan yung bundok na tambayan namin noon para raw hindi na kami mahirapang umakyat.

Habang naaalala ko si Nat ay nakita ko si Phil na palabas na sa isang room mula sa sa building na nasa harap ko. Dumiretso siya sa cafeteria kung saan ko siya hinihintay.

"Love, kumusta?"

Ito ang bungad niya sa akin.

"Well, I did my best. Mahirap nga lang talaga yung sa Mathematics part, love," I responded.

"We will pass. Let's claim it, love."

With high hopes, naglakad na kami papunta sa car ni Phil. Makulimlim na nang sumakay kami ni Phil. At di pa man kami nakakalayo ay bumuhos na nga ang ulan.

Habang nasa daan pauwi, nakatingin ako sa bintana at pinagmamasdan ang hindi mapigil na buhos ng ulan. Kasabay ng pagbuhos ng ulan ang muli na namang pagbuhos ng aking emosyon.

I remember him. Even if I already have my love, I still remember him.

Normal ba ito? Bakit kahit iba ang katabi ko ay siya pa rin ang naaalala ko?

"Why does the rain make me remember you?"