ViceRylle || Songs of the Heart

Chapter 11 || Mind Over Matters Of The Heart

It had been a long day. But eventhough how tear-filled its start is, atleast it ened with a big smile. 

He threw his car keys in the key dish on the table by the door. He went to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of vodka before running up the stairs to his room. He opened the bottle, undid a few buttons of his top and stood by the window. He took a few gulps and sighed. 

"May girlfriend na 'ko." he said to himself and closed his eyes. "'Tay, may girlfriend na po ako. Kami na po ni Karylle, 'Tay. Sa wakas kami na ng Kurba ko." 

Naramdaman n'yang nag-vibrate ang cell-phone n'ya. Napangiti s'ya ng makita kung sino ang nag-message sa kanya. 

I'm tired but I can't sleep. I guess I've been blown away by that "kiss-on-the-doorstep" thing we did. Kailangan ko na talagang masanay sa mga bagay na ganun. Nakakawindang kasi. Ikaw, di ka ba nawindang? Hahaha! Thank you for today, Love. I love you so much. Message me when you get home. 

"Hay, Karylle." He chuckled. Iiling-iling na nag-key in ng reply. 

Just arrived, Love. You better get some rest. You've been through a lot today. You'll need your energy. With regards to the kiss, well, "nakakawindang" is an understatement. Kailangan ko rin yatang masanay sa ganun. Hahaha! I should be the one thanking you, Love. Now, sleep. I love you so much. 

Message sent. 

He sat on the bed, his back resting on the headboard. He reached for the drawer of his bedside table and took out three silver heart-shaped cards. He reread the notes written on it. 

He sighed. "Ito ang mga patunay na napaka-swerte mo, Jose Marie. Ingatan mo 'tong taong nagmamahal sa'yo." 

3 months earlier... His side of the story. 

There he is --- at the end of the line behind all the other hosts waiting at the lounge for the show to start. Panaka-naka'y sinisipat ang wristwatch at patingin-tingin sa entrance ng lounge. 

"Asan na kaya s'ya? Ang tagal naman ni Kurba?" sa isip n'ya. "Syet! Jose Marie, pang-ilang beses na yan ha?" sabi naman ng isa pang bahagi ng isip n'ya. "Si Karylle na naman ang laman ng utak mo. Yung totoo? Natotomboy ka na 'no?" 

He shook his head. Hindi n'ya alam kung kailan talaga nagsimula itong nararamdaman n'ya. Pwede'ng sa tuksuhan, sa inuman, sa harutan, o doon sa famous "scotchtape kiss" na sinasabi ng karamihan. Maraming pwede'ng pagsimulan ang kanyang nararamdaman pero ang alam n'ya, nagising na lang s'ya isang umaga na may isang tao s'yang gustong makita. Na itong taong 'to ang nais n'yang masilayan bago matulog at sa pag gising sa umaga; na ngiti pa lang kumpleto na ang araw n'ya. Gusto n'ya ang halimuyak ng buhok nito na parang hinihele s'ya. Gusto n'ya ang boses nito habang binibigkas ang pangalan n'ya.