The Story of Us

02: Confusion

02: Confusion (edited)

Seth and I got together back in 2011. We were so young since we're still freshmen back then, and yet we still managed to establish a relationship between us. We've been the best of friends and the sweetest of lovers. Never did we ever miss a Valentine's Day or a monthsary celebration.

At nung inaakala kong 'siya' na, he asked for a breakup. He asked me to banish every memory, good or bad, we had for three years.

"I'm breaking up with you, Allison," he said, his face wasn't showing any hint of emotion.

Sobra akong nabigla kung paano niya nasabi yun sa 'kin na parang wala siyang pakialam sa mararamdaman ko; na parang ang mga salitang binitiwan niya ang pinakamadaling mga salita na bigkasin sa mundo.

Was I hurt? Hell, I felt so much more than hurt.

Matapos niyang sabihin ang mga katagang 'yon ay naglakad lang siya palayo sa 'kin. Ni hindi niya man lang hinintay kung ano ang gusto kong sabihin sa kanya. Doon ko naramdaman kung paano ang maiwan sa ere; kung ano ang pakiramdam ng maiwan—parang nakatayo ka lang sa kawalan ng hindi mo alam kung ano ang gusto mong sabihin at hindi mo nalalaman kung ano na nga bang nangyari sa paligid mo.

I was like stupidity, standing out of nowhere, waiting to be corrected; waiting to be fixed.

Nakakatuwa rin lang na noong araw na iniwan niya ako ay siyang araw din na iiwan ako ng aking mga magulang. Iyon din ang araw na naghiwalay sila. At doon ring araw na 'yon nagwakas ang pag-aaral ko.

I felt so hopeless that time. My dreams were shattered in a matter of minutes. My life blackened out just like that.

The good thing is, I'm well-taken cared of my Tita Faith and Kuya Enzo. They were the people who stood by me in my darkest times. Sila yung mga taong gusto kong pasalamatan sa Diyos. I would forever be thankful for their kindest hearts.

"Hija, matulog ng maaga palagi. Lagi ka yatang puyat, kaya siguro ganyan ang mga mata mo," says Lola Ising beside me. I immediately snapped back to reality.

Nginitian ko lang si Lola at nagpaalam na rin. "Mauuna na po kami ni Kuya Enzo, Lola. Tutugtog pa po ako mamaya para sa gig."

Kakatapos lang ng family jamming. It's been a tradition to the Perez family to gather every Saturday just because of music. That was also the reason why kung bakit our family ties are very close. We see each other weekly.

Music is the main thing which binds us together. Most of us are musically-inclined, not to boast. If not singing, then playing instruments is a Perez good at.

"Aba'y kabilis naman ng ipinanatili ninyo rito! Mag-iingat kayo sa daan ha. At Enzo, pakialagaan itong si Teresa," Lola reminded as we were walking out of the house. Natawa na lang si Kuya Enzo dahil sa itinawag sa akin na palayaw ni Lola.

Tiningnan ko lang siya ng masama habang sumakay na ako sa kotse niya. Before Kuya Enzo revved the engine, I bid goodbye to them once more. "Sige po, alis na kami!"

My eyes, then, trailed to Kuya Wayne and said, "Bye, Kuya! Pakisabi na lang kay baby Lois, umalis na kami!" He just nodded in reply and saluted Kuya Enzo in the driver's seat.

"Where's your gig?" queried my cousin when he started to drive.

"Clique Park," I retorted.

I noticed him, glancing at me as I was putting my earphones on.

"What?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Ha?"

"Bakit ka tingin ng tingin?"