Invisible Strings

4

CHAPTER 4: Playing with Fire

"What?" Takang tanong niya. Hindi na ako sumagot. I made myself busy with my surroundings. Nakita ko na nagdidikit ng papel ang ibang nandito para sa festival.

I pouted realizing I don't have a paper and even if I happen to have a paper.. I don't have a pen.

"You can just whisper your prayers to your lantern, Qofte." He smiled dryly me tsaka pumikit na parang dinadama ang hangin. Bakit ba pinapansin niya pati malilit na bagay na ginagawa ko? He even knows what I'm thinking at times.

Naiinis man ay ginawa ko ang sinabi niya. Binulong ko sa puting parol ang message ko para kay Sab.

Sab, I'm sorry for being alive. I'm sorry that it had to be me. Isabella, I'm sorry for robbing your supposed life. Mahal na mahal kita. Sana naramdaman mo 'yon noong buhay kapa. Sana hindi ka galit sa akin. Sana mapatawad mo sina Mama at Papa. Sorry kung hindi sila naging mabait sayo. Sorry kasi mabait sila sa akin. Mahal na mahal kita Sab. Please always know that. Please.. let me rest.

And lastly, I closed my eyes as I prayed so hard for Bellalina.

Bellalina, I'm sorry you had to die.

"Hey Qofte, you're weeping." Puna niya. Hindi na ako nageffort na mag-angat ng mukha sakaniya. He held me in his arms and put me right into his chest.

One after another, a lady came to us asking for our lanterns para maisama sa ipapalaot. I was still in his embrace and I felt comforted kahit na walang nagsasalita sa amin. His beating heart comforted me.. it's like telling me that it's okay to be alive.

Lalo pang dumami ang mga tao nang papalapit na ang oras ng lantern floating. Nagpigil ako nang hininga nang makita ang kagandahan ng mga pinakawalang parol sa dagat. The sky was darker now that the sun has set.

The lanterns beautifully floated into the ocean as they increased in numbers. It was an amazing sight. The beach was now quieter than ever. Mararamdaman mo talaga na nagdadasal ang mga tao while, all along, I was still in his embrace.

His heartbeat became the best accompaniment of the ocean lighted by the prayers for the dead and the living, together with the peaking sunlight and the cold sea breeze.

Naramdaman ko ang pagdampi ng mga labi niya sa ulo ko. Why? Why do you have to kiss my head and confuse the hell out of me? Why do you have to make me want to give you myself?

What we had was something we should both forget, but why are we together again? Why are we in a situation where I had to listen to his heartbeat with this soothing view?

"Qofte, I have a question." Malumanay na sambit niya.

"Fire away." I stared at the free lanterns light the dark sea.

"Bellalina.. who is she?" My heart pounded at his question.

"W-what are you talking about Stephen?"

"I've been thinking, so I'm asking you. Why did you lie to me, Ziyah Isabelle Illagan?"

My eyes widened with what I heard. Agad ko siyang tinulak palayo sa akin tsaka ako madaling tumayo. Lakad-takbo ang ginawa ko para makaalis ng Ala Moana.

May iilang locals pa akong nakabungguan. Someone even called me out for being clumsy but those didn't register with me.

I ignited the car and drove myself back to my hotel. Gusto kong magkulong at wag magpakita sa kahit sino man. Pagkakamali ko lang ay naggrocery pa ako ng wines at alak.. dahil pagdating ko mismo  sa pinto ng hotel room ko ay nandoon na siya.