Cease Of Mirage [COMPLETED]

Chapter 31: Truth

TRIST

"Tell me about 13 years ago," kunut-noong sabi ko.

Natigilan siya at naglapat ang mga labi niya. Nakita ko ang pagtaas baba ng Adam's apple niya saka umiwas ng tingin. Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mata. His cheeks flush in redness at hindi ko alam kung dahil ba 'yon sa mga alak na ininom niya.

"What about 13 years ago?" inosente niyang sabi at muling tumingin sa 'kin.

"You know me since 13 years ago, don't you?" tanong ko.

Lumunok siya nang isang beses at muling umiwas ng tingin. "Nah. I don't know what you're talking about, Bits," deny niya pa.

"Tss," singhal ko. Umalis ako sa pagkakakandong sa kaniya at umupo ako sa tabi niya nang naka-indian sit at nakaharap sa kaniya. "Don't lie to me, Fauze," may tono ng pagbabanta kong sabi.

Umayos siya ng upo. "Who said to you about that anyway?"

"Si Grey," agad kong sagot.

Napapikit siya hindi ko alam kung dahil ba 'yon sa inis at narinig ko ang mahinang pagmura niya. "And you believed in him?" natatawang sabi niya. Tumigil lang siya sa pagtawa nang makita niya'ng hindi nagbago ang ekspresyon ng mukha ko. Napahilamos siya ng mukha. "Fine," buntong-hininga niya. "I've known your existence since I was 5 years old," panimula niya nang sa baba nakatingin.

"How come?" tanong ko. Inangat niya 'yong ulo niya at tumingin sa 'kin.

"Naalala mo no'ng first date natin na dinala kita sa comfort place ko?"

"Yeah," sagot ko.

'Yong lugar na dinala niya 'ko sa mataas na burol at nakikita ang ganda ng mga kabahayaan sa baba.

"That was the place when I first met you. I was crying and you were there... comforting me," tumawa siya ng mahina. Nanatili lang na nakakunot ang noo ko dahil hindi ko maalala ang sinasabi niya. "We were having a good time until your parents called you. We parted ways and bidding farewells without knowing our names. I came back to that place asking for your name, but you weren't not there anymore. I did everything I could just to know your name and I always came back to that place hoping that you were there, but you were not," bumuntong-hininga siya at sumandal sa sandalan ng sofa saka tumingin sa taas.

Nakatingin lang ako sa kaniya. Hindi ko pa rin talaga maalala ang kinukwento niya. Hindi ko alam na gano'n pala siya ka-adik na makuha ang pangalan ko. Napatigil lang ako sa pag-iisip nang magsalita siya uli.

"So, I asked Riz to help me, but that was just a week until we moved to New York and we stayed there for nine years. In those years I never forget about you. I did not stop finding information about you until Cd sent me a phot of his, Xy and... you," mahina niyang sabi sa huli. "I know it was you, Bits. It sounds corny, but my heart said it. From that moment on, I always talk to Cd and he found out that I have feelings for you, so he sent me your stolen shots and inform me about your schools even the events you've joined... anything in particular."

Napanganga ako sa sinabi niya. "W-What?" sabi ko nang hindi makapaniwala sabay singhal.

"Uh-huh," sabi niya na parang wala lang. "Alam ko na sumali ka sa cheer leading squad tapos pangarap mong maging madre at adik ka sa anime specially Naruto," pagdidiin niya sa huli sabay irap.

"G*go! Ang creepy mo, Fauze!" ngiwi ko at medyo lumayo ako sa kaniya. Tumawa lang siya. "Tumigil ka na. Ituloy mo na 'yong kwento," utos ko. Tumikhim siya.

"Hmmm... Where was I? Uh, yeah. I know almost everything about you," ngisi niya. Inirapan ko lang siya. "When we returned to the Philippines, I was so happy because finally I'll see you, but that was just short when I saw you talking with Riz. It was your birthday that time."