Wonderwall
Kosmos and Bleux
❝ Lola, mom and dad would be here tomorrow. Nauna lang po ako.❞
It was five days before the Christmas of 2015 when I felt that the world stopped and the only one who was moving was him. When he entered the huge archaic doorway of the living room where Beige and I were playing.
❝ Namiss kita apo, t’wing pasko ni‘yo lamang kasi ako binibisita. Tell your parents to come here frequently.❞
It was purely hackneyed but this little fist-like organ inside my rib cage pounded vigorously as he swayed his gaze towards my direction while beaming. His eyes were also smiling, flawlessly.
❝ Still remember your cousin? That is Beige and her bestfriend, Bleux. ❞
Nakangiting sambit ni Lola Feli.
❝ Hi Kuya Kosmos! ❞
Tuwang tuwang bati ni Beige habang yapos sa braso ang isang manikang nilalagyan niya ng damit.
Kosmos. What a beautiful name, isn’t it?
❝ H-hi.❞
Namumulang turan ko bago umiwas ng tingin at tumalikod ng upo. Narinig ko ang mahinang pagtawa nito na siyang nagpa-urong sa dila ko.
❝ Mahiyain talaga ang batang ‘yan ngunit napaka bait. Siya nga pala alam mo na kung nasa’n ang kwarto mo. Maghahanda lamang ako ng tanghalian. ❞
Narinig ko ang paglayo ng tunog ng sapatos ni lola at ang pagtama ng sapatos ni Kosmos paakyat sa mataas na hagdanan.
I fixed my eyes towards his back. Secretly memorizing every perfect details of his entity. His hair reminded me of Leonardo Dicaprio’s prominent curtained haircut. It suits him.
❝ How old is he, Beige? ❞
Nakita ko ang pagngiti ni Beige nang makita ang reaksyon ko.
❝ Well, Kuya Kosmos is sixteen. ❞
I was fourteen when my heart started to be wedged with admiration for someone I just met.
---
23rd of December 2017.
Our first and simple conversation started. How he approached me with flashing smile was still vivid.
❝ Hi, have you seen lola Feli? ❞
Mariin akong napalunok nang maramdaman ang pag-upo ni Kosmos sa tabi ko.
His skin is flawlessly white, he has these deep russet-colored eyes; a metaphorically fusion of chaos and tranquility. His curtained haircut is still the same, one of the most beautiful thing about him that I will never forget.
❝ Lumabas sila ni Beige para bumili ng bananacue. ❞
Mahinang sagot ko.
❝ Am I disturbing you? ❞
Gulat ko siyang nilingon at sunod sunod na umiling.
❝ I-I don’t usually like talking to new people but I can talk to you, I can try. ❞
Ramdam ko ang malakas na pagkabog ng puso ko nang mahina itong tumawa na animo‘y naaaliw.
❝ You still consider me as stranger? ❞
Sandali akong natigilan dahil sa itinanong nito. Siguro ay naramdaman niya na wala akong maisasagot kaya naman inilihis niya na lamang ang usapan.
❝ Hmm...Do you have a brother? ❞
Nakangiti pa ring tanong nito.
❝ I have one. ❞
❝ Now you have two. You can call me kuya Kosmos. ❞
Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi ko kasabay ng pag-iling.
❝ You are not my brother. ❞
Nakangusong turan ko.
