Embrace Your Assets | ✓

Wakas (part one)

Gano'n mismo ang naramdaman ko no'ng panahon na 'yon. Dumating sa punto na parati na akong nakasuot ng mahahabang tela para di nila ilapit ang kanilang kutis sa kutis ko.

I don't get it. And I won't ever get the point of pointing the flaws of others to make yourself look superior. Ni hindi naman sila nasasaktan ng kulay ng balat ko. If they prefer fair skin, did that mean they have the right to make me feel inferior because I'm not part of their preference?

"Lulunok na ba ako ng glutathione?" busangot ko habang tinitingnan ang moreno kong balat.

"Gio, pakiramdam ko wala kang magiging asawa. Wala kasing pipili sa 'yo, di ka kasi nila makikita." Halakhak ni Jericho. Sana malunok n'ya sarili n'yang dila. Lalo lamang akong nawalan ng gana. Gusto ko na agad umuwi.

Dinibdib ko lahat ng sinabi nila. I couldn't talk back. I didn't want to prolong the conversation either. Ang hirap pala kapag may nabuo na silang katauhan mo sa isip nila, it is as if you should always follow the character that they've established — if you break out from that character, they'll reprehend you and tell everyone that you're finally showing your true colors.

What if you aren't even the person that they built in their minds? What if your 'true colors' is just part of your growth as a person?

I really wanted to tell them to stop but I can't. Magi-iba ang tingin nila sa akin. The unproblematic Gio that they have established will be put in ruins.

"Hi! Kung papapiliin ka ng mapapangasawa, bakit hindi siya?" Jericho yanked a girl who came from the church. Ako ang agad na nahiya dahil sa ginawa n'ya. Hindi naman namin kilala 'yong babae. Nakakahiya na bigla n'ya itong hinila.

"Huh? E? Papakasalan ko siya!" the girl blurted out and immediately blushed. Nalaglag ang panga ni Jericho sa sinagot no'ng babae. Miski ako, hindi rin makapaniwala sa sinagot no'ng babae.

"Bakit? Hindi ka ba napapangitan sa kan'ya?" Jericho scowled and rose an eyebrow.

"G-gwapo naman siya. At saka, bakit ka naman magpapakasal dahil lang sa itsura? Papakasalan ko siya kasi mukha siyang mabait!" the girl uttered, almost bashful. Inayos n'ya ang damit n'ya bago tuluyang umalis. Sinundan ko lang siya ng tingin. Jericho didn't have any words left to say. Dinaan na lamang n'ya sa tawa ang pagpapahiya sa kan'ya.

I think people would never know how kindness can change someone's world. How a few praises, words of assurance and the feeling of comfort brings peace to someone's chaotic cosmos. They would never know unless they experience the soothing feeling of being comforted by kindness.

Magmula no'n ay hindi na siya nawala sa isip ko. The girl is also morena, has chinky eyes and she's small. Hindi ko alam kung nasa five feet na ba ang height n'ya dahil ang liit n'ya talaga.

She's cute.

"Gio, nasaan ka ba?" Jericho once again teased me but I just shrugged my shoulder. Busy ako sa crush ko. Wala na akong oras para sa mga sinasabi ni Jericho.

I wanted to quit my duties in the church before. Subalit dahil sa kan'ya ay naenganyo akong ipagpatuloy ito. Maybe He did this and He let me meet this wonderful girl for me to continue serving the church. Naiinggit ako no'n kay Gabrijel dahil pakiramdam ko ay hindi bagay sa akin ang pagiging sakristan. I wasn't as devoted as him. I am always lacking when it comes to faith but I do love God. I do know that His love is unconditional and even if we were flawed, God will always believe in our capabilities.

Agad din naman nawala 'yong babae. Hindi 'yata ito ang simbahan nila matapos ang ilang misa at binyag ay hindi ko na siya muling nakita. I never got her name. Ngunit kabisado ko ang mukha n'ya. At alam kong nakaukit na ito sa isip ko.