Moonset (GxG)

Prologue

"Hey, are you ready?"

I shifted my gaze to Lovi—my bestfriend. She was on the driver's seat habang nasa shotgun seat naman ako. Nakangiti ito habang hinihintay ang sagot ko.

I nodded and gave her a small smile. She started to drive habang iniisip ko yung tanong nya.

Are you ready?

It's funny how those are just three simple words, but it could mean a lot to someone.

Pwedeng tinatanong nya ako kung handa na ba akong umalis, o di kaya handa na akong ibuwis ang buhay ko ngayon dahil maaaring ito na ang huling araw na makikita akong buhay kasi masyadong kaskasera tong matsing na'to. O pwede din na handa na ba akong maging bridesmaid ng bestfriend ng taong matagal ko ng hinihintay.

O di kaya handa na ba akong makita yung taong matagal ko ng hinihintay. Handa na ba akong harapin sya? Handa na ba akong masilayan ulit ang maganda nyang mukha? Paano kung hindi sya dumating? Paano kung sa huling pagkakataon, hindi pa din sya magpapakita? Anong mangyayari?

Maghihintay pa ba ako? Or that's the last sign for me to stop waiting?

Am I ready?

Am I ready to accept that I've been waiting for too long —12 long years to be exact — that it's time for me to finally let go and move on. To finally move forward and give myself a chance to be happy again.

"Matulog ka muna Calli, it's gonna be a long drive."

"Sheb, you really think I can sleep sa lagay na'to? Magdahan dahan ka kaya sa pagdadrive para mapalagay naman yung loob ko na sa pagtulog ko ay magigising pa din ako."

Natawa naman ito. "Relax, it's not like I'm gonna get us killed. Mahal ko pa din naman ang buhay ko ano!" Tumingin ito saglit sakin tapos nagfocus ulit sa daan.

I just rolled my eyes and made myself comfortable. Fine, I'll just sleep since tama naman sya at mahaba pa ang oras bago kami makarating sa Baguio—kung saan gaganapin ang kasal ni Ciara.

I tried my best to at least take a nap, pero hindi ko alam kung bakit para akong natatae na ewan. I feel like my stomach is in knots, like some damned cracked out butterflies living inside me right now. Hindi ako mapakali and I don't think I can really sleep.

Who am I kidding?

Alam na alam ko naman ang dahilan.

Sumandal ako sa window at nakita ko ang buwan. Gabi na namin napagpasyahang magbyahe ni Lovi dahil may mga inasikaso pa ako hospital, at sya naman ay bumawi pa sa babae nya bago ako sinundo.

Ang ganda pagmasdan ng buwan. Sobrang liwanag at laki nito ngayon. Marahil dahil full moon ngayon.

Moon.

It became a habit of mine to watch the moon every now and then. Sometimes I just stare at it, but most of the time I talk to it.

Of course, I don't do it infront of other people. Baka masabihan pa akong baliw, lalo na dito sa katabi ko.

I've read somewhere that talking to the moon amplifies your manifestations. And I've been manifesting for a certain thing to happen for too long. Hanggang kailan pa ba ako maghihintay?

But for now, masaya na akong pagmasdan ito sa malayo. Walang clouds, mga bituin lang ang makikita mong nakapalibot dito, pero lahat ng yun ay halos hindi ko na napapansin dahil nangingibaw ang kagandahan ng buwan. It has always been like that.

Even in the sea of clouds and stars, I only see the moon. The moon that gives light to the darkness.

She's the only one that my eyes see. And even I close my eyes, I only see her face because she's the only one that my heart seeks.

Moon...

My Moon, after all these years, my heart has been yearning for you.

Until when can I keep waiting for your return?

~*~

Author's Note:

Surprise! Welcome to my new story.

Date started writing: September 1, 2021
Date published: June 8, 2022