Romina
My hands were itching to touch him. I wanted to feel his face and wrapped my arms around him. It's been what?
Eight years?
I travelled back and forth but everytime I'm here in the Philippines, Ding was out of the picture. He's no where to be found. It's either he's out of town or out of the country. For eight years we've been playing hide and seek.
Finally, game over!
He's here now and at long last, I'm home.
"Why are you standing there?" I put my feet down and sat properly. I tapped the sofa. "Upo ka dito sa tabi ko."
"Romina. I have no time for this."
"Ouch!" Loudly, I exclaimed. "No time for this? What do you mean this? Ako ito si Rome mo." Tumayo ako at tinangka kong humakbang palapit sa kanya.
But Ding stepped back. "Stop there." He said to me. "Diyan ka lang huwag kang lalapit."
"Why? Do I smell bad?" I raised my arm and smelled my armpit. "What's happening to you? Why are you so cold to me?" I continued my steps.
Ding moved away and walked to the other side. He stopped at the back of the sofa. "No, what's happening to you? Why are you acting this way?" His brows furrowed.
"Acting what?" I answered him with another question. "I'm confused. I know, it's been a long, a very long time. Pero ganoon na ba katagal para makalimutan mo ang pangako mo sa akin?" I looked at him with sad eyes.
Ding combed his hair with his fingers. "Rome, just like what you said it's been a long time. You should have realized by now that I've never meant those words. Sinabi ko lang iyon dahil iyon ang gusto ni Tita Joey na sabihin ko... dahil iyon ang gusto niyang marinig mo."
I'm stunned.
Tama ba ang dinig ko? 'He never meant those words?' Nagbibiro lang ba ito? Tinignan ko ang mukha niya at nakita ko ang kaseryosohan roon.
Nag-iwas ako ng tinigin at sa isip ko ay pilit kong inalala ang nangyaring pag-uusap sa pagitan naming tatlo pagkaraan mahuli kami ng Mommy ko sa kawarto ni Ding.
"I'm so disappointed in you." My mother whispered to me.
"Mom." I tried to explain but changed my mind. I bit my tongue when my mom looked at me with stern eyes.
"Not another word Romina!" My mother's warning.
Nagyuko ako ng ulo at ipinokus ko na lang ang tingin sa kamay ko sa ibabaw ng aking hita. Mahina man ang boses ng Mommy ko pero alam kong galit na talaga siya. Wala akong choice kung hindi ang manahimik na lang. Hayaan ko na lang si Ding ang mapaliwanag sa Mommy ko na wala naman talaga kaming ginagawang masama.
"Nasaan na ba ang boyfriend mo na iyon?" Tanong ni Mommy.
Nakayuko pa rin ako kaya hindi mahirap sa akin na itago ang ngiti sa aking mga labi. Gusto kong mapahagikgik sa kilig.
"Ehhhh." Nakakabinging tili ng puso ko.
Nakakatuwang marinig na boyfriend ko si Ding.
"Akala ko buong araw mo na akong paghihintayin." Pagalit na sita ni Mommy kay Ding.
"Sorry, Tita kung natagalan ako. May client lang na tumawag."Paghingi ng paumanhin ni Ding.
"I don't want to beat around the bush. I have a flight to catch." My mother stood up. "What are your plans for my daughter? Alam ba ni Mark na may relasyon kayo ng bunso ko?"
