Elysian (Samantila Series #1)

34

Years passed, and I must say that I stacked up a quite of achievements.

"They were advising you to finish the degree, bakit 'di mo tinuloy?" ani Guinevere habang nakasubsob ang mukha sa study table. Not gonna lie, she looked cute while doing that. Maybe because of her eyeglasses?

Nilingon ko siya habang inaayos ang mga gamit ko, "Studying more gives me depression. Okay na 'yon."

She frowned. Siguro'y stressed na ang isang 'to sa med school kaya medyo pinipilit akong tapusin ang business ad.

I'm not a savage like you, Blaid.

"By the way, have you seen Briseis's invitation? Free ka naman siguro sa petsa na 'yon. Let's go home?" panimula ko.

Habang nag ha-highlight ng notes ay tumango si Guine, "Yeah. Chain and I will be going."

Habang nag-uusap pa kami ni Guine ay may nag door bell sa aming condo (we've been living together since I first came here), agad akong rumesponde at binuksan ang pinto. I saw two faces I expected to come today.

I smiled warmingly at Chain and Chart. Kaya lang, bago ko pa tuluyang buksan ang pinto ay tinulak na ito ni Chain at pumasok na sa loob. Pumunta nanaman iyon kay Blaid. I'm sure of that.

Chart looked embarrassed and irritated because of that. Mahina akong natawa, "Okay lang 'yon. I got used to his actions because he seems like he became head over hills to Guinevere."

Tinulungan ko siyang dalhin ang dala nilang pagkain.

He shook his head, "They're not even together yet. Baliw na agad itong si Chain."

"Poisoned by a Samantila, I guess?" I joked.

Agad naman siyang sumagot, "Seems like I got infected by the same poison."

Napa-iling na lamang ako sa sinabi niya.

It was already four to five years since I last had a relationship. Kaya ngayon, kahit papaano, nagiging bukas na ako sa ideya ng pagkakaroon ng kasintahan.

Deretso kaming pumunta ni Chart sa kusina, doon ay nakita na'min si Guinevere at Chain na sinisimulan nang kainin ang doughnuts na bitbit kanina ni Chain.

"Hindi ka talaga marunong maghintay 'no?" baling ni Chart kay Chain.

Inilagay ko na lamang ang mga pagkain sa lamesa at inayos ito.

"At least I'm impatient for the right person. Ikaw ba?" sagot ni Chain habang nginunguya ang isang doughnut.

Hindi na lamang ako nag-salita at kumuha na lamang din ng doughnut.

Ang gabing iyon ay isa sa mga pinakatahimik na araw ng buhay ko.

Ever since I came here to Australia, I always feel at peace. My circle of friends became more small, but it also meant a more healthy environment for me. It was the best thing He could offer. At that time, I was in need of peace, of something healthy, of something that could give me comfort even just a little bit.

And I am thankful that I am able to have that. To experience that.

Napagdesisyunan nila Guine na lumipat at pumuntang balcony. They thought it would be nice and refreshing to watch the buildings outside.

Pagkaupong-pagkaupo sa upuang nakahanda na sa balcony ay dumaldal agad si Chain na siyang inalmahan naman ni Blaid, "You're too noisy. Kanina ka pa."

Nang-aasar na ngumisi lamang si Chain bago niya akbayan si Blaid. Umismid lamang ang pinsan ko matapos siya nitong akbayan.

They were always like this, parang mag-jowang aso't pusa. The only difference they have is they don't have the label. Wala pa ring nasasabi sa'kin si Guine tungkol roon at wala rin akong lakas ng loob usisain.  I just wish that they realize that they're "bagay", and if they like each other, they shouldn't make it long. Kaso, si Guinevere ang pinag-uusapan dito at kalakip no'n ay ang over protective niyang kapatid na si Odysseus.

Though, it looks like Dice will let her decide for herself already. Hindi na rin bata si Guine. But of course, who knows? Baka para kay Chain at Guine ay magkaibigan lang sila at wala nang iba.

I can still remember Guinevere confessing her feelings for Breaker to me years ago. Pero, high school pa kami no'n. Maaari ngang nagbago na ang gusto niya o may iba pa siyang naiisipang gawin sa buhay niya?

Agad kong nilingon si Chart nang may maalala akong sabihin sakanya, "We're gonna go home next next week, you can come with us."

He brushed his hair with his fingers, pumikit siya.

"Yeah, sure."

Watching from this angle, he really look dashing with his undercut hair cut. Parcon na Parcon ang dating ni Chart. Pero, higit na mas seryoso naman siya kaysa sa pinsan niyang si Chain.

Hindi nagtagal ay napansin ko ang may kalakasang pagbubulungan nila Blaid at Chain, they were fussing over Blaid's thin longsleeved shirt. May kalamigan kasi rito dahil gabi na at malakas ang hangin (kahit summer palang).

"I'm not cold, Acrylleus! H'wag ka ngang makulit!" inis nang saad ni Blaid dahil medyo mapilit talaga si Chain.

Sumingit na ako sa usapan nila, "H'wag nga kasing makulit, Chain."

"Hindi mo pa yan nakukulong sa mga palad mo, wag kang mapapel." Chart added fuel to the fire.

Natahimik si Chain at tumigil na sa pangungulit. I chortled.

Ngunit maya-maya naman ay kinausap na ulit ito ni Guine sa mahinang boses. Sa totoo lang, hindi ko na alam kung dapat ko pa bang hindi isiping hindi pa sila.

They looked like they solved their problem after a few minutes of whispering to each other because they're able to kid each other after.

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Chart at nagkangitian. We both stared at the sea of buildings in front of us.

I've been thinking about this for the past days, 'yong kasabihan ng mga matatanda ukol sa "greatest and only love".

Nakakatawa man pakinggan ngunit, totoo ito. Everyone has this one incomparable love. Greatest love nga kumbaga.

When you experienced your "greatest love" it doesn't mean that you won't be able to love right after experiencing that kind of "love". Maaaring baka hindi lang talaga kayo ang para isa't isa, o baka para kayo sa isa't isa pero umayaw ang tadhana sa inyong dalawa.

Yes, it won't be easy to move on, to find a love that can come close to your "greatest love", but, meeting a love that seems so peaceful, seems so comforting after the storm of emotions, will make you fall in love again. Kahit na nakakatakot nga namang mag mahal muli.

I sighed and accepted the cup of hot chocolate Chart gave to me.

I.. I just hope that my heart is being healed. I just hope that my heart will be free from the sequence of the past.

Para kahit papaano, kapag handa na ako ng buong-buo, kaya kong mag mahal muli.