What We Used To

Chapter 6

Gusto ko na kang maluha no'ng sumakay silang dalawa sa sasakyan. It wasn't her car, because it's unfamiliar. Natulala lang ako habang tinitignan siyang sumakay doon. I feel like I was right in front of Medusa, looking into her eyes because I stood there like a stone.

Natauhan lang ako nang hilahin ako ni Stacey at pwersahang pinasakay sa kotse.

"Sundan natin," she said. "It's time to investigate!"

My heart was beating fast. Questions were all over my mind and I can't even enumerate it. Tulala akong nakatingin sa kotseng sinusundan ni Gwen. Hindi ko na rin na-familiarize 'yong dinadaanan namin. All I can think of is Aiah, that guy, and a lot of why's.

"Don't conclude things agad, Miks, okay?" I heard Sheena speaking while caressing my hand. "Aiah is faithful, you know that."

"Baka partner niya lang sa project or baka may need lang i-accomplish. They don't seem too sweet naman, walang physical contact rin."

Hindi ko namalayang umiiyak na ako. I was overwhelmed with all the what ifs and why's in my head. It occupies my whole mind and I can't even think clearly.

"Sush," pagpapatahan ni Stacey sa'kin.

The car stopped in front of a garden-themed coffee shop. Medyo fancy ito at mas malaki kumpara sa mga normal coffee shops. Aiah and the guy went out of the car and ran immediately inside.

"Wait lang, Miks," Gwen went out of the car. Susunod na sana ako kaso pinigilan niya ako, "your emotion might overpower you kaya ako muna okay? I'll check first before I let you confront her."

I nodded. Hindi rin naman nila ako papayagan kahit na anong gawin ko. Gwen went there alone while Sheena and Stacey were trying to comfort me.

May tiwala ako kay Aiah, pero sa nararamdaman niya na maging siya ay hindi rin sigurado? Parang hindi ko alam.

Gwen went back after a few minutes. Hindi ko maintindihan 'yong expression ng mukha niya. She seemed shocked and confused but it's not clear. She uttered oh my gosh then gestured to me to get out of the car.

"You have to see what's inside. I'm sorry, Mikha."

Because of what Gwen said, I ran towards the entrance of the shop. I don't care if a lot of people were there, I just want to know the truth and the truth is actually what I did not expect.

Lights, there were a lot but it's not blinding. Aiah was sitting in front of the fairy lights hanging by a tree. She was holding a microphone while the guy she's with earlier was holding a guitar.

They guy started strumming while Aiah smiled at me. I stood there, frozen.

Sa unang tingin, agad na nahumaling

Sa nagniningning mong mga mata

Ika'y isang bituin na nagmula sa langit

Hindi ko mawari ang taglay mong tinatangi

Sadya namang nakakabighani

'Di maipaliwanag ang nararamdaman (ooh)

All of my worries were eased away by her singing voice. Parang magic, the chaos in my mind became at peace.

Namumukadkad ang aking ligaya

Sa tuwing ika'y papalapit na

Hawakan mo ang aking kamay

Oh, Paraluman

Ika'y akin nang dadalhin sa

'Di mo inaasahang paraiso (hoo-hoo)

Palagi kitang aawitan ng Kundiman

'Di magsasawa, 'di ka pababayaan

Isasayaw kita hanggang sa walang hanggan (hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo)

She stood up from her seat while holding her microphone. Lumapit siya sa'kin. Inilahad niya ang kamay sa akin, asking me to hold it. I didn't took it but instead, I hugged her tightly.

Mga gunita na laging naiisip (naiisip)

Sumisilip (sumisilip) ang itinakda ng mahiwaga

Liwanag na dulot mo, nagbigay sinag sa madilim kong mundo (ooh-ooh-oh)

Ibang-iba ako kapag ikaw na ang kapiling

Sumisiping ang buwan at mga bituin

Na para bang sumasang-ayon sa atin ang kalawakan (kalawakan)

I cried in her embrace. She kept on singing kahit na nararamdaman ko na ring naiiyak siya dahil umiiyak ako.

"I thought... you were cheating on me." I pouted and she just chuckled.

Namumukadkad ang aking ligaya

Sa tuwing ika'y papalapit na

Hawakan mo ang aking kamay (hoo-hoo)

Oh, Paraluman

Ika'y akin nang dadalhin sa

'Di mo inaasahang paraiso (paraiso, hoo-hoo)

Palagi kitang aawitan ng Kundiman

'Di magsasawa, 'di ka pababayaan

Isasayaw kita hanggang sa walang hanggan (hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo)

We started swaying with the music. It feels like a fairytale. In my mind I was laughing to myself earlier. Kung kanina' y halos mamatay na ako sa kakaisip, ngayo'y buhay na buhay ako sa kilig.

Himig ng tadhana (ah, ah)

Sa atin ay tumutugma na (tumutugma na)

Himig ng tadhana (ah, ah)

Sa atin ay tumutugma na (tumutugma na)

Himig ng tadhana (ah, ah)

Sa atin ay tumutugma na (ooh-ooh-ooh, hoo-hoo, hoo)

"I love you," I whispered.

Oh, Paraluman

Ika'y akin nang dadalhin sa

'Di mo inaasahang paraiso

Palagi kitang aawitan ng Kundiman

'Di magsasawa, 'di ka pababayaan

Isasayaw kita, mamahalin kita

Hanggang sa walang hanggan (hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo)

Aiah is my storm, the reason for my chaos but she's also the rainbow after it.

Note:

Dearest Readers,

Hellooo! I've been busy with my college life lately kaya naman hindi nakakapag-update. I hope you understand! Thank youuu for the support that you're giving me. Ily!

Love,

Janella