Artistry of Love (Abstract Series #3)

Chapter 18

"Thank you for tonight, everyone!"

Nang matapos ang concert, wala sa sarili akong naglalakad papunta sa bus station. My entire system is unable to properly synchronize everything that has occurred. Throughout the concert, I was utterly obsessed with the fact that Trip was so close to me.

Nakita kong marami ang naghihintay ng bus kaya tumalikod ako at dumiretso sa pinakamalapit na burger stall. Takot akong baka makita ko pa si Trip doon. I am not ready to face him. Masyadong magulo pa ang nararamdaman ko.

I'm not sure if I still want him or if I'm merely consumed by remorse that he keeps popping into my mind.

"Isang cheeseburger po," sabi ko sa babaeng nasa loob ng counter.

Nakatitig lang ako sa burger bun na nakasalang, puno ang isip ko. I had not anticipated seeing him on my first day in the Philippines. Was it just a coincidence, or was destiny teasing me?

Bumuntong hininga ako at tiningnan ang may kadilimang kalsada. Kaunti na lang ang mga taong dumadaan at tanging street lights na lang ang nagmimistulang liwanag. Everything seemed tranquil, which was the polar opposite of my emotions.

"Regular burger po."

Namilog ang mga mata ko nang marinig ang boses na 'yon. Nilingon ko ang lalaking kakaupo lang sa tabi ko, naghihintay sa order niya. Trip returned my stare and didn't appear surprised. I averted my gaze and focused on the grilling meat. Sobrang lakas ng kabog ng puso ko. Iiwan ko na lang ba ang burger na order ko? Pero sayang kasi ang bayad ko.

Kahit diretso lang ang tingin ko, napapansin ko ang minsan niyang pagnakaw ng tingin sa akin. I instinctively grabbed the paper bag when the vendor handed it to me containing my order. I wanted to apologize for being aggressive, but I can't seem to stay here any longer. Tumayo ako at nagsimulang maglakad.

"Kamusta?"

When I heard his voice, my feet abandoned me and I skidded to a complete stop. Ako ba ang tinatanong niya? Baka naman may kausap siya. Hindi naman kami close para tanungin niya ako ng ganoon.

Inayos ko ang sarili ko at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad na para bang hindi ako napahiya na tumigil ako.

"Kamusta ka, Ely?"

Muli akong tumigil. Ako nga ang tinatanong niya. Hindi ko alam kong lilingunin ko siya. I summoned my confidence and confronted him, forcing a smile on my face.

"A-Ayos naman. Ikaw ba?" My humiliation is devouring me. I mean, my boldness to smile at him after the things I said years ago.

Kahit ilang ulit kong kumbinsihin ang sarili ko na valid lang ang naramdaman ko, hindi talaga e, sobrang mali ng mga sinabi ko.

He studied my face as though he was trying to remember something. He seemed to be taken back in time as he noticed my brows furrowed in bewilderment.

"Okay lang din," sagot niya at ngumiti pa.

We made a mockery of ourselves by pretending as if nothing had happened in the past. Like we've already never wounded each other before.

"Una na ako," paalam ko sa kanya at tumalikod, hindi na hinintay pa ang sagot niya.

That was our last conversation before school started. As I approached the UP gate, my mind was pounding so quickly. College student na ako. Hindi ako makapaniwala.

I decided to major in Fine Arts. I don't have a strong interest in anything, but I picked this because I am somewhat artistic. Kahit noong summer, nag-aral akong magpaint para hindi naman ako mapahiya.

Nakangiti lang ako habang naglalakad, pinapanood ang iba na may kausap. It's the first day of school and they already had their friends? Lucky them.

"Ava!"