Moonset (GxG)

Twenty- Visiting Home

"Calli, calli!"

I heard someone called my name but hindi ko ito pinansin. I couldn't stand to stay here.  Pagkatapos ng meeting namin kanina ay mabilis akong nagpaalam at umalis.

Kaya heto ako ngayon, nagmamadaling makalayo sa lugar na'to.

"Calli, wait."

Napatingin ako sa kamay na nasa braso ko. It was Rain.

"Uuwi ka na ba? Ipapakilala ko sana sayo si Heather."

Lumipat ang tingin ko sa mukha ng kaibigan ko at bakas sa mukha nya ang kasiyahan at excitement.

Hindi naman ako tanga para hindi marealize na yung Heather na first love nya, at si Moon ay iisa.

That eventhough she uses her second name now, she will always be Moon for me.

"I-i'm sorry, I have to go somewhere."

"Can't it wait? Please? I really want you to meet her."

But I can't. I can't meet her with you Rain. Hindi ko kaya.

Tinanggal ko ang kamay nya sa braso ko. "M-maybe next time."

"Wait. You're shaking. Are you o—"

"I'm fine. Rain, I really have to go."

Tatalikod na sana ako nang may tumawag sa pangalan ng kaibigan ko. Kahit pa hindi ko tingnan ito, boses nya pa lang ay kilalang kilala na sya ng puso ko.

Napayuko ako para hindi ko sya makita ulit. My heart is so open and I'm already vulnerable with our recent encounter, baka hindi ko na makontrol ang sarili ko at maiyak sa harap nila.

"Heather!"

Hinawakan ni Rain ang kamay ko at hinila ako. "I'm so glad you're here. I want you to meet my great friend, Calli."

I just found myself looking at her. When our eyes meet again, I'm not sure if it's my mind that's constantly playing with me, or there's really sadness, loneliness and longing that was hidden by the strong facade she's pulling.

Dahan-dahan syang lumapit sa'min at ni isang segundo ay hindi nawawala ang tingin nya sa'kin.

Natauhan lang ako nang nagsalita ulit si Rain. "Calli, this is Heather."

Bumaling ang tingin ko sa kaibigan ko bago ako napatingin sa kamay nyang nakapulupot sa braso ni Moon.

Her smile is playful at dahil matagal ko ding naging kaibigan si Rain, alam kong may laman ang ngiti nyang yun. She didn't introduce her as her girlfriend, but she's definitely into Moon. She's her first love. Unfortunately, she was mine, too.

"I—" I cleared my throat and tried to smile. "I already met her."

Nagulat naman ito sa sinabi ko. "What? Where?" Napatingin ito kay Moon na ikinatingin ko din sa huli.

She's still staring at me. Nag-iwas naman ako agad ng tingin.

"S-she's the foreign doctor that will help me in my research." I explained.

"Really? Ang daya mo naman Heath, you didn't tell me." Nagtatampong sabi nito.

Pagtingin ko kay Moon ay kay Rain na ito nakatingin. "It was a surprise, Rainey." Nakangiti nitong sagot.

Rainey.

Why does it sound so sweet?

"I-i should go."

Parehas silang napatingin sa'kin pero itinuon ko nalang ang tingin kay Rain. My shaking hands are still in my gown to hide it.

Hindi ko na hinintay na sumagot sila at tatalikod na sana nang nagsalita sya.