Keep Me Closer

27th: Reminiscing

IT'S THE SECOND day of the trip. And I woke as early as dawn. Pagod man dahil sa gala kahapon, I have had enough rest dahil maaga din naman akong nakatulog.

Umupo ako sa upuan malapit sa bintana ng maliit kong kwarto. Eustace's room looked like mine at magkaharap lang ang room naming dalawa. Kita ang hamog sa labas at ang madilim na paligid mula sa bintana. The scenery outside at this point was filled with the shadow of the trees. I just got off the phone from Avie after she called to tell me if I remember what today is and what it means to Eustace.

Ngumiti ako. Their friendship is really solid. Hindi man katulad noon na panay magkasama silang lumabas, I know Avie deeply cares for Eustace at ganoon din si Eustace sa pinsan ko.

I never told Eustace that I was aware that today's his birthday. Kaya nga noong sinabi ko sa kanyang May 13 ang alis at May 14-16 ako gagala ay medyo nagulat pa ako kasi agad siyang pumayag. In between those days will be his birthday, at ngayon na nga iyon.

Wala ba siyang plano ngayong birthday niya? But he said he wanted to visit a place ngayong second day ng trip. I would be glad to tag along with him today, if that would somehow ease the feeling of celebrating his birthday alone. Naranasan ko na rin iyon. Parang nasanay na. Pero malungkot pa rin.

Nagbasa ako ng libro malapit sa bintana hanggang sa unti-unting sumikat ang araw.

Around 6 am, lumabas na ako ng kwarto para maligo. Eustace was already inside the bathroom brushing his teeth.

"Good morning," bati ko at isinukbit sa balikat ang robe at towel na dala. Hindi pa ako pumasok at nanatili sa labas ng pinto.

Tumango siya Eustace, saglit na bumaling sa akin tapos ay muling bumaling sa harapan para magmumog.

Hindi ko malalaman na nakatitig na ako sa kanya kung hindi siya nagsalita. "Maaga ka yata nagising."

"Nahimbing agad ako kagabi dahil sa pagod," saad ko at kaunting tumawa.

I gazed at him and he grabbed his towel, drying his hair while making a way for me to step inside the bathroom and him taking steps to leave.

I gazed at him.

Would he tell me that it's his birthday today?

Eustace said nothing. Tumitig ako sa repleksyon ko sa salamin tapos ay ininara na ang pintuan sa bathroom.

I took a quick shower at nagbihis na. Naabutan na lang si Eustace na nasa living room, nanonood ng palabas sa TV.

Akala ko may lakad ulit ngayong araw?

Naramdaman niya siguro na nakamasid ako sa kanya ng ilang segundo kaya lumingon siya sa akin habang nakadantay ang braso sa sandalan ng couch. "The festival will start around 10 in the morning."

I nodded. "Saan naman iyon, Eustace?

"Lake Michigan..."

Tumango-tango ako. "Whoa," I mumbled. "The place is not new to me pero iyong festival... parang hindi ko yata matandaan."

"It's the Kite Festival, Lienna. Ayos lang ba iyon sa 'yo?"

"S'yempre."

I saw him smile yet his eyes somehow showed sadness. Then he kept quiet once again.

"Labas muna ako." Paalam ko at lumabas ng cabin.

I was greeted with the well-groomed plants in the small frontyard. Lumapit ako doon at nagtitingin habang sa harapan ay nakikita ko ang mga taong nagca-camping sa national park sa tapat na nagkakainan.

Most were families and friends. Michiganders have an adventurous spirit indeed. Madalas silang gumala outdoors especially now that it's spring season and the good weather was to die for.