In the next few days, naging abala sila sa paghahanda para sa kanilang byahe. Nag-aayos ng mga gamit, nagplano ng itinerary, at siniguradong lahat ay handa na. They were all looking forward to the break, knowing it was well-deserved after the stressful finals and preparations for the graduation ball.
Four days later, everyone had their bags packed and were ready to leave. Ala una y media ng umaga at tatlo pa lang sa magto-tropa ang nasa bahay nina Ansel. Dito na kasi nila naisipang magkita-kita dahil nandoon na rin naman ang sasakyan nila.
Ilalabas na sana niya ang gamit niya para mailagay sa van pero naisipan niya munang i-text si Jaren.
Ansel:
Nandito na si Soren at Yuriel kasama si Reis. Are you done?
Message me if you’re on the way. Ingat. :)
As he sent that, he couldn't help but remember the conversation he'd had with Jaren four days ago. The moment had been bothering him since.
As they left the café that evening, Ansel saw Jaren hanging back. Seeing an opportunity, he decided to seize the moment to ask him what had been on his mind.
"You seem quiet. You okay?"
"Hmm?"
"May masakit ba sa 'yo? Lagnat?" Ansel asked, reaching up to check Jaren's temperature.
Jaren chuckled. "No..."
Standing face to face, Jaren, who stood a few inches taller at six feet, looked down into Ansel's eyes. Ansel noticed the sadness lingering in Jaren's gaze and raised an eyebrow.
"...You're sad," Ansel observed.
Nag-aalangan si Jaren na magsalita. Binaling niya ang tingin sa damuhan.
When he finally found the courage to ask Ansel, he looked up at him again, meeting Ansel’s eyes
"Uhm... Hindi ka... Hindi ka raw pupunta sa graduation ball?"
That made Ansel struck and lost for words. Hindi niya inaasahan na bigla na lang iyon sasabihin ni Jaren.
"Dahil ba ro'n kung bakit bagsak ang balikat mo?" Ansel asked, his voice softening.
Dahan-dahang tumango si Jaren. "Yeah... It's our last event together. Gusto ko sanang, nandoon ka rin... It's not the same without you."
Napabuntong-hininga si Ansel at saglit nag-iwas ng tingin. He didn’t realize it meant that much to Jaren.
"I'm sorry... Kaya lang... hindi ako masyadong nag-eenjoy sa mga gan'yang event, at isa pa, mahal."
Ansel thought of the reason why he didn't want to go. Nag-iipon siya para sa mga pangangailangan sa hinaharap. Alam niyang hindi habang buhay ay matutulungan siya ng kanyang tiya. Gusto niyang matutunan kung paano tumayo sa sariling paa, paano mag-ipon at maging responsable sa sariling gastusin.
Ansel wanted to save money as much as possible. Kaya nga kung ano-anong trabaho ang pinasukan niya. He wants to help himself save for the future.
Jaren bit his lip. Pilit niyang pinipigilan ang pagkadismaya.
"No, you don't have to be sorry. Naiintindihan ko naman, but it's a once-in-a-lifetime thing. It’s a celebration of everything we’ve been through."
Bumalik ang tingin ni Ansel kay Jaren, pansin pa rin niya ang kalungkutan sa mga mata nito. "I'll think about it, okay? I can't promise anything, but I'll try to reconsider."
BINABASA MO ANG
Tutoring Hearts
Romance"I've found my heart learning to love you more each day. Who would have thought it has been yours to teach and guide all along?"
