SNIPPET OF A FAIRYTALE

Invisible.

(PIBI)

Naranasan mo na ba yung feeling na para kang pinatakan ng atomic bomb dahil sa narinig mo? Yung tipong gusto mong isipin na baka mali ka lang ng intindi, na baka sala lang yung pagkakadinig mo, na baka bangungot lang yun at maya-maya magigising ka at okay lang ang lahat, o baka nabigla lang sya sa sinabi nya... na siguro babawiin nya rin yon. Pero hindi nya ginawa, at yun ang mas dumurog sa puso mo. Parang mortar na pinipilit lang durugin hanggang hindi mo na kayang buuin ulit ang sarili mo... Naranasan mo na ba? Swerte mo kung hindi pa, at kung oo naman, I know exactly how you feel.

I found Nathan sitting on a bench near the tree. He's looking on the concrete pavement na para bang may binabasa sya dun. I slowly walk towards him.

"Nathan..." Ako

He didn't reply. Ni hindi nga sya tumingala para tingnan ako.

"Mind if I sit here?"

Hindi na nya ko sinagot, he moved and left a space for me to sit.

Wala akong idea kung anu bang iniisip ni Nathan ngayon, kung galit ba sya? o wala lang? or deep down inside umaasa ako kahit konti na baka natamaan sya dun sa lahat ng sinabi ko at marealized na may feelings rin sya kahit 1/4 lang.

We sat in silence. Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto na, pero sobrang tahimik lang talaga namin. When I'm ready to break that silence, bigla naman syang nagsalita.

"Patricia." he said without looking at me

"yes?" Ako

"Can I tell you something?" He finally looked at me.

"Oo naman." Ako

"Will you promise na magiging open minded ka?" him

"I'm always open for everything naman---"

"Promise me!" Nathan

"Okay I promise!" i even raised my right hand.

Another awkward silence.

"I don't how will I say this to you. I know you don't deserve this coz you've been a good person to me pero mas magiging unfair ako kung---" I cut him off.

Naguguluhan na ako sa kanya.

"Wait lang Nathan. Magulo kase--" ako

"I don't like you Patricia. It is impossible for me to like you, in a romantic way." he said in his unusual cold voice.

AT YUN ANG ATOMIC BOMB NA PUMATAK SA MUNDO KO. DUROG, DUGUAN AT WASAK NA WASAK AKO.

"Pat... Kapatid lang talaga ang turing ko sayo eh. Mabait ka sakin, sobra. I'm trying to return the love that you're giving to me, pero hanggang friendly love lang talaga. Sorry kung nasasaktan kita ngayon." Nathan

Hindi ako makapagsalita, parang anytime papatak na ang luha ko. Natatakot ako na baka once na magsalita ako, magtuluy tuloy ang iyak ko at magmuka akong mahina sa harap nya.

"I'm sorry Pat." Nathan shot me a sincere apologetic look

I heaved a deep sigh, collected my thoughts and finally found my voice.

"Thanks for being honest with me Nathan. Everything's cool." I gave him a smile. And I left him there.

----
xxxx

MONDAY.

(ARCI)

Nakakarindi na si Andeng, kanina pa bangka sa kwnetuhan dito sa classroom , hindi pa rin makamove on kay Juan Miguel Severo na nakita nya raw last Sat night sa cafe.
At himala naman na nakasilent mode si Pibi na medyo baliw rin dun kay Sev.