The Boyfriend Project

Project #3 - The Accident

Back to present.

"Oh ano na? Gutom ka na ba?" tanong ni Dylan sa 'kin. Before sana ako dumiretso ng bahay, pinuntahan muna namin si Artkin. After so many years, hindi ko alam kung saan ako nakakuha ng lakas na loob na dalawin siya. Maybe dahil kasama ko si Dylan.

"Since nagalok ka, I think it'll be your treat." I just go to the flow that he wanted.

"Just like the old times. For sure namiss mo ang food dito."

Pumunta kami sa isang fine-dine restaurant.

"Ikaw kamusta ka na ba?" pambungad ko after dumating yung mga orders namin. Gusto ko munang may mapag-usapan kami bukod sa 'kin. At ang daming bumabagabag sa isipan ko. Feeling ko 'pag napag-usapan yung tungkol sa nakaraan baka any moment maging emotional na naman ako.

"Still fine. But I got better after seeing you again," pagtatapat niya. "How about you? I heard you already finished designing program. Magkwento ka naman. I'm sure sobrang laki ng kaibahan ng Manila sa Manchester."

I'm amaze kung paano na naman napupunta sa 'kin yung usapan.

"Yes. Lately, nagwork ako sa isang start up company as editorial assistant after graduation. Ibang iba. Napakadeveloped dun. They're very modern and the architecture...just by the thought of it I'm breath taken."

"That's good to hear."

"Masyado ka na atang workaholic dito kaya hindi ka na makapasyal. Don't worry itu-tour kita dun pag nagkatime tayo." I tease him.

"Promise mo 'yan ah."

"How about you? I heard nasa Publishing ka."

"Yep. Actually na-pirate ako," pag-amin niya.

"Woah! Iba ka na talaga. You mean in another company?"

"Subsidiary lang kasi yung publishing company na pinasukan ko pero I'm now in the main company."

"Really? Anong position?"

"I'm the Art Director now."

"Oh. My. God. I can't believe you're my friend."

"Samantalang nung college tayo inaagawan mo lang ako ng ballpen noon," pag-aasar niya.

"Isusumbat mo pa ba sa 'kin yung ballpen na 'yan. Ilang taon na lumipas ah." Hinampas ko siya sa balikat.

We both laugh.

"May maganda ka na rin naman na career sa Manchester. So is it okay to ask? What's the reason for coming home?"

Napatigil ako sa pag-subo ng pagkain ko.

Sasagutin ko na yung tanong niya pero biglang nag-ring yung phone ko. Sinagot ko pa din kahit na unregistered yung number.

"Yes? This is Bianca speaking."

"This is Shannon, Mr. Franco's assistant. We got the news na nakauwi ka na. Producer Franco is your friend, right? He's asking if he can meet you one of these days if you're available," sabi sa kabilang linya.

"Ah really? Sure." I gladly respond.

"Could you meet us? When are you available?"

"Tomorrow, is it okay?" I ask. Hoping ako na this will be a good chance for me.

"Good. Gusto ka rin niyang ma-meet agad. We will meet you around 2pm. Cloud Ent., at the conference room sa Studio 11."

"Okay. I got it. See tomorrow. Tell my regards to him as well."

"Yes. Makakarating po. Bye."

"Are you meeting someone?" tanong agad ni Dylan pagbaba ko ng phone.

"Yes. Nakakuha ulit ng contact sa 'kin yung kakilala kong producer. Meron siyang offer. And from last time na nagkausap kami sa phone, mukhang interesting yung program na gagawin niya."

"And nakuha ka na ba?"

"I can't answer that now. That's why sabi nung assistant niya na imi-meet daw nila ko tomorrow."

"Sinong producer? Mind if I come with you?"

"Si Franco Valdes. No, I'm okay. I know you're busy."

"Sige but if something comes up. Just call me."

"Don't worry. Kabisado ko pa din ang Manila." I try looking cheerful kahit deep inside I'm nervous and scared of what's going to happen next.

Nakilala na ko ni Dylan na matatag at palaban sa kahit anong pagsubok sa buhay. Wala pa yata akong pagkakataon na napakita sa kanya na mahina ako except from the day that turned my life upside down.

After namin kumain, nag-offer na rin siyang ihatid ako pauwi sa bahay. Hindi na rin ako nakatanggi since marami din akong pinakwento sa kanya. Habang nagda-drive siya, in-update niya rin ako tungkol sa mga classmates namin noon.

Maingat naman siya kung mag-drive pero bigla siyang nagpreno nang may jeep na nag-overtake sa 'min.

"Tsk! Shit!" tanging nabigkas ng bibig niya.

Bumangga naman yung ulo ko sa salamin ng bintana. Sa lakas nito narinig din yun ni Dylan kaya napalingon siya sa 'kin.

"Are you okay?"

Hindi ako makasagot. I mean I choose not to respond to him. Nakatitig lang ako harap, sa kawalan. Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyayari pero bigla na lang akong natakot.

We stop on the intersection when the signal light turned red.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero it made my mind sink to a pool of memories. Yung mga memories na pilit kong kinalimutan sa England. Those are the memories that only me and Artkin shared.

"Bianca?" Sabay hinawakan niya ko sa balikat.

I get off the car. Everything around me becomes vague. Lahat ng alaala. Malungkot man o masaya na kasama ko si Artkin ay sumariwa. Tears swell on my eyes. I start to cry. I'm also palpitating and I can't help on trembling.

I even get hallucination that Artkin was at the other pavement. Yes, I know it is just a hallucination. But I don't care if it's real or not. I just want to be with him. I want to hear his voice again, to feel the warmth from his skin, to witness his smile together with his eyes. I would not have second thoughts of giving up everything just to be with him again.

Unti-unti naglakad ako papunta sa kabilang kalsada, pero bago pa man ako makatawid...

I'm knocked out. Hindi pala. Mahihimatay na sana ako sa gitna ng kalsada kung hindi lang may sumalo sa kin. Hawak niya ko sa likod at nakasandal lang ako sa braso niya. Hindi siya si Dylan. I'm sure kasi naka motor siya at biker jacket with matching thick, dishevelled, black hair. Hindi ko makita nang lubusan ang mukha niya dahil puno ng luha yung mga mata ko. My limbs feel weak and numb that I can't move. Then, my vision goes dark. All I can hear is Dylan yelling my name until I pass out.

~~~

A/N: To my readers, pasensya kung hindi consistent ang pag-update. Holidays kasi. :D