The Boyfriend Project

Project #4 - The Memories

Nagising na lang ako sa hindi pamilyar na kuwarto.

"Bianca? Are you alright?" Tanong sa 'kin ni Dylan ng may pag-aalala.

"Bakit tayo nasa ospital?"

"You collapsed... in the middle of the street."

"Huh?" I try to recall what happened. "It's weird. I can't remember. Basta bigla na lang akong nahirapang huminga kanina."

"Don't push yourself too hard. Take it easy. May masakit pa ba sa'yo? I'll call the doctor."

"I'm fine. Baka effect lang ng sobrang pagod."

"Just tell me if you need something. Kakausapin ko lang yung lalaking tumulong sa'yo kanina."

"Who is he?"

"Just someone. He wants to make sure if you're okay."

"Sure."

"Dylan," I call him before pa niya buksan ang pinto.

"Thank you. Buti na lang nandiyan ka."

Nang maiwan ako mag-isa sa kuwarto. Hindi ko maiwasan na makaramdam na naman ng lungkot. Bigla na lang din nanumbalik sa 'kin ang mga alaalang hindi ko mabaon sa limot.

Six years ago.

Artkin was playing the piano. If I'm not mistaken, he was playing his favorite piece- Minute Waltz by Chopin. My mind could still remember his facial features vividly. The more I looked at him, the more I fall in love.

While looking at him ardently, I sat beside him.

Tinitingnan niya rin ako pero he's so talented at hindi siya nawawala sa focus.

"Why? Are you thinking of something?" I asked while he was still playing.

"Uhm. I'm thinking of the future pero you might find it weird."

"I want to hear it."

"I'm imagining five years or ten years from now. The us. Having family, having kids. And they will be also happy and proud to teach them how to play this."

Tinigil din niya ang pagtugtog at humarap sa 'kin.

"On the premiere night, please come with me." His eyes were full of sincerity. I felt it at alam ko na hindi ako makakahindi sa kanya.

"What?" I was taken aback. "Are you serious?"

"Of course. I think this is the time we tell the world."

"Pero Artkin..." It's not that I'm hesitating because of him. Pero ang pinaka ayokong mangyari ay maging reason ako or ang relasyon namin para macompromise ang career niya.

"Anong pero? Helena's okay now with what's happening to us. Ano pa bang dapat natin i-consider?"

He looked a little frustrated.

"Other people. Your career. Your fans."

"There's no other important thing than what we have now."

That time I knew he meant it. Almost everyday naman ay pinaparamdam niya sa 'kin na ang relasyon namin ang isa sa mga bagay na pinapahalagahan at inaalagaan niya. Wala akong duda doon. That is why I also cherished him.

"You think kaya ko? What if-"

"I have the most understanding fans in the world. I'm very sure matatanggap nila tayo. And alam mo I don't think we need validation from other people. It's you and I. Yun ang pinaka importante sa 'kin ngayon."