Carpe Diem

Five

5.

How many times did I blink? How many minutes did I contemplate if it's real or not? If I'm in reality or it's just a dream?

Until I heard another ping.

"You there?"

I took a deep breath and shook my head. "I know you're just a poser and I don't want to waste my time."

I'm about to log out when he sent another friend request. But I just repeat what I did earlier. Delete it.

And my heart reacts in a violent way it made me touch my left chest trying to calm myself.

Napangiti na lang ako sa weird na pakiramdam dahil hindi ko talaga naiintindihan kung ano'ng nangyayari sa akin ngayon.

~~~

Today will be a busy day for us, especially for me so I get up early. I'm already up at 6 in the morning so I decided to take a walk with Henry around the village as part of my morning exercise.

Henry loves morning walks with me. Kaya hindi niya tinigilang igalaw ang buntot niya habang naglalakad kami. May mini park sa loob ng village at doon kami nagpasyang magpahinga bago ang huling ikot namin pauwi sa bahay.

When we head back, I gave him water while I start my breakfast.

Nakita ko rin si Tito Ronnie na paakyat ng hagdan na may tuwalyang nakasabit sa balikat. Napangiti ako dahil sinunod niya ang plano ko na puntahan si Tita Helga ng maaga since hanggang ngayon eh ayaw nitong makipag-usap sa kanya over the phone.

"Kailangan mo pa bang magpunta sa taping nila ngayon?" tanong ni Yaya na nakabantay na naman sa akin.

Ngumiti ako at tinanguan siya.

"Baka mapagod ka na naman, ha. Pupunta pa naman tayo sa ospital bukas." paalala niya.

"I didn't forget, 'Ya. Okay lang po ako. Saglit lang naman ako doon, para makatulong din ako dito."

I planned an intimate dinner for both of them. Arrangement na lang ang kulang na gusto kong personal na ayusin since nakahanda na rin naman ang mga gagamitin.

"Pwede namang iutos mo na lang sa amin. Huwag ka nang kumilos, anak."

Here we go again. 

"Ya, I also need to move. Sige ka, baka isang araw, ma-stroke na lang ako nyan kasi lagi mo akong pinipigilan."

Napanguso si Yaya Lucing sabay sabi'ng, "Nag-aalala lang naman ako."

Natawa ako sa reaksyon niya. "I know." And reach for her hand to lightly squeeze it.

Nagngingitian kaming dalawa nang bumaba ulit si Tito, but this time, he's in long sleeves and black pants. He's rolling his sleeves up to his elbows while going down showing his shaped arms because of constant workout.

"Am I good enough, ladies?... What do you think?"

Napailing si Yaya habang siyang-siya na pinapanood si Tito na lumapit sa amin.

"Hindi lang good, anak. Kundi very very good! Halika nga dito at maayos natin yang collar mo."

Tumayo si Yaya Lucing sa kinauupuan niya para salubungin si Tito, at abutin ang collar nito saka inayos ng tupi.

"You'll gonna win this, Tito. Tita Helga will not gonna say no to you. Hitsura mo pa lang, no!" At saka kami nagtawanang tatlo.

"I'll put all my trust to you Cheyenne... I hope this will work out."