In Another Time, Another Place (Parts 1&2)

In Another Time, Another Place

He carefully unwrapped my gift, para bang excited na excited siya pero ayaw niyang ipahalata. He smiled when he saw my gift. It was a rolled up cartolina paper. At sa cartolina na yun, nakadikit lahat ng 104 pictures namin na magkasama. From the time na magbestfriends pa lang kami hanggang ngayon. Halos lahat ng space, may caption.

And guess what? That key was the key to a locket, na iniwan niya sa desk ko sa bahay. Sa loob ay may picture namin dalawa. It was a gift that I still carry with me, till now.

Narinig ko ang familiar na piano instrumental ng wedding march. Slowly, nagsitayuan ang mga tao sa simbahan. Umayos na ng tayo yung mga maglalakad. I clutched my dress tighter.

"Dear, I think magsisimula na ang wedding."my mom said.

"Oh."I muttered in surprise. "It's time."

It was our fifth monthsary. Nagpaalam kami na magbi-beach kami with our friends. Hapon na and most of them decided to head home pero nagpaiwan kami ni Gray. We wanted to watch the sun set. In fact, gusto niya rin sanang bumalik sa madaling araw para panuorin ang sunrise.

"De la Fuentes, anong gusto mong gawin sa next monthsaries natin?"I asked. Malapit na kaming gumraduate and magstart ng college. I'd be lying if I said na hindi ako worried. Takot ako. Takot akong baka iniisip niyang makipag-break sa 'kin after sometime.

"Sa sixth, gusto ko magpunta sa Palawan. Sa seventh, gusto ko magsneak-out ka sa gabi so we can have a midnight picnic. Sa eight, pupuntahan kita sa bahay niyo at haharanahin ka. Sa ninth, I'll take you to a pet store para bumili ng puppy. Actually, I have a list. Nasa 104th na ko kaso ang hirap palang magplano hanggang sa to the infinity-th no? Gusto mo basahin? Pati yung church na gaganapan ng kasal natin nailista ko na. Dun tayo sa church na pinagkasalan ng parents ko."

Sa speech niyang yun, napawi lahat ng worries ko. He is already imagining spending forever with me. Wala na kong dapat ipag-alala.

I stepped out of the car and naglakad papunta sa pinaka-dulo ng linya. Ngumiti sa akin ang coordinator and she handed me my boquet. I took a deep breath before taking the flowers. My mom eyes me wearily, nangingilid ang luha sa mata niya.

"My baby..."and she hugged me tight. 

Then college started. I chose to become an architect and he chose to pursue law. Magka-university kaming tatlo nina Jane, my best friend, kung naaalala niyo pa. Magkaparehas pa sila ng pre-law course ni Jane.

"Bantayan mo yang lalaking yan ha. Gwapo yan eh." I told her.

"Don't worry. Ako bahala dito." Jane said. 

I didn't know that later on, I would regret those words. It was four months later bago ko nahalata na may iba. It wasn't that obvious at first till THAT happened. Jane's dad died.

Of course, nakiramay kami ni Gray. That is, nakiramay siya ng sobra.

Suddenly, wala na siyang time para sa kin. Kailangan niya raw tulungan si Jane sa thesis since naging busy daw ito sa pag-aasikaso ng funeral. Kailangan daw siya ni Jane sa Sabado para i-organize ang defense nila. Hindi niya nagawa prior kasi nga busy sa funeral. May project daw sila ng group ni Jane, 20% ng grade yun.

Hindi ko sinasabing inagaw siya ng best friend ko. No. 

Kung may natutunan ako tungkol kay Kieffer Gray de la Fuentes, yun ay parating mabuti ang intensyon niya. Nung fourth year, napansin niyang mailap ako sa lalaki. He wanted to change my opinion sa boys so he befriended me. The same happened this time. Kinailangan siya ni Jane so he offered himseld to her.

It just so happened that in the process of helping Jane, he fell out of love. And he, in turn, grew to love her instead.

I smiled at the lady wearing a long white dress at pumwesto ako sa isang side niya, as substitute to the father she lost. She squeezed my hand.

"Thank you, bes. I thought you wouldn't come."Jane said.

"Why would I let my two best friends down?"

I watched the whole wedding with a smile. This is reality. I should no longer reminisce. Masaya na siya, di ko gustong sirain pa 'to. 

The past was just another time, another place.

___

Emergerd. So bitter. Gaya ko. loljk. Sorry kung corny. ALAM KO ANG BADUY GRABE CLICHE EW KADIRI OKAY. XD