Strings of Memories

fourth string

It's a Saturday morning and I'm here in Hera's room. She's my cousin, my best friend, and my sister as well. All that in one person, huh? Pinagmamasdan ko siyang naglalagay ng contact lens sa kanyang mata. I looked at her reflection in the mirror while hugging her favorite stuff toy. She's really beautiful. Our complexion is different from one another. She has a lighter skin compared to mine.

"I am surprised that you have time for me, dear cousin." mataray nitong sabi habang papikit-pakit dahil sa ginagawa.

Tumabi siya sa akin pagtapos niyang maglagay ng contact lens at pabiro akong inirapan.

"It's as if you don't know what's going on in my life, Hera..." mahina kong sambit.

"I'm just kidding!" itinaas niya ang dalawang kamay at maya maya'y binagsak ito sa aking balikat upang mayakap ako.

"I missed you too..." sabi ko na lang dahil ang tagal niyang yumakap. Hindi halata, ha?

I missed my best friend. Hindi na kami masyadong nagkikita dahil sa sitwasyon ko ngayon, pero dahil napapadalas ang paggawa ng thesis ni Leo ay nagpiprisinta siyang bantayan si Mama. Sina Tita Cherry naman ay kaluluwas lang ng probinsiya kaya heto ako ngayon, spending time with someone I treasure very much. I am very thankful for Leo because I had the chance to catch up with Hera.

Pagkatapos namin mag breakfast ay sumalampak kami sa sofa at nanood ng 'Netflix'. I was amazed because I haven't been able to watch these kinds of films for ages!

We cried and laughed in our pajamas while watching our favorite movies. Mahilig kaming umulit ng mga pelikula kahit na kabisado na namin ang bawat linya, which makes watching movies more fun by the way.

In the midst of a very funny scene, Hera suddenly stopped giggling and went silent. Para bang may naalala ito.

"Kumusta nga pala si Tita?" ramdam ko ang pag-aalala sa kanyang tono. We used to be inseparable, that's why she's very worried.

"She's doing fine, but the doctor still requires a lot of rest for her. You don't have to worry." I assured her.

"How about you?" napatingin ako sa lamesa sa aking harapan, I can't bear to hear those kinds of questions.

"Hmm, I don't know. I'm coping, I guess." I let out a sad smile.

Ngumuso ang katabi ko at tila nadadamay sa kalungkutan ko. This girl knows what I'm going through.

"If you need any help, just know that I am always here." I know, Hera. Ayaw ko lang talaga humingi ng tulong kung hindi naman kailangang kailangan.

She then smiled as if she knows what I'm thinking and proceeded to change the topic into a lighter one.

"Well, I know what's going on in your life, but I think I'm missing some details." kumuha siya ng isang kutsara ng ice cream pagtapos ay inintriga na ako. "Kamusta kayo ni Quin?"

Tumawa lang ako sa tanong niya at pabiro kong hinila ang buhok niya.

"Aray, ha! Nagtatanong lang!"

"Ang tagal tagal na noon, Hera! Alam mo, mas nauna pang nakamove-on yung tao kaysa sa'yo!"

"How sure are you that he moved on? Huh? Masyado kang mapanakit!"

"Oh, I'm 101 percent sure my dear cousin." I mocked her. "By the way," huminga ako ng malalim at umupo ng maayos nang maalala ang isang lalaki.

"What?" nangingiti niyang sabi, siguro akala tungkol kay Quin.

"I had these weird encounters with someone."

"How weird is it, plus, do you mind telling me his name?" her eyes glimmered. She's always like this everytime I have something to spill.