Strings of Memories

tenth string

"Maeve." Maeve? Hearing that word makes me feel like someone touched the most sensitive parts of my heart. I did not heard that for the longest time in a while.

May kung ano rito na iba ang dating sa akin.

All it takes is one smile and I'm already at ease with the person in front of me. I know him! Mariin kong pinikit ang aking mga mata at pilit inalala ang taong ito.

"I missed you, so much..." mahina nitong sambit, nakita ko din ang pagpungay ng mga mata nito. His eyes were telling me something.

I hate that I don't remember certain people that may hold a special place in my life in the past.

Yumuko ako at nag buntong-hininga. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

"Hindi pa kita maalala." nang tuluyan. But I'm certainly sure that I know you.

My head ached a little, but it is still tolerable. May sinasabi siya ngunit hindi ko na ito maintindihan. As I keep looking at him, my headache got worse than a subtle pain. Umikot bigla ang aking paligid at tuluyan na akong bumagsak sa sahig.

The next thing I knew is I'm inside my house. Leo's furrowed brows startled me. Nakahalukipkip ang pinsan ko at masama ang tingin sa kay Hector na nasa aking harapan.

"Are you feeling well, now?" Hector suddenly said, voice laced with concern.

"Maayos na." wala sa sarili kong sagot habang nakatitig sa kawalan. I lied, mabigat ang pakiramdam ko at tila sinisinat.

"That's good..."

"Kausapin ko lang si Hector, Leo."

Kahit laban sa kanyang kagustuhan, pumayag na lang sa akin si Leo. Siguro'y para na lang din sa akin. That's why I love my cousin dearly. Para ko na itong kapatid.

Pagkaalis niya'y umupo si Hector sa aking tabi. I looked at his facial structures questionably, tinitingnan kung mayroon dito na makakapagpaalala sa akin ng kanyang pagkatao.

Ngumiti ito at iniwas ang tingin sa akin. He has an earring on his left ear. My eyes widened in disbelief. Itim na itim din ang mga mata nito, at ang kanyang buhok.

Why do I feel like he's the same man that's been appearing in my dreams?Parehas na siya iyon because of his stance, the way he talks, and the way he smiles. It's him!

"You're the man in my dreams." nakangiti kong sabi.

"I see, your memories haven't betrayed me." he chuckled and stood up.

Nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataong masuri siya. He's very tall, that's for sure. He also looks a bit older than me, maybe around middle twenty's?

He smiled in a silly way when he realized that I'm looking at him weirdly. Mabilis itong lumapit sa kinauupuan ko at hinigit ako palapit sa kanya. He put his chin on the top of my head and hugged me tight. His hug is filled with unknown emotions. I felt warm.....and familiar.

"Ang tagal kitang hinanap. This feels surreal."

"I—" marahas kaming pinaghiwalay ni Hector at dahil doon ay halos mapasigaw ako sa gulat.

"Umalis ka na." the anger on my Mother's voice was clearly evident even if she barely shouted.

"Tutulungan ko siya, Tita." lakas loob na tugon ni Hector.

"She doesn't need your help, Hector." traces of fear, anger, and hatred were clearly seen on her eyes.

Mama, acting this way, made my heart ache. Hindi naman siya masama..You just don't want me to remember, right? A lump suddenly formed in my throat.