The moon was always found playing in darkness. The stars were the companion of it every time I wanted to brighten up my night. Every time I look up at the night sky, I am overwhelmed with the emotions I couldn't name. Especially, when I am beside the guy that makes me believe I could get the moon for myself.
"Luna..." He slowly uttered my name while we were both looking at the night sky. Pareho kaming nakaupo sa ground ng park na nasa subdivision lang din namin. "Your name fits you. You're like a moon." An enticing smile spread on his lips.
There's a full moon tonight the reason why we went here at the park to witness it. Nagkalat din ang nagniningning na mga bituin sa kalangitan kaya bukod sa poste ng ilaw sa parkeng ito ay nagliliwanag ang gabi naming dalawa. My eyes glistened when I stared at his face. Mabilis kong binalik ang aking paningin ng tingnan niya rin ako. I clearly hear my heart thumping so fast. Ramdam na ramdam ko kung gaano niya nagagawang pasukin ang sistema ko at guluhin ito.
Yinapos ko ang aking mga binti at pinamahinga ang aking baba sa tuhod ko. "Why? Because I brighten up your night?" I chuckled.
He pouted and frowned at me. Nagawa niya pa akong ilingan dahil sa hindi pagsang-ayon sa sinabi ko. "Nope. 'Cause you always ruin my night."
Tumaas ang isa kong kilay at tiningnan siya. Humalakhak siya na hindi bumenta sa akin. Masama pa rin ang tingin ko sa kaniya. "Kung ganoon lang din pala, e'di d'yan ka na!" Akma na akong tatayo pero mabilis niya akong hinila kaya muli akong napaupo.
He laid on the grass and spread his one arm. I was still staring at him when he pulled me and made me lay on his arm. Sa ganoong ayos ay mas malinaw naming napagmasdan ang nagniningning na kalangitan. I felt my cheeks heated when he pulled me closer.
"Just kidding," his lips were almost touching the tip of my ear. "You guide me on every path I take and stay with me every time I need someone to walk with me. You're my luna."
Sa bawat pagpintig ng puso ko ay ang kakaibang pakiramdam ang nananalaytay sa kalooban ko. But I love the feeling. I love how my system ruined because of him.
"Sino pa ba ang sasama sayo kung hindi ako lang." I pinched his nose. "You're too shy to interact, Skyler Luiz Marquez. Ako lang naman ang kilala mo." Hindi ko napigilan ang matawa nang muli siyang sumimangot.
"I just don't feel like interacting with those people who aren't real." He grimaced.
"How could you conclude that they aren't real? Ayaw mo kasing kilalanin."
"I'm okay with you. Ayos lang sa'kin kahit ikaw lang ang meron ako." He leaned his head on the side of mine. He sighed and hugged me more.
Butterflies fluttered on my stomach when I felt his warmth on my back. His warmth enveloped me from the coldness that the night gave us. This isn't the first time we became this near but my reaction is always priceless and contained.
"I don't need anyone but you, Skyler. I can't find someone who knows me since I was ten." I'd feel like my tears will flow any minute. Mabilis akong nag-iwas nang tingin sa kaniya para hindi niya iyon makita. "Pasalamat ka natitiis ko ang pang-aasar mo noong mga bata pa tayo. Kundi baka si Bailey na 'yong kalaro at bestfriend ko ngayon."
Tumaas ang kilay niya nang lingunin ko siya. "May gusto iyon sayo, eh. Nagagalit 'yon sa'kin sa tuwing sinasama mo ako sa bahay nila kapag yinayaya ka niyang maglaro."
"Gusto lang naman makipagkaibigan ni Bailey."
"If he wants friendship, then why is he always glaring at me every time he sees us together?" The way he watches me sent shivers down my spine. "Now that we were not kids anymore, he might court you. H'wag kang papayag. Sa'kin ka lang dapat. Ikaw lang ang meron ako."
A mixture of happiness and fear warm my heart. Masarap sa pakiramdam na kuntento na siya sa akin. Na hindi niya na kailangang humanap ng ibang kaibigan dahil masaya siya na kahit ako lang. Same thing with me. Mayroon man akong ibang kakilala pero iba pa rin talaga ang samahan naming dalawa. There seems like an invisible string that keeps pulling us back together.
I want to stay by his side until the moon's bright fades. I want to spend my night with him until the clouds hide the stars. I want to be his forever luna. His moon. The one that brightens his night and guides his path.
I want to create more memories that he can cherish until the day that the world took him from me.
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Short story lang po ito. Baka five chapters ay tapos na ang kwentong ito.
Minnie Hwang
