Something That Will Last

30 // A Bucket Full of Wishes

While I was driving and in the middle of the traffic, I remembered her face when I left her without a kiss on the lips. I chuckled at the image. I wasn't sure of anything, but I'm halfway convinced that she was always waiting for it.

Me smiling in the middle of a traffic jam sends my soul into a whole lot different dimension. Realizing it, I smiled some more like I'm best friends with the steering wheel.

My smile only died out when I answered Marco's call and his voice resonated inside the car.

"Pre, ano? Kailan mo kami ipapakilala dyan sa kinababaliwan mo, ha? Taena, di ka na namin makita-kita! Isa pa 'yang si Kurt!"

"O, 'wag kang mainggit. Easy ka lang."

I escaped the traffic and was finally able to drive smoothly. Frickin' finally! Tomorrow I should be up early to pick up the flowers I ordered for Vie before we head to PICC.

"Pwede na ba kaming pumuntang Mostaccio? Kung pagbawalan mo kami parang kasosyo ka do'n, ah!"

"Gago!" Tumawa ako. "Oo, pwede na. 'Wag niyo lang bibiglain si Vie. Taena, manununtok talaga 'ko."

Siya naman ang humagalpak ng tawa. "Aba, aba. Umaariba kayo sa buhay ni Kurt, ah. You douchebags abandoned me!"

These little boy games were only fun while it lasted. Now I take pleasure in being in love too much that if Marco would see the interior of my reality, he'd flip and barf hearts and rainbows.

"Wala, pre, e. Nahiyang ako. Sige, mainggit ka na lang pala hanggang mamatay ka."

"Tangina mo."

"Sweet nyan."

What can I say? I got lucky. This is worth the coffee stain on my shirt and the burning sensation on my scalp during the first day.

Hindi sinagot ni Vie ang tawag ko pagkauwi kahit ipinangako kong sandali lang kami mag-uusap. May ginagawa raw kasi siya sa mukha niya at matutulog na pagkatapos. I didn't argue, though. My damn whipped existence just yielded.

Dahil maaga akong nakatulog ay ginanahan akong mag-ayos ng sarili kahit hindi pa sumisikat ang araw. Ganadong ganado ako kaya kahit anong inis sa akin ng kapatid ko ay nginingitian ko lang siya.

"Ako rin, Kuya, flowers..."

While I was at the flower shop, I figured to give mom one, too. This was a special day to her and dad. They deserved to be congratulated for putting up with a child like me, especially mom, whose patience was out of the ordinary.

For dad, I'll give him a pat on the back. Mayaman na siya. Ako nga ang naghihintay ng regalo mula sa kanya.

Kumuha ako ng isang pirasong bulaklak sa bouquet ni mom at inalok kay Jess. Umismid siya pero hinablot naman.

We met our parents on the venue. Inaayos ni mom ang necktie ko habang hindi ako mapakali kahahanap kay Vie. Palinga-linga ako baka sakaling makita ko siya. Hindi kasi sumasagot sa tawag ko.

"You should go to the restroom, Kuya. You look like you really need to shit," taunted Jess.

"I'm looking for my girlfriend."

Binabantayan ko pa rin ang phone ko para sa text niya. Sa kabilang kamay ko naman ay iyong bouquet na para sa kanya.

Pagkalingon ko ay tsaka ko siya nakita. Nakatayo siya sa gitna ng parents niya at kinukuhanan sila ng picture.