Unbind the Strings

Thirteen

"Hatid ko lang siya sa labas, Ma." pag paalam ko kay Mommy. Tumango naman siya at nagpatuloy na ulit sa pag aayos ng hapag kainan. 

Sayang toothpaste. Joke. Lumabas na kami ng bahay at hinatid ko siya sa sasakyan niya. He pulled me closer to him before entering the car and said, "Sorry, babawi ako next time, ha?" 

"It's okay, I understand. Family comes first, always." I said back. 

"Masaya ako sa tuwing kasama kita. Just wanted to let you know." I smiled and said, "Ako rin."

We bid our goodbyes and I went inside to eat dinner. Few more days bago sila tuluyang umalis. We made our agreement that we'll still see each other every day after school. Pati na rin ang ibang tropa namin. I'm sure magiging busy sila sa College life kaya iintindihin ko sila ng bongga.

Nagsimula ng mag polish para sa ceremony at ngayon palang nalulungkot na ako habang tinitingnan ko si Gab na naglalakad sa gitna ng stage. She was waving at me and I was just smiling at her. How time flies so fast, 'yung dating nakabungguan ko lang sa canteen, mag cocollege na ngayon. 

"Hoy bukas ah! Kain tayong lahat sa labas. My treat." Gab said when she came back from the stage. Nanonood lang kami nina Kai, Neil, at Jay dito sa benches habang nagpapractice siya kanina. Wala naman kami masyadong gagawin, except for Jay. Masyadong talented eh. He will be playing the violin habang nag mamarch yung graduates.

Tinawag ng coordinator si Jay para mag practice sa stage. We went closer so we could hear him play. Damn, that's my baby. Sobrang nakakaproud lang tingnan. Gusto ko siyang ipagmalaki pero hindi pa pala siya sa'kin. 

"Go, babe! Galing mo! Boyfriend ko 'yan! Whooo!" I shouted when he started to play a verse. He was shocked to hear what I said at dali daling bumaba ng stage para puntahan ako. 

"What did you say?" he said while smiling at me, holding his bow.  

"Wala 'yun. Practice lang. Next time na 'yung totoo. HAHAHAHA." he quickly changed his expression.

"Paasa ka. Hayop." he said before turning his back on me. 

After the practice, he was asked to check the sound system at the back of the stage. Some kids were playing on the stage and we went to join the play. 

"Maiba, taya!" we all shouted.

"Si Cali taya! Habulin mo kame, walang balikbayan ha!" Gab teased me.

I was running and chasing the kids nang biglang may nasagi ako at bumagsak.

"Hala gago, ano 'yun?" Gab asked while looking around.

"Hala ka, Cali! Patay ka kay Jay! Favorite niyang violin 'yan gago ka!" Kai mocked me.

"Ate...what did you do?" the kids asked me. 

Nanlaki ang mga mata nila at binigyan ako ng hindi maipintang mga mukha. Ano gagawin ko, shit. Patay ako nito. I was sweating and I was practicing my lines bago pa dumating si Jay.

"Jay, pare!" Kai screamed while looking at me, signaling me to approach him.

Nakita namin si Jay pabalik na galing sa office kaya dali dali akong tumakbo palapit sakanya at sinubukan siyang harangan para makapag paliwanag. Nagulat siya ng hinarang ko siya gamit ang aking kamay.