Embracing Sunshine (Completed)

"Its a date! 2"

"Anong ginagawa mo?" Kinakabahang tanong ni Elaine Kay Francisco habang papalapit naman ang huli sa kanya.

He just smiled that made her more nervous. Nasa loob sila ngayon nang kotse ni Franciso at nac-corner na sya sa pagitan nang passenger seat at nang kamay nito. She clenched her fist sa sobrang kabang nararamdaman. Para kasing slow motion ang paglapit nang mukha nito sa kanya.

Malapit na. Sobrang lapit na nito sa kanya. She immediately closed her eyes anticipating something to happen any moment now. Ang something na 25 years nya na atang hinintay sa kanyang buhay.

1, 2, 3, second. 'Ang tagal naman. Teka bat ang tagal?' she is anticipating their lips to lock. Ang lapit lapit na nang mukha nito sa kanya kanina pero bakit wala parin.

She suddenly opened her eyes and was greeted by the guys smiling lips and playful eyes just inches away from hers. Inabot ang tali ang seatbelt sa malapit sa kanyang tenga at nilock iyon sa kanyang gilid.

"Safety first" nakangiti paring sabi nito sa kanya ni Francisco.

"Hahaha" kinakabahang tawa nya. Muntikan na nga syang mapamura. Sana naman hindi nito na notice ang biglang kaba nya kanina. Syet! Nakakahiya sya. "Sabi ko nga"

He started the engine at nagumpisa na sa kanilang byahe.

She opened the window to feel the wind on her skin. Nilagay nya ang kamay sa bintana nang kotse at ipinatong doon ang kanyang baba.

Night life. Gaano na ba katagal nang huli nyang maapagmasdan nang mabuti ang gabi tulad nito? Ever since nalaman nyang may sakit sya, never na syang naabotan nang gabi sa daan nang mag isa. Her parents became overprotective for her. Hindi rin naman nya masisi ang mga ito.

Napakaganda nang gabi. The street lights that gives light to the dark night , ang mga neon lights nang mga store na parang sumisigaw na 'pumasko kayo sa shop ko!" The stars and the moon that looks magical.

"What are you thinking?" tanong sa kanya ni Francisco that made her looked at him. Nakafocus parin ito sa pagmamaneho. Tumingin ulit sya sa labas nang bintana at tinignan ang mga taong nagmamadali nang umuwi at ang iba ay naghahabol pa nang mga jeep and bus.

"If people realize how short their life is will they stop chasing after material things and start appreciating little beautiful things?" Sabi nya sa mahinang tono. She used to be one of them she thought. Yung habol nang habol sa oras and taking for granted every little things that could make a person happy. Dati, para sa kanya, kung di ka successful walang saysay ang buhay. It's like you were born to strive to live and to reach the peak of each career. Pag ganon, only by then people will recognize you but when she learned about her health status, she started to take notice every little thing that matter more. Siguro mas tamang sabihin na Cole made her notice of the real beauty of life. If there is someone who she is really thankful for aside from her parents si Cole yun. Yung taong kahit hindi namam nya kaano ano ay sobra ang pagpapahalaga sa kanya.

She again looked at Francisco, kaya nya bang pagaanin ang loob nito at tanggapin ang masakit nitong nakaraan just like how Cole help her coped with the reality of her condition?

"Most people don't have the liberty to think of beautiful things. We have different stories Elaine and we do not have the right to judge someone just because our point of view is different from theirs" seryosong sabi ni Francisco sa kanya. Parang malalim din ang iniisip nito. Kita nya kasi ang pagkunot nang nuo nito habang nakatingin parin sa kalsada.

The atmosphere seems so tense that she decided to be silent for a while pero kasalanan talaga nang makulit nyang bibig she just can't keep her mouth shut. Something on how he said those words made her a little annoyed. It's like indirectly telling her na wala syang right na husgahan ito. Hindi nya naman ito hinuhusgahan diba? She just thought of those words out of nowhere. She is even trying her best to help him.

"We may have different stories but don't we share the same world? Pag ba naging unfair ang mundo sayo ibig sabihin pangit na ito? You can be good all you want or pwede mo rin lunurin ang sarili mo sa problema but you know what, nothing will change. Kaya kesa mamroblema ka sa mga bagay bagay why not enjoy life?" Kalmadong paliwanag nya dito. Trying to ease the tension.

"I don't mean to offend you. I am sorry" mahinahong sabi nito sa kanya. Siguro naramdaman nitong parang naiilang sya sa naging takbo nang usapan nila kaya kusa na itong nag concede? She smiled. Somehow biglang nawala ang inis nya dito.

"Hindi ako na offend. Gusto ko lang makipag debate sayo ang tahimik mo kasi, parang tutubo na ang kabute sa ulo mo" pabirong sabi nya dito sabay tawa at parang nagtagumpay na naman sya. After saying those words she heard him chuckled.

"Malayo pa ba tayo?" Tanong nya dito. They have been on journey for almost an hour na. Sinabayan pa nang traffic kaya na delay pa lalo.

"Malapit na"

"Pwedeng lakarin?" Suddenly may naisip syang gawin kaya natanong nya dito.

"Yes why?"

"Talaga ba? Park mo jan yung kotse mo" sabay turo sa isang espasyo sa kilid nang isang maliit na shop.

"Okay?" Nagtataka man ay sumunod ito sa kanya.

After parking the car, she smiled at him. Hinila ang kamay nito at nagumpisang lumakad.