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Arrow started using a wheelchair going to school. He could still walk, but most of the time, he needed to roll with his wheelchair. It was a big adjustment for everyone, especially for the both of us. Lahat ng tao sa Northside ay binabalingan kami ng tingin habang itinutulak ko siya sa kanyang wheelchair, ngunit nang tumagal ay nasanay na rin sila at nasanay na rin kami.
"Did you finish your assignment in Literature?" I asked Arrow as I pushed his wheelchair heading to our classroom.
"You know me, Seven. I do well with poems, so it's a small thing for me," he answered. "How about you?"
"I had a hard time, but I don't want to disappoint you, so I did my best to finish it," I responded with a sigh.
"I wanna hear it," he said excitedly.
"Huwag na, Arrow. Baka pagtawanan mo lang ako lalo na't napakagaling mo pagdating sa gano'ng bagay."
He drew a smile. "I won't, promise."
With heavy breath, I said, "Okay. I'll think about it."
He gave me a nod with a smile. When we reached our classroom, Audrey and Maze helped me to assist Arrow to his chair. Pwede naman siyang manatili sa wheelchair, ngunit pakiramdam daw niya ay naiiba siya sa lahat kapag nanatili siya doon. He wanted to sit on his classroom chair just like before.
"So how are you?" Maze asked.
"Enjoying my throne," answered Arrow as he stared at his wheelchair.
"You should ask your mom to buy you a golden wheelchair," said Audrey. "A king like you deserves that."
"Stop with your nonsense, Audrey," Arrow said with a giggle.
I truly admired his courage. Arrow's smile spoke volumes about his character. He's so optimistic that made every people around him less worried. SCA had taken so much from him, his strength, his energy, and even his future, but I knew his illness could not take his positive spirit.
"Hey!" someone spoke, it was Colton walking towards us. Hindi siya nakasuot ng kanyang uniform at may dala siyang bagahe.
"Anong meron?" tanong ko. "Saan ka pupunta?"
"Nakalimutan mo na? December na," saad ni Colton. "I need to travel now for the national competition."
"Oo nga pala," sambit ko. "Kung ganoon ay ilang araw kang mawawala?" tanong ko.
"Almost two weeks," he answered.
"Gano'n katagal?" tanong ni Maze.
"Oo, sa Mindanao kasi ang venue kaya mapapahaba ang byahe," sagot ni Colton.
"Good luck, Colton," Audrey said.
"Keep in mind everything I told you," Arrow said, flashing trust and confidence for his friend.
"I will," said Colton. "Ipapanalo ko 'yon para sa'yo."
"Stop that, Colton," Arrow uttered. "Baka magselos si Seven nyan, lalo na si Dandrix."
"What?" Audrey and Maze reacted.
Mabilis namang napatingin si Colton sa aming mga kaibigan at ngumiti. "Huwag niyo masyadong sineseryoso ang sinasabi ni Arrow. You know he's a good joker."
"No, he's a bad joker," I disagreed with sarcasm.
"Yeah," said Audrey. "I remember when he told about the cat joke."
"Don't go there, Audrey," warned Arrow.
"Why? It's corny but I think it's kinda funny," Audrey stated with sarcasm. "Ano na ulit 'yon? Pwede ko bang marinig ulit?"
"No!" Arrow spat with embarrassed face.
"Dali na," sabi naman ni Maze. "Gusto rin naming marinig."
"Oo nga," gatong pa ni Colton. "Make me laugh before I travel."
"Go on, Arrow," I pushed. "Alam mo namang hindi ka patatahimikin ng mga 'yan."
"Okay, fine," Arrow said in a bored tone. He took a deep breath and said, "What do you call a pile of cats?"
"What?" We all asked in chorus, and we were surprised because our other classmates also spoke, waiting for Arrow's answer.
He was shocked with all the eyes he was getting, but he managed to drop the bomb. "It's called, Meowntain."
The classroom fell silent like five seconds, and then after that, laughs erupted in every corner. Maging ako ay hindi napigilan ang tumawa. It was a bad joke, but it still made us laugh. Arrow was laughing, looking satisfied with the reactions he got from our friends and classmates.
"That's a good one, huh," said Colton. "Because of that, you earn this." He dropped a coffee on Arrow's table, and I realized it was a caramel macchiato.
"For me?" Arrow asked.
"Unless, your table could drink that alone," Colton stated with a playful smile.
"Thanks!" expressed Arrow. "Said my table."
Colton tapped the table and said, "You're welcome, table."
They exchanged small laughter. The looks in their eyes testified that life might be twisted, but it's still beautiful. Nang makapagpaalam na sa'min si Colton ay umalis na siya para mag-byahe. Our teacher also came and we began the lesson.
Marami man ang nagbago sa buhay ni Arrow, ngunit masaya ako na hindi lang kami ni Tita Meryl ang gumagawa ng paraan para gumaan ang loob niya. My friends and our classmate were also doing their best by looking at Arrow without any pity and acting like he's normal like everyone of us. They see him as a classmate and friend, but not his disability.
"You saw Mr. Tor's face earlier when I tried walking to answer his question on the board?" asked Arrow. We're on our way home.
"He's so shocked," I responded and laughed. "Halos hindi niya maialis ang mata niya sa'yo habang sumasagot ka."
"Yeah. He's probably worried that I might fall anytime," he said with a smile.
I gave him a quick glance and drew back my eyes to the road. "Are you okay with it?"
"About the idea that he's worried?" he asked. "Well, it made me feel uncomfortable at first. Ganoon rin naman ako sa inyo ni Mom. Ayaw kong masyado kayong magalala dahil nanliliit ako. But I came to realize that being worried and feeling sorry for someone are two different things."
It made me smile, igniting the fire of hope inside me. Nagaalala ako na dahil sa mga tawa at ngiti niya ay baka may tinatago at iniinda siyang ibang bagay bukod sa sakit niya. My heart lifted knowing that my man might not be physically strong, but his heart and mind had an unyielding courage.
When we got home, we did our usual routine. We ate dinner with Tita Meryl and after that, he requested me to spent time in our three house. I guided him until we reached it, and we did random stuffs like writing songs, reading books, playing board games and doing our homework. It felt like the tree house became our new world. In that small wooden house, we found a kingdom where we ruled together, not thinking about the world outside.
Weeks had passed, until our Christmas break came. We had a closing program before our vacation, and everyone were all excited about it.
"So saan niyo na naman balak magbakasyon?" tanong ko kay Audrey at Maze.
"We wanna try swimming in a mud," Audrey managed answering. "So we're going to my mom's hometown."
"Isasama raw niya ako para masubukan din daw namin ang mag-camping sa kagubatan," dagdag pa ni Maze.
Mabilis naman kaming nagpalitan ni Arrow ng maintrigang tingin.
"Huwag niyo kaming pagisipan ng masama dyan," mabilis na sabi ni Audrey. "Kasama namin ang mga magulang ko sa camping."
"Mabuti na 'yong malinaw," nakangiting sabi ni Arrow.
Each Northside students had their own plans for Christmas break, but Arrow and me decided to just stay in the house. We spent our time at the tree house, doing things that would entertain us. Fabulous vacation was exciting, but being with Arrow alone was already enough for me.
Tuwing gabi ay naglalatag kami ng higaan sa tapat ng maliit na balcony ng tree house kung saan tanaw namin ang kalangitan. Watching the stars with Arrow felt like we're in a tragic movie, but the difference was, we're dealing with the reality that our life was not only about romance and happy ending.
"Seven," he called while we were lying together. "Hindi mo pa nasabi sa'kin kung anong gusto mong marating sa buhay."
I gave him a look. "I'm a business student, so I guess I will be working in a bank or a company."
"Is that what you really want?" he asked, directing his eyes at me.
My mind was swirling with words after his question. Though it seemed simple, but it stirred something within me. Naalala ko kung gaano kahirap ang buhay ko noon, dahilan para hindi ko mapagisipan kung ano ang gusto kong marating sa buhay. The only thing I wanted back then was for our family to have enough money to go by everyday.
"To be honest," I began. "I have a passion in visual editing and design."
"Visual editing?" he asked. "You mean, creating images in computer?"
"Yes," I replied. "Noong bata ako ay nakagamit ako ng computer sa kapit-bahay namin. I tried editing stuffs there and started liking it. Pero alam kong dahil sa kahirapan ay malabo 'yon mangyari. We can't even buy delicious meal back then, so having a computer was impossible."
"Kaya ba pumayag ka sa gusto ni Mom tungkol sa art center?" he asked.
I gave him an embarrassed look. "Yes, it's a shame, but I took that advantage to at least give myself a chance. After all, doing visual editing won't be possible if I have no enough knowledge with arts. Kaya naman sinubukan ko 'yon."
"And how is it? Did you have fun?" he asked.
"Yes," I replied. "Ang totoo nyan ay nagsimula akong mapaisip. If I could use my passion in visual editing and my knowledge in business, maybe I could make my own company. Ngunit alam kong magiging mahirap ang pagdadaanan ko."
"Mahirap, pero alam kong kakayanin mo," sambit niya at dahan-dahan na hinawakan ako sa aking kamay. "Take it from me, Seven. I'm ill, but I'm trying to continue my passion. Kaya sana ay tuparin mo rin 'yang pangarap mo. I want you to put visual motions on my music someday."
I jolted him a look. His words added more emotion, but it gave me motivation. "I'll try my best, Arrow. It would be an honor to work with your music."
I was never vocal with my dreams and my future, and talking about it with Arrow made me feel great. Natatakot ako sa maaaring mangyari sa hinaharap, ngunit binibigyan ako ni Arrow ng dahilan upang subaybayan ang bawat araw.
The next morning was Sunday, and we woke up smelling a pancake baked by Tita Meryl. Iniligpit namin ang aming higaan at muli kong inalalayan si Arrow sa pagbaba ng tree house. Mabigat siya, ngunit dahil may sapat pa siyang lakas upang tumayo at humakbang ay hindi ako masyadong nahirapan. When he sat on his wheelchair, I noticed exhaustion from his breathing.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Yes," he answered with a heavy breath. "C'mon, the breakfast is waiting." He flashed a smile, and I knew he was trying his best to look fine for me not to worry.
I pushed his wheelchair to go inside the house, but before we could reach inside, someone called us.
"Seven, Arrow," said Colton as he ran towards us.
"Colton, nakauwi ka na pala," sambit ko.
"How's the big game?" asked Arrow in a flash.
Colton lowered his head, and that moment, I felt like he's going to give us a bad news. He lifted his head again and we're surprised because he flashed a quick smile.
"I won," he said, pulling his golden medal from his pocket. "I did it, Arrow."
"Wow! Congratulations!" I applauded.
"I told you, you can do it," said Arrow full of pride. "Finally, you're also a national champion."
"I owe everything to you," Colton expressed with teary eyes.
"No. I gave you a hand, but it's all you who made your dream possible," said Arrow.
Tears weren't flowing, but the emotion was there. Looking at Arrow and Colton as both national champion made me motivated enough to find my purpose in life and my place in the world, but for now, I wanted to revolve my life with Arrow.
Naabutan kami ni Tita Meryl sa labas ng bahay, kaya naman niyaya na rin niya si Colton upang kumain ng agahan.
"So what's your plan for tonight?" Tita Meryl asked while slicing the pancake on her plate.
"Just like the usual, stay at the tree house, Tita," I managed answering.
"Are you serious?" reacted Colton. "Hindi ba kayo pupunta sa Triangle Park mamaya para sa Fireworks Festival?"
"Fireworks Festival?" I asked.
"It's an annual festival for teenagers like us," Arrow answered. "There will be playing booths, free food stalls, concert, and fireworks display."
"So you better attend," Tita Meryl said. "Because Lemonade Punch will perform on the concert."
"Lemonade Punch?" reacted Arrow.
"Yes, anak," replied Tita Meryl. "Your favorite band."
Naalala ko na isa sa bucket list ni Arrow ay ang makapunta at makanood ng concert ng Lemonade Punch.
"But we don't have any costume," said Arrow.
"Costume for what?" I asked.
"We need to wear costumes so we could enter the event premises," he answered.
"Huwag niyo ng isipin ang tungkol doon dahil hindi niyo pa sinasabi ay nagawan ko na ng paraan," nakangiting sabi ni Tita Meryl at mabilis na nagtungo sa kanyang kwarto.
When she returned, she was carrying a box. She dropped it on the table and pulled what's inside it. There were white and red costumes made of satin cloth. She also took an angel wings and a devil's horn from the box.
"Mom? Seriously?" reacted Arrow.
"Ito na lang kasi ang natirang costume sa Lavander Plum kaya naman kinuha ko na. Kaysa naman wala kayong maisuot," paliwanag ni Tita Meryl.
"So who's gonna be the angel and who will be the devil?" asked Colton with a silly smile.
Tita Meryl grinned and said, "I know your not a devil, anak, but Seven fit the angel costume more."
Natawa naman ng mahina si Colton kaya binato siya ni Arrow ng masamang tingin.
"Tita, I'm okay with the devil costume," I stated.
Arrow gave me a look. "No, you should use the angel costume. I'm sure you'll look stunning with that angel wings."
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Yes. Besides, I'm thrilled to see myself wearing a devil costume while riding my electronic wheelchair," he said and laughed.
We didn't want to kill his mood, so we joined him from laughing. Alam na alam niya kung paano pagaanin ang loob ng mga taong nasa paligid niya.
Matapos ang agahan ay nagpaalam na si Colton dahil kailangan raw muna niyang magpahinga para makapunta sa Fireworks Festival. On the other hand, Arrow and I spent the time in his room, trying to put some make up that Tita Meryl lent us. Naupo kami sa sahig at inilatag ang mga make-up sa karpet ng kanyang kwarto.
"I don't know anything about make up, but I think we should apply moisturizer first," I told Arrow who was holding a palette for eyeshadow.
"Why do we even need to apply make up?" he asked.
"This is your mom's idea," I said. "Pagbigyan na lang natin dahil nag-effort pa siya para lang sa costume natin."
He sighed in frustration. He took something on the floor and said, "Is this the moisturizer?"
"I guess?" I responded.
Without anymore words, he opened the small container he was holding. He dunked his finger to it as if it's Nutella. Quickly, he applied it to my face which made me flinch.
"Wait!" I reacted. "I think we're getting it wrong," I said and took the thing he was holding. I looked onto it and I read, concealer.
"This is not moisturizer!" I spat.
"Sorry," Arrow said and laughed.
After giving him a glare, I took the concealer from him and put it on his face. Tinawanan ko naman siya nang siya'y natigilan. Mabilis niya muling inagaw ang concealer sa'kin. He shot his finger to the concealer and put it on my face again.
Giggling like kids, we smeared concealer across each other's faces as if it's some sweet icing. Our inner child emerged, filling the room with laughter and sticky sweetness.
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a / n : Kamusta kayo readers? Okay pa ba? I intentionally made this chapter lightly, because I want you all to feel warm and happy despite of the stress that this story was giving you. Sana okay pa kayo. Hehe. God bless and have a blast!
Oren Jiro, xx
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