An Angel Came

This is a sequel of the storyI’ll See You. If you haven’t read it yet, just click here–>I’ll See You

I was standing in the middle of a beautiful meadow. It was night, and there was a majestic full moon hovering in the night sky, washing everything in a surrealistic glow. There were no stars. Perhaps they were outshined by the moonlight.

The meadow was full of blossoming lavenders and daffodils, filling the air around me with their floral scent. I walked reluctantly as the wind blew the soft grasses against my legs in whirls. In a distance, I could see a huge and old oak tree, silhouetted as the moon threw it with shadows.

This place is familiar, I thought as I made my way towards the huge old oak tree. As I got there, I saw a mat spread underneath the tree. And on it, a girl sat with her back turned on me. Her hair billows as if she had been caught by the breeze. Her white dress danced with her hair.

“Hi, Tom,” she said in a voice that was so familiar. I knew that voice. I loved that voice. I just knew it. My heart knew it. “I know you’d come.”

She didn’t turn to me. I wondered why she’d known my presence. Perhaps I’d made some noise.

Absentmindedly, I walked towards her, and sat down on the mat. She still didn’t look at me. She just sat there, wrapping her knees with her arm. Her face was hidden by the shadow. The tiny dabs of light that was passing through the branches and leaves of the tree weren’t enough to illuminate her face.

“How are you, Tom?” a jolt of electricity sizzled through my body. Her voice. It was really familiar. “It has been so long.”

“Yeah, too long,” I answered unknowingly. “I’m doing well.”

She stood up and stepped out of the mat. She walked out of the shade of the oak tree, and into the moonlight. Her white dress seemed emitting a bluish white radiance, making her appear like a divinity. She had her back on me.

“Come over here, Tom,” she called. And so I hurried over her side. She extended her hand to me. It seemed like there’s a light within her, and was coming out in every pores of her skin. She’s really gleaming.

“Come on, Tom,” she turned to face me, and I felt like my heart skipped a beat or two. Even her face was familiar to me. I stared into her amber eyes, just like mine. It felt like I was staring into my own eyes. She’s beautiful. “Trust me.”

Reluctantly, I took her hand. It was seemed so cold it felt like burning. Or the other way around. I didn’t know and wasn’t sure. She gripped me on my wrist, and a sense of trust sizzled in me. The gentle touch of her hand seemed familiar.

Suddenly, I heard ruffling of feathers. I looked over me to see giant wings flapping gently. Her wings. They were white as the snow in winter, and were so soft to stare. My breath was caught with pleasure as they slowly furled and unfurled from her back.

“Who are you?” I asked her, my voice barely a whisper.

“I’m your angel. I’m always beside you and I’m gonna stay here forever. You may never see me all the time, but I never left your side.” She smiled the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen in my entire life. A smile that was making my heart beats fast, knowing I’ve seen that smile before. “I will take care of you forever.”

Then her wings flapped and she was slowly ascending into the air. I swallowed hard and bit my lip, knowing what would happen next. My feet slowly left the soft grass. I was ascending, I was flying, and I can’t help myself but to smile.

“Cool!” I yelled in happiness. The wind was howling in my ear like an angry wolf. It was so cold, but I didn’t mind.

“Do you like it, Tom?” she asked as we circled the meadow.

“Like the what, my angel? Your wings or the flying?” I asked, unable to hide the happiness and excitement from my voice.

“Uhm. Both,” she said, and I could hear a smile in her voice.

“They’re beautiful. Do you know that I’ve always wanted to have wings? How would I become an angel?”

“Just be good.” She turned to face me and my heart jumped because I thought we’ll going to fall. But we didn’t. She tapped me on my nose with her index finger as she whispered. “Always”.

“Yes, ma’am!” I said, and tried hard to salute but failed.

“Hold on, we’ll fly higher.” She said, and we sped up higher. The trees and mountains passed through my eyes in a blur.

“Can we go to the clouds, my angel?” I pleaded.

“Sure, my little brother.” She winked at me, and I love as she called me brother.

“Whooohooh!” I yelled the excitement out of my heart.

She laughed.

I frowned, “Why are you laughing, my angel?”

“Nothing. I’m just happy I am with you.”

“Really? Me, too. I’m happy I’m with you.”

“Oops! Hold on. I’m gonna set you down now.” She said as she guided and settled me onto the cloud.

“See? I’m right!” I exclaimed as I slowly feel the soft cottony texture of the cloud on my sole. I sat down, loving the thought that I had touched and felt and lied on the cloud.

“You’re right about what?” she asked as she sat opposite me. She furled her wings on her back. She ran her fingers on the clouds.

“That I can lie on the cloud. Mama said I can’t. She said I will fall because it won’t hold me. Cloud’s a mixture of air and water.”

She laughed.

She reached on her side, to her wing. She picked a feather and blew it up onto the air. We watched it as it slowly danced in the zephyr, before it landed on her lap.

She picked it up and tickled my nose. I giggled. She laughed.

“Stop it, angel. Stop it before my pants get wet,” I rolled onto the cloud. I was gasping for my breath. Then I stilled as I felt like I stepped into a major case déjà vu.

I sat up and stared at her. Our eyes met; hers were filled with tears. I could see a longing in her eyes. I reached out to her and wiped out the tears in her eyes. I don’t want to see her crying. It didn’t felt right.

She held my hand on her face. She pressed it as she closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of my palm.

“Happy birthday, Tom!” She said in a sobbing whisper.

Then it finally hit me.

“Sam?” I said, my voice a broken whisper. I could slowly feel the lump in my throat forming and my eyes were slowly stinging as the tears formed. “Sam!”

I threw my arms around her. I hugged her tight, loving the feeling of her inside my arms again. I missed her so much.

“I miss you so much, Tom!” she said as she unfurled her wings and wrap them around me.

“I miss you, too. And Happy birthday to you, too.” I cried, my tears just won’t stop from leaking down to my cheeks. “Would you never leave me again?”

“Yes, I will never leave you again.” She left a gentle kiss on my cheek. And when I opened my eyes, she was gone. Her voice echoed around me, “I’ll see you again someday, Tom.”

I sat up on my bed. I was alone, in my room. I looked at my alarm clock, and said it’s 12:00 in the midnight; our birthday. I looked outside the window, and onto the silhouetted trees. I could hear the owls hooting outside.

“Just a dream,” I whispered. A tear rolled down to my cheek.

I looked at Sam’s empty bed, still not wanting to believe that she was gone almost a year ago. I sauntered around the moonlit room, and then sat on her bed. There on the pillow, a feather lied silently, peacefully. It was white as the snow in winter. Just like her wings in my dreams.

I picked it up and ran my fingers all over it. It was Sam’s. I knew it. I felt it.

An angel came in my sleep.

I was standing in the middle of a beautiful meadow. It was night, and there was a majestic full moon hovering in the night sky, washing everything in a surrealistic glow. There were no stars. Perhaps they were outshined by the moonlight.

The meadow was full of blossoming lavenders and daffodils, filling the air around me with their floral scent. I walked reluctantly as the wind blew the soft grasses against my legs in whirls. In a distance, I could see a huge and old oak tree, silhouetted as the moon threw it with shadows.

This place is familiar, I thought as I made my way towards the huge old oak tree. As I got there, I saw a mat spread underneath the tree. And on it, a girl sat with her back turned on me. Her hair billows as if she had been caught by the breeze. Her white dress danced with her hair.

“Hi, Tom,” she said in a voice that was so familiar. I knew that voice. I loved that voice. I just knew it. My heart knew it. “I know you’d come.”

She didn’t turn to me. I wondered why she’d known my presence. Perhaps I’d made some noise.

Absentmindedly, I walked towards her, and sat down on the mat. She still didn’t look at me. She just sat there, wrapping her knees with her arm. Her face was hidden by the shadow. The tiny dabs of light that was passing through the branches and leaves of the tree weren’t enough to illuminate her face.

“How are you, Tom?” a jolt of electricity sizzled through my body. Her voice. It was really familiar. “It has been so long.”

“Yeah, too long,” I answered unknowingly. “I’m doing well.”

She stood up and stepped out of the mat. She walked out of the shade of the oak tree, and into the moonlight. Her white dress seemed emitting a bluish white radiance, making her appear like a divinity. She had her back on me.

“Come over here, Tom,” she called. And so I hurried over her side. She extended her hand to me. It seemed like there’s a light within her, and was coming out in every pores of her skin. She’s really gleaming.

“Come on, Tom,” she turned to face me, and I felt like my heart skipped a beat or two. Even her face was familiar to me. I stared into her amber eyes, just like mine. It felt like I was staring into my own eyes. She’s beautiful. “Trust me.”

Reluctantly, I took her hand. It was seemed so cold it felt like burning. Or the other way around. I didn’t know and wasn’t sure. She gripped me on my wrist, and a sense of trust sizzled in me. The gentle touch of her hand seemed familiar.

Suddenly, I heard ruffling of feathers. I looked over me to see giant wings flapping gently. Her wings. They were white as the snow in winter, and were so soft to stare. My breath was caught with pleasure as they slowly furled and unfurled from her back.

“Who are you?” I asked her, my voice barely a whisper.

“I’m your angel. I’m always beside you and I’m gonna stay here forever. You may never see me all the time, but I never left your side.” She smiled the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen in my entire life. A smile that was making my heart beats fast, knowing I’ve seen that smile before. “I will take care of you forever.”

Then her wings flapped and she was slowly ascending into the air. I swallowed hard and bit my lip, knowing what would happen next. My feet slowly left the soft grass. I was ascending, I was flying, and I can’t help myself but to smile.

“Cool!” I yelled in happiness. The wind was howling in my ear like an angry wolf. It was so cold, but I didn’t mind.

“Do you like it, Tom?” she asked as we circled the meadow.

“Like the what, my angel? Your wings or the flying?” I asked, unable to hide the happiness and excitement from my voice.

“Uhm. Both,” she said, and I could hear a smile in her voice.

“They’re beautiful. Do you know that I’ve always wanted to have wings? How would I become an angel?”

“Just be good.” She turned to face me and my heart jumped because I thought we’ll going to fall. But we didn’t. She tapped me on my nose with her index finger as she whispered. “Always”.

“Yes, ma’am!” I said, and tried hard to salute but failed.

“Hold on, we’ll fly higher.” She said, and we sped up higher. The trees and mountains passed through my eyes in a blur.

“Can we go to the clouds, my angel?” I pleaded.

“Sure, my little brother.” She winked at me, and I love as she called me brother.

“Whooohooh!” I yelled the excitement out of my heart.

She laughed.

I frowned, “Why are you laughing, my angel?”

“Nothing. I’m just happy I am with you.”

“Really? Me, too. I’m happy I’m with you.”

“Oops! Hold on. I’m gonna set you down now.” She said as she guided and settled me onto the cloud.

“See? I’m right!” I exclaimed as I slowly feel the soft cottony texture of the cloud on my sole. I sat down, loving the thought that I had touched and felt and lied on the cloud.

“You’re right about what?” she asked as she sat opposite me. She furled her wings on her back. She ran her fingers on the clouds.

“That I can lie on the cloud. Mama said I can’t. She said I will fall because it won’t hold me. Cloud’s a mixture of air and water.”

She laughed.

She reached on her side, to her wing. She picked a feather and blew it up onto the air. We watched it as it slowly danced in the zephyr, before it landed on her lap.

She picked it up and tickled my nose. I giggled. She laughed.

“Stop it, angel. Stop it before my pants get wet,” I rolled onto the cloud. I was gasping for my breath. Then I stilled as I felt like I stepped into a major case déjà vu.

I sat up and stared at her. Our eyes met; hers were filled with tears. I could see a longing in her eyes. I reached out to her and wiped out the tears in her eyes. I don’t want to see her crying. It didn’t felt right.

She held my hand on her face. She pressed it as she closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of my palm.

“Happy birthday, Tom!” She said in a sobbing whisper.

Then it finally hit me.

“Sam?” I said, my voice a broken whisper. I could slowly feel the lump in my throat forming and my eyes were slowly stinging as the tears formed. “Sam!”

I threw my arms around her. I hugged her tight, loving the feeling of her inside my arms again. I missed her so much.

“I miss you so much, Tom!” she said as she unfurled her wings and wrap them around me.

“I miss you, too. And Happy birthday to you, too.” I cried, my tears just won’t stop from leaking down to my cheeks. “Would you never leave me again?”

“Yes, I will never leave you again.” She left a gentle kiss on my cheek. And when I opened my eyes, she was gone. Her voice echoed around me, “I’ll see you again someday, Tom.”

I sat up on my bed. I was alone, in my room. I looked at my alarm clock, and said it’s 12:00 in the midnight; our birthday. I looked outside the window, and onto the silhouetted trees. I could hear the owls hooting outside.

“Just a dream,” I whispered. A tear rolled down to my cheek.

I looked at Sam’s empty bed, still not wanting to believe that she was gone almost a year ago. I sauntered around the moonlit room, and then sat on her bed. There on the pillow, a feather lied silently, peacefully. It was white as the snow in winter. Just like her wings in my dreams.

I picked it up and ran my fingers all over it. It was Sam’s. I knew it. I felt it.

An angel came in my sleep.

I was standing in the middle of a beautiful meadow. It was night, and there was a majestic full moon hovering in the night sky, washing everything in a surrealistic glow. There were no stars. Perhaps they were outshined by the moonlight.

The meadow was full of blossoming lavenders and daffodils, filling the air around me with their floral scent. I walked reluctantly as the wind blew the soft grasses against my legs in whirls. In a distance, I could see a huge and old oak tree, silhouetted as the moon threw it with shadows.

This place is familiar, I thought as I made my way towards the huge old oak tree. As I got there, I saw a mat spread underneath the tree. And on it, a girl sat with her back turned on me. Her hair billows as if she had been caught by the breeze. Her white dress danced with her hair.

“Hi, Tom,” she said in a voice that was so familiar. I knew that voice. I loved that voice. I just knew it. My heart knew it. “I know you’d come.”

She didn’t turn to me. I wondered why she’d known my presence. Perhaps I’d made some noise.

Absentmindedly, I walked towards her, and sat down on the mat. She still didn’t look at me. She just sat there, wrapping her knees with her arm. Her face was hidden by the shadow. The tiny dabs of light that was passing through the branches and leaves of the tree weren’t enough to illuminate her face.

“How are you, Tom?” a jolt of electricity sizzled through my body. Her voice. It was really familiar. “It has been so long.”

“Yeah, too long,” I answered unknowingly. “I’m doing well.”

She stood up and stepped out of the mat. She walked out of the shade of the oak tree, and into the moonlight. Her white dress seemed emitting a bluish white radiance, making her appear like a divinity. She had her back on me.

“Come over here, Tom,” she called. And so I hurried over her side. She extended her hand to me. It seemed like there’s a light within her, and was coming out in every pores of her skin. She’s really gleaming.

“Come on, Tom,” she turned to face me, and I felt like my heart skipped a beat or two. Even her face was familiar to me. I stared into her amber eyes, just like mine. It felt like I was staring into my own eyes. She’s beautiful. “Trust me.”

Reluctantly, I took her hand. It was seemed so cold it felt like burning. Or the other way around. I didn’t know and wasn’t sure. She gripped me on my wrist, and a sense of trust sizzled in me. The gentle touch of her hand seemed familiar.

Suddenly, I heard ruffling of feathers. I looked over me to see giant wings flapping gently. Her wings. They were white as the snow in winter, and were so soft to stare. My breath was caught with pleasure as they slowly furled and unfurled from her back.

“Who are you?” I asked her, my voice barely a whisper.

“I’m your angel. I’m always beside you and I’m gonna stay here forever. You may never see me all the time, but I never left your side.” She smiled the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen in my entire life. A smile that was making my heart beats fast, knowing I’ve seen that smile before. “I will take care of you forever.”

Then her wings flapped and she was slowly ascending into the air. I swallowed hard and bit my lip, knowing what would happen next. My feet slowly left the soft grass. I was ascending, I was flying, and I can’t help myself but to smile.

“Cool!” I yelled in happiness. The wind was howling in my ear like an angry wolf. It was so cold, but I didn’t mind.

“Do you like it, Tom?” she asked as we circled the meadow.

“Like the what, my angel? Your wings or the flying?” I asked, unable to hide the happiness and excitement from my voice.

“Uhm. Both,” she said, and I could hear a smile in her voice.

“They’re beautiful. Do you know that I’ve always wanted to have wings? How would I become an angel?”

“Just be good.” She turned to face me and my heart jumped because I thought we’ll going to fall. But we didn’t. She tapped me on my nose with her index finger as she whispered. “Always”.

“Yes, ma’am!” I said, and tried hard to salute but failed.

“Hold on, we’ll fly higher.” She said, and we sped up higher. The trees and mountains passed through my eyes in a blur.

“Can we go to the clouds, my angel?” I pleaded.

“Sure, my little brother.” She winked at me, and I love as she called me brother.

“Whooohooh!” I yelled the excitement out of my heart.

She laughed.

I frowned, “Why are you laughing, my angel?”

“Nothing. I’m just happy I am with you.”

“Really? Me, too. I’m happy I’m with you.”

“Oops! Hold on. I’m gonna set you down now.” She said as she guided and settled me onto the cloud.

“See? I’m right!” I exclaimed as I slowly feel the soft cottony texture of the cloud on my sole. I sat down, loving the thought that I had touched and felt and lied on the cloud.

“You’re right about what?” she asked as she sat opposite me. She furled her wings on her back. She ran her fingers on the clouds.

“That I can lie on the cloud. Mama said I can’t. She said I will fall because it won’t hold me. Cloud’s a mixture of air and water.”

She laughed.

She reached on her side, to her wing. She picked a feather and blew it up onto the air. We watched it as it slowly danced in the zephyr, before it landed on her lap.

She picked it up and tickled my nose. I giggled. She laughed.

“Stop it, angel. Stop it before my pants get wet,” I rolled onto the cloud. I was gasping for my breath. Then I stilled as I felt like I stepped into a major case déjà vu.

I sat up and stared at her. Our eyes met; hers were filled with tears. I could see a longing in her eyes. I reached out to her and wiped out the tears in her eyes. I don’t want to see her crying. It didn’t felt right.

She held my hand on her face. She pressed it as she closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of my palm.

“Happy birthday, Tom!” She said in a sobbing whisper.

Then it finally hit me.

“Sam?” I said, my voice a broken whisper. I could slowly feel the lump in my throat forming and my eyes were slowly stinging as the tears formed. “Sam!”

I threw my arms around her. I hugged her tight, loving the feeling of her inside my arms again. I missed her so much.

“I miss you so much, Tom!” she said as she unfurled her wings and wrap them around me.

“I miss you, too. And Happy birthday to you, too.” I cried, my tears just won’t stop from leaking down to my cheeks. “Would you never leave me again?”

“Yes, I will never leave you again.” She left a gentle kiss on my cheek. And when I opened my eyes, she was gone. Her voice echoed around me, “I’ll see you again someday, Tom.”

I sat up on my bed. I was alone, in my room. I looked at my alarm clock, and said it’s 12:00 in the midnight; our birthday. I looked outside the window, and onto the silhouetted trees. I could hear the owls hooting outside.

“Just a dream,” I whispered. A tear rolled down to my cheek.

I looked at Sam’s empty bed, still not wanting to believe that she was gone almost a year ago. I sauntered around the moonlit room, and then sat on her bed. There on the pillow, a feather lied silently, peacefully. It was white as the snow in winter. Just like her wings in my dreams.

I picked it up and ran my fingers all over it. It was Sam’s. I knew it. I felt it.

An angel came in my sleep.

Read more...

Ang Kwintas, ang Snickers at Si Patrick. (Part 17)

Salamat sa mga patuloy na sumusubaybay ng series na ginawa ko. Ganun din sa mga silent readers na nagbabasa rin ng series ko. Nawa'y kung merong mga GRAMMAR FLAWS kayo na makikita especially this EPISODE, ipagpaumanhin ninyo na lang kasi first time ko lang magsulat.

I want to apologize for the late posting of this episode due of some wedding preparations last week for my one and only Tita who was so dear to me eversince childhood, and hitherto, I want to dedicate this episode for her.. Wish you luck to your wedding last Sunday Tita!! I love you!! :))

Salamat din sa mga:

Kaibigan ko, kaklase ko sa block section ng MBA sa PLM, mga ka-officemate ko na habang tina-type ko ito ay binabasa ng patago ang nobela ko, sa bestfriends ko at mga barkada ko, at higit sa lahat, kay Patrick na siyang naging dahilan para makapagsulat ako ng ganito. (Sino siya?! Well... Secret!! Hehehehe..)

Siyempre, sa mga avid readers na palaging nagko-comment ng nobela ko:

Sina Dada, jac, mArk, mcfrancis, j.v, Erion, coffee prince( number one fan ng novel ko..) Kuya Nitro, mga anonymous readers (mga mentor ko pagdating sa grammar and spelling) Ross ram, Aqua16, Sen Janus(Don't worry, i will post some of my missing parts of my story ASAP, but not now..) dark_ken(fan ako ng novel niya..) jasper.escamillan(nag-iwan pa ng number sa akin, don't worry, I'll text u if I have some spare time Hahaha!!) Ernes_aka_jun, Magno, Jay aka Jcoi, chris018, jayfinap(in-add ako sa account niya at isa sa mga idol ko pagdating sa series) zenki, ogie8906, at si JhayCie. Guys.. Sana nagustuhan ninyo ang story ko!!!

ANY COMMENTS, OPINIONS AND VIOLENT REACTIONS ARE AFFABLY WELCOME!!!

(This story is based on my real life. I changed the names of those persons involved including myself to keep our characters confidential and personal.)

Any commonality to any individual, place, or written works are absolutely COINCIDENTAL.

DISCLAIMER: The author withholds all his prerogatives to the work, and requests that in any use of this material that his rights are purely respected. No part of this story maybe reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means: replicating, copying, duplicating or otherwise, without the prior consent or permission of the author himself.

To visit my accounts, just get me in track here, AyT?!:

Blog: http://pinnohy.blogspot.?com/
FB: http://www.facebook.com/pINNOHy
TWITTER: @pINNOHy (just follow me and I'll follow you back!!)

---------------------------------------------

Part 17

Sabay kaming pumunta ni mommy at Lei sa simbahan ng Sto. Niño de Tondo. Habang naglalakad ay napansin ko ang mga tambay na umiinom. Parang last na sa mga buhay nila kung uminom ang mga hunghang na mga kababata ko.

"Tagay ka muna, Jay!! Ito naman oh.,. Paskumpasko kaya walang tanggihan ah!!!" sabi ng sa mga tambay sa labas.

"Pano naman akong di tatangi sa inyo eh Pasko naman.. Tsaka isa pa, bihira ko na kayong hindi nakakainuman!!" sagot ko.

Kinuha ko ang maliit na baso sa kanila. Nang tipong iinumin, agad na inagaw ni Lei ang baso ay biglang sumimangot.

"Sige, You just dare me to be angry at you, or else, you'll never see me anymore! Paskong-Pasko, and we're about to attend the mass, not having mingling with them!! " Sagot ni Lei habang nakasimangot na nakaharap sa akin.

Ang cute ni Lei. Para siyang nanay na sumusuway ng anak. Biglang lumaki ang mga mapupungay na mata ng kinakapatid ko. Gusto ko sana siyang halikan sa labi kaso andaming tao sa labas, kaya tinapik ko, gamit ang kanang kamay ang balikat nito.

"Ano ba kayong dalawa diyan, Halika na!! Baka nagsisimula na yung misa, ayaw ko pa namang magpahuli sa misa tulad nito!" Sigaw ni mommy habang nakapamewang sa amin sa malayo.

Sinoli ko ang baso sa kanila at nangakong babawi sa kanila sa bagong taon. Ipinakilala ko sa kanila si Lei at biglang may kumuha ng number ng CP sa kanya. Agad kong tinitigang masama si Lei at hinatak paalis sa mga tambay sa amin. Para kaming mag-jowa kung iisipin. Ngumiti si Lei sabay smack sa left cheek ko ng panakaw.

Magkaholding hands kaming pumunta kay mommy, buti na lang and she's not aware of that. Tumawag ng sasakyan si mommy sabay sakay naming tatlo. Pagdating sa simbahan, sumalubong sa amin ang dami at sangkatutak na mga taong gustong makinig ng misa. pumuwesto kami sa gilid malapit sa tabi ng Plaza Rodriguez at dun nakinig. Panakaw na tinitignan ako ni Lei sabay kuha sa kanang kamay ko. Ngumiti siya sa akin sabay sabing: "MERRY CHRISTMAS, KUYA!! I LOVE YOU!!"

Magkaholding hands kami habang nakikinig ng misa. Napansin kong si mommy ay tutok na tutok sa nagsesermong pari habang kaming dalawa ay malayang nagagawa ang gusto. Maganda ang porma ni Lei. Halos nakataas lahat ng buhok niya gamit ang bench wax na binili niya. Para talagang may kulay ang buhok niya kapag naiilawan pero all natural iyon. Suot pa rin niya ang kulay itim na batman t-shirt na hapit na hapit sa medyo payat nitong katawan. Namumula ang ilong niya. Ang tangos ng ilong niya ang nagbibigay ng paalala sa akin ng comparison ng mukha ni Cheney na hindi ko talaga maalis na isipin. Namumula din yung tenga niya. Siguro dahil sa lamig ng panahon. At higit sa lahat, ang isa sa mga nagustuhan ko kay Lei, ay ang kulay hazel brown niyang mga mata at mapupungay kung titignan mo siya.

Noong kalagitnaan ng pagbibigay ng peace be with you ay hindi ko napansin na nawala si Lei sa tabi ko. Hinanap ko siya at nakita kong nakaluhod pala siya sa amin habang kami ay nakatayo. Mukhang mataimtim siyang magdasal. Dumating ang pagdadasal niya sa puntong bigla siyang lumuha at umiyak. Agad kong hinimas siya sa likod para ipadama sa kanya na nandiyan lang ako sa tabi niya.

"Cheney!! Cheney!! Kaya mo yan!! Wag mo akong iiwan!!" biglang sabi ni Lei habang nagdadasal.

Nagtaka ako at kung bakit niya sinabi iyon. Maganda pa naman ang kundisyon ng katawan ni Cheney at we are standing still in our relationship. Bakit kaya niya sinabi ang mga ganung pananalita? Nang mahimasmasan ay agad kong itinanong sa kanya kung bakit niya sinabi ang mga ganung pananalita.

"Baby bro, anong sabi mo? Why did you uttered Cheney to your prayers? Does she has something that I need to know? Please, tell me!!" sabi ko sa kanya.

"Ah.. Eh.. Hmmm ( sabay tingin ng malayo para makapag-isip ng dahilan.) just because of her condition right now.."

Kulang sa impormasyon ang nakuha ko sa bawat pananalita ni Lei sa akin. Hindi ko mahinuha!! Mahirap i-read between the lines!! Anong meron si Cheney? Bakit napaka discreet niya pagdating sa kalagayan ng GF ko? Anong meron sa kanya? Hay naku!!

"Hindi ko basta pwedeng sabihin sa'yo ang lahat-lahat, Kuya! Malalama't-malalaman mo rin sa takdang panahon." sabi ni Lei.

Gusto kong malaman ang dahilan. Bigla akong kinabahan ng hindi oras! Anong meron kay Cheney na kailangan kong malaman?

Pinalipas ko ang pagda-doubts ko about Cheney. I don't wanna ruin this day ever!! I decided not to think of her coz I don't wanna missed the sermon that was made by our priest. Lumipas ang Christmas Mass na marami akong katanungan na kailangan ng maliwanag na kasagutan.

Lumipas ang Pasko ng napakabilis. Si Lei ay mahirap pa ring basahin ang bawat galaw at kilos siguro dahil nasa kanya ang katotohanan. Mukhang nakakahalata na ang Baby Bro ko!! Samantalang napansin ko na medyo madaling mapagod si Cheney simula nang dumadaing ng hilo nito last Christmas Eve.

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Bagong Taon at mukhang tatanda na naman kaming lahat!! Ang mga barkada ko ay nagdecide na mag text flood ng message sa CP ng Happy New Year para sumabog din pati yung mga lumang CP na gagamitin nila para dun. Si Cheney ay pumunta sa amin para mag-celebrate ng bagong taon. Si Lei ay hindi pinayagan ng Tita niya dahil may hinihintay siyang tawag mula sa mga magulang sa overseas. Tumawag na kanina si kuya sa amin sabay kinamusta si mommy at daddy. Samantala, pinapasok ko sa loob ng kwarto namin ni kuya si Patrick, ang alaga kong shitsu para hindi ma-stressed sa putukan mamaya.

Sumapit ang alas dose na kayakap ko si Cheney sabay halik sa mga labi ko. Parang iyong time na yun ang pinakamasaya dahil nasolo ko si Cheney. Kasi every New Year ay lagi siyang nasa kanila at hindi lumalabas para abangan ang fireworks every new year. Kinuha ko ang wine glass sabay cheers sa kanya.

"Happy New Year Cakie!!" sabi ko sa kanya habang nakayakap at tumitingin sa Fireworks Display sa labas.

"Those fireworks... Isn't it amazing?! I hope this wouldn't be the last. If I could!!" sabi niya sa akin habang mahigpit niyang kinakapit ang bewang ko sa bewang niya.

"Don't say that, my cakie!! Ano ka ba!! Mahaba pa ang buhay mo!! And I have a feeling that you'll be with me until this coming year that in any moment will start." Sabi ko sa kanya.

"Ok cakie, I will hold that words!! Don't worry, as soon as I am here with you, lagi kitang aalagaan at mamahalin tulad ng pagmamahal mo kay Patrick." Sabi ni Cheney.

"Halika na, let's go inside and celebrate this day with my relatives!!"

Niyaya ko si Cheney sa loob para makisalamuha sa mga pinsan ko, mga pamangkin ko, at even sa mga kuya ko. Sabi nila, sana si Cheney na nga ang makatuluyan ko. Sana kami na daw ang nakatakda!! Niyakap ni Cheney si mommy sabay punta kay daddy at bineso. Samantalang ako, biglang lumapit sa akin si Kuya Jasper, sinundan bago ako na bunso, sabay nag-high five at tinulak gamit ang kamay na pinang-hi five niya sa kanyang dibdib.

"Bro, Happy New Year!! Na-miss din kita ah!! Ang laki mo nah!! The last time I saw you was last 2002 and you were just 13 back then, and you're now in front of me, growing up!!" sabi ni kuya Jasper sa akin.

Si kuya Jasper ang sumunod Kay kuya Kenneth. Mark Jasper ang totoong pangalan niya. 24 years old na siya at kakakasal lang sa asawa nito, si Ate Elaine. Nagtatrabaho siya as Senior Marketing Officer ng Ayala lands sa Makati. Graduate siya ng BS Marketing sa Lyceum of the Philippines University noong second year high school ako. Matalino din siya katulad ko, biruin mo ba naman, ang napangasawa ni Kuya Jasper ay anak ng isang negosyante na may-ari ng isang sikat na whitening soap. Tulad ko, naging bisexual din siya, kaso discreet at walang balak magkanobyo ng lalaki. Sabi daw niya, gusto niyang magkaroon ng anak at para madagdagan ang naghihilo naming angkan. Siga siya kung tutuusin dito noong sa amin pa siya nakatira. Lagi niya kasi akong ipinagtatanggol sa mga kaaway ko, lalo na sa grupo ni Greg, yung nagsisiga-sigaan sa lugar namin.

"Hoy, Jasper, Baka masaktan yang kapatid mo, aba'y kabata-bata pa'y gusto mo nang puruhan ire!!" Sabi ni Ate Elaine.

Si Ate Elaine ang asawa ni Kuya Jasper. 22, maganda siya at maputi. Tulad ng nobya kong si Cheney. Lumaki siyang nasa kanya na ang lahat. Looks, Brains and even Talents! Naging contestant siya ng MTV( Masayang Tanghali, Bayan ng Channel 2, katapat ng Eat Bulaga dati) sa Calendar Girl at siya ang nanalong first placer. Taga- Batangas siya ( specifically, in Tanauan) at hindi siya marunong mag-ingles tulad naming magkakapatid. Siya ang isa sa tagapagmana ng isa sa mga sikat na whitening soap ngayon at Senior Marketing Staff naman siya doon sa kumpanya nila.

Masaya ako dahil last 2002 lang sila nakapag-bagong taon sa amin. Bago pa lang sila noon, at ngayon ay kasal na sila.

Tinawag ako ni Cheney para asikasuhin ang mga magulang ko. Maganda si Cheney ngayong gabi. Parang artista! Bumagay sa kanya ang kulay pula niyang T-shirt at fitted na maong, na simpleng-simple para sa kanya.

"Sana maging katulad ako ni kuya Jasper, Sana makapag-asawa ako nakatulad niya, and I hope it might be you!!" sabi ko sa kanya.

Hindi siya sumagot sa sinabi ko. Agad siyang pumunta kay Ate Elaine at nakipagkwentuhan siya dito, samantala, pinuntahan ako ni Kuya Jasper sabay bigay sa akin ng isang Colt 45 na beer.

"Is she the luckiest girl you wanna marry?" sabi niya sa akin habang nakatingin kay Cheney.

"Well, definitely!! She is.. You know what, kuya, I owe all my life to her. I was loved by someone from the past, and you know, he just leaved me with no formal goodbyes. Siya ang nagturo sa akin to stand still with my emotions and mostly, she has taught me how to move on with my past and to live with her as my present."

"Well bro, very good!! I like your spirit! I just then, realized how much you love Cheney over Patrick!! I hope this wouldn't change time after time!!"

"Thanks, kuya!!"

Biglang may tumawag sa CP ko at nag-missed call pala si Lei. Nagulat din ako dahil umabot sa 167 text messages ang na-recieve ko. Hindi ko alam kung matataranta ako o itatapon ang CP ko!! Totoo nga ang sinabi sa akin ng mga loko-loko kong mga kaibigan na magpapasabog sila ng CP! Grabeh!!

Nang lumipas ang isang oras pagkatapos ng New Year ay agad nagpaalam si Cheney sa akin dahil biglang sumakit ang ulo nito. Inihatid ko siya sa kanila na nakapasan sa likod ko tulad ng mga koreanovela na napapanood ko sa TV. Agad niya akong hinalikan sa lips pagkatapos kong ginawa iyon sa kanya.

"Magpagaling ka ah!! Napapansin ko na medyo nanghihina ka at nahihilo one of these days ah? Baka buntis ka?!" sabi ko na pabiro kay Cheney habang naglalakad pasan siya sa likod.

"Hello!! Kung buntis ako eh.. Dapat sinabi ko na sa mga magulang at kapatid mo noh?!! Para isahang announcement na lang!!" sabi niya sa akin habang nakatingin siya sa harapan ko.

"Ikaw naman, hindi ka na mabiro!! Basta, magpahinga ka ng maigi ah!! I love you, cakie!!"

Inihatid ko si Cheney sa kanila ng pagod na pagod. Ikaw ba naman ang magpasan eh, Hindi ka kaagad mabibigatan sa kanya?! Well anyways, iyon ang istorya ng Christmas at New Year na memorable sa akin. I spent my Christmas with Lei and New Year naman with Cheney.

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Pangalawang linggo ng January, 2005. Apat na linggo bago ang much awaited JS prom, agad akong nagising dahil sa alarm ko sa CP ko, mag-aalas 5:30 na ng umaga. Agad akong bumangon para gisingin si mommy para magready na rin para sa family business namin. Medyo inaantok pa ako. Nagtext sa akin si Lei at mukhang napuyat na naman dahil sa kakabantay kay Tiffany na mukahng may sakit. Male-late daw siya.

Bumangon ako at nag-unat. Tinignan ko ang sarili ko sa salamin sa gitna ng aming kwarto malapit sa pintuan palabas. Tayo-tayo ang buhok ko. Parang style na buhok ni Lei. Kaso angat siya sa akin dahil me kulay ang buhok nito na kulay reddish-brown na itim. All natural iyon at siya lang ang kakilala ko na nagpo-possessed ng ganung buhok!

Pagkabukas ko ng bintana sa labas ng kwarto ay biglang nanuot sa buong katawan ko ang lamig na dulot ng winter season sa ibang bansa. Bigla akong nag-chill kaya nagdecide na lang ako na isarang muli ang bintana.

"Mom, Kamusta ang business natin? Medyo malakas ba?"

Iyan ang unang tanong ko kay mommy habang nagluluto ng aming kakainin sa almusal na iyon.

"Buti naman anak at nagkaroon ka ng idea para tanungin sa akin iyan. (Sabay tingin sa akin habang ngluluto habang dinuduro ang syanse sa akin) kunsabagay, kapag nagretired na ako ay ikaw na ang magmamanage ng water station natin.(Balik sa ginagawa) Well as if now, ok pa naman.."

"Well, nagkaroon lang ako ng concern kasi nung last time na nagkuwento sa akin si kuya Elmer about our business he just told me na medyo nagkakaroon daw ng problema,(Sabay higop ng kape ng bahagya.)."

"Oo nga anak, medyo bumaba ang sales natin, pero expect ko naman iyon kasi hindi pa panahon ng paglago ng sales, maybe this time, after January, baka tumabo tayo." sabi ni mommy habang nagluluto ng pagkain.

Pagkalipas ng limang minuto ay natapos magluto si mommy. Longganisa at scrambled-egg na hinaliuan ng kamatis at sibuyas. Naglagay ako ng sawsawan sa gilid ng pinggan namin ni mommy at sabay kumain. Sa kalagitnaan ng pagkakain namin ay biglang dumating si Patrick, yung shitsu na ibinigay sa akin ni Cheney last 16th birthday ko. Agad kong hinimas ang balahibo nito at agad na inutusang bumalik sa kwarto at hindi naman niya akong binigong sundin ako.

"Si Cheney, Kamusta kayo? Balita ko medyo nagiging masakitin siya this past two weeks ah?!" tanong ni mommy sa akin habang kumakain.

"Oo nga mommy eh, ayaw daw niya na tino-tolerate ko siya. Kaya daw niyang pumasok sa school kahit na lagi siyang nahihilo."

"Naku, kailangang magpa-check up siya para malaman ang findings kung bakit siya nagiging ganun. Teka iho, (sabay tingin sa mga mata ko ng diretso.) May nangyari ba sa inyo ni Cheney last Christmas or New Year?! Ikaw ah?! You have a lot of explanations today!!"

"Mom, stop being so paranoid!! Walang nangyari sa amin ni Cheney last holiday occasions."

Bigla akong nabilaukan nang biglang sinabi sa akin ni mommy. Buti na lang at may kape sa gilid ng pinggan ko kaya medyo nahimasmasan ako ng kaunti. Well actually, wala naman talagang nangyari sa amin ni Cheney. In fact, ayaw na ayaw niya na mag-sex kami this past months dahil sa hilo na dinadaing niya.

Natapos kaming kumain na bigla akong tinawag ni Cheney sa labas. Niyaya niya akong sumabay sa kanya dahil baka mag-collapse siya habang papunta sa school. Tapos na siya. Pinaupo ko muna siyang sandali at niyayang kumain ng almusal pero tinanggihan niya iyon. Hinalikan ko siya sa labi at sabay akong nagtungo sa CR para maligo. Makalipas ang ilang minuto ay natapos ako. Agad akong tinanong ni Cheney tungkol sa sulat sa ilalim ng lamesita namin sa gitna ng sofa.

"Cakie, I had noticed this letter under here and I supposed you had never tried to open it." Sabi ni Cheney habang hawak-hawak niya ang sulat na sa tingin ko ay last Christmas pa na envelope.

"Oh, geez!! I forgot!! I have done a lot of important things to accomplished this past months at nawala sa isip ko na basahin yun. Baka mamaya sa school, babasahin ko."

Ibinigay ni Cheney ang letter sa akin. Agad kong sinama iyon patungo sa taas at agad na sinilid sa bag-pack ko. Kinuha ko ang uniform ko na nakasampay sa itaas at isinuot sa katawan ko. Kinuha ko ang Lacoste-booster for men na binili sa akin ni kuya Kenneth noong nasa Dubai siya, at sabay spray ko sa katawan ko. Amoy na amoy sa mula sa itaas ang pabangong nagbabalik sa akin sa nakaraan namin ni Patrick. Pagkatapos niyon ay nagpulbos ako at sinabayan ko na hilamusan ang mukha nang dahan-dahan para kumalat sa buong mukha ko ang pulbos. Nang tumingin ako sa salamin at na-satisfy sa mga nakita ko ay agad kong kinuha ang bag-pack sabay baba sa kinaroroonan ni Cheney.

Itutuloy....

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