"Sinabi ni Bok sa 'kin ang tungkol sa first love niya raw no'ng bago pa lang ako rito. Na minahal niya raw ang nakababata niya. It's kinda disgusting. He's talking about his first love like it was his anecdote."
Napailing ako sa pagkukuwento ni Writan. We were both resting again over the tree of cherry blossoms look-alike.
"Hey, what's this tree called? It looks like cherry blossoms. But is it?"
Bumaling ako kay Writan. Nakatingin na rin siya sa itaas ng puno.
"This is a cherry blossom."
I was in awe. "Wow. It's so pretty."
"You're prettier."
I grinned at his compliment. "Don't me, Writan. You said I was way beautiful in your dreams."
He cracked a laugh before moving towards me. He looked at my eyes and my lips.
"Because you're way way beautiful today."
Ramdam ko ng init sa pisngi ko. Ngumiti ako sa kanya bago tumingala muli at tinitigan ang puno.
"Tell me a story."
Huminga ako nang malalim at pumikit habang hinihintay na magkwento si Writan. It was like my pains earlier has gone down because of him.
I was so mad at Bok. But I was madder to myself 'cause I was a fool for believing Grandma that Grandpa was dead. Grandma should've told me about him. I'm disappointed with her. That's why I wanted to know everything. I will ask Bok and will lose hell if he won't tell me the truth.
"Once upon a time, there were twins. They were inseparable brothers. They do everything for each other. However, when the other guy took a different path from the other one, he was left behind. On the other hand, the other guy chose a different path too. They left each other. They have never been the same inseparable brothers they used to be. Lesson learned, never trust your sibling."
My forehead creased. I glanced at Writan. "That's a sad story, tell me more. I want a happy ending."
"Spoiled brat," Writan commented.
I hit his arm. He didn't complain and stayed quiet.
"This is the story of the other guy who was left behind and chose a different path. He found a door that leads to another opportunity of making his dreams come true. He worked hard every day striving to make himself better than his twin brother."
He crossed his arms over his chest and continued. "He wasn't satisfied with his passion. When his twin brother got into an accident...he was happy for himself. Because finally, he's better than his twin. He's selfish. Regardless, every day he gets a trophy, he will feel the emptiness inside him. It wasn't too late for him to go back to his brother. So, he did.
He spent his life with him, however, it was only for a short period. His twin brother died. Still, he was happy. Because he had a great time with his loved one. He never regretted coming back for him. He continued his life reaching for his dream, his and his brother's. The end."
"It's still not a happy ending. At all."
Writan pinched my nose. I made face.
"Do you want a happy ending?" he asked.
I nodded like a child. "Of course, who doesn't want one? How about you?"
"I want a sad ending. You know why?"
I tilted my head. I let him hold my hair and tucked it behind my ear. I held my breath.
"Because a happy ending is only a dream for me. I've always expected a sad ending. It got worse when I found you."
I gasped. I could see his eyes got teary.
"I can't afford to lose you. But this is where I'm destined to be and you, in your world. I want a happy ending with you, but, that meant defying everything I've done here."
He held my face and he gently caressed it.
"I-I will take the risk, just tell me."
I was surprised. It was an indirect confession, isn't it?
He stayed quiet after that. He didn't talk on our way back. I wanted to ask him about his confession. Or I'm getting my hopes up. Maybe it wasn't a confession.
I pressed my lips together and looked at the trees. We're walking silently and the birds chirping is merely what I could hear in this situation.
Na-realized ko na tama nga siya. A happy ending is a dream. It will lead to disappointment if I expect that. I can't afford to be disappointed again, more so, hurt.
Sinulyapan ko si Writan. You will take the risk, huh? Would I take risks too? Should I live here? Should I leave my family for a happy ending with him?
Bumaling din siya sa akin. Seryoso siyang nakatingin sa mukha ko. Nagtitigan kaming dalawa bago bumuka ang bibig niya para magsalita.
"I'll help you get out of here," he mumbled.
Lumunok ako at tumingin sa dinadaanan.
"You want me to leave?" I asked.
I bit my lip. I stopped walking. I looked at Writan and he halted too.
"Do you want me to stay here, Writan?"
I could see eyes hesitating. What was that supposed to mean?
"Answer me."
"You've family out there, you'll only have me here if you stay. You have your life on the other side, and I have mine here. I'll be selfish if I answer that I want you here, Claudia."
I smiled painfully. "Okay."
Dumeretso na ako sa paglalakad. Bakit hindi man lang siya maging selfish kahit isang beses lang? Parang naaapakan ako dahil kailan man hindi ako naging selfless na tao. I'm a stubborn teenager. But am I becoming more selfish because I wanted him to let me stay?
I took a deep breath. Hindi ko na namalayan na tumutulo na naman ang luha sa mga mata ko. This is becoming painful as time goes by. I should stop this madness. Writan and I can't be together. That, I'm sure.
When the sun sets, we both stopped in a tree. I laid on the other side of the trunk. I closed my eyes and let my tiredness took over me.
"I'm sorry for being selfless, Claui. I'm sorry for liking you. That's so wrong. Damn it."
"Explain," I demanded to Bok. I looked at him. He's sitting on his chair when we barged into his office. Writan silently walked past me and sat on the chair. He ushered me to sit as well but I decline. We never talk again after our last. I refused to. I want to get this over with, come home to Grandma, and live a happy ending with someone else. That hit me hard. "Anong ipaliliwanag ko, Claudia?" I gritted my teeth. "That you're my grandfather and Penna, your first love who left you is my grandmother." I watched his jaw opened. He glanced at Writan.So, he knew too?I smiled bitterly. These two demons just played me. "Explain! Bakit hindi mo agad sinabi sa akin
"Claudia? Why are you here and where's my daughter?"I rolled my eyes when I first saw my mother sitting beside Grandma's bed. I watched her walk nearer to me. I glanced at Grandma and didn't answer her."Grandma, can we talk?"Nagulat ako nang hawakan ni Mommy ang kamay ko. Nakalimutan ko na agad ang itsura niya. Pathetic how worthless people could do to you."Mommy, can I talk to Grandma first?"Umiling siya. "Mag-uusap muna tayong dalawa."Hindi ko na siya napigilan nang hilahin niya ako palabas ng kwarto ni Grandma. Nagsalubong ang kilay ko nang magkaharap kami."Nasaan si Sofia? Why are you in that dress? Nag-club ka ba?"What?Napailing ako. Inalis ko sa mukha ko ang buhok ko at tumayo ng tuwid."Thank you for asking if I'm alright," sarkastiko kong tugon.Napasinghap ako nang hawakan niya ako nang mahigpit sa kamay ko. I gritted my teeth when her nails hurt my arm."Wala ka na bang iban
I parked the car in front of Grandpa and Grandma's house. I went inside and upstairs to enter the world of writers again.I took a deep breath and turned the doorknob. I was greeted by the wind that's different from the wind outside. I gasped in excitement.I'm thrilled to be back!I was about to walk towards the house where Sofia was when a guy interrupted me to do so."Name po muna," he said.I looked at the guy. "Hindi ako writer. Can you call Writan for me?"Nangunot ang noo ng lalaki. Tiningnan niya ang blue book na hawak-hawak din ni Writan noon."Name, please."
Mabilis akong naglakad palabas. Dali-dali akong pumasok sa elevator. Kasunod ko si Jason nang pumasok din siya. Ibinaba ko ang karton sa sahig at lumuhod.Tiningnan ko ang mga gamit ni Bok. Puro libro ang nando'n. Nakita ko pa ang iilang papel na may pangalan ni Writan. Hinawakan ko ang kwentong pinabasa sa akin niya noong nagpunta kami sa dulo ng kalsada. Niyakap ko 'yon."Where are you?""Claudia?" tawag ni Jason.Tumayo ako at tumingin sa kanya."It's our fault that they weren't here anymore. I need to find them, Jason."Lumambot ang tingin niya sa akin. Hinila niya ako palapit sa kanya at niyakap ako.
"Wow!" malakas na sigaw ni Jason nang pumasok kami sa loob ng kwarto na ibinigay sa amin ng babae kanina sa baba. It's not the room that Sofia and I stayed in when we're here. I should go back to that room later. "Do'n ka sa kabilang kwarto. Ako rito." Itinuro ko ang kwarto na malapit sa kalsada. "Hindi ba tayo magsasalo sa iisa? Mag-asawa na tayo, 'di ba?" pang-aasar niya. Binatukan ko siya. "Siraulo ka. D'yan ka!" inis kong tugon. Tinawanan lang niya ako bago ako iniwan sa sala. Huminga ako nang malalim at pumasok sa magiging kwarto ko. Hindi pa ako nakauupo nang pumasok si Jason sa kwarto. "What the heck is wrong with you?! Don't come here!" galit kong sigaw. "May itatanong laang ako." Tumahimik ako. "Paano kung hanapin ka ng Mommy mo sa bahay n'yo?" "The time stops there when we're here. Timeless dito. Kahit bumalik tayo ro'n parang hindi tayo umalis," pagpapaliwanag ko. "Nabasa mo na ba 'yon
"Salamat, Son."It was my fifth acknowledgment to him. It's our one week in this world and every early in the morning Jason and Writan would meet and talk about the plan to take Sofia.I was getting impatient as time goes by. Lalo na kapag ikinukuwento lang ni Jason sa akin ang mga pinag-uusapan nila. Binibigyan ko naman siya ng sulat para ibigay kay Writan pero hindi pa sapat 'yon. I miss Writan so much.I always lock myself up in my bedroom so I would prevent myself from meeting him. It will never be enough, I wanted to see him badly.In the middle of me writing on a piece of paper, I looked back at the time Writan and I could freely go outside, laugh without inhibitions, and talk all day long. It was a dream now.May kumatok sa pinto ng kwarto ko. Bumaling ako ro'n. Pumasok si Jason."Tapos mo na? Agad?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong sa akin ni Jason.I nodded proudly. "Read it. I put all my words and efforts into that."I sta
"They want an interview of me?" my voice cracked as I ask the woman in front of me.I was startled earlier when she knocked on the door and told me their offer."We wanted to know more of this Penna San Pedro. I know it's not your real name."Natigil ako sa sinabi niya. Kinabahan ako agad.Paano kung kunin din nila ako katulad nang pagkuha nila sa kapatid ko?"You can trust me."I clasped my hands. "I want to get my sister back," sagot ko.Tumango siya. Hinawakan niya ang balikat ko at lumapit pa sa akin lalo."I can help you get her from the Council. It's easy. You have to take my offer. We will release an article in this world, then the Council will notice of you, and I'm sure they'll reconsider judging the charges from Bok. Sofia will be back to you before you know it."I agreed with her plan. I went to my room and take my books with me. Sumama ako kay Felicisima sa labas at pumasok kami sa kabilang kwarto. Nan
Bumagsak ang pinto sa pagbukas niyon. Bumaling kami sa dalawang lalaki nang bigla silang pumasok sa kwarto. Tumayo kaagad si Writan. "Nandiyan na ang mga guwardiya," anunsyo ng lalaki. Pinanood ko ang pagtango ni Writan. Pinatayo niya ako bago ako hinila papunta sa bintana. Binuksan niya 'yon. "Bababa ako, tatalon ka. Kakayanin mo ba?" Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. Tinitigan ko muna si Writan bago pumayag sa kanya. Napapikit na lang ako nang halikan niya ako sa noo bago siya lumabas sa bintana. Pakinig ko pa ang malakas na pagbagsak niya sa baba. Napasinghap ako. Tumingin ako sa kanya. Maayos na siyang nakatayo. Huminga ako nang malalim bago ipinatong ang kaliwa kong paa sa bintana bago tumalikod at inilabas din ang kanan na paa ko. "In the count of three, Claudia. One, two, three...." I let myself fall outside. Seconds after that, I felt Writan's chest. I opened my eyes and saw him concerned about me. I could feel my heartbeat