The Search

Chapter 16

The skies were beautiful indeed.

After the exhausting days at school, finally, I was able to unwind alone. Gustong-gusto ko talagang makabawi sa sarili ko, kaya naman narito ako sa park, nakaupo't nagpapahangin. Matagal-tagal na rin 'yong huling araw na nakalanghap ako ng sariwang hangin. If I could still remember, that was one of the days before Mom died.

As I was feeling the relaxing touch of the wind, I grabbed some food inside my bag. I smiled looking at the food I made. Hindi talaga ako nagluluto, pero noong nawala si Mommy, I thought I had to learn to cook since no one would do it for me all the time. I had to be independent. Sa kabutihang-palad, unti-unti na rin naman akong natututo.

It was too early in the morning, and the sun was still fresh, kaya kaunti pa lamang ang mga tao. Good for me dahil may oras pa akong makapag-isip nang matiwasay. This time, I didn't want myself to think of my problems. I just wanna think of the bright sides of life. I just wanted to see the beautiful meaning of life, despite the darkness behind. Sa pagkakataon na ito, ayoko munang isipin ang kaso. At first, I thought it would be a big help if I would prioritize Mom's case, but then I thought I was wrong after all. It wasn't good, especially that I was disregarding myself. How would I be able to fight all throughout if all the aspects of my life weren't okay?

The park was still as pleasing as before. Amoy na amoy pa rin ang mga mababangong halimuyak ng mga bulaklak. I was amazed by their gardener because he was able to preserve the plants. Long years ago, when I was still innocent of things, I thought I was in heaven when I first saw this place. However, when I grew up, I realized I wasn't wrong about that idea because this place was indeed like heaven- because I had found peace here.

Holding a sandwich, I laid my back to the ground and closed my eyes. Alam kong puwede akong mabulunan sa ano mang oras, pero ano bang magagawa ko? Masyadong malamig ang simoy ng hangin para palampasin. I didn't want to miss any opportunity on this day, kaya kahit pa man mabilaukan ako, ayos lang. Isa pa, nasa tabi ko lang ang tubig.

Sakto naman sa pagpikit ko ang pagtugtog ng kanta sa park.

"Close your eyes, make a wish, and blow out the candlelight," sabay ko sa liriko ng kanta habang nakapikit pa rin. Very timely talaga dahil isa ito sa mga awitin na paborito ko. "For tonight is just your night, we're gonna celebrate all through the night." Ngiting-ngiti kong binuksan nang paunti-unti ang aking mga mata habang patuloy pa rin ang tugtog, at tila ba bumagal ang ikot ng mundo nang sa pagmulat ko'y mukha ng lalaking gusto ko ang nakita ko.

His brown eyes were looking directly at mine. He was almost an inch to my face, at kaunting galaw lamang ay puwede nang maglapat ang mga bibig namin. Kitang-kita ang mahahabang pilik-mata niya at labing mala-rosas.

"Kye..." usisa ng mga bibig ko. But as soon as I felt the awkwardness, I stood up and fixed myself. "A-anong ginagawa mo?"

He raised his gazes at me. "Looking at you," he answered as he fixed his posture. "Akala ko nahimatay ka na dito."

I puckered my eyebrows. "What the hell?"

"That was just my thought. I'm sorry for the mistake," he said, emotionless. "I actually came here to help you. But knowing that you're okay makes me leave now. Goodb-"

"Wait!" pagpipigil ko sa kaniya bago pa man siya tuluyang umalis. "Can we talk? K-kahit ilang saglit lang."

"I guess we don't have any important business to talk about now. I'm leaving."

"Meron!" I shouted when he turned his back at me. "Please..."

He turned around. "What?"

"Regarding my question to you yesterday..." I bit my lip as I wasn't sure what I was talking about. I promised myself I won't talk about the case. But if I would let Kye leave, I would miss a big opportunity. "About Marcus Dra-"

"I don't know him," he cut me off. "If that's the only thing you want to talk about, I'm going now." He took a step forward. "If I were you, I'll stop searching for that man and look instead for another one elsewhere." He continued walking and left me dumbfounded.

I slapped my face for how many times. "'Di ba ang sabi ko naman sa 'yo, wala munang sisira sa pag-iisip natin ngayon, 'di ba? Eh, ano 'tong ginagawa mo, Margot?" I let out a deep sigh. "Kung bakit ba naman umaaasa ka pang sasagutin ka nang matino ng Kye na 'yon."

I sat down again and just continued finishing up my sandwich. Pero mukhang nawalan yata ako ng gana simula nang sumulpot ang lalaking iyon. Kung sana hindi siya nagpakita sa 'kin, baka nasa maayos pa pag-iisip pa ako.

"Sarbien..."

"Kung sino ka man, huwag mo akong kausapin dahil wala ako sa-" My eyes widened and I wasn't able to continue speaking when I'd recognized that voice. I turned around. "Kye?"

"I just realized I forgot something to tell you," he said in a cold manner. "About the school paper, supposedly..."

I stood up and frowned. "Hindi mo ako kinausap nang maayos kanina, tapos ngayon aasahan mo akong makipag-usap nang matino sa'yo?"

"If you don't want to know the real agenda, it's okay for me. After all, it's not my loss."

I laughed sarcastically. "What did you say?" I asked. "It's not your loss? Baka nakakalimutan mo, ikaw ang president ng publishing team. I'm only the vice, and if something went wrong, hindi sa akin mapupunta ang sisi kung hindi sa 'yo. Now tell me, is it still not your loss?"

"I'm the president of the publishing team and that means, everything is in my control."

I gave him a sharp look. "Ganyan ba? Ganyan ba magpatakbo ang presidente ng publishing team? Super manipulative."

He smirked and walked closer to me. "Can I please know how did I become manipulative?"

"K-kasi... kasi kino-control mo kami!"

"Final thought?"

"K-kasi ano... kasi wala ka sa lugar."

He let out a soft chuckle. "Please, behave according to your position. That's not how a vice president of the team should act and speak. You're a journalist," he said, "words that are coming out from your mouth shouldn't be just pure opinion, but should also be included with facts."

Napalunok ako.

"Well anyway, if you don't mind asking me the important thing I'll tell you, I'm leaving now. Again, it's not my loss, Ms. Sarbien." Nag-iwan siya ng isang nakalolokong tingin bago tuluyang umalis.

I clenched my fist. "Humanda ka sa 'kin."