Saddest Farewell

Chapter 6

Yessa Jaycee

Napapikit na lang ako, I don't understand what was happening, and I don't understand why I felt my heart to skip beats again, I thought it was because of my condition but this time, it is different.

My heart's beat is fast, yet I can still breath. Kapag bumibilis kasi ang t***k ng puso ko ay hindi na ako makakahinga, yet and again, this time is different.

"I'm really sorry," halata ang sinseridad sa boses niya habang siya ay humihingi ng tawad, truth be told, I was shocked when he asked for forgiveness, I mean wala naman siyang kasalanan sa pagbato ng bola sa akin-hindi, it was an accident. It just bounced to the tree at nagkataong andoon ako at abala sa pag-iyak.

Hindi ako makapagsalita, why is it that when I look at his eyes, all I can see is my reflection? I see myself in his eyes and it felt right, it felt magical.

"Sige na nga," I gave up, who wouldn't? His face was angelic, he may look like a little bit intimidating but for me, he is just a cute boy in jerseys. But still, it's not like he intended what happened yesterday, "pero wala ka namang kasalanan sa nangyari kahapon." I muttered. Hindi talaga ako sanay na may kausap...

"So... friends?" He smiled. I was stunned with his smile, it might be dark here but I can clearly see his face, with that smile, he became more than handsome. "Friends?" Ulit niya sabay lahad ng kamay niya, does he want a handshake?

Hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang nararamdaman ko ngayon, pero pamilyar ito, alam kong masaya ako. May nag-alok na maging kaibigan ako, somebody wants to be my friend after all these years... all this time na naiinggit ako sa mga tao sa school dahil lahat sila may kaibigan tapos ako mag-isa lang at loner, all this time I was alone and never considered having friends...

But I can't accept his friendship, not when I'm about to di-

Nagulat ako nang hawakan niya ang kamay ko, "yes! Friends na tayo!" He yelled cheerfully. Biglang nagsitayuan ang mga balahibo ko sa batok nang maramdaman ko ang kakaibang init ng kanyang kamay, "See you at school, Yessa."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko, I don't remember me introducing myself to him.

He smiled, as if reading my mind like a magazine, "you're wearing your school I.D., at nabasa ko doon ang pangalan mo."

Napatango na lang ako since he is right, hindi pa ako umuuwi kaya suot suot ko pa ang school uniform ko na kasama ng I.D. ko.

"Don't tell me alam mo na rin ang section ko?" Gah, I sounded so assuming.

Nagulat ako nang tumango siya, "yeah, our classrooms are only neighbors." Sagot naman niya sa akin, nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang napagtantong hindi lang basta ang kausap ko.

Yoshiro... Hiroki Yoshiro...

Anak siya ng karibal ng pamilya ko noong lumalaban pa sina Mommy at Daddy sa top list ng mga pinakamayayamang pamilya sa Asia!

Kaya pala mukhang pamilyar ang last name niya, napailing na lang ako, "kailangan ko nang umuwi." Sabi ko at mabilis umiwas ng tingin.

"Hatid kita?"

"H-Huwag na. Malapit lang ang bahay namin." Sagot ko naman sa kanya.

"Remember, we are friends from now on so if you need someone to wipe your tears off, never hesitate to come and ask me. And remember my name, Hiroki Yoshiro. Hiroki. H-I-R-O-K-I. And not Hiroka but Hiroki, ok?"

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga bago tumango, "bye."

Hiroki Yoshiro... I will never forget that name.

The name of my first friend ever.

***