An open window is being twittered by early morning birds. It was Tuesday. Harika extended her arms beneath her thick duvet when the morning wind entered her bedroom. Gulo-gulo ang kanyang buhok nang alisin niya iyon na nakabalot sa kanya, saka siya naupo na pipikit-pikit pa ang mga mata. She had a good sleep, she must say. Her nights have changed considerably since she ended her relationship with Slayter a week ago. Hindi na siya gaanong umiiyak at hindi na niya masyado itong iniintindi. She knew Slayter—her jerk ex-boyfriend—wasn't worth crying over and nobody could have imagined how severely she had cursed him. Iba ang sakit na idinulot nito sa kanya at kulang na lang ay tunawin na niya ito na para bang kandila sa isipan niya. By now, Slayter would be dying of pain if she had known about witchcraft. And Waki is correct, and she was to blame for not trusting in him beforehand. Gago pala talaga ang lalaking pinagtatanggol niya rito.

The paper crane on the nightstand caught Harika's attention as she yawned. She swung for it and played with it between her fingers. Naalala na naman niya kung saan niya nakuha iyon pati na ang misteryosong lalaking nakasuot ng maskara ng lobo. Strangely, it gave her the chills and a horrible feeling. Nakikita niya rin itong sumusulpot minsan sa panaginip niya. She still gets the creeps whenever she thinks back on what happened that night.

Natigilan siya at bahagyang nagising ang diwa nang mapansin ang mga letra at numero na nakasulat sa pakpak na bahagi ng paper crane.

mr0214

Ngayon lang napansin ni Harika ang kombinasyong iyon. Ano ang ibig sabihin nito?

Hearing knocks at the door, Harika turned her head to look at it. Bumukas iyon at pumasok ang Lolo Dad niya na nakabihis ng pormal. He was dressed in a lengthy black coat, a white inside shirt tucked into his long slacks, and a pair of gleaming black shoes. Nakasuot din ang salamin nito sa mga mata at putian na ang kulay ng buhok at balbas. Tila ba may pupuntahan itong importanteng okasyon. He presented a respectable and decent appearance.

"Get dressed," he said, almost in baritone.

Harika furrowed her brows. "Lolo Dad, where are we going?"

Umigting ang panga nito bago nagsalita, "To Mr. Ishida's funeral."

Bumagsak ang balikat ni Harika at nagulat sa balitang iyon. Mariing napakapit ito sa comforter na hawak niya. "What happened to Mr. Ishida?"

"He died in a rockslide car accident," he replied with a tightened voice. "Hindi ka muna papasok ngayon."

Napalinga-linga ang mga mata ni Harika sa balitang natanggap mula sa congressman. Hindi niya inaasahan ang pangyayaring ito. Nahihirapan din siyang maniwala dahil malakas at buhay na buhay pa ito noong huling nagkita sila sa isang family dinner.

Due to business-related matters, Congressman Levantine and Mr. Ishida had a good working relationship. Bago pa tumakbo at tuluyang nanalo si Constancio Levantine bilang kongresista ay matalik na nitong kaibigan at kakilala si Joseph Ishida. Kaya'y malaki ang utang na loob nito sa rito, lalo na't ito rin ang umagapay rito bago manalong congressman.

Hindi pa rin makapaniwala si Harika habang nakasakay sa backseat ng kotse. Itim ang suot niyang bestida at bahagyang nag-ayos para sa pagpunta nila sa burol ng yumaong si Joseph Ishida.

Nang makarating sila sa isang mamahalin at magarbong funeral home, sumalubong agad sa kanila si Jed Ishida—ang panganay na anak ng yumao.

The congressman said as he took the lead, "My sincere condolences to you and your family."

Jed low bowed to him. "Thank you for coming, Congressman Levantine." Nakipagkamay ito sa kanya.

Harika gave Jed a quick smile as they walked in. Nakakalang ang kamay ni Harika sa braso ng Lolo Dad niya. Marami-rami na rin ang mga bisita mula sa loob upang makiramay.

She quickly cast her gaze around the area. A large gathering space, a dimly lit yellow-orange interior, candelabras on the ceiling, carpeted flooring, rows of church-like seats, thick white curtains covering the wide windows, and plants in every corner made up the place extremely formal and expensive funeral viewing. In her eyes, everything appears to be luxurious yet cozy, halatang ginastusan ang buong burol.

Bago sila maupo ay sinilip nila ang kabaong. It had a wooded pattern and was dark chocolate in color. In his light, pale makeup, Joseph Ishida appears to be sleeping while inside it. The Congressman briefly prayed while Harika was gazing at it. The coffin's various sides were covered with floral arrangements. It was majestically illuminated by lights and lamps.

Isang babaeng nakaupo sa wheelchair ang dumating ilang saglit pa, umiiyak ito. She was moving the wheels in their direction.

"Good morning, Melanie, and I am deeply saddened to hear about Joseph..."

Regarding what had happened to Mr. Ishida, Harika felt sympathy for him. She was not paying attention to the conversation between her Lolo Dad and Melanie—the deceased man's disabled wife—she can only hear the two of them speaking inaudibly.

Sa pagmumuni-muni ay wala sa sariling napalingon si Harika mula sa kanyang likuran. Nasipat niya ang isang lalaki na tahimik at mag-isang nakaupo mula sa mahabang furniture seat kadikit ang dingding. Waki was there, but he lacked his trademark confidence and beam. He's such a chill, laid-back and happy guy, ngunit iba ang nakikita niya ngayon dito. He looked so opposite from before. Naninibago siya. She never had seen him like this. At sa t'wing makikita niya ito sa eskwelahan o kahit saan... dala-dala nito ang kumikinang na mga mata, nakakahawang mga ngiti at magaan na aura, ngunit ngayon, wala ni-isa sa mga ito ang napapansin ng kanyang mga mata.

He was in deep sadness. Kaya't nalulungkot din si Harika na nakikita niyang nagkakaganoon si Waki. When her mother passed away when she was five, in the same gloom, she experienced a familiar bellyache. Hindi niya lang lubos-maisip na makikita niya si Waki na ganoon ang hitsura at sa ganoong sitwasyon.

Waki was dreading solving his rubik's cube while fighting back tears. The glow that had previously been present in his aura had now completely vanished.

"Lolo Dad, excuse me," paalam ni Harika sa congressman, bahagyang tumango kay Melanie at iniwan ang mga ito na patuloy na nag-uusap.

Mabagal siyang naglakad habang nakakapit sa string ng kanyang maliit na sling bag. Waki noticed her approaching him, but he was unable to even smile at her. Sumulyap lang ito saglit at nag-iwas agad ng tingin. He gradually distanced himself from people and became more reserved, allowing himself to grieve and breathe alone.

Harika sat with him and greeted him with a 'hi'. Malamlam lang itong ngumiti sa kanya. She caught a glimpse of his smile, but it was forced and unnatural. He does it in order to hide his loneliness from her. His ambitious smile has the potential to brighten the room, but it quickly loses its luster. His eyes were no longer filled with joy. His smile is an emotionless thing. Harika never would have imagined that Waki would one day change from how he was before. He seemed so worn out and hurt.

"My condolences," Harika said under her breath.

She keeps getting a compelled smile from Waki. Something is wrong with him, an unfamiliar daze in his eyes... so distant.

Tahimik lang ito. Nakapapanibago talaga iyon para kay Harika. Hindi niya alam kung paano makikipag-usap dito. If she was unfamiliar with this type of Waki, she's unable to initiate a conversation. Pakiramdam niya, makikipag-usap siya sa taong ngayon niya lang nakita. She looked awkward beside him. Paiba-iba ang direksyon ng kanyang mga tingin.

"Can I get you something?" Waki asked her.

Umiling si Harika. "No thanks. I'm okay," tanggi niya.

The moment she had the confidence to see his face close enough, she saw Waki's lips were twitching. Nagsisimula nang mas lumungkot ang mukha nito. Nanginigilid na rin ang luha sa mga mata nito. Ilang saglit pa ay umilig ito sa balikat niya at doon na tuluyang umiyak, tila ba matagal na nitong kinikimkim at hindi na iyon kinayang tiisin pa.

"He's gone," he sobbed softly. Patuloy lang na tumutulo ang luha nito mula sa tungki ng ilong. "I'm so sad," he continued with such longingness in his voice.

He's so soft, in agony from the pain.

Hindi na rin maiwasan ni Harika na maluha nang makitang nagkakaganoon si Waki. Naaapektuhan siya. She then wrapped her right arm around him and lightly patted his shoulder, providing him of reassurance and solace.

"He said if I graduated from my senior year, he'll gonna be so proud of me, but sadly, he wasn't be able to see me marching on my graduation day."

Harika's lips also started to twitch. She attempted to blink away the hot tears that were starting to form at the side of her eyes. Waki's deep sadness were really contagious.

"He would still gonna be so proud of you nonetheless."

Inalis ni Waki ang pagkakailig sa kanya, sumandal, nakapikit at huminga nang malalim.

Naaawa si Harika na makita niya ito sa ganoong sitwasyon. When a happy person suddenly becomes depressed, it can be difficult to imagine what they were screaming inside. It strikes differently, as if she was recognizing a different person in him.

To cheer him up, Harika listed lovely adjectives that his father was the kindest, sweetest, and a generous man. She believes those words will prevent him from feeling depressed.

"Ganon siguro talaga kapag mabait kang tao." Hindi pa rin nawawala ang lungkot na bumabalot sa boses ni Waki.

Doon nito namana ang pagiging masiyahin. Kaya hindi mahirap maging kaibigan. Halos lahat ay kakilala at madaling lapitan.

Waki and Harika had a brief opportunity to discuss Mr. Ishida, the joyful times, the sentiments, and the unforgettable experiences their family has had. Siguro ngayon ay hindi niya pa matanggap, but they both believe everything will gonna be alright eventually.

Time will heal all wounds, because healing doesn't happen in a straight line.

✦❘༻༺❘✦

"Harika, Harika, come over here! Dali!" Hinila ni Lizbeth si Harika at tila ba may importante itong ipakikita sa kanya.

"Lizbeth, can't you wait? I am preparing my activity portfolio. Ipapasa na ito mamaya. Ano ba kasi 'yon?" iritable niyang tugon sa kaibigan sa pagpupumilit nito.

Kapuwa sila dumungaw sa ibaba mula sa corridor railing sa ikatlong palapag ng gusali kung nasaan sila. Wala pa sa sarili si Harika noong una hanggang sa ipakita nito sa kanya si Waki na malungkot pa rin at tila tahimik na nakatayo sa isang tabi.

"How can he be so sad like that? Ang guwapo pa rin!" tila kinikilig na patutsada ni Lizbeth at nakahalumbabang nakatunghay sa kakisigan ni Waki sa ground floor.

"Seriously, Lizbeth? Inabala mo ako para lang d'yan?" Harika rolled her eyes and sighed. Saka tangkang naglakad paalis.

"Hoy, Harika, sandali lang naman!" Muli siyang pinigilan nito. "Nakakapanibago, ano? Hindi ako sanay na nakikitang ganyan si Waki. Yeah, I know he's way too cheerful before, but he still managed to look good when he's sad. Oh, my poor baby boy." Lizbeth was daydreaming over Waki.

Pinagmasdan ni Harika si Waki na nakatayo at inilabas ang rubik's cube na hindi pa rin nito mabuo-buo. She can't deny what Lizbeth's saying. Totoo naman talagang guwapo ito, lalo na sa tindig at singkit na mga mata. Malakas pa rin ang dating nito para sa kanya. But still she hadn't seen the familiar beam in him. Tila ba may kulang pa rin upang maibalik ang dating Waki na nakilala niya na nagbago simula nang mawala ang ama nito.

"There she goes again," nawalan ng ganang sambit ni Lizbeth nang makitang dumidikit na naman si Stella kay Waki. "That bitch! Salot talaga 'yang Stella na 'yan sa pagpapantasya ko sa baby boy ko. Hmp!" Umismid ito.

Naaaburido lang sila parehas habang pinanonood nila si Stella na katabi ni Waki at kung paano pumulupot ang kamay nito rito. They admitted that Stella is a pretty girl, pero kung palaging ganoon itong umasta, hindi iyon nakagaganda.

"Ikaw naman kasi Harika. You're prettier than her! Mas bagay kayong dalawa ni Waki sa kahit na anong anggulo kumpara sa babaeng 'yan. Tingnan mo kung paano siya kumapit sa braso ni Waki. Bakit hindi na lang kasi maging kayo? Nakakainis!" Labas sa ilong ang gigil ni Lizbeth kay Stella. Para bang torture dito kung paano ito makitungo kay Waki. Maging si Harika ay naiinis at tila may katiting na selos habang pinagmamasdan niya ang babaeng iyon na malapit kay Waki. Naiinis lang siya, 'yon lang siguro 'yon.

"As if, Lizbeth! I am not Waki's type. At kahit pa siya na lang ang natitirang lalaki sa mundo, mabubuhay na lang akong mag-isa. Stop with the tease! Palagi mo na lang akong inaasar sa kanya. Kung ikaw ang may gusto, ikaw ang gumawa ng paraan para maging kayo." Naglakad na pabalik si Harika sa loob ng classroom.

"Sus! Pakipot ka pa." Nag-make face si Lizbeth nang iwan siya ni Harika roon. "Gusto mo rin naman si Waki," habol pa nitong bulong.

Nang matapos ang huling klase nina Harika kasabay niyon ay ang pagbuhos ng malakas na ulan. Sakto namang nag-text sa kanya ang family driver nila na baka matagalan itong sunduin siya dahil nasiraan ito ng kotse sa daan. Kokontrata pa ito ng ibang sasakyan upang masundo siya dahil gamit ng Lolo Dad niya ang isa pang sasakyan na mayroon sila.

Harika can ride a cab, but she can wait as well. Wala rin naman siyang dalang payong kung sakaling maisipan niyang mag-commute even she had a lot of work to do. Deadline nang ilang activities niya bukas, including her unfinished research papers.

She was waiting at the main hall's entrance. Walang tigil ang ulan. Nauubos na rin ang mga estudyante roon habang tumatagal. Tumingin siya sa kalangitan, bahagya na iyong nagdidilim at sumasapit na ang gabi. Nagawa na lang niyang maglibang sa pakikinig ng mga classic songs mula sa kanyang earphones. Tamang-tama ang tunog na nanggagaling doon kasabay ng ulan. It's so perfect to listen to with the sound of rain in the background. Hindi niya magawang mabagot.

"Here."

Hinaklit niya ang earphone sa kanang tainga niya. Nakita niya ang payong sa kamay ng isang lalaking tila nag-o-offer sa kanya na gamitin iyon.

Nag-angat siya ng tingin dito. "Para saan 'yan, Waki?"

"Have it."

Isa lang ang payong na iyon. Walang ibang ekstrang payong na hawak si Waki. Kung tatanggapin niya iyon, wala naman itong gagamitin para sa sarili nito.

"I'm waiting for Manong Liro. Thanks for the offer, ikaw na lang ang gumamit ng payong mo." Tinaggihan niya ito kahit pa kaka-receive niya lang ng text mula sa driver na hinihintay niya na baka gabihin pa ito sa pagsundo sa kanya. It rarely happens, that's why she could wait even though she has tons of paperwork to do.

Waki quickly took her by the hand and lends her the umbrella anyway. "Gamitin mo na. Marami ka pang tatapusing activities at research stuff. Don't waste your time."

Naglakad na paalis si Waki palayo sa kanya.

"Wait, Waki! How about you?"

"Don't mind me. Mabilis naman akong tumakbo." Agad nitong sinukob ang bag sa uluhan nito at ngumiti ng saglit sa kanya.

She was taken aback when she noticed his well-known smile. Ngayon na lang ulit niya nakita ang kinang sa ngiting iyon. Genuinely on purpose. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso niya. It was first time in a while.

Saka ito sumugod sa malakas na ulan.

Harika left there with a little guilt. Dapat ay hindi niya tinanggap ang payong nito. Paano kung magkasakit si Waki? Tiyak ay kasalanan pa niya. Palagi na lang ganoon ito sa kanya. Palaging mag-o-offer para sa ikabubuti niya kahit pa taliwas sa kahihinatnan nito.

She appreciates him. He's too kind for her to hate him.