Trial and Error: VI

Chapter 6

“Thanks for coming, James.” Wika ni Devon na nakaupo sa isang bench sa park malapit sa kanila.

Naguluhan man sa pagkakabigkas ni Devon sa kanyang pangalan pero bumati na rin ito, “I came as soon as I can, Baby.” Sagot nito at tila nagtatago sa dilim para di makita ni Devon ang pasa sa muka.

“Were you in a fight? Nakikita ko ang pasa sa muka mo, wag mo nang itago.” Paninita ni Devon kay James na ngayo’y unti-unting lumalapit kay Devon.

“You wouldn’t like it, I know. Because you’re bestfriend Ivan is involved here.” Pagpapaliwanag ni James na ikinagulat ni Devon.

“Ano?! Nagkasapakan kayo ni Ivan? Ano nanamang gulo yan, James? Di pa nga tayo tapos sa isa.” Nag-aalalang sabi ng dalaga. Gusto sanang kamustahin nito si Ivan pero alam nyang hindi ito ikakatuwa ni James.

“I know but you don’t have to worry.  Ivan and I were not in a good mood and went temperamental for a moment. Sorry. I didn’t want to add up to our problem but this is nothing.” Muling pagpapaliwanag ni James. “Does your mom know that we’ll meet tonight?  It’s late, she might get mad.” Huling hirit ng binata.

“She knows, James.  Apparently, I won’t be keeping any secrets from her starting today.  She’s actually here, in the car parked at the entrance.” Nagulat si James sa narinig at di nito lubos maisip ang sinasabi ng dalaga.

“So, you really agreed to her?  We are really breaking up?” naguguluhang tugon ni James kay Devon na parang gusto nitong yugyugin ang dalaga para pigilan siya sa kanyang desisyon.

“James, you know how much I love you.  Don’t make me choose between you and my family. I’m only 16, we’re only 16 years old.”  Nangingilid na ang mga luha ng dalaga at parang may santol na nakabara sa lalamunan nito habang pinapaliwanagan si James.

“You know I won’t let you choose between me and your family.  We were able to keep our relationship a secret for over a year, we can still do that. We just need to be extra careful this time.”  Pagsusumamo ni James na panay na rin ang dasal na sana mapapayag niya ang dalaga.

“I swear, Devon, I respected and will always respect you.  That kiss was special to me but I will never force you into doing things without your concensus. You know that, right?” patuloy na pangungumbinsi nito.

“James, wala akong sinasabi na kahit ano tungkol sa respeto na tinutukoy mo.  But probably I need you now to respect my decision.  Nagsimula kasi tayo sa mali e kaya ganito ang kinahinatnat.  Ayokong magtrial and error nalang tayo palagi.  Try natin uling maging tayo ng palihim tapos antaying mabuko uli tayo.  Wouldn’t it be nicer if you could shout to everyone that I’m yours and you’re mine?”  hindi na napigilan ng luha ni Devon na umagos pati ang balikat niya ay di na rin nagpaawat sa panginginig.

“You don’t know how I wanted to shout to the world that you’re mine.  But because I understand your situation with your mom, I endured it.  That’s how much I love you.  It doesn’t matter if it’s just you and me who knows that we belong together as long as we’re together. That’s all that matters.” Naluluha na ring pahayag ni James at pilit kinukuha ang kamay ni Devon na siya namang iniiwasan ng isa.

Hindi na alam ni Devon ang irarason kay James.  Alam niyang mahihirapan sila pareho, pero kailangan nilang magdesisyon ngayon.

“James, I hurt my mom.  I lost her trust in me. I don’t want to feel guilty whenever we’re together without her knowing it. I know I should have felt that way even before we got caught but I think this is our chance to put things in the right place.  I’m sorry I got you into this.  I didn’t mean to be so much in love with you and forget all the consequences. But for now James, let’s end this.” Patuloy na dumadaloy ang mga luha sa mga mata ni Devon at alam nitong di lang mata niya ang lumuluha ngayon pati na rin ang kanyang puso.  “But remember James, I will be your Mrs Reynolds soon if you’ll allow it.”

Gulong-gulo naman si James.  Alam niyang may malaking punto ang nobya sa sinasabi nito. Pero hindi niya kayang isipin na mawawala ito sa buhay niya nang ganun na lang.

“Please Devon… I too want to prove something to your mom.  I want to show her how much I love you.  Perhaps, we keep our relationship secret until we’re both ready and has proven ourselves to her and get married then she’ll be able to accept me and she’ll know that I’m really serious about you.  It doesn’t matter how many times we’ll do that trial and error thing as long as I do it with you.  Please, Baby….” Sabay hawak ni James sa braso ni Devon na nakikiusap na dingin siya nito.

Naaninag ni Devon na lumabas ng kotse ang mommy niya.

“James, I told my mom that this will be the last time that I’ll be speaking with you.  It hurts me to say this but this is goodbye, James.  I know this goodbye will only be temporary.  I’ll be forever yours, I promise you that but not this time. You believe me, right?” Wika nito habang pinupunasan ang mga luha sa mata ni James.

Habang si James ay nakaramdam na rin ng hopelessness sa mga nangyayari at yumakap nalang kay Devon.  Si Devon kahit alam nang nataranta ang ina sa nakita ay hinayaan nang yumakap si James sa kanya.  Pareho na silang humahagulgol at tila hindi mabitawan ang isa’t isa.

“Just promise me, Baby, that you’ll wait for me. When the right time comes, I’ll be there to ask your hand in marriage. So, please don’t say goodbye. ” at tinitigan si Devon at pinunasan sa mga luha nito.

“This isn’t letting go.  We will just take some time off seeing each other.  Think of it as if one of us went to another place. We’ll find a way soon. I promise.” Patuloy na pagpapatahan ni James kay Devon.

Masikip na masikip pa rin ang dibdib ni Devon pero kianilangan na niyang bumitiw kay James. “Always remember that I love you no matter what.  Wag kang mambababae.” Sabay lahad ng napakatamis na ngiti nito.

“I won’t! Please promise me that those sweet smiles will be forever mine. I love you, Baby. Always and Forever.” At tuluyan nang nagbitiw sa pagkakayakap ang dalawa at nagpaalam na si Devon kay James.

“Bye, Baby! I miss you already.” Bulong ni James habang papalayong naglalakad si Devon.