It felt like a slap in the face to wake him up. Mix was aware of it. He knew very well that Word was right. Now, he wanted to regret that he agreed on training the kids. He wanted to regret that he came back. Pakiramdam niya ay wala siyang mukhang maihaharap kahit kanino. Because after four, long years, he may admit it or not, there’s no way in hell he moved on.
•••
“Hello feature writers. I’ve introduced myself earlier pero magpapakilala ulit ako sa inyo. My name is Mixnee, you can call me Sir Nee or Sir Mix but I prefer you call me Sir Nee. Kapag kasi Sir Mix, parang mangangamoy sinigang,” Mix said and laughed at his own joke. “So since alam kong marami pa kayong gagawin at aalis din kasi ako maya maya, saglit lang ang magiging session na’tin for now, okay ba?”
He smiled when the students answered “okay po” in chorus. From his bag, he took his notebook and read something. “Tomorrow morning, you all need to submit me a feature article, five-hundred words. That’d be short but I want to see your writing skills, and check if your style contains consistency even if it’s limited. Ang topic naman ay madali lang, basic kumbaga. I want you to feature your fathers. It depends on how you want to write it. Like I said, gusto kong makita kung paano kaya sumulat.” The feature writers were all-ears. Well, it’s good that each contest has designated rooms for their sessions as the hall was only designed for group meetings.
“However,” Mix broke in and smiled upon seeing the students drop their shoulders. “It would be better if you exceed your thinking. Go beyond your imaginations. Ask yourself things. In what way will I describe my father? What particular thing did he make for him to be worthy of my concept? Ano ba si tatay para sa ‘kin? In what way do I see him? Kalaban ko ba siya? Kakampi? Such things like that.”
“Sir!” A student raised his hand.
“Yes, ano po ‘yon?”
The boy stood up, clutching his shirt, as if he’s a bit shy. He looked at his trainer, saying, “Paano po kapag dalawa ang tatay?” Mix’s brow wrinkled. “Ano po kasi.. patay na po ang biological parents ko and I have a foster father. Sino po ang dapat kong i-feature?”
“It depends on you,” Mix answered as the boy nodded and sat. “Are there any more questions? ‘Wag kayong mahihiya, you can ask me.” When no one answered, Mix clapped his hands once. “Okay, since wala na kayong tanong, let’s proceed na sa pagpapakilala. I’ve already introduced myself so kayo naman. But to make it a bit more interesting, I will give a topic for feature writing, and for five minutes, think of a title for it. Then, before saying your name, state first your own title. No need for explanation. Okay ba?”
“The topic is your town. If you were to write a feature article about your town, what would be its title?” He peeped at his wristwatch and said, “Time starts now.”
Mix dolefully stared at his fingers tapping his legs. He still couldn’t forget what happened earlier.
Come on, it’s been four years, napapag-iwanan ka na.
Mariin niyang ipinikit ang mga mata at saka iminulat muli. He didn’t know why he’s upset. Those words seemed to piss him off. And he sure had no idea why he’s clinging on to the possibility that they are on the same page. What if it’s not only him? What if somehow, they both are still affected with what happened before? What if.. they both still have feelings for each other? After all, that was the reason why he came back.
“Sir Nee,” a female student called. “Tapos na po ang five minutes.”
Mix snapped. “Sorry.” He smiled and looked at them. “So let’s start with the guy at the left. Tayo ka, Kuya.”
Though the titles said by the students were fine, Mix was not paying attention. He couldn’t even remember a single name from all of those who have introduced themselves. His mind seemed to wander off to another planet and everyone inside the shanty noticed it. He could have been gawking at the window for an hour if it wasn’t for the boy with a loud, trembling voice who spoke, “W-warm fuzzies po!” It was the same boy who asked a question earlier. “From Adlian Elementary School, I'm—”
“Warm fuzzies?” Mix, who suddenly became mindful, said. “You know what that means?”
“O-opo!”
Mix was aware that the boy woke his interest though at the same time, he’s confused. How did the kid knew about warm fuzzies? And he’s from Adlian, which was also his hometown. That can’t be just a coincidence. “Ano’ng pangalan mo, ‘toy?”
Enthusiasm was written in his face. Something about the boy enthralled him and just as he was about to introduce himself, a loud, clear voice called, “Mix!” It was Yuriel. “Tara na.”
Mix looked at the students and stood up. “So let’s just continue this tomorrow, okay? Tinatawag na ako ni Sir n’yo. Don’t forget your assignment. For now, gawin n’yo muna ang pinapagawa sa inyo. Use the rest of your time to find your buddies, okay ba? See you tomorrow.” He took a glimpse at the kid earlier before walking to his friend.
“Samahan na kita papunta sa inyo, baka malito ka kung saan ang daan. May inayos din kasing kalsada—”
“Gagabihin ka pagbalik, Yu,” he said to cut him off. “Ihatid mo na lang ako diyan sa labasan, maghihintay na lang ako ng tricycle.” He watched him sigh and nod because he had no choice. As they walked outside, Mix uttered, “By the way, iyong bata sa feature writing na taga-Adlian, kilala mo ba? ‘Yong may foster father daw?”
Yuriel went silent for a few seconds before shaking his head. “Hindi.” But his face told the opposite.