Mix kept gaping at the street throughout the entire trip in Adlian. Not only that the town had changed a lot but also because of the colorful decorations on the road near their sitio. Tuloy ay naalala niyang malapit na nga pala ang fiesta ng baranggay nila. Actually, it’s been years since he last celebrated it here, together with his family. Simula rin kasi nang lumipat siya sa siyudad ay ang mga magulang na lamang niya ang bumisita sa kaniya roon.
“Diyan lang, Kuya, sa kanan, sa may puting gate,” he told the tricycle driver and opened his wallet to get some coins. “Ito po. Salamat.” He got off of the vehicle as soon as it stopped and stood in front of the house's gate. For a second, he wondered if he was on the right place. When was the last time he went home? Why did it feel like the one in front of him didn’t have any resemblance to his house? But Yuriel said it was around here.
Mix hesitated on going inside, so he turned to the tricycle driver who was about to start the engine. “Kuya, dito ba talaga ang bahay ng mga Chavez?”
The driver who wore a mask, took off his glasses and eyed him. “Chavez? Kaano-ano mo ba sila?”
“Pamilya ko ho,” Mix answered a bit irritated because of the man’s tone. He felt like he was being scolded and he hated it.
“Pamilya mo pala. Bakit, hindi mo ba alam kung saan ang bahay niyo?” His eyes went wide, shocked at the way the driver talked back. Just before he could shout at him, the tricycle’s engine started, leaving him annoyed. He cursed in his mind, and roamed around for a few minutes before getting his cellphone from his bag. He walked back to the house while dialing his sister’s number.
When no one answered his call, he decided to open the gate to step inside. Right in front of the doorstep, he stood there, amused. The house was elegant. Though it wasn’t practically a mansion, Mix was so astounded that he wanted to stay there forever. The yard and plants surrounding it even caught his heart. The entire exterior look was definitely his taste. Whose house is this, anyway?
“You know, robbers usually come at night. Did they change their schedule now?”
Mix felt stiff. The hint of annoyance was written in his face. He turned around to face the owner’s voice only to see that it was the tricycle driver earlier. He rolled his eyes with his arms crossed. “Is this your house?” he asked the man whose face was still partially covered by a black mask. “Well, I don’t even care if it is. But calling me a robber considering that you were a bit mean to me a while ago, is too much for me to take. Baka gusto mong ireklamo kita?”
The man laughed at him. “Saan mo ‘ko irereklamo? Sa baranggay? Then how about we go to the police? Because this is definitely trespassing,” he replied.
Mix closed his fists, irritated. He could tell that if the guy wasn’t wearing a face mask, he’d probably be smirking. The thought of it aggravated him. “Kung hinatid mo na lang sana ako sa pupuntahan ko, hindi ko na kailangan pang pumasok dito.”
“Hmm? Okay.” The guy walked to the doorstep, took his keys from his pocket and unlocked the door. “Did you like my house? You haven’t seen the whole of it, though. Pumasok ka muna, ihahatid kita sa inyo. Magbibihis lang ako.”
Mix stared at him, confused. “Excuse me?” he said. “Akala ko ba ay hindi mo alam ang bahay ko?”
“May sinabi ba ako?”
His mouth hanged open. How is this guy able to keep a casual conversation with him? “Who exactly are you? Do we like.. know each other? Close ba tayo?” he frankly asked. Honestly, he doesn’t really know him. Because if he does, he would have recognize him even if he’s wearing a face mask. Mix looked at him in the eye when he remembered something. The guy was no longer smiling. Could it possibly be..
“Ang bilis mo namang makalimot.” He felt frozen. “I couldn’t blame you, anyway. It’s not like you just broke up with me yesterday.”
Mix felt like crying but no tears came out. If today was one of those good old days, he would have embraced him really tight. But knowing that Spring said those words like it’s nothing, like it never affected him, felt like a stab in his heart. He was lost. Really, what made him think that nothing has changed? Because everything has.
•••
Clutching his bag, Mix looked like he couldn’t breathe. He kept his eyes on the road, and never said a single thing. It was awkward but it’s not like he can do anything to lighten up the mood. His hands were cold, probably because of the air-conditioning. He rested his shoulder on the side and closed his eyes. The urge of sleeping crossed his mind. Well, that would be better. In that way, he won’t have to do anything, especially because he’s afraid he’d tremble. He didn’t want him to know he’s scared.
“Malapit na tayo, ‘wag ka nang matulog. Mahirap ka pa namang gisingin.” Mix went silent. He blinked his eyes and refrained himself from saying anything. He’d just mess up, anyway.
If someone would ask what he felt at that moment, it would certainly be nostalgia. He didn’t like it, actually. He wanted to prove everyone that Spring wasn’t the only one who’s over it. He didn’t want to bring back what happened in the past, the good memories, the love. But no matter how much he disliked it, he couldn’t run away.
He should be completely happy, but the sadness wouldn’t fade. Well, Spring changed a lot. He grew even more handsome, plus he has a car and a classy house. His aura looked prestigious, though he wasn’t smiling often compared before. He also changed his haircut, which was probably the reason why it was hard for Mix to recognize him earlier. Overall, he was a whole different person.