For The Last Time

Donnie was my classmate in college. He was tall, slim and fairly good looking - but at 17, I was too young to fall in love yet. Though it might have been easy to fall for him with those Italian-bred eyes, I was just not ready for romantic involvement.

Besides, my brother Othello (who happened to be his buddy ) had been guarding me like a hawk since day one, so what could have been a courtship was aborted even before it could bloom.

"What on earth are you doing here?"

I could never forget Donnie's startled eyes when my brother chanced upon him in our home one evening.

I..uh...I...You live here? Is she..she is your..?

Sister. Hi, bro. You?re early,? I said. I thought it would save Donnie from dropping dead right in our living room. My brother had a nasty habit of beating the hell out of my male visitors, and I still had no idea then about their being friends and all.

First Friday schedule - last period was cancelled. I had been looking for you at the campus. Didn?t know you went home already. So, Donnie Boy, what brings you here??

Donnie uneasily scratched his head, searching for some handy alibi other than the truth.

I came to borrow her book in Statistics. I didn?t know she was your sister. Small world, huh?? came the greatest lie of all time.

How pathetic. I didn?t even have a textbook in Statistics! But I allowed him that. Safe excuse to escape my big brother?s wrath.

You still have Stat? I thought you were in third year already??

Another scratch in the head. ?Back subject. Take two. ?

Ah, so! That, I was sure, was not a lie.

When Donnie left, Othello didn?t waste time warning me about his quiet-type-but-KSC(killer sa chicks) friend. I had a feeling it was going to be Donnie?s last appearance in our home.

I made myself look like a big moron, didn?t I?,? he said during our class break. Try as I might, I couldn?t keep myself from giggling.

You?re lucky he was in good mood. Others didn?t make it beyond our gate, you know. I assume he already warned you about me??

Donnie made a sour face. ?More or less. He kinda hinted that I must wait until you?re twenty or something. So, I gave him my gentleman?s word.?

As if you can last that long!?

For you, I'm willing to wait for a lifetime,? Donnie replied, but he never bothered me again.

A year later, my brother died on my 18th birthday...a tragedy that my family would never be able get over with. Donnie was among those who comforted me and he reiterated the promise before my brother?s grave to keep his affectionate intentions at a distance for now.

"But I'll be back when the time is right," he told me - earnestly. I knew then he really meant it.

I did not see him again until several months later.

My friend Tanya and I were at the school gym waiting for the crowd to thin out after watching a concert. And there he was - sitting silently at the bleachers near the stairs, staring and smiling. He looked quite pale, almost lethargic.

"Looks like your Romeo is back,? Tanya teased.

" Shhh...watch your mouth - he might hear you." But just before we reached him, he disappeared. " Ay, sayang. Nawala ang free dinner natin! " We giggled together.

Stepping out of the campus now, we saw Donnie waiting at the corner where he used to help me get a ride home. The light from the lamp post he was leaning on gave him a somewhat luminous effect because of the reflection. I asked how he'd been and why he suddenly dropped out of sight that semester.

"I'd been sick and was in the hospital for a long treatment", he replied.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I said. ?Are you okay now? "

He smiled hazily and said:? Actually, I only wanted to see you for the last time. I'm going away for a long rest." He would not tell me where he was going. "Basta."

"O, sige na nga. Babay!" I said, turning to go.

We left him standing there with a haunted. look in his eyes. A few yards away, I looked back. He was already gone.

"He's been acting very strange,ba? Weird," I said to Tanya.

" Siguro na-overdose! " We giggled again.

The next day, I was in my room listening to the radio while preparing to leave for school. After the music played, the disk jockey said : "Calling the relatives and friends of Donnie ______, whose body now lies in state at the...."

I froze in disbelief. No, no..it couldn't possibly be him...no way...I kept telling myself as I literally dashed to Tanya's house.

A few hours later, I stood before Donnie's coffin. He had died of complications from asthma at noon yesterday.

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