"Ikaw pala, Calli, ano ang love language mo?" he suddenly asked after playing with Sav.
His unforeseen question caused my forehead to crease.
"What's that?"
He blinked twice. "Hindi mo alam 'yung tinatawag na love language?"
"No," I openly admitted, shaking my head. I saw him part his lips, but even before he could speak, I warned him, "Don't dare call me an uncultured swine."
"Luh. Judger mo naman, neighbor. Hindi ko naman sasabihin 'yun. Kailan ba kita inasar nang gano'n? Hindi ko naman gawain 'yan. Layo sa personalidad ko," he brazenly denied, chuckling. I rolled my eyes. The nerve of this annoying guy to lie. When he saw how rankled I am, he cleared his throat. "Anyway, love language refers to the ways we show love and interpret love back. It's the language we use to express our affection for people. According sa kumpare kong si Gary Chapman, mayroon daw five love languages namely words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, physical touch, and receiving gifts. Have you heard of those?"
"No."
"Okay, then. Let me introduce them to you in a nutshell."
"Must you really, though? Are they important?"
I have lived twenty-eight years of my life not knowing them, why should I now?
"Personally, I think yes. Because the action of loving is different for everyone. We all express our affection for the people that matter to us differently. And sometimes, our unawareness of their love language could create room for misinterpretations. Minsan, pwedeng pakiramdam mo sobrang nage-effort ka na pero parang nababalewala lang ang lahat ng ginagawa mo. So, naturally, if you're on the giving end of things and your efforts are not acknowledged or appreciated, you'll feel discouraged. This is true for all kinds of relationships, platonic and romantic ones alike."
"Really?" I asked doubtfully.
"Oo nga. Para namang nagi-imbento pa ako sa lagay na 'to. Hindi bale, kapag napadaan ako sa isang bookstore, bibilhan kita ng libro na 'yun para may tangible proof ako. For now, trust me as I share with you what I know."
"Okay, whatever," I nonchalantly answered before reaching for the glass of warm water.
"Iisa-isahin ko. 'Yung una, word of affirmation. Well, medyo self-explanatory naman na siya. It means expressing yourself through language and affirmation. They are written or spoken words that encourage, support, uplift, and empathize with another person in a positive way. 'Yung mga taong may ganitong love language, mahilig silang mag-show ng appreciation, compliments, gratitude, at encouragement. They're very vocal in expressing their affection toward other people. At, siyempre, ang best example natin ay si Atom." He laughed. "Halata naman siguro noong nakasama mo siya, ano? Ganoon talaga siya, very expressive. Kahit nga 'yung mga maliliit na bagay na on a normal basis o kaya kapag masyado ka ng familiar sa isang tao hindi mo na mapapansin, sinasabi niya pa rin. Kunwari kapag nakikita ako noon na bagong gupit o may suot na bagong damit, without a doubt, iko-compliment ng isang 'yun ang looks ko. Pati mahilig siyang magsabi ng mga words na ang sarap pakinggan kasi alam mo lang na mahal ka talaga niya. Minsan, kahit sobrang random, magku-kuwento 'yun na naalala niya ako o naisip niya ako dahil sa isang bagay na ginagawa niya. Nakakatuwa 'yun si Atom, sobra." He smiled to himself. "At dahil love language niya ang words of affirmation, she feels least loved when she's being given the silent treatment. Ayaw na ayaw niya 'yun. For her, words hurt more when they are not spoken."
While he was speaking, my memories harked back to the time when I carpooled with her. Besides being naturally talkative, she really is vocal with her compliments. I remember she told me that I'm beautiful. That I have pretty eyes, nice hair, and I dress well. Those are only among all the other positive comments that she mentioned.
