When We Happened

XXV. Be My Girlfriend

Kabanata 25

Be My Girlfriend.

"Can we talk?"

Napa-tingin ako kay Kross. Seryoso lang siyang naka-titig sa'kin. Huminga ako ng malalim at dahan-dahan ay umiling. "Sorry, busy ako. May gagawin pa kami ni Kross." I lied. Tumayo na ako at kinuha ang bag ko. "Let's go?"

Tumayo na din si Kross at niligpit ang mga gamit namin. Kahit alam kong naguguluhan siya sa pagtanggi ko.

"Daf—" pagpigil niya sa'kin.

"I'm sorry, busy ako."

"Daff, please? Kahit saglit?"

Umiling ako. "Tara na, Kross."

Umuna na ako sa paglakad. Naramdaman ko ang pagdausdos ng kamay ni Kross sa'kin. "Why didn't you give him a chance?" he asked.

Tiningnan ko siya. "He doesn't deserve it and besides, I already have you. Kaya para saan pa, 'di ba?"

Sumimangot siya. "Alam ko namang siya pa rin hanggang ngayon."

"Kross..."

"It's alright, Daffney. I can wait until you get over him. I can wait 'til forever. But, please just promise me one thing."

Hindi ako naka-sagot.

"Promise me, that in the end... you'll choose me." Binitawan niya ang kamay ko. "Cause I don't know what I'd do if you'll choose him."

"Kross." Niyakap ko siya. I don't know. He's just too much. Sana siya na lang talaga. "I promise... to choose you."

* * *

"Sasabay ka?" tanong ni Raph sa'kin. "Ay, hindi siguro. May nag-aantay na sa 'yo."

Napalingon ako sa may pintuan ng room at nakita ko si Kross doon. Naka-ngiti sa akin. Napa-ngiti din ako at kinuha na ang bag ko. "See you na lang sa bahay."

Tumango si Raphael bago umuna na. Nakita ko pang nakipag-fist bump siya kay Kross. "Ang aga mo ata? Hindi ka ba busy?" tanong ko. Sobrang busy niya kaya kasi Studenct Council President siya. May event pa naman next week.

He smiled. "Daff, when it comes to you, I'll never be busy. I'd always make time for you."

Napa-ngiti ako. I kissed him on the cheek. Mukhang nagulat siya sa ginawa ko at namula ang mukha niya.

"W–what was that for?"

Hinalikan ko uli siya sa pisngi. "Wala lang. Thank you kasi sobrang bait mo sa akin."

Napa-ngiti nanaman siya. "I wasn't being kind to you, Daffney."

"Talaga?" tanong ko. Lumakad na kami palabas and as usual, ang daming nakatingin sa amin palagi. "Eh ano'ng tawag mo dito?"

"Courting?"

Napa-tawa ako. "What? Parang wala naman akong maalala na nag-tanong ka sa'kin kung pwede kang manligaw?"

Napa-kunot ang noo niya. "What? Wala ba?" he asked me. Umiling ako. Hinila niya ako bigla at mabilis siyang lumakad. Dinala niya ako sa quadrangle at iniwan sa gitna.

"Wait here."

Mabilis siyang tumakbo palayo at katulad ng sinabi niya nag-hintay nga ako.

Natigilan ako ng may narinig akong tugtog. Napa-tingin ako sa kanya, may hawak-hawak na gitara sa stage at may microphone.

You walked into the room and now my heart's been stolen. You took me back in time to when I was unbroken.

Now you're all I want and I knew it from the very first moment. 'Cause a light came on when I heard that song and I want you to sing it again.

Napansin kong mas dumami na ang tao. May iilang nasigaw. May iilang nagsasabi na ang swerte ko daw.

I swear that every word you sing you wrote them for me. Like it was a private show but I know you never saw me.

When the lights come on and I'm on my own, will you be there to sing it again? Could I be the one you talk about in all your stories?

Can I be him?

Parang may kung umanong sumaksak sa puso ko ng tinanong niya sa'kin 'yon. Can I be him? Hindi ko alam. Ano nga ba ang dapat kong i-sagot?

I heard there was someone but I know he don't deserve you. If you were mine I'd never let anyone hurt you.

If only I can be yours.

I wanna dry those tears, kiss those lips, it's all I've been thinking about. 'Cause a light came on when I've heard that song and I want you to sing it again.

Bumaba na siya ng stage at nag-lakad patungo sa'kin habang kumakanta pa din at naka-ngiti sa akin.

I swear that every word you sing you wrote them for me. Like it was a private show but I know you never saw me.

When the lights come on and I'm on my own, will you be there to sing it again? Can I be the one you talk about in all your stories?

Can I be him?

Can I be the one?

Can I...

Tinanggal niya ang gitara at laking gulat ko ng lumuhod siya sa harapan ko.

Can I be him?

Malakas ang sigawan. Sobrang dami na palang tao ang nandito ngayon.

May inilabas siyang pulang box na maliit. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "Kross..." tawag ko.

He smiled. "Daffney, can I be him? Can I be your boyfriend?" tanong niya. Binuksan niya ang box at nandoon ay isang kwintas na may pendant na star.

"If I'm the moon then you're my star. You never fail to light up my dark world. You never fail to shine and glimmer."

"Kross, you didn't have to do this."

"I know it isn't that special. Hindi din ito ang naisip kong paraan kung paano kita tatanungin. I wasn't prepared but when you kissed me on the cheek, I felt it, Daffney. I felt that this is the right time to ask you."

Tiningnan ko lang siya.

"You're not over him, I know. Like I said, I can compromise, always. We'd make this work. I'll help you out. I'll make you fall for me."

Katahimikan.

"Daffney, please be my girlfriend?"