I Could Fall

Chapter Fifty-One

It was surreal to see Ali in our home after nearly two years, engaging in a conversation with my whole family. I never thought it was possible for it to happen again.

Mommy went inside the house to go to the bathroom. Ali was chatting and drinking beer with Daddy and my siblings. Tahimik lang akong nakikinig sa usapan nila tungkol sa successful event ng resort namin.

Naalis ang atensyon ko sa kanila nang kulitin ni Dionne ang Mommy sa paghatak. She was pointing at the pool side.

"Sweet, aren't you tired?" sabi ni Ate Lavie rito pero tumayo rin at nagpahatak sa anak.

Naisipan kong sumama sa kanila kaya tumayo na rin ako. Hindi pa ako nakakahakbang ay pinigilan na agad ako ni Ali.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"Doon lang." I pointed at the poolside. Napatingin naman siya roon pero agad din bumalik sa akin. "Sasamahan ko lang sila Ate Lavie."

He bit his lip and nodded. "Okay."

I wasn't completely the same clueless Hyon. Marami akong natutunan nitong mga nakaraang taon. Alam ko ang nangyayari kapag nililigawan at hindi kasama sa natutunan ko na kailangan pang magpaalam sa manliligaw kapag may gagawin o pupuntahan.

Napanguso ako. What, Hyon? Pumayag na ba akong manligaw siya? Sa pagkakaalala ko hindi ako sumagot. Paano naman makakasagot? Halos hindi na ako makahinga kanina dahil sa sinabi niya.

Isa pa, hindi rin naman siya nagtatanong. He wasn't asking for my permission. He was letting me know that he was pursuing me.

Ali's changed, too. The Ali that I know always asked me. He made sure that I was comfortable. He doesn't decide on his own. He always followed whatever I told him to do. But now... I can tell that he's done with letting me have everything that I want.

I could tell that he's firmer now. He won't let me ruin us again. He said it himself. He won't let me go this time.

Lumapit na ako kina Ate Lavie at Dionne. My niece was happy when I sat with them. Nakisali ako sa paglubog ng mga paa sa pool.

"I'm just gonna go to the bathroom," paalam ni Ate Lavie. "Stay with your Tita, okay?"

"Yes po," masunuring sagot ni Dionne at maligayang nilaro ang mga paa sa tubig. Napangiti ako habang pinapanood ang pamangkin sa ginagawang paglalaro.

Napawi ang ngiti ko nang mapansin ang pumalit sa pwesto ni Ate Lavie. Pati si Dionne ay tumigil sa ginagawa at napatingin.

"Hi, Tito Ali!" she chimed.

Maamong ngumiti si Ali rito at ginulo ang ibabaw ng buhok. Umangat ang tingin sa akin ni Ali. Hinayaan ko siyang makitang nakatingin ako. Umangat ang isang kilay niya. He removed his shoes and socks.

"Can I join you?" tanong niya kay Dionne.

My niece just nodded as a response and resumed with moving her feet in the water. Ali folded his pants a bit, para hindi mabasa ng tubig.

"I'll drive you to work tomorrow," he exclaimed. I brought my eyes back to him.

"Y-You don't have to. Uhm. Meron naman akong sasakyan," paliwanag ko. "I know how to drive now, Ali."

His jaw clenched at that. I saw the sadness that glinted in his eyes. Tumango siya. "Sino... ang nagturo sa'yo?

"Si Kuya Zeno, pero nag-driving school din ako," sagot ko. I don't even know why we're talking about these shallow things.

He licked his lips and nodded again. Tumingin siya sa pool. Nanatili ang lungkot sa mga mata niya. "I've missed out on a lot of things about you."

Oh.