This is how it started (Elementary Series #01)

Chapter 21

"So, my day just ended playing basketball. You knew that my cousins here in the Philippines are all boys, that's our past time" Sev said. Naka-video call kami, he said that it's better. Well, I think it is really better than texts and calls.

I looked at him in phone's screen. He is currently in Bicol and I am in Laguna.

Sev and I, we already knew each other since we were elementary. Ang tagal na rin, pero pareho naming alam na marami pa din kaming hindi nalalaman tungkol sa isat-isa.

"Your day is all about basketball. Wala ng iba, like you will go to the mall or such places?" tanong ko naman habang umiinom ng juice. Nag-isip naman siya ng malalim.

"Hmm. For today, we really just played basketball. Have some barbeque and some tarts. Do you want those? I will buy you a lot of foods" he said and I just laughed at him. He knew how I love the tarts from Bicol.

"Suhol ba 'yan?" natatawang tanong ko at natawa naman siya.

"Tss. It's not." Sabi niya at umiling pa. He got an orchid from his side and showed it to me. "I have a story. Look at this orchid. I saw this in the garden earlier, so I got it and it reminds me of you"

"Bakit naman orchid?" tanong ko at tumingin sa orchid na hawak niya.

"Because orchid is beautiful in a weird way. Not like the ordinary roses and flowers, but orchid is different, they looked weird in a beautiful way. Just like you, you're weird and beautiful. But it's the weirdness I can't resist and the beauty I won't forget" he said with his flowery tongue. Saan ba niya naririnig yung mga sinasabi niya?

Ako pa lang naman ang una niyang niligawan, pero bakit parang sobrang galing niya mambola?

"Talaga lang ha? Lakas magpakilig ha, nakuha mo siguro 'yan sa mga nauusong ebook ngayon. O kaya dun sa text-serye, yung nasa facebook"

"I don't read those. All the words that I told you came from the bottom of my heart. You always make fun of me; I am being bullied again"

"Ayaw mo na pinapasaya mo ako? Alam ko naman na seryoso ka, di ka na mabiro e" natatawang sabi ko sa kanya.

"Tss" he said and rolled his eyes at me, I just smiled at him and did a peace sign. He smiled a little. See? He can't resist me. "I will bring this in Manila. I will take care of this, just like how I take care of you"

That day ended with me thinking of Sev and his words. I might really end up having a crush on him. Hindi ko kasi ma-gets if crush ko na ba siya, kasi parang best friend pa rin naman ang turing ko sa kanya.

"Ate, Ate. Gising na daw po" naririnig kong sigaw nila Charles habang kumakatok sa kwarto ko.

Bumangon muna ako para puntahan silang dalawa.

"Ate, you have a messy hair and muta pa. You should wash your face muna" my cousin said and I nodded my head to the both of them.

"Yes, yes. Ate will do that. For now, go down already and I will follow you later on, okay?" I said and both of them nodded before carefully walking down the stairs. Papasok na sana ako ulit sa kwarto ko nang nakita ko ang isa sa mga kuya ko. "Anong ginagawa mo dyan?" tanong ko at umiling naman siya at bumaba na ng hagdan, hawak-hawak pa ang cellphone. Mahulog ka pa sa sarili mong katangahan. Tss tss.

I just got my towel and my clothes, then went inside the bathroom to take a bath. After I fixed myself, I then checked my phone. Like the usual, Sev already have a message.

Sev:

"Hey. Smile, this day is beautiful just like you. Good morning!"

Umiling na lang ako at nagreply na din.