Elysian (Samantila Series #1)

13

Simula nung araw na 'yon ay lagi ko nang napapansin ang pagkalimot ko sa paligid t'wing nag-uusap kami ni Stage.

I feel so attentive about the smallest things when we're talking, yet, I always forget those people around us.

I don't get it, nag-uusap lang naman kami, ah? Bakit 'di ko napapansin ang ibang tao?

Nagpatuloy pa ng ilang linggo ang pagtulong ko sa bahay. Isang beses nga, nang umuwi sila mommy galing sa Batangas ay nahuli nila akong tumutulong sa mga househelpers. They became curious, because, it's "unusual" for people my age to help out in the house.

"I'm bored, Mom. Ayaw ko namang buong araw lang na nakatutok sa cellphone o kaya naka-sunod sa mga pinsan ko kaya tumutulong nalang ako kila Ate na mag-linis." I defended myself.

Mommy just shook her head, "It's fine, Haze. 'Wag mo lang pagurin masyado ang sarili mo.. Those things are part of their work." then she let me go.

Tuwing weekdays naman, ay kasama ko si Guine at si Stage (na mas lagi kong kasama, hindi ko alam kung bakit), at mga pinsan ko naman kapag lunch. Pero, nitong mga nakaraang araw talaga, mas lagi kaming magkasama ni Stage kesa sa mga pinsan ko. I really don't know why. Kung paano n'ya ko napipilit na sumama sakanya ay isa narin siguro sa mga talento niya.

He has a talent in communicating with people. Stage is a smooth-talker kind of person. 'Yon ang napansin ko sakanya. Kaya.. Baka ginagamit n'ya ang skill n'yang 'yon para utoin akong sumama sakanya?

Acee and I became friends, too. We speak almost in daily basis, pero laging maikli lang din ang pag-uusap na nangyayari dahil kung 'di puputulin ni Stage ang pag-uusap, ay may lalapit namang kakilala kay Acee.

Today's friday, and I'm seating in a gazebo, facing the field at kaharap lang din ang mga bleachers na nasa malayong banda. Maswerte ako ngayon dahil walang tao halos lahat ng gazebo. Lagi kasing punuan ito dahil paboritong tambayan ng mga estudyante.

I'm waiting for Stage. We always wanted to seat here, in a gazebo but just like what I said, it's always full. Kaya ngayong may available na, ay pinagsamantalahan na namin.

Tinitigan ko ang malawak na field sa harap ko. This is where they play soccer, volleyball and many more..

I'm wondering, what is it like to feel passionate about sports? Is it like my love for music? Love for my cousins? Love for my parents? Love for my self? Honestly, I feel bad when people can't find something they can feel passionate about. Hindi naman madali 'yon. But, what I can say is once you feel passionate about a certain thing, it'd feel like a paradise. A very heavenly thing. Yung kahit na ilang beses kang masaktan dahil sa bagay na 'yon, you'd still feel happiness. Unending happiness.

Maybe.. I'm feeling that. Right now. The feeling of being so passionate about a certain thing.

I snapped out from my thoughts when someone spoke.

"Sorry for the wait." Stage entered the gazebo with a smile on his face.

I pouted while I'm looking up, staring at him. I'm still not used to his smiles.. No. I don't think I'll ever be used to his mischievous smiles.

"Wow? You bought these?" Seriously! Nagulat ako nang makita ang mga dala niyang pagkain. Akala ko kasi sa cafeteria lang siya bibili. He never mentioned that he'll buy from the cafè again.

Simula kasi nung pinatikim n'ya sa'kin yung tiramisu cake mula do'n sa cafè na 'yon, ay palagi-lagi na s'yang nagdadala ng pagkain galing doon. Hindi naman yung lagi-lagi na araw-araw talaga. He just does this once or twice a week. Kapag natitripan n'ya.

I thoroughly looked at the foods' packaging, hindi ito galing sa cafè na lagi n'yang pinagbibilhan, ah?

Tinignan ko siya muli, nang mapansin 'yon.

"My mom made those." he grinned.

"Woah. Si Miss Eliott? Dami ne'to ah? Mauubos kaya na'tin 'to?" I looked again sa foods na niluto pala ni Miss Eliott.

I'm not really an eater, pero kaya ko naman kumain ng medyo mas sobra kaysa sa iba kong pinsang babae. I can say na, my stomach can handle more.

"I like to eat, Ame. And to be precise, those are my favorites."

"Baka naman ubusan mo ko?" I teased Stage, who is sitting beside me.

Tumaas ang kilay niya, "Magulat ka sobrang sarap n'yan. Baka ikaw pa nga umubos nyan, e." he rebutted.

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever. Paki sabi nalang kay Mom mo, salamat."

"Makakarating." he said playfully.

Totoo nga ang sinabi nyang masarap magluto si Miss Eliott. I didn't even notice that I almost ate everything! Kung 'di lang sinabi ni Stage na h'wag ko syang ubusan (as a joke), ay di ko mapapansin!

"I know that my mom's cooking is high tier, but you don't have to eat all of it!" tumawa siya.

I blankly looked at him, "Ang babaw ng kasiyahan mo, 'no?"

He stopped and tried to pout his lips. I can't believe him!

"Pasensya na, po."

"But your mom's cooking is very good, Stage. I'd like to eat some sometime again." sabi ko.

"Thank you. Baka magpakain na si Mama ng buong baranggay dahil d'yan." he smirked.

"Minsan lang siya magluto?"

Tumango siya at kinuha ang sandwich, "Yeah. Minsan lang din kasi sila sa bahay ni Papa. And when they're somewhere else, they often eat outside."

"My parents' the same but it's the opposite. Mas magaling magluto si Dad kesa kay Mom." ani ko.

"Really? I'd like to try his food, too." I saw how Stage bit his lower lip in my peripheral vision.

I immediately turned at him, nagulat naman siya sa'kin, "Sure ka? My parents are going home next week. Do you want to go to our house? Sasabihan ko sila Daddy."

Hindi agad siya nakapagsalita, "Y-yeah."

I beamed at him, "Anong gusto mong dish? My dad would be happy!"

"H-ha? K-kahit ano.. O-okay na."

"Sige. I'm just gonna text you about the details."

"S-sure." then he averted his gaze.