Elysian (Samantila Series #1)

15

Mga alas-nwebe na umuwi si Stage matapos ang dinner at ilang oras na pag-uusap. My parents' are okay with him, too. Magaan ang loob nila kay Stage kaya naman hindi masyadong nahirapan si Stage sa pakikipag-usap.

We also took a picture together (with my family) because Mom said it's the first time I brought a friend to our house. Wala namang reklamo si Stage doon, pakiramdam ko nga ay natuwa pa siya nang pinakuha ni Mommy ang picture na 'yon.

"He's a good man, Haze." si Daddy, matapos umalis si Stage.

"He is, dad."

Tinitigan ako ni Dad sa mukha, "If he'll be your boyfriend, I will have no say on that. Neither your Mom. I can see that he'll love you, anak."

My face heated.

"If you two already like each other then you could date na, anak. Well, if you still want to be courted on it shouldn't be a problem". si Mama na nakikinig pala samin.

"I still need to confirm my feelings, ma.."

Sun risen, meaning that another day has arrived.

Maaga akong pumasok at katulad ng isang normal na araw, tinanong ako ni Guinevere kung nagawa ko ba ang assignments namin.

Our days continued like normal, too. Napansin ko rin ang pagsarado ng kaonting agwat sa aming dalawa ni Stage. He became more attentive, concerned and motivated. Lagi-lagi narin siyang nakadikit sa'kin kaya tuwing nakakasalubong na'min si Acee ay inaasar siya nito.

"Ame," Guine called me. Nilingon ko naman siya habang subo-subo ang chocolate lollipop na ginawa raw ni Stage.

"Can I go to your house on saturday?"

My forehead creased but I nodded. Ngumiti lamang sya sa'kin.

At kagaya ng sinabi ni Guinevere, pumunta nga siya sa bahay namin nang mag sabado.

"Blaid!" si Ate Alicia. Guine went to her and hugged her.

"Ate,"

Nagbitaw silang dalawa sa yakap at pabiro siyang hinampas ni Ate Alicia sa balikat, "Naku, alam mo ba 'yang si Amaterasu ay nagdala ng lalake noong nakaraang linggo."

Nanlaki ang mata ni Guine at tumingin sa'kin, umiling naman ako agad dahil alam ko na ang iniisip niya, "Dinner lang 'yon."

"Pero kinausap ni Sir Kaja yung lalake.. Ano ngnag pangalan no'n? Stage?" si Ate Alicia na tumingala pa at ang hintuturong daliri ay nasa baba.

Napa-tampal ako ng noo. I don't think I have to keep it a secret but it will look like it to Guinevere!

"Ah. It's Stage Ezequiel Lacsamana, Ate." mahinhing saad ni Guine.

"Lacsamana? Naku! Yayamanin pala 'yon, Haze." Ate Alicia exaggerated.

"Yayamanin din naman ako, ate, ah?" sabi ko.

"Oo nga! Parehas kayong yayamanin! Hay, 'di ko talaga kinakaya ang relasyon ng mga mayayaman. Nakakalula kayong magmahal."

Guinevere giggled. Pati ako ay natawa rin.

"O sige na, pumanhik na kayo. Ipaghahanda ko nalang kayo ng meryenda."

Sabay kaming nagpaalam ni Guine at pumunta na sa kuwarto ko. While walking, Blaid spoke, "He had dinner with your parents?"

"Yeah, he wants to try dad's cooking daw.."

Blaid lightly nodded, "Stage's stepping up his game, huh?"

Nang makarating kami sa kuwarto ay umupo agad ang aking pinsan sa aking kama.

"Do you like him already, Ame?" ang simple nyang tanong ay pawang napaka hirap na sagutin.

Napatigil ako.

Do I already like him?

What does the word "like" means?

If I'll based it on romance movies or books, it'd say that the world stops when you sees the one that you like, you feel happier when you see them happy, you feel motivated when they're there, you feel complete just by being with them, you just feel wonderful happiness.

Do I feel something like that for Stage?

Come to think of it, when we're together, I feel attentive to what he says but I don't feel attentive to our surroundings at all. I feel happy whenever he's with me. I feel happy, too, when he smiles. If it's something like that.. Then.. Maybe..

Tinignan ko si Guine na naghihintay sa sagot ko.

"I think so.." napayuko ako, I feel like my cheeks are burning.

"So you finally admitted it, huh."

Napatingin muli ako kay Guine na may maliit na ngiti sa labi.

"You were attracted to Stage since the very start."

Napa-tanga ako. What does she mean?

"I mean, I'm not you but as your bestfriend, I noticed everything. Yung panginginig ng kamay mo whenever he's around, the way you smile when he smiles, and your aura when you're with him. You were attracted but you never knew it."

I'm surprised.. She noticed the smallest things.

"How could you notice?"

Ngumiti muli si Guinevere, doon ko napansin ang mumunting luha sa gilid ng kanyang mga mata, "Because you were happier with him, Ame."

Mas lalo akong nagulat ng unti-unti na siyang umiyak, agad akong lumapit.

"Hey, hala, bakit ka naman umiyak?"

Guinevere's kind and a softie but she doesn't really cry often. She only cries when she gets really mad, sad or happy. Sa aming magpipinsan ay sumusunod siya kay Pacen sa kung gaano lang ka-minsang umiyak. Kaya ang makitang nagkakaganto ang nag-iisang pinsan at bestfriend ko ay nalulungkot din ako.

"I just feel happy for you, Ame." I hugged her.

We stayed like that for few more minutes before she stopped crying. Inabutan ko siya ng tissue.

"I can't wait for you two to be officially together."

I smiled playfully, "No pressure, please. Saka di ko nga alam kung gusto rin ako noon."

"Oh, Ame. I swear." she shook her head as if she's disappointed. "Hindi pala mabilis si Stage."

I laughed, "But.. You know.. If ever.. I'm gonna say yes.."

"Oo naman. I'm gonna smack you on the head if you won't."

I looked at her suspiciously, "Aba? Bakit parang si Stage pa ang best friend mo, ha?"

"Well, he's the first one who made Amaterasu Haze glow."

That day with Guinevere was well spent. We just talked about so many things and teased Ate Alicia. Pakiramdam ko rin ay nawala ang kaonting bigat sa puso ko.

So, this is how it feels when you already know that you like someone, huh?