Words that can't be written

Chapter 15

Naayos na ang papel ni Arabelle, siya yung batang nakita ko sa iskinita. The data said she is already an orphan, looking for home. She didn't choose to go to church because she didn't want to be a burden to anyone. She learned to work to support herself at an early age, sadyang minalas lang ng gabing iyon kung bakit siya napahamak.

She is selling cigarette nakitaan niya itong bilang isang magandang kabuhayan dahil mabilis nauubos nag kanyang paninda sa tuwing dadaan siya sa mga iskinita. Hindi niya alam na mapapahamak siya sa hanapbuhay na akala niya na siyang mag aahon sa kahirapan.

Dad agrees that I will be the legal guardian of Arabelle. I will send her to primary school using my own money. Dad wants to help, but I said it was okay.

I started looking for Tita Ashkenazi, and I already have the lead. Maybe after a month, I will visit the country where she's working. Dad already knows my plan, and he is also making a move to fix this mess with mom.

This is the day of our pagentry. In the morning, I plan to work for our booth, and at night, I will compete to win the crown and our section.

"Miss pwede padrawing, how much?"

I smiled and showed him the offer services that our booth had.

"Is it okay if i remove my jersey? I want you to portray me as a whole. Don't worry, I'll double."

Wala naman problema sa kanyang request kasi madali na naman iyon. Tumigil ang tugtog ng banda at nakita ko doon si Aiden na badmood na umalis sa tayo at hindi ko alam kung saan pupunta.

Maybe he's going to Traciel to fix their conflict because he can't let this day pass without  his girlfriend presence.

Natapos ko ang commission at ibinigay iyon sa lalaki. As expected, he paid triple dahil nagustuhan niya ang final output. I thanked him and bid goodbye.

Nagpahinga ako saglit doon sa counter kung saan nakatayo si Philly. Malaki ang ngiti niyang pinagmamasdan ang booth namin na puno ng mga students na nasisiyahan rin sa service na meron kami.

Maingay rin ang aming booth sa iba kaya pumapatok din ito at binabalik-balikan. Sayang lang talaga at nawala ang mga nakuha naming tumutugtog para mas masaya sana.

"Anong nangyari sainyo ni Aiden?" Philly faced me.

"Nangyari? Ano namang mangyayari." Patay malisya ko saad. Hanggat maari ayaw kong palakihin ang issue, ayaw ko na ako ang maging dahilan ng away magshota.

"Nagkaaway ba kayo."

Trustworthy naman si Philly, maybe I can share my thoughts with him.

"We didn't fight. We didn't argue, and we don't have conflict. It just that he asked for permission to court me, I didn't give him my answer. These past few days, he's with his girlfriend. I don't know how, when, and what happened to me. My heart started aching, and I didn't want him to talk with me. Do you think he is just playing?"

Nag ngiting aso siya at kinurot ang bewang ko. Sa simpleng pag kwekwento ko ay nakuha niya agad ang sagot at dahilan ng problema ko.

"Tanga! Wala siyang girlfriend. Tyaka baka si Traciel ang nakikita mong kasama niya palagi, eh hindi naman niya iyon shota, kaibigan niya iyon. Traciel don't have a friend here, si Aiden lang."

Eh ano yong sinasabi at pinapakita nila ni Traciel? Wala lang iyon? So they are playing prank and tricks to me? Still, he hurt me.

"You're jealous. Aiden is not the type of person to stop and choose his ex over her present. I've known him for many years, too. Maybe you can give Aiden a chance, i can see in his eyes and action that he is sincere to you. He is not playing you."

Tumango-tango ako. Philly really is a big help for me. He cleared my mind and put my heart in peace because of his explanation.

Siguro gusto ko na din si Aiden, but because this is new to me, I don't want to risk it. I keep on denying to my self that I don't have feelings for him, but the truth is I already did.

"Try to open your heart, Ashiana. Anyway, thank you for sharing this with me. It means you are trusting me with this matter."

I smiled and gave him a hand in serving the foods.

"Because, you are the friend of mine, Philly. I should be the one to thank you."

Shit! Ngayon ko lang naalala na wala pala akong gagamiting heels. I called Philly to tell him that, and he's helping me now to look for one.

I saw Aiden walking in my direction with a paper bag. Hanggang ngayon ay wala paring emosyon sa kanyang mukha na nakapagpabahala sakin.

Lumuhod sya sa harapan ko at isinuot ang heels. Agad naman niya iyon binitawan at iniabot kay Philly ang isa pang maliit na box. Pagkatapos non ay umalis na din agad siya ng hindi nagpapaalam at hindi pa rin ako nakakapagpasalamat. Nagulat ako sa ginawa niya at tinitigan ang heels na ibinigay niya. It suits me well.

"It is because he knows every detail of you. Means he cares for you." Isinuot saakin ni Philly ang isang minimalist na kwintas na may hugis puso sa gitna. May nakasulat doong initial ko.

"Good luck gift daw." Sabi pa ni Philly at inasar ako.

Tinawag na ang mga contestant kaya agad rin naman akong tinaboy ni Philly at asa back stage lang daw sya maghihintay saakin.

Tutulungan nya raw ako sa preparation, and all I need to do is to win the contest and show everyone what I am capable of.

I did my best to walk steady with my chosen sports and wear the one I used to wear when I joined artistic swimming. Rinig ko kaagad ang sigawan ng mga kaklase ko maging ang ibang Department.

Maybe they are shocked with my outfit because this is the first time they will see me wear my sport's outfit.

It's Aiden turn at ang suot niya ay pang horse race and it suits him well. How I wish I could see him participating in his sport. I think I will be his loud cheerleader.

Good luck, Aiden. You can do it!

It's been a one week na hindi siya kinakausap at aminin ko man, it feel so empty without him caring for me. Reminding me if I already eat my food or do I want him to join me.

He is very observant with my actions, which makes him in two weeks to know what I like and what I don't.

He is knowledgeable and serious about his goals, which makes him a mature and handsome man in everyone eyes.

Everyone can fall to his charm.

Maybe I could give him a chance.