The streetlights were glowing brightly, and the people were lively as their chatter blended with the sounds of sizzling food and busy transportation. Nasa night market sina Ansel at Jaren ngayon, sa hilera ng mga street food at naghahanap ng makakain kasama ang mga kaibigan at dalawang tiyahin.
Earlier in the morning, they started their day at the Good Shepherd Convent, where Dianne and Wendy bought various delicacies like ube jam and peanut brittle. Mabilisan lang sila roon dahil pasalubong lang naman ang binili nila.
Sunod naman, pumunta sila sa Botanical Garden. They didn't do too much there other than just wandered around and took plenty of photos.
For lunch, they headed to SM Baguio. Bumili na rin sila roon ng snacks at drinks na pwedeng makain habang nasa byahe sila.
Then before going home to their apartment, nagpasya silang magpunta na sa Igorot Stone Kingdom. Sa lahat ng napuntahan nila, dito sila pinakanamangha, lalo na si Theo at Kino. The impressive stone structures and intricate carvings left them in awe. They explored every corner of the place, taking in the beauty and significance of the place.
In the blink of an eye, hours passed already. Mabilis lang ang pagdaan ng araw dahil pangalawang araw at huling gabi na agad nila sa Baguio. As the evening approached, they decided to visit the Night Market on Harrison Road. Ang ilaw ng kalye ay tila nagbigay ng mainit na liwanag sa paligid, habang ang mga tao ay abala sa kanilang pamimili at pagkain.
The smells of grilled meats and delicious delicacies tantalized their senses as they made their way through the sea of people. Bawat food stall na nadadaanan nila ay tinitignan nila.
Magkatabing naglalakad sina Ansel at Jaren, paminsan-minsan ay nagkakatinginan at nag-uusap. Si Ansel, as usual, nakasuot ng komportable na damit. He was dressed comfortably in gray sweatpants paired with a white shirt. He also wore his black hooded jacket unzipped, allowing him to move freely. Jaren, on the other hand, wore a bluish-colored hooded t-shirt paired with black pajama pants. Slippers lang ang suot nila since malapit lang naman sa apartment nila ang night market.
Ansel made sure that Jaren wore clothes with a hoodie in case it rains. Hindi na niya kasi dinala pa ulit ang red cap niya. For some reason, when he looks at his cap, his face becomes sour.
Perhaps it's because of what happened yesterday.
Tuloy-tuloy sila sa paglalakad na parang walang nangyari kahapon. Not that Jaren was aware of Ansel's almost confession to him but Ansel couldn't shake off the disappointment. But for now, he decided to push those thoughts aside and enjoy the night with his friends.
After all, this trip was about relaxing.
Tumingin siya kay Jaren, na ngayon ay nakangiti at nakikipag-usap sa kanilang mga kaibigan. Ilang buwan na ang nakalipas pero hindi pa rin matatak sa utak ni Ansel na katabi niya ang lalaking hindi niya inaasahang magugustuhan siya. Lahat ng pinagdaanan nila, mga tawanan, tampuhan, at simpleng usapan, lahat iyon ay ang nagpapatibay sa kanilang dalawa. But this time, it was different for Ansel. Mas malalim na ang nararamdaman niya, at hindi niya alam kung paano ito sasabihin kay Jaren nang hindi nasisira ang lahat.
And it has been about 6 months since Jaren courted him, and almost 11 months of knowing each other. Sa bawat buwan na lumilipas, mas lalo niyang nakikita kung gaano kahalaga si Jaren sa kanya.
Nilingon ulit ni Ansel si Jaren, na abala sa pakikipag-usap kay Soren. Seeing Jaren cheerfully smiling made Ansel smile as well. Sa tuwing titingin talaga siya sa mga ngiti ni Jaren, tila nahahawa rin siya.
He caught it like a flu. Whenever Jaren smiles at him, he would start smiling as well.
Because who could resist that infectious smile and those cute dimples forming on his cheeks whenever he stretched his lips?
BINABASA MO ANG
Tutoring Hearts
Romance"I've found my heart learning to love you more each day. Who would have thought it has been yours to teach and guide all along?"
