Tutoring Hearts

EPILOGUE

It's been a month since Ansel and I got together—at nakatapos na rin kami ng senior high school. Parang kailan lang, naguguluhan pa kami sa nararamdaman namin para sa isa't isa. Pero heto kami ngayon, masayang magkasama.

We've spent the last month making memories that we will treasure forever. Mula sa simpleng mga lakad namin sa park, gala sa mall, hanggang pag-apply sa college. Sakto rin kasi dahil parehas ang univ na gusto naming pasukan-pero syempre, magkaiba ang course namin. BS in Civil Engineering ang kinuha ko, habang BA Philosophy naman ang kinuha ni Ansel as a Pre-Law course.

Looking back, it feels surreal how much has changed in such a short time. Every day has been filled with small moments of happiness that I never knew I needed.

Ansel's presence in my life has been a source of constant joy and comfort. He's not just my boyfriend; he's my confidant, my partner, my best friend.

I remember waking up on that first morning after we officially became a couple. The sunlight filtered through my window, casting a warm glow over everything. For the first time in a long while, I felt an overwhelming peace. A smile was already forming on my lips as I reached for my phone, then read Ansel's good morning text.

Hindi naman bago sa amin iyon, but the thought of waking up to a message from the one I like, who is now my boyfriend, felt different.

Syempre, mas nakakakilig.

Dalawang araw bago namin masabi sa mga kaibigan namin na kami na. Hindi pa naman talaga dapat kami mag-o-open up tungkol sa relasyon namin, pero ito kasing si Yuriel, ang lakas ng pang-amoy.

Nasa campus kami noong araw na iyon. Um-attend kami ng second practice para sa graduation. Tyempo lang na kasama namin ni Ansel sina Yuriel at Soren sa room kung saan kami nagpapahinga. Itong si Yuri, parang isang tingin lang sa aming dalawa ni Ansel, alam niya na agad ang nangyari. He suddenly asked us if we're already together.

Syempre, nagulat kami. Pero parang mas nagulat si Soren. Napalakas ang pagtanong niya ng "Kayo na?!" E, sakto rin dahil pumasok na ang tropa galing sa labas ng campus para bumili ng makakain at inumin.

Reis, Kino, Theo, and Lane were also shocked that they were already crowded around Ansel before I knew. Sina Chasen naman ay lumapit din sa akin para ikumpirma kung totoo. Naghahanap kami ng magandang tyempo para sabihin sa kanila ang tungkol sa relasyon namin ni Ansel-but this wasn't what we had in mind. We weren't ready for it, but let's go... I guess?

Ang inaalala ko lang talaga noon ay si Ansel. I didn't want to rush him. Hindi namin napag-usapan kung paano ipapaalam sa iba ang tungkol sa amin, kaya nag-alala talaga ako kung paano siya makikibagay sa biglaang tanong nila at reaksyon.

Or maybe I was just overthinking...? Magsasalita na kasi dapat ako noon para pigilan sila sa pagtanong, but I stopped because he turned his head, looked at me, and gave me a single nod and a reassuring smile. It was as if he was saying, "It's okay, I got this."

Huminga ako nang malalim at nagbigay ng tiwala sa kanya. Lumingon siya ulit sa mga kaibigan at nagsimulang magkwento, kahit papaano ay nagawa niyang sagutin nang maayos ang nga tanong nila. There seemed to be no doubt in his words.

"Oo, kami na," sabi niya, dahilan ng pagtili nina Lane, "we were finding the right time to tell you guys... pero okay na rin 'to. Wala namang dahilan para itago namin."

"Wow, grabe, bro!" sabi ni Soren, sabay tapik sa likod ko. "Congrats!"

"Congrats, pre! We're happy for both of you!"

"Congrats," ani Elijah. "'Wag mong bigyan ng sakit sa ulo ang isa sa pinakamagaling na secretary ng Cogitassians." Biro pa nito na ikinatawa namin ni Yuriel.