Encounter [COMPLETED]

Meeting him again

"One wrong move and I might kiss you." Natulak ko naman siya sa sinabi nya.

"Pervert!" Sigaw ko at lumabas na ng sasakyan niya!

"Just kidding." Aniya at pilyong tumawa! Hindi ko na lang ito pinansin.

"Go to bar"

Basa ko doon sa sa nakapaskil sa taas ng bar.

"Let's go inside." Hindi ko namalayan na nasa tabi ko na pala siya. Sumunod naman ako sakanya at pumasok ng bar. Medyo marami pa rin ang tao dahil anomg oras pa lang din naman.

"Here." Sabi nya nang marating namin ang pwesto. Pumwesto kami malapit sa stage.

"What's your order mam and sir?" Tanong ng waiter. Sinabi naman ni shitty ang order namin. Hinayaan ko na lang sya mag-order. Umalis na rin naman yung waiter pagkakuha ng order.

"You okay?" Napakakunot-noo naman ako.

"Oo naman bakit mo natanong?"

"Wala naman. Just checking you up."

"Can you just speak Tagalog? Nasa Pinas naman tayo at mas maganda pakinggan." Natawa naman sya. "Anong nakakatawa doon?"

"Nothing. Okay lang ba sayo na dinala kita rito?" Ayan nagtalog na nga. I cleared my throat.

"Yep. Wala namang kaso." Tumango naman ito.

"You know what? I met a lot of women but you're the different from them. Maybe because of your age?"

"Ha? Pano mo naman nasabi?"

"Just imagine. At a young age, you already have a lot of perspective in mind, and if someone talks to you, they can easily get along with you because everything you say has subtance." 

Natawa naman ako ng mahina sa sinabi nito. "Paano mo naman nasabi?"

"I can tell the moment we were together last other night." Mabilis na sagot nito. Napakastraight forward naman pala nito magsalita.

"You're very a straightforward person." Napakunot-noo naman sya.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Ang vocal mo kasi magsalita. Parang sinasabi mo agad kung ano yung nasa isip mo." Walang pag-aalinlangan kong sagot.

"So are you. I actually don't understand myself."

"Bakit?"

"I'm with a sixteen year old girl right now." Napataas naman ako ng kilay. "So kasalanan na ba iyon?" Tanong ko.

"Legally speaking, yes. Don't get me wrong."

"Well it doesn't matter to me naman." Sagot ko. Sakto namang dumating naman yung order namin.

"Van." Tawag niya sa pangalan ko.

"Yes?"

"Nothing." 

Sinamaan ko nga siya ng tingin! "Ano nga iyon?"

"I feel like this is the right time to be up-front about my feelings though I'm a bit nervous to tell you this." Bigla yata akong nabingi sa sinabi nito! Kinakabahan ako sa mga susunod na sasabihin niya!

Hindi ako nakasagot sakanya kaya umiwas na lang ako ng tingin.

"Van?" Tawag na naman niya sakin!

Wala na akong nagawa kundi ang tignan rin siya. "Let's cut the chase." Diretsa kong sabi sakanya.

Ilang minuto itong tumahimik bago malalim na huminga. "I like you, Van."

Napakagat ako ng labi sa gulat! Hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko! Pinagtitripan ba niya ako?!

"Tell me you're just joking."

"I'm dead serious."

"I honestly don't know what to say or even react. However, only one thing is for sure, we're not compatible to each other. You know that. It's not about the age, it's just that you're my teacher and I'm a student." Seryoso kong sabi sakanya.

"If that's the only thing you worries about. I can make things out."

Malalim na tinitigan ako nito. "I'm also aware that I'm way older than you but don't worry, I can wait. I will wait for you Van once you're ready."

Hindi ako sanay sa ganito. Hindi ko alam ang irereact ko sa mga sinasabi niya!

Napakurap-kurap na lang ako. "I really like you, Shavanna since the day that I met you." Hindi na naman ako nakapagsalita. Paano nangyari iyon? Paanong nagustuhan niya ako sa ganon kaikling panahon?

"Ano 'yun? Nalove at first sight ka sa kagandahan ko?" Biro ko na pinapagaan ang atmosphere.

Natawa naman siya pero agad ring bumalik sa pagiging seryoso. "Masyado ba akong mabilis? Just give me a chance, Shavanna." Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla kong naramdaman ang senseridad niya. Alam kong mali ito pero hindi na rin alam kung ano na ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. Sobrang nagugulat ako sa confession ng isang 28 year old man na nasa harap ko ngayon.

"I can't.. I've said this several times, and I'm going to repeat myself. You're a teacher and I'm your student. Please don't risk your job just because of me."

"Van, I'm just a temporary teacher because it was a favor by my colleague. Once he get back from Huwaii, I'm free to leave the school."

"Wait what?? How come you were eligible to teach?"

"I actually have license. When I was a kid my dream was really to be a teacher that's why I pursued it and got a license when I was 22. Afterwards, I started my own business."

Nagulat naman ako sa sinabi nito. Nakaka-amaze naman pala siya!

"How did you manage to take both?"

"Time management, passion and perseverance I guess." Natatawa niyang sagot. "Also by the help and full support of my parents."

"I see." Nasabi ko na lamang.

"May I know your answer, Van?" Seryosong nakatitig pa rin ito sa'kin.

"I can't give you an answer at this moment." Pagsasabi ko ng totoo.

"Don't worry. I don't wanna pressure you. I just wanna let you know that my intentions are real."

Nakatitig lamang ako sa magagandang mata nito at ngumiti siya ng puno ng senseridad.