"This is just between us, okay?" she repeated for the sixth time. "Hindi pwedeng malaman ng ibang tao. Let's wait for a year."
"Oo nga," I replied before I kissed her on the cheek. "But, I can totally put In A relationship as my status on FB, right?"
"Oh, my God, what is it with relationship statuses? Kailangan bang naka-announce sa buong mundo na taken ka na?"
"Baka kasi may magtangka," I said.
"Sa'yo?"
"Gwapo kaya ako."
She laughed.
"Bakit, hindi ka nagagwapuhan sa akin?"
"Gwapung-gwapo. Pero, alam ko na hindi mo ako kakaliwain kahit sa isip dahil alam nating dalawang sasagasaan kita kapag ginawa mo 'yun."
It was my turn to laugh.
She turned to me to snake an arm around my waist. "Advance happy birthday, Ai."
"Salamat sa pa-advance birthday gift," I said.
"Maliit na bagay."
I chuckled before I planted my lips on her forehead "Ia..."
"Yes?"
"I want to take you out on a date."
"Okay. Saan mo gustong pumunta?"
"Pwede bang surprise?"
"Hm...as long as that surprise does not require me to wear a gown, I'm all for it."
"Hindi naman. Casual lang."
"Okay."
"Aalis tayo bukas nang maaga."
"Anong oras?"
"Six?"
She groaned. "Bakit naman ang aga? At saan naman tayo pupunta at talagang alas seis ang alis natin?"
"Okay, let's change it to seven."
"Can we do eight?" she asked smiling charmingly at me.
"Okay, eight it is," I replied helpless against the assault.
I had prepared for our day even before Ia had said yes; it was part of my plan to appear like a grown-up by doing something grown men would do – plan a date with their girl.
"Sir Ai, bakit ang aga n'yo naman yatang nagising?" Manang Josie, one of our house-helps, asked. "Alas cinco pa lang. Ano po 'yan, kailangan n'yo po ba ng tulong?"
"Hindi na po, Manang. Kaya ko na po ito."
"Ano ba 'yang ginagawa mo?"
"Sandwiches po."
"Para kanino?"
"Para po sa amin ni Ia."
"Uy, Sir Ai, nakakahalata na talaga ako sa inyong dalawa ni Ma'am Ia, eh."
"Manang Josie, h'wag kayong malisyosa d'yan," I said with a soft laugh.
"O, bakit? H'wag mong sabihin sa aking hindi ka man lang nagkakagusto kay Ma'am Ia? Ano pang hahanapin mo d'un? Matalino, mabait, masayahin, maganda, galing sa mabuting pamilya? Kayo rin kung kukupad-kupad kayo ay baka maunahan kayo ng iba."
I just smiled. Hindi po, ako na po ang nagwagi.
At 7:00 in the morning, I was already knocking on Ia's front door; it was Tita Anne who opened it.
"Good morning po, Tita."
"Good morning, Ai," Ia's mother said. "Halika, pasok. Ia wasn't kidding when she said that you'll come fetch her early," she said as I followed her inside. "Nag-breakfast ka na?"
