I Could Fall

Chapter Three

"Talaga? Nagawa mo 'yon?" manghang sabi ni Erica sa kaibigan.

I was awed at that, too. Ang galing naman niya! Nagawa niya talagang sabihin sa crush niya na i-accept ang friend request. She's so brave.

A few knocks from the door stopped me from eavesdropping from their conversation. Wala na rin naman ako papakinggan dahil naputol din ang usapan nila dahil sa pagkatok. My eyes darted to the door.

I felt my heart fell down when I saw who it was. I nearly gasped. Napigilan ko pero may kaklase akong tumili nang mahina.

Ali!

His eyes scanned the room but he didn't see me. He smiled and entered the room before closing the door behind him. Everyone went silent because of a stranger's presence.

"Hello, grade five Genesis," he greeted as he walked towards the front.

For some reason, I feel so nervous right now! What is he doing here?!

"May meeting si Ms. Cardenas kaya ako na muna ang magbabantay sa inyo," he announced while looking around. This time, his eyes locked on me. His eyebrows raised, obviously surprised to see me here. He smiled and nodded.

I was so caught off guard when he acknowledged me that I just quickly looked away and pretended to be busy with the materials on my desk.

"Ms. Cardenas told me that you already know what to do. You may start," he exclaimed and that urged my classmates to resume buzzing again and hustled on their seats.

That's the only time when I allowed myself to peek at Ali again. Nakatalikod na siya at may isinusulat sa whiteboard. Nakahinga ako nang malalim.

"What are you going to do?" Dashiel asked. It made me jump. I forgot that he was beside me!

My cheeks heated. I looked away from him and acted busy again. "A heart with a rose pattern inside. I-Ikaw?"

"A goldfish." He chuckled to himself as he brought out his own materials from his bag.

Ngumiti na lang ako at inintindi ang sarili. I've thought about it as soon as the activity was given to us. For today's art project, we are asked to make a mosaic. The subject is up to us.

I began outlining first so I'd know where to glue the pieces of the magazine cutouts that I've prepared.

"Hyon," a voice called, making me jump again. My heart jumped next when I saw Ali standing beside my chair. Atomatiko ang pag-init ng mukha ko.

"H-Hello, Ali," I shyly greeted and looked anywhere but him. Napansin ko ang tingin ng ibang mga babae kong kaklase. Some were whispering with one another. They're probably wondering why Ali's talking to me.

He softly smiled. "Bakit hindi ka na pumupunta ng training?"

Hinahanap niya ako!

"Uhm... Well... Maaga lang akong umuuwi," I answered, not knowing how to explain the truth because I can't even understand it myself.

"Oh. That's too bad." He looked genuinely disappointed. I felt my heart being pinched a little. "You should watch next time."

He wants me to watch him!

My heart started hammering inside my chest. Agad na napawi ang kalungkutan na naramdaman ko nung huling beses ko siyang nakita. Hindi ko na napigilan ang pagsilay ng malaking ngiti ko at magiliw na tumango sa kanya. "Okay."

He chuckled. "Good. I'll leave you to your activity then."

Nakangiti pa rin ako kahit na tumalikod na siya at naglakad pabalik sa table sa harapan. I remained watching him as he sat. Nang tumingin siya sa gawi ko at ngumiti sa akin ay tsaka lang ako nag-iwas ng tingin.

"Hmm..." I heard Dashiel murmured.

Napawi ang ngiti ko at napatingin sa kanya. He was looking at me with suspicion in his eyes. I frowned at him. "Why?"

"Nothing." He shrugged and resumed with his own craft.

Masigla kong sinimulan ang sarili kong gawa. Natapos ko ang activity dahil kagabi pa lang ay napagplanuhan ko na ang gagawin ko. Most of my classmates weren't done with it though. Kahit hindi pa tapos ay kinolekta na ito ni Ali bago umalis.

He particularly waved goodbye at me. I shyly waved back.

I was in a good mood for the rest of the day. The back of my notebook was filled with Ali's name again. Hanggang sa nag-uwian ay masaya pa rin ako.

I was already in bed to sleep when my phone beeped for a chat. Inabot ko ang phone sa bedside table para tingnan. It was just Emmanuel asking if there's any assignment. I pouted. My boy classmates constantly ask me about this at madalas may assignment talaga. Bakit kasi hindi nila sinusulat?

I sighed and still replied anyway. Agad naman itong nagreply at nagtanong kung ano ang ginagawa ko. I just answered that I'm about to sleep and bid my goodnight.

Itatabi ko na sana ang phone nang maalala ang tungkol sa usapan ni Erica at Camille kanina. Hmm... May Facebook din kaya si Ali?

I giddily typed his name on the search bar. Tatlong letra pa lang ay agad na lumabas ang pangalan niya. We have ten mutual friends. I browsed his profile first. Everything is on private. Pati ang display photo niya ay hindi ko mabuksan. It's a candid photo of him sitting on a picnic table. He's wearing a white shirt and black shorts with black cap and black sunglasses on.

Napangiti ako. "Ang pogi niya talaga."

I prayed quickly before tapping on the friend request button. I took a deep breath and blew all the air through my mouth. I was about to lock my phone when a notification appeared.

Ali Santiesteban accepted your friend request.

My eyes turned like two bright full moons. Napatayo ako sa kama at matapos ay tumili. He accepted my friend request! Hindi ko na kailangan pang sabihin sa kanya na i-accept ako kagaya ng ginawa ni Camille.

I couldn't contain my happiness that a giggle erupted from me. I jumped on the bed a few times before letting myself plop back down, still elated.

I thought I couldn't get happier than this until another notification showed. He reacted to my display picture! A heart!

It was a photo taken by Kuya Zeno when we were in France. Malaki ang ngiti ko at yakap-yakap si Versace. My nose scrunched, suddenly not feeling my display photo. I looked goofy here. Dapat siguro ay 'yong maayos na kuha ko sa Netherland ang ginamit ko? Ate Laurene said I looked very pretty there. I sighed.

Naputol ang iniisip ko nang tumunog ang phone para sa isang chat. My eyes widened when I read that the message was from Ali.

Ali Santiesteban:
Why are you still up? 🤨

I panicked a little. I don't want him to think that I don't go to bed early!

Hyon Alexandria Serrano:
I was about to sleep!

Ali Santiesteban:
Tulog na para lumaki ka agad.

Nag-init ang mukha ko. Inaasar niya ba ako?

Hyon Alexandria Serrano:
!!!

Ali Santiesteban:
Hahaha. Biro lang. Goodnight, Hyon.

Hyon Alexandria Serrano:
😊 Thank you for accepting my friend request. Goodnight, Ali.

I didn't wait for him to seen it. I placed my phone back on the bedside table and buried my face on the pillow before screaming in happiness.

I'm so happy today. So very happy!