The Art of Falling

10: Bonfire

Gusto kong itanggi pero kitang kita naman sa mga mata niya na alam niya na yung sagot. "Kailan mo pa alam?"

"Since the beginning? It was pretty obvious. BG for Baguio Girl, right? That's what he calls you. I don't know why everyone's still asking who BG is. I just confirmed my hunch when he asked me to look out for you until he arrives." Yun ata pinakamahabang sinabi sa akin ni Xander ever.

Hindi ko alam kung mata-touch ba ako or what sa gesture ni Caeus. Gusto ko sana kasi kung iisipin ang sweet pero mas nangibabaw yung disappointment. Xander just made me his buddy because he was a doing Caeus a favor. Hindi galing sa heart. Hindi dahil gusto niya.

"You're something else, Jess. I understand the fascination."

Anong sabi niya?

Ito na ata yung pag-asang inaasam ko. "Ibig sabihin may chance na you'll be fascinated by me? Because the truth is, I'm fascinated by you." Tuluy-tuloy yung labas ng mga salita sa bibig ko.

Tangina. Kailan pa ako naging ganito ka-fearless? Ako yung babae pero ako yung nagko-confess. Wala na ata akong pake basta masabi ko sa kanya na gusto ko siya.

Akala ko tatawanan niya ako o kaya mandidiri siya sa sinabi ko. For sure, marami ng babaeng umamin na may gusto sa kanya. Pero nagulat ako sa pagiging seryoso ng expression niya.

"Who knows?" bulong niya sabay tingin sa akin.

Naalala ko tuloy nang magkatinginan kami habang tumutugtog sila nung campus fair. Ganitong ganito yun e. Hindi ako sa tubig malulunod kung hindi sa mga mata niya. Ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko. Yung tuhod ko naman nanghihina. Parang pinapasma bigla yung mga kamay ko.

Totoo nga sabi nila. Habang may buhay may pag-asa.

"Xander, ta-."

"Baguio girl!" Hindi ko naituloy yung sasabihin ko kasi umakbay bigla sa akin si Caeus. "Hey, dude. Tapos na ba kayo?" he beamed at Xander who simply nodded. "Good. Hiramin ko muna siya ha."

Hinawakan niya yung kamay ko bago ako hinila palayo kay Xander. Blessing in disguise na siguro yun kasi parang sasabog na yung puso ko sa naging usapan namin.

Xander just told me that there is a possibility that he'd like me. Even he and I were practically opposites, he could still like me. Kahit na parang unreachable siya. Baka pwede. May pag-asa.

Siguro pinapaasa ko lang lalo yung sarili ko. Siguro binubuo ko lang sa imahinasyon ko yung love story namin ni Xander. At siguro ilusyon ko lang na may sparks between us.

I don't care.

I like him.

I like Alexander Wyatt Harris Samuel.

"Why are you so quiet, Baguio girl?" Caeus spoke making me snap back to reality.

"Pagod siguro. Ano ba ginagawa natin dito?"

He made me turn around to get a good view of the sea and the sky. "It's our first sunset together."

A soft giggle escaped my lips as I focused my eyes at the setting sun. It was quite a scenic moment. The sky was in a perfect blend of yellow, orange and red. The scent of the saltwater filled my nostrils as the waves grew bigger and louder.

Caeus held my hand as we watched the sun descended slowly into the horizon. I let him intertwine his fingers with mine. I felt overwhelmed.

"Ang ganda." bulong ko.

"Parang ikaw."

Caeus glued his eyes on mine. He meant it. When he subtly said I was beautiful, he meant it. I saw the sincerity in his eyes. "Bolero!" I snubbed him while taking back my hand. Ito na naman siya e.