The next afternoon, hinatid namin si Isha using Ziny's car. Siya na rin ang nag-drive. Siya lang naman ang marunong sa aming tatlo.
We decided to go to a mall first. Para kahit papaano ay makapag-bonding naman kami bago umalis si Isha. Hindi namin alam kung kailan ulit siya bibisita rito. Baka sa summer pa. Dalawang buwan pa ang hihintayin namin. Hindi rin naman kasi siya pwedeng magtagal.
"Girls.." I called them.
We're now eating on her favorite restaurant. Kanina ay pinagtatalunan pa nila kung saan kami kakain.
Sabay silang nag-angat ng tingin sa akin at hinihintay ang sasabihin ko.
"Demi and I.." I trailed off. I took a deap breath, thinking that I could drew strength from it.
"Oo, kayo na," nakangiting sabi ni Isha.
Ziny even clapped her hands. Nakipag-kamayan pa siya sa akin.
"Congrats!"
How did they know? Ngayon ko pa lang talaga balak sabihin sa kanila. Naunahan na ba ako ni Demi?
"Alam mo ba.." She chuckled. "Grabi 'yung kilig niya. Tumitili pa ang tanga."
"Oo, totoo 'yon," si Isha. "Kilig na kilig si Demi. Tapos sabi niya pa.." She shifted on the other side. "Nakuha ko na siya! Gagi! Ganito feeling ng ma-crushback. Hay! Walang humpay na saya!" panggagaya niya pa. Kuhang-kuha pati ng paraan ng pagsasalita at kilos ni Demi.
Hindi ko naman mapigil ang sarili kong matawa.
Somehow, I felt like everything's fine. No one's against us and I'm pretty sure, he knows how to handle this. I'll do my best to make it work.
Do my parents already know? Hindi na ako magtataka kung alam na nila. Close si Demi sa mga magulang ko, lalo na kay papa. Baka nga sa kaniya niya pa unang sinabi.
I was just listening to my favorite playlist 'till I dozed off to sleep. Music is my sleeping pills.
The next day, I woke up early and did the same route.
"Good morning!" he greeted.
Umupo ako sa frontseat. Inayos ko ang gamit ko at saka siya nilingon.
"Morning," I greeted back.
It's early in the morning and we have classes to attend. Ihahatid niya raw ako. Tuloy ay mas napa-aga ang gising niya ngayon.
I was holding my phone, checking my social media accounts. Madalang ko lang gawin ito. Sadyang naiinip lang talaga ako ngayon. Inaantok pa ako dahil hindi ako agad nakatulog kagabi. Inasikaso ko ang mga katerbang requirements na deadline na ngayon. Dumadagdag pa si Demi sa mga iniisip ko. But I can't deny the fact that I fell asleep still wearing the smile he gave me.
"Babe?"
"Hmm?" I replied, still focus on my phone.
"Sampalin mo nga ako."
Kanina pa malawak ang ngiti niya. Parang napakaganda naman ng gising niya.
"Why?" I asked. Why will I do that?
"Parang nahihilo kasi ako. I'm not feeling well." He pouted. He even placed his right hand on his forehead, checking his temperature.
"You're not feeling well then you want me to slap you?"
That's dumb. May sakit na nga sasaktan ko pa? Really? I can't do that.
Why didn't he tell me that he's sick? I should've let him rest instead of fetching me. What can I do now? Kung kailan malapit na kami sa school ay doon pa lang niya sinabi.
"Did you take your meds?" I asked. I'm worried. Kaya niya bang pumasok ngayon? Can he focus on his classes? Mahirap ang pumapasok ng may sakit.
I stretched my arm so I could check his temperature. Hindi naman siya mainit. Sakto lang naman. I placed my hand on my forehead. Pareho lang naman kami.
Huminto ang sasakyan sa harap ng university namin. I stared at him. Ang lawak ng ngiti niya mula pa kanina. Hindi ba nangangalay ang panga niya?
Umiiling-iling siya habang nakangiti, nakatingin sa akin. Why?
He bit his lower lip to stifle a laugh. I raised an eyebrow.
"Don't mind me," he said. Umayos siya ng upo at saka tumingin sa harapan. "'Di lang talaga ako makapaniwala."
Hindi rin ako makapaniwala.
"Same," I chuckled.
I really couldn't believe that my bestfriend and I were in a relationship now. Everytime I look into his smile, I could say that I made the right decision. I'm pretty sure, I made the right one.
He pinched my cheeks. "I got this woman!"
I smiled at him. I shoved his hands away from me. I still want to be with him, pero may pasok pa kami. Baka mahuli pa siya kung magtatagal pa siya rito.
"I'll go now," paalam ko.
Bababa pa sana siya at pagbubuksan ako ng pinto pero inunahan ko na siya. Hindi na niya kailangang mag-abala pa. I can do that for myself.
"Bye!" I waved my hands.
I watched his car 'till it leave my sight.
I made sure that I did my best on my plates so I would not regret it at the end. I knew I did my best so I have nothing to worry. I'm confident with my works.
I passed mine inline with the works of other engineering students.
"Feeling ko ang haba ng araw ngayon," Riza said.
Palabas na kami ng gate ngayon at pareho kaming mukhang pagod. Kung ano-anong mga activities ang tinatapos namin ngayong araw. I didn't even know that I can be this flexible and productive. Sabay namin tinapos ang tatlong gawain sa loob ng isang araw.
Pareho kaming napahinto ni Riza. Lumingon ako nang marinig kong may tumatawag sa akin.
"Hatid na kita, Icy." si Gino.
"Okay," I nodded. "Thanks."
Sabay-sabay kaming naglakad palabas. I was shocked when I saw Demi's car. I checked its plate number so I can assure that it was really him.
Sumilip ako sa bintana pero wala akong nakitang tao sa loob. Nasaan 'yon? Why he didn't inform me that he'll pick me up? I already say yes to Gino. Nakakahiya naman.
"Icy," he called me.
"Gino, thank you but I think Demiel is here to pick me up."
"Oh.." tumango-tango siya. "Okay." He smiled at me.
"Thank you. Drive safely." I smiled at him. He smiled back before he turned his back at me.
I waited until I saw Demiel. He was holding a paper bag. Ngumiti siya sa akin. I creased my forehead when he handed it to me. What was that for? Hindi ko naman birthday ngayon.
Pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto kaya sumakay na ako. Umikot naman siya para makaupo sa driverseat.
Sinilip ko kung anong laman ng paper bag na binigay niya sa akin.
I made a fake cough. I don't know how to start a conversation. Bakit ba ang tahimik niya ngayon?
I gazed at the road. Parang iba ang dinadaanan namin ngayon. Hindi ito ang daan pauwi sa amin. I looked at him. Sakto ay nakatingin siya sa akin.
"Mall," he said.
I just nodded. May kailangan siguro siyang bilhin na books or whatever.
Huminto kami sa mall at saka kami sabay na pumasok. Sumunod na lang ako sa kaniya kahit hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin namin. Bakit ba hindi niya ako kinakausap mula pa kanina? May nagawa ba akong mali? Wala naman akong naaalala. Maayos naman kami kaninang umaga.
Uh, maybe he's just tired.
"Bihis ka na muna," he told me. "Baka hindi ka comfy sa uniform mo."
"Huh? Why?" I creased my forehead.
He handed me the paper bag. Hindi ko alam na dinala niya pala iyon papasok dito.
Uuwi na lang din naman kami. Bakit kailangan ko pang magbihis?
"Basta.."
He pushed me lightly.
I went to the restroom with my forehead creased. Is he planning to bring me somewhere? Saan naman kaya?
I wear the pair of pants and top he bought me. So iyon pala ang purpose ng mga ito. Aalis pala kami. But, I'm comfortable with my uniform. Hindi ko naman na kailangan pang magbihis.
Lumabas ako at nakita ko siyang naghihintay. Hindi ko alam kung paano ako aakto nang makita ang ekspresiyon ng mukha niya. He was smiling while staring at me deeply.
What's wrong? Siya ang may kasalanan kung hindi bagay sa aking ang suot ko ngayon. Besides, I'm confident enough. Maganda ako kahit ano pa ang isuot ko.
He held my hand and pulled me with him. I just followed him. Bumalik kami sa parking lot at saka muling sumakay sa kotse niya.
Kanina pa siya nakangiti. Parang nababaliw dahil kahit nagmamaneho siya ay nakangiti pa rin. I stared at him. He's smiling widely. That one suits him. He looks more handsome when he's smiling. Well, I guess that explains how attractive my man is.
I opened the window so I could enjoy the fresh air. Pampatanggal ng pagod sa buong araw na pag-aaral.
I didn't notice that I feel asleep. Nagising na lang ako nang tapikin ni Demi ang balikat ko. Bumaba siya kaya bumaba na rin ako. Inikot ko ang paningin ko sa paligid. Nasaan kami? The ambience was good. I didn't know this place before. Bago ito sa paningin ko.
'c lounge'
We're in Conrad Pasay, Manila.
Wait, I didn't tell my parents about this. Baka hanapin ako at mag-alala pa sila dahil gabi na pero hindi pa rin ako nakakauwi.
He claimed the reservation.
I stared at him. He just chuckled when he glanced at me.
Sinuri ko ang buong paligid. The view was... damn! Ang ganda..
Liningon ko siya nang may malawak na ngiti.
"Pinagpaalam kita. Kanina ka pa mukhang natatae. 'Wag ka nang mag-alala kina mama."
I smacked his arms. Anong mukhang natatae?!
"Biro lang," he chuckled.
I came closer to the glass. I can clearly see the nightsky from here. May nakita pa akong mataas na ferris wheel sa bandang gilid. Mula rito ay kita ko rin ang iilang mga puno sa ilalim. It felt like I'm living in an island. Ang tahimik ng mundo. The view really gives me rest, peace and everything.
Umupo ako sa tabi niya nang matapos kong suriin ang buong paligid.
"Naaalala mo ba 'yung sinabi ko sa 'yo dati?" he asked.
Alin? Masyado na yata siyang maraming nasabi at hindi ko na matukoy kung alin ang sinasabi niya ngayon.
"I'll take you to a place where you'll feel surreal. To a breathtaking scenery," he muttered. He look up to the sky, reason why his jawline became more visible. He swallowed, that defined his adam's apple.
Oh, that!
"You don't have to," I told him.
Papaano naman 'yung magagastos niya. Ayaw ko naman nang palagi siyang nagagastos tuwing kasama ako. He can at least inform me so I could save money for our date.
"Let me-" I cut him off.
I stared at him deeply.
"You're my breath taking scenery." I whispered.
His lips automatically stretched, forming a wide smile. I couldn't help but to stare at him. Those smiles.. I hope they won't fade. I wish I will never be the reason behind those faded smiles.
I want to be the reason behind his smile but I hope he won't lose it just because of me.
Pabiro niyang pinalo ang balikat ko. He acted like a gay. He even flipped his invisible hair. I laughed at him.
"'Di seryoso.." he said. "Gusto ko spoiled ka sa 'kin. 'Wag kang magtanong kung bakit."
Because I'm his girlfriend.
"Okay, I won't ask." I chuckled.
He took pictures of me after we ate. Natawa pa ako, because he's doing some stunts just to get the perfect angle. He even use his other phone for the lighting. The effort he's exerting was all I could I see.
I took pictures of him too. May stolen, epic and maayos na pwede niyang ipalit sa old profile picture niya.
He even asked one of the staff to take a picture of us. Sa unang picture ay maayos kami at parehong nakangiti. Sa pangalawa ay nakapatong ang kamay niya sa ulo. Porket mas matangkad sa akin...
"Sound trip nga tayo," he said. The turned on the stereo of the car. Malayo-layo rin sa amin ang pinuntahan namin kaya siguradong aantukin kaming pareho sa byahe. Lalo siya, napaka-antukin niya pa naman.
"Ikaw pumili ng kanta," he told me.
I played 'Traitor' by Olivia Rodrigo.
When the song came on its chorus, Demiel suddenly looked at me with his forehead creased. Why? Hindi niya ba gusto ang kantang 'to?
He waited for the song 'till the last minute.
I almost jump when I felt his hand on my knee. He took a glance of me.
"Bakit 'yon ang napili mo?" he asked. Muli niyang ibinalik ang tingin niya sa dinadaanan. He maneuvered the stirring wheel using his hands.
I did not reply.
He probably thinks that it was because of David. No, it wasn't. I just support Olivia. Ni hindi ko na nga naiisip si David. I thought I forgot his existence. Ngayon lang ulit pumasok sa isip ko ang pangalan niya.
"I will not betray you. I promise.." he told me.
"Even when the whole universe turned its back at me?"
"Syempre," he said seriously. "Ihuli mo ako sa listahan ng mga taong magtataksil o manloloko sa 'yo."
"Kahit siraan ako ng buong mundo?" I asked.
What if someone will tell him that I'm cheating. What if someone will meddle on our relationship? Paano kung may manira sa akin? Talaga bang hindi siya maniniwala? Kahit halos lahat na ng mga tao ay ganoon ang sinasabi?
"Pake ko sa sasabihin ng iba?" tanong niya pa. He took a glance of me. Napakaseryoso niya. "Their opinion doesn't matter."
Others opinion won't define me. Yes, their opinion doesn't matter. But yours really matters to me.
Hindi ako masisira ng iba, ng kahit anong salitang matanggap ko mula sa kanila. Pero kung galing sa kaniya? Hindi ko kakayanin. I swear, worst things may happen to me. I hope that time won't happen to me.. to us. May we stay strong together, while holding each other's hands.
He played 'To the bone' by Pamungkas.
It's my first time to hear that song. Bakit ba ngayon ko pa lang nalaman ang kantang 'yon?
Ang ganda ng kanta. I'll add that to my playlist.
Nakatingin lang ako sa may bintana. Pinapanood ang mga nadadaanan naming sasakyan. Mabuti na lang at hindi traffic ngayon.
Huminto ang sasakyan dahil sa traffic lights.
Napalingon ako sa kaniya nang sabayan niya ang kanta. Sakto ay nakatingin din siya sa akin.
"I want you to the bone.." A wide smile was plastered on his lips while singing that.
Nakangiti lang din ako habang pinapakinggan siya.
"I want you to take me home I'm falling. Love me long I'm rolling..."
I turned on my phone and secretly put it on the side. I was filming him while singing.
Tinuloy niya pa rin talagang sabayan ang kanta kahit na nagmamaneho siya. Pampawala na rin siguro ng antok.
"I want you to bone... So bad I can't breath..."
That was the last lyrics I heard. Nakatulog ako sa pagkakanta niya. His voice give me chills.
Tulog na ang lahat ng tao sa bahay nang makauwi ako. Mabuti na lang talaga at Biyernes ngayon, mahaba ang tulog ko ngayon dahil wala namang pasok bukas.
I went out of my room to drink hot choco. Hindi ako makatulog, masyado yata akong natuwa sa mga nangyari kanina dahil hanggang ngayon ay naiisip ko pa rin.
Ihuhuli ko siya listahan.. Yeah. Noted.
Nagulat ako nang makita ko si papa sa kusina. Nakaupo siya at may hawak na tasa. Umiinom ng kape.
Umupo ako sa tabi niya.
Pinagpapaalam naman ako ni Demiel, right? He won't mad at me. Napakaseryoso ng tingin niya sa akin.
Lumabas si mama mula sa kwarto at umupo sa tabi ko. Nakapagitna ako ngayon sa kanila.
"Kayo na raw ni Demi?" tanong ni papa.
Sinabihan na nga niya sila.
"Yes, Pa."
"Bawal ka mag-english. Hindi ko papayagan ang relasyon niyo kung english ang isasagot mo sa akin."
I chuckled. Si papa talaga..
"Ilang taon na nga kasi ang prinsesa ko?"
"Baka hindi na komportable ang anak mo na tawagin mo siyang gano'n." Mama commented.
I chuckled. It's fine. Natutuwa nga ako tuwing tinatawag ako ng gano'n ni papa. Not everyone has a father like what I've got.
"Nineteen," I answered.
"Hindi ako tutol sa inyong dalawa," he said. "Botong-boto nga ako riyan kay Demiel. Manok ko 'yan, e."
I laughed. Manok pa nga.
"Thank you, Pa." I smiled at him. "Pero hindi siya manok." I joked.
"Oo, pero manok ko siya."
Binatukan siya ni mama. "Edi siya ang isama mo sa sabong bukas."
Natawa ako. Likas na siguro sa mga tatay ang pagiging mahilig sa manok. Naiinis na nga si mama dahil puro manok na lang daw ang inaatupag ni papa.
"Puro na lang manok ang mukhang bibig mo!"
"Sige, ang pangalan mo na lang ang lagi kong sasabihin." He even winked at her.
"Basta ang gusto lang namin ng mama mo, alam mo na..." He's moving his eyebrows upwards. I laughed at him. Si papa talaga..
Natigilan siya nang kurutin siya ni mama.
"Ayoko pa ng apo!" she exclaimed.
Hindi ko pa naman iniisip ang gano'n. Masyado pa kaming bata para magkaroon ng sariling pamilya.
"'Wag pababayaan ang pag-aaral, Kicy," striktong sabi ni mama.
I nodded. "Hindi po. Gagawin kong inspirasyon."
Our relationship wouldn't be a distraction for me. This will be my inspiration to strive even harder.
"'Pag sinaktan ka niya, 'di na siya makakaapak ulit dito."
That scares me. What if he had hurt me unintentionally?
"Ayoko sa lahat ay ang umiiyak ka," seryosong sabi ni papa. "Hindi ka pa naman mahilig magsabi ng nararamdaman mo. Kaya sana.." he took a deep breath. "Ingatan mo ang sarili mo, ang puso mo," he pointed at my chest. Sinundan ko iyon ng tingin.
Ngumiti ako. "Opo," I replied.
"And your mental health," dagdag ni mama.
"Oh, oras na. Bumalik ka na sa kwarto mo pagkatapos mo riyan. Matulog ka na."
"Thank you, Ma and Pa." I hugged them. Thank you for always supporting me.
"Guard your heart." That's what mom told me.
I nodded. "Yes, Ma."
I know he's different from others. He's one of the best I know. Hindi niya ako sasaktan. I know there would be ups and downs, but he can assure me that he'll stay with me through out the day. He knows how to handle me. He won't leave me.
He was the last person I knew would leave me.
----
♡