"What's wrong? Are you okay?"
Pumikit ako at sinandal ang ulo sa may bintana ng sasakyan, feeling dizzy. Naramdaman ko ang kamay ni Marco sa ulo ko.
"I don't like car refreshers. It makes me dizzy and nauseous," I told him the truth.
"Hindi ka naman nagsabi." Nawala ang kamay niya sa ulo ko tapos nakarinig ako ng kalikot kaya alam kong tinatanggal niya ang refresher na nakakabit sa may AC.
Nagmulat ako ng mga mata noong biglang may malakas na hangin sa loob ng sasakyan. I saw that the windows were open now, except the one on my side since I was leaning on it.
Ngumiti ako kay Marco bilang pasalamat. I felt a little better with the fresh air instead of the AC. Malapit lang ang tapsilugan place pero mabuti ngang nag kotse kami dahil ang daming taong nagjojogging.
There were countable people inside the tapsilugan place, making me breathe properly because I didn't need to hide myself. I just want to eat in peace with Marco.
"Oh my gosh! Are you okay?" I helped the little girl who suddenly tripped in front of me. The glass that she was holding fell on the floor, making the water scatter.
"Yes po!" Tumayo kaagad siya at pinagpagan ang tuhod bago kinuha ang baso. "Hala, nabuhos!" Late na niya na-realize iyon.
"Come on, we'll get you a new one." Iginiya ko siya sa counter kaya magkatabi na kami ni Marco dahil nago-order siya para sa amin. "Excuse me. Pwede pong manghingi ng tubig?" magalang na sabi ko roon sa tindera.
"Ilan?" Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay, nagsusungit.
"Isa lang," I politely replied and elbowed Marco because he was undeniably stifling a laugh. Gago 'to! Ano'ng nakakatawa? Feeling ko, palagi itong may inside joke dahil tumatawa siya mag-isa!
"Thank you po, Ate!" The girl smiled brightly at me, getting the glass from my hand.
"Don't run. You might trip again." I tapped her head with a small smile plastered on my lips. Tumango siya at naglakad papunta sa isang lamesa kung saan may matanda, mas maingat na ngayon.
"You're good with kids." Napatingin ako kay Marco. He slid his hand on my waist and guided me to a table, done ordering. Pinaghila pa niya ako ng bangko. "You're planning to have one?"
"Are you going to give me one?" I carelessly joked, taking a seat.
Natawa siya at tinulak ang bangko ko palapit sa lamesa bago naupo sa tapat ko. "Hindi. Ayaw ko ng anak. Sorry," pabirong sabi niya pero alam kong seryoso siya roon.
"Talaga?"
"I like kids, pero magdo-doctor ako," he said as if that was already a reason to not have kids.
Tumango ako, hindi siya kinekwestyon tungkol doon dahil choice naman niya iyon. When a person says they don't want a child, I believe no one should question it, or try to change their minds. No one should be pressured into having a child. Hindi naman required sa life iyon.
"Madami ba talaga kayong ginagawa? Ano ba plano mong... specialization... Specialty?" Bumagal ang pagsalita ko dahil hindi alam ang tamang term. "Ah, basta! Gets mo na iyon!"
"Neurosurgery." He leaned his arms on the table, some strands of his hair falling down his forehead.
"Iyong sa utak?"
"Oo. Pag naging doctor na ako, sagot ko na ang pagpapaayos mo." Nagsimula na naman mang gago si hayop, nakaturo pa sa sentido niya.
"Hindi ka talaga makasalita nang maayos, 'no? Lagi talagang may pambabara, Marquenzo?" Inirapan ko siya bago sinimangutan.
"I can, actually." He raised his index finger before pointing it at my face. "I just like seeing that look on your face." He let out a soft laugh.
"What look?" My brows knitted in confusion.
"Iyan!" Tinuro niya ulit ang mukha ko. "Kamukha mo iyong pusa mo!"
Agad kong inabot ang buhok niya at hinila iyon. Hindi naman ako naiinis kung hindi natatawa lang sa pambwibwisit ng lalakeng 'to sa akin. Immune na yata ako! Hindi rin naman ako pikunin!
"Epal mo talaga!" What I said made him laugh. Naupo ulit ako nang maayos habang pinapasadahan niya ng kamay ang buhok niya, nakangisi.
"Cute naman, Zy."
Napatitig ako sa kaniya dahil sa tinawag niya sa 'kin. "Wow, may nickname ka na sa akin!" Pumalakpak ako, hindi pinapahalata ang nararamdaman.
"Katamad sabihin pangalan mo, eh." May pinaglaruan siya sa dila niya habang nakatitig sa akin. I was pretty sure he was playing with his tongue piercing.
Kumunot ang noo ko. "My name's short kaya."
He shrugged. "Ba't pala Veronica screen name mo?" curious na tanong niya. Napangiti ako nang malapad. "Oh, nagtatanong lang. Huwag kang issue!" Tumawa siya.
"Wala lang. Trip ko lang Veronica," totoong sagot ko. There was no special meaning to it.
Tinanguan niya lang ako at kumuha ng tissue. Tapos kinuha niya rin ang ballpen na nakasabit sa I.D niya. Dala-dala pala niya iyon.
"XO tayo," aya niya sa 'kin na parang bata, kinakagat ang takip ng ballpen niya para tanggalin iyon.
"Game!" Walang pasabi na hinila ko ang ballpen kaya naiwan sa loob ng bibig niya ang takip.
"Pucha!"
"Yuck, kadiri!" reklamo ko kaagad nang naluwa niya ang takip. Tawang-tawa naman siya habang kinukuha iyon gamit ang panibagong tissue. "I thought malinis kang tao! Kulang na lang kainin mo iyang takip, eh!"
"Sorry na. Gutom na ako, eh. Hindi makatiis," pagbibiro niya, tinatapik ang tiyan niya habang nakanguso.
I got a new tissue in the tissue holder and started drawing the lines in it. Naglaro kami habang naghihintay sa order namin. Hindi pa natapos ang isang game nang may huminto sa kaliwa namin.
Pareho kaming napatingin ni Marco. Natigilan ang waiter sa paglapag ng mga baso. Bigla tuloy siyang nagmadali na para bang na-pressure siya sa tingin namin. We both thank him when he was done placing our order.
Kinuha ni Marco ang utensils at nilinis iyon gamit ang tissue. Sumimsim ako sa baso ng tubig pero agad ding tumigil. Napansin iyon ni Marco kaya tinaasan niya akong kilay, nagtatanong.
"It's not mineral. I'll buy one muna." Binaba ko ang baso at tatayo na sana nang pinigilan ako ni Marco.
"Ako na. Kain ka na diyan." Nilapag niya sa plato ko ng utensils na pinunasan niya. He left to go to the counter. Hindi ako kumain at hinintay siyang makabalik.
I accepted the bottled water he gave me. I tried to open it but my hand was slidey kaya siya na ang nagbukas para sa akin.
"You have class?"
"Yeah. 8. You?" His eyes were pinned to his cellphone.
"Afternoon pa," sagot ko. "Alam mo ba ang hirap noong isang case na binigay sa 'kin noong recitation namin last Friday. Buti na lang talaga naaral ko na iyon tapos part din noong digests ko..." Tumigil ako sa pagdaldal dahil nakatuon talaga ang mata niya sa phone.
Marco immediately looked at me with one brow arched. "Ba't ka huminto? Nakikinig ako."
"You were using your phone."
"Still, nakikinig ako," kalmadong depensa niya. "Sorry. Nag-aaral kasi ako ng terms, oh." He showed me his phone. Nagulat ako roon at tumingin na sa plato ko, nagpipigil ng ngiti. Pinakita lang niya iyong phone niya sa 'kin that easy!
"You should've told me. Go on. Aral na." I acted as if I zipped my mouth before I started to eat again, making him chuckle.
"Hindi na." He gave me a cute smile, putting his phone on the side. "So mahirap ang recit? Ilan nakuha mo?"
"93 lang!" I sighed exasperatedly.
"Lang?" Hindi makapaniwala ang tono niya. "Nakakahiya naman pala ipakita ang grado ko sa 'yo, Ica!"
With Marco, there's no dead air. Not because madami akong kwento pero siya rin. I learned more about him with the little stories he narrated to me. He even ranted about his blockmate who hates him because he got the right answers to a brain illustration, making him gain praises.
Weekends came and for the first time, my schedule was light. Shoot sa umaga, guesting, mall show at aral sa hapon, block hangout naman sa gabi.
"Sexy naman!" Fred whistled when I arrived at the rooftop bar, shamelessly surveying my body.
I was wearing a silver satin cropped top, white pants, and white heels. My hair was just left in its natural straight look. May maliit din akong sling bag.
Zion immediately pushed Fred, making him curse because the bottle he was holding almost slipped from his hands. I boredly showed Fred my middle finger. If it comes from him, it's definitely not a compliment. Manyak ang lalakeng 'to at number one basher ko pa.
"Ang taray n'yo naman! Sobrang daming alak! Sino'ng sponsor?!" My blockmates laughed with my greeting. The whole table were filled with different hard alcohol and finger food.
"Ica, shot!" Nagsalin si Logan ng Bacardi sa shot glass at inabot kaagad sa akin. Umiling ako dahil wala akong plano uminom ng hard drinks.
"Sige na!" Inakbayan naman ako ni Benette, may hawak ding shot glass na may lamang Jack Daniels.
"Fine!" Pilit akong ngumiti at kinuha ang baso na inaabot ni Logan. "Pero 'to lang afford ng kidney ko for tonight!" I drank the shot as I laughed. Inabutan kaagad ako ni Zion ng coke nang nakitang ngumiwi ako sa anghang ng alak.
"'To rin!" Benette shoved the glass to me again.
"Huy, abusado! Ayaw ko niyan! Pass talaga!"
"Sige na!" pamimilit niya.
"She said she doesn't want to drink that, right? Give it to me." Sinalo ni Zion ang shot ko. Benette snickered, removing his arm around my shoulder before making Logan chug the Jack Daniels.
Zion and I went to the bar to buy Smirnoff. I want to limit my alcohol intake tonight. Malala ako kapag nalalasing. Ayaw kong magmukhang chaka. Naalala ko rin ang reminder ni Marco.
I suddenly got my phone while Zion was ordering.
icamarquez: Busy?
Matagal siyang naka-reply. Nakailang balik na ako sa counter para bumili ng fries at bottled water bago siya naka-reply.
makisldv: I'm studying. Bakit? May kailangan ka?
icamarquez: Wala naman! I was just going to invite you. I'm in a bar
I snapped a picture of the wall of the bar, where there was a written quote with red lights. Then, I sent it to him before I went back to the table. Nagpadala rin siya ng picture ng mga libro.
makisldv: busy ako. next time
makisldv: ingat ka ah. don't drink too much baka magkalat ka nanaman wala kang tagalinis HAHAHAHHA
"Tama na kaka-cellphone!" suway sa 'kin ni Sab habang sumasayaw nang kaunti, may sinisipsip pang lemon. Nagtipa ako ng reply kay Marco nang bigla siyang sumilip. "Sino ba kasing ka-chat mo?"
"Wala!" Pinatay ko kaagad ang phone ko at binitawan iyon, leaving it hanging on my wrist. May phone chain kasing naka-attach doon dahil palagi na akong nawawalan ng phone.
"Tara, sayaw!" Hinatak ako ni Paige patayo, may hawak pang bote. Wasted na siya dahil broken.
Nakipagsayawan at siyahan ako sa kanila. They were taking videos and pictures at dahil mahilig ako sa ganoon, ngumingiti ako imbis na magtago.
"Ica!" Lucas suddenly appeared in my view while I was dancing.
"Luca!" I imitated his extremely enthusiastic tone before hugging him. "Who are you with?" I was shouting a little because the music was booming.
"Kaibigan." Tinuro niya iyong lalakeng palapit sa amin, nagsasara ng iilang buttones ng blue polo niya.
"Iyan ba iyong may gusto kay Cali?" pangchichismis ko sa kaniya. Alam ko iyon dahil sobrang halata! Palagi rin kasi silang magkasama ni Cali.
Lucas laughed so loud and pushed my head, not denying. "Koa, gusto mo ba raw si Cali?" tanong niya nang nakalapit iyong lalake.
The man didn't change his bored expression, but I saw him warn Luca through his eyes. Sabay kami ni Lucas na tumawa.
"Don't worry, safe sekreto mo sa 'kin," I assured with a laugh before offering my hand to him. "Ica nga pala!"
"Kanoa, just call me Koa," he introduced in a deep voice, accepting my hand as he flashed me a smile.
Nagliwanag ang mga mata ko. "Gwapo ka!" I complimented. Bakit ba? I know how to appreciate people! Wala namang malisya iyon!
Umaingaw kaagad ang tawa ni Lucas sa tenga ko. "Patay ka ni Maki," sabi niya kay Koa, nagbabanta.
"Ah! Her?" I saw Koa's eyes widened with amusement.
I pointed at myself with confusion etched in my face. "Me? Me ang alin?" nagtatakang tanong ko pa.
They looked at each other before looking back at me with smirks on their lips. Pareho silang nagkibit-balikat. Lucas invited me to the counter to buy some drinks. Sumama naman ako dahil libre raw niya.
"Let's get the party started!" An unfamiliar moreno guy dressed in black floral polo and pants approached us, his aura so vibrant.
"Finley," bati ni Koa. "Saan iyong dalawa?"
The man pointed behind him. Nagpaalam ako kay Luca na babalik na sa friends ko after bumili ng drinks. Even with just the light drinks, I still got hit in the brain with the alcohol. Tipsy na ako kaya naghanap ako ng tubig sa lemesa pero ubos na.
I went to the counter to buy. I remained standing there while drinking on my bottle of water, leaning my back on the counter and watching the people in front of me. Compared to clubs, this place was chiller, walang nagkakalat o nag-aaway. It was better.
"See anyone your type?" One of Lucas' friends leaned beside me after ordering a beer.
"I'm not looking for anyone, actually." Natawa ako at hinawi ang buhok ko palikod. I was so sweaty because it was hot in here.
Ngumiti siya sa akin. "Nathan," pagpapakilala niya. He looked friendly.
"Ica." Lumagpas ang paningin ko at nakita si Lucas na nakatutok ang phone sa amin. His brows furrowed and he started typing so I assumed he was chatting someone and not taking a picture of us.
Sorry naman! It was just my initial thought always because of fans!
"You're friends with Marquenzo?" tanong ko kay Nathan para malibang naman dahil para kaming tanga na ang tahimik lang.
"Maki? I know him. We came from the same island... pero hindi yata kami exactly friends." He scratched the tip of his nose, laughing. "Magkakilala kayo?" tanong niya bago pa ako makapag-usisa sa sagot niya.
"Oo! We're good friends! Bait noon!" masaya kong sagot.
Napasarap ang kwentuhan namin kaya pumunta kami sa balcony para roon maupo at magpahangin. I didn't know what happened... but I was suddenly kissing Nathan!
In between kissing him, I pushed him gently by the chest, laughing regretfully. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako na-guilty!
"Don't tell me you have a boyfriend? Oh, shit. I should've asked..." Regret filled Nathan's face.
I waved my hand in front of him. "Wala... Ano lang... Kilala mo si Marco." Nahihiya akong tumawa at kinamot ang pisngi ko, tumitingin sa kawalan.
"And you have something going on between you," he concluded, nodding with a small life. "Oh, fuck... He's going to hate me more." Napasuklay siya sa buhok niya bago bumuga ng hangin, looking bothered.
"If you don't mind me asking, why? Sabi mo kasi kanina hindi kayo exactly friends?" Nagpunas ako ng labi ko.
"I had a girlfriend before, who he was in love with."
"Sasy?" I guessed. That's what I remembered Marco mentioned before. Tinanong niya ako kung kilala ko. "Just by name," I replied, drinking on my water.
"Ang bilis naman makarating." Nathan chuckled, looking at their table inside.
Napatingin din ako at natigilan sa paginom ng tubig nang nakita si Marco roon, tumatawa habang tinatapik-tapik ng mga kaibigan ang balikat. Inabutan siya ng shot ni Koa at may sinabi pa. Naghiyawan doon kaya nag-assume akong inasar siya.
"He said he's busy," I unconsciously blurted out.
Nathan laughed. "Walang busy sa selos, Ica."
Napatagilid ang ulo ko sa kalituhan. Ngumisi lang siya at tumayo. He dropped me back to my table before going to his friends. Nakatutuk lang ang mga mata ko roon. I saw how Marco stared darkly at Nathan before he walked away. Lucas was laughing so hard, holding his stomach.
"Paige, mag-usap tayo! Tatlong buwan palang tayong break, nakikipaglandian ka na?!" Paige's ex-boyfriend was causing a scene because she was talking to a Korean guy.
"What did he say?" tanong ng koreano.
"Ah, he says he wants more tequila," Paige faked the translation.
Sabay kaming natawa ni Sabrina kaya nagtago kami sa balikat ng isa't isa. "Nice ng translation," bulong ni Sab sa 'kin.
Nang kumalma kami, tumingin ako sa lamesa nila Lucas pero wala pa rin si Marco roon. I got up and tried to find him in the place. Wala sa counter kaya bumaba ako.
My pace slowed down when my eyes immediately found him, smoking while leaning his back on the wall in the opposite side. His brows were furrowed. He tsked and lit a new cigarette. I crossed my arms in front of my chest and just watched him there until he reached his third stick.
"Sabi mo busy," nagsalita na ako at tuluyan nang nagpakita sa kaniya.
"Tinamad akong mag-aral." There was smoke coming out from his mouth when he spoke, looking at me boredly. But I looked at him longer and I saw irritation in his eyes.
"Pahingi." Nilahad ko ang kamay sa kaniya, hinihingi ang box ng sigarilyo niya. Alam ko namang hindi niya iyon ibibigay.
But Marco did the opposite. I was stunned when he threw me the box along with his lighter. Sinalo ko iyon at naupo sa hagdan. Saktong nagsindi ako ng isa nang lumapit siya sa akin at kinuha rin iyon, hindi nakatiis.
"Uy! Ano'ng nangyayari sa 'yo?" A laugh escaped my lips when he messed his hair and continued smoking, as if that can solve his irritation.
Marco faced me, clenching his jaw. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Walang nagsalita. He swiftly rolled his eyes and licked his lower lip. I froze when he squatted in front of me and reached something on the side of my lips.
"Hahalikan ka na nga lang, hindi ka pa inayosan. Tanga," iritang sabi niya.
Tinulak ko siya at kinuha ang phone ko para makapagsalamin. I saw my lipstick smudged a little. Paniguradong hindi iyon halata sa loob kanina dahil red ang lights.
"Ba't ka galit?" Tinaasan ko siya ng isang kilay habang pinupunasan ang gilid ng labi ko gamit ang thumb ko.
Marco arched a brow, too. "Sino'ng nagsabing galit ako?"
"Nagseselos ka ba?" I had to try asking.
"Ba't ako magseselos?"
"Because I kissed Nathan."
"So?" he asked in a monotone.
"We're flings." I gestured the both of us using my index finger.
Marco's lips curved into a smirk. "Hindi tayo exclusive, Ica."
"Right..." I felt a pang in my chest because of embarrassment. Nasampal ako ng katotohanan! Oh my god! "Right!" Tumayo ako.
He chuckled deeply and took a step forward. Our eyes were leveled because I was standing on the stairs. Ang dilim ng mga mata niya habang humihithit siya sa sigarilyo.
"We're not exclusive flings... but we can be." He blew some smoke on top of my lips.
My lips parted with his suggestion, some smoke going inside my mouth that I needed to look to the right and blow it out. What was he proposing here?! Exclusive?! Shet! At ba't ako na-excite?!
"Why... Why would we do that? I mean... Why..." Nahihirapan akong magsalita dahil sa excitement na bumubuo sa 'kin. Malala na yata ako!
"Ayaw mo?"
"Pwede naman," sagot ko. Ano'ng pwede naman?!
I mean, I will definitely be uncomfortable knowing that he is fucking other women at the same time he does things with me. Parang hindi... tama. Or at least, hindi safe! Madaming sakit kaya! Oo, iyon! Tama! Hindi safe!
"Kahit naman hindi tayo exclusive, hindi ako humahalik ng iba." Marco gave me a smile that seemed mocking. "Isa isa lang fling ko."
Bahagya akong natawa. "Umamin ka nga, nagseselos ka ba, Marco?" mas matapang na tanong ko ngayon.
His eyes rolled unconsciously before inhaling on his cigarette. "Bakit nga ako magseselos?" tanong niya ulit.
"Ewan ko. Bakit ka nandito?" Hindi ako nagpatalo. Sumandal pa ako sa dingding at pinagkrus ang mga braso ko sa harap ng dibdib.
"Pumunta lang dito, nagselos kaagad?" sarkastikong tanong niya at hinila pataas ang neckline ng pangtaas ko dahil nakikita pala ang dibdib ko.
"Had I not kiss him, will you still come here?" I pushed further. Ang saya niya talagang trip-an! Buti na lang bumalik iyong tapang ko!
"Yes," he shortly answered.
"Why?"
"Because my friends invited me."
My lips rose a bit in amusement. "I also invited you but you declined. Sabi mo busy kang nag-aaral," pagpapalala ko.
"I also told you earlier that I got tired studying," he recalled too.
"Maggagaguhan ba tayo rito, Marquenzo?" taas kilay na tanong ko sa kaniya.
He chuckled lowly. "Willing ako, Zychela."
"Bwisit ka talaga!" Hinampas ko ang balikat niya habng tumatawa.
Nakatitig lang siya sa mukha ko habang nagbubuga ng usok palabas ng bibig niya. His gazes were making me feel conscious! It was super intense! I never saw that expression from him!
Sinuri pa niya ang hitsura ko. Then, he pulled the neckline of my top again dahil nakikita na naman ang dibdib ko. Humaplos pa nang kaunti ang daliri niya pero agad niya rin iyon tinanggal na para bang hindi niya sinasadya.
"Now you're shy to touch me?" I said in a teasing tone before encircling my arms on his neck.
Hinawakan niya ang baywang ko gamit ang isang kamay bago tinapon ang sigarilyo sa basurahan. He had a nice aim so it went in. I was about to plant a kiss on his lips when he turned his face to the right, making me kiss the side of his lips.
"Tingin mo hahalikan kita pagkatapos mong halikan iyong isa?" He pulled me to the side because some people went down the stairs.
Nakasandal na ang likod ko sa dingding habang ang isang kamay niya ay nasa tabi ng ulo ko at ang isa naman, nakahawak sa baywang ko.
I giggled a little and traced his jaw with my finger, realizing something. "Just curious... how did you know I kissed him?" I smirked at him.
There was no hint of surprise on his face, like he was expecting me to ask that. But he had no intentions of answering that because he gave me a shrug.
"Uuwi na ako. Ikaw? Sabay ka sa 'kin?" he asked me, pushing himself away and arranging his jacket.
"Okay! Wala akong dalang sasakyan!" Kumapit kaagad ako sa braso niya at hinila na siya papunta sa parking lot. I will just text my friends. Hindi naman iyon magagalit.
Hindi kaagad kami umalis sa parking lot dahil may hinahanap pa si Marco sa bag niya. We were also waiting for the car to get a little cold.
"Where's your refresher? You removed it," pagpansin ko habang idinederekta ang isang aircon sa 'kin. Nilapit ko ang mukha ko roon para mawala ang kalagkitan ng mukha ko na dulot ng pawis.
"Halata bang wala na? Hindi ko napansin." Nagsimula na naman siya!
"Why did you remove it? Mukha kang mahilig sa ganoon."
"Ayaw mo, eh," simpleng sagot niya.
Natigilan ako at nakaramdam ng kalabog sa dibdib ko. I immediately scolded myself. But the race in my heart just doubled when he leaned close to me and held my chin to wipe my face with baby wipes.
Nahigit ko ang hininga ko nang lumapit pa siya lalo at may inabot sa tabi. "Seatbelt." He let out a soft laugh and wore the seatbelt on me.
Tumikhim ako at tinulak ang mukha niya kaya bumalik na siya sa upuan niya at nagsuot na rin ng seatbelt niya, kagat ang ibabang labi niya para pigilan ang ngisi.
Ang gago ng lalakeng 'to! Pakiramdam ko nababasa niya talaga ang tunay na emosyon ko kahit na pilit kong tinatago ang mga iyon!
"Pahangin muna tayo or inaantok ka na? Mag-aaral?" I asked him when he started driving to calm myself down. Rinig na rinig ko pa ang tibok ng puso ko sa tenga ko! With him, this is all I experience! This is not healthy!
Where was this heading? Hindi pwedeng mahulog ako sa kaniya. Mukha pa naman siyang hang up doon sa babaeng mahal niya. I don't want to be caught up into something that has no assurance... Ayaw ko na namang maging option.
"Saan mo gustong pumunta?"
"Ewan. Daan muna tayo sa convenience store. Gusto ko ng slurpee! Please?" I batted my lashes so he'd agree.
While his eyes were focused on the road, his right hand reached my head and tapped it. "Kamukha mo talaga iyong pusa mo!" panggagago niya nang sumulyap sa 'kin saglit.
Since it was still early, madami pang tao sa daan. Dumiretso kami sa isa sa mga paborito niyang tambayan after naming bumili sa convenience store. It was a beach.
"Pahawak muna, babe." Marco gave me his slurpee when we went down the car.
Tinanggap ko iyon habang sumisipsip sa straw ko, nakatingin sa dagat. The tides were wild, creating loud noises as it crashed against each other. There were a few stars beside the moon. The bonfire of one group in the center gave light to the night.
I oscillated my head at a slow pace to look at Marco, who was kneeling in front of me to remove the straps of my heels. Nilagay niya iyon sa sasakyan bago kinuha sa akin ang cup niya.
I needed to swallow to regain myself when I felt him slowly intertwined out fingers as we walk in the sand. Naupo kami sa buhangin. Sinandal ni Marco likod niya sa braso ko para suportahan ko ang weight niya. Tinutulak ko siya pero bumabalik lang siya kaya pinokopok ko ang ulo niya.
"Akin na iyan!" singhal ko nang tinanggal niya ang ponytail ko kahit na kakatali ko lang ng buhok ko. "Marquenzo, isa!"
"Dalawa." Pinakita niya ang dalawang daliri sa akin. "I like that look on you. I can see your face better now."
Inirapan ko na lang siya. We finished our slurpees before going home. My week was busy but I can still tell the date, I still remember important events in school and work. Buti na lang talaga, matalas ang memory ko.
Nilapag ko sa kitchen counter ang mga gamit ko bago binuksan ang ref para kuhanin ang hinanda ko para sa sarili ko. A cake. It's my birthday tomorrow but I like blowing my cake at exactly 12 AM. I do that every year... alone. Sinindihan ko ang kandila bago nagsimulang pumalakpak nang mahina.
"Happy birthday to me... Happy birthday to me..." I scrunched my nose, giggling a little to stop the tears forming in my eyes.
For some reason, I broke down because of loneliness. It just doubled as memories of me celebrating my birthday alone flashed inside my mind. Sanay naman na ako kaya bakit ako umiiyak?
Nasanay nga ba talaga ako? O tinatatatak ko lang sa utak ko na sanay na ako para hindi na ako masaktan?
Pinilit kong kumalma noong may nag doorbell. Nagpunas ako ng mata at sinuot pa ang anti-rad glasses ko para lang hindi masyadong mapansin ang mga mata ko.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..." When I opened the door, I saw Marco holding a small cupcake with a candle on it, smiling as he sang.
My lips parted in surpise. "What..." I bit my lower lip when it quivered, feeling tears pooling in my eyes again.
Marco looked so happy with my reaction. Lumapad ang ngiti sa labi niya. He took a step forward when he was done singing, showing me the small cupcake.
"Pasensya na. Hindi ako nakabili ng cake kasi midterms ko saka may inasikaso pa ako kaya late na akong nakauwi." He pouted, looking shy.
Pinagmasdan ko siya. Nakasuot pa siya ng uniform at nakasabit pa ang backpack sa isang balikat. I saw his folders on the table in the patio.
"Kakauwi mo lang?" I blinked twice.
He nodded innocently. "Yeah. Dumiretso ako sa 'yo."
Midterms niya. May inasikaso pa siya. Malamang pagod siya at gutom. He could've greeted me in the morning dahil magkatabi lang ang apartment namin. He could've change, rest, or eat first pero... dumiretso siya sa 'kin.
Something in my stomach kicked, my gaze slowly falling to the floor. Naramdaman ko ang pag-iinit ng pisngi ko at gilid ng mga mata. Every little thing he does just seem to make my heart beat so fast.
Hindi pwede... Ica, hindi pwede.
Marco lifted my chin with a finger, flashing me a smile. "Blow mo na. Malapit na maubos ang kandila. Wish ka muna." He jiggled his hands in front of me so my attention would be directed there.
Pumikit ako at nag-isip saglit ng wish ko. When I was done, I opened my eyes and returned his smile. "Hindi ko pa birthday. Tomorrow pa," natatawang sabi ko sa kaniya.
"It's already 'tomorrow'." He showed me his watch, chuckling. "Gusto ko kasi na ako unang bumati sa 'yo."
Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko. I suddenly wrapped my arms around his waist, my heart feeling warm. It was the first time someone actually did this for me. I was always the one who does surprises... but I never receive one.
"Thank you, Beau," I uttered sincerely, resting my head on his chest.
He enveloped me in a warm embrace. "Happy birthday, love," he greeted sweetly and kissed the top of my head.