"Ramen, teriyaki tofu, dumplings, spicy rice cakes... Teka lang, baka tataba na ako nito. Masiyado na akong spoiled sa 'yo."
We are here in the food park after resting a bit at the garden a while ago. All of their food stalls have different ambiance with unique food concepts and budget-friendly meals that makes the place so great. There were a lot of benches with concrete bar tables, fresh flowers that are grown on pots, hanging ferns, fairy lights around the trees, and of course, calm music makes our moment special.
Well, lahat naman ng araw na kasama ko siya ay espesyal para sa 'kin.
Hati kami sa bayad dahil 'yon ang pakiusap ko at pumayag din naman siya. Habang magkaharap, kumakain, ay 'di ko maiwasan na mapatingin sa kanya.
I can't still believe that I'm dating the man who makes my heart go crazy everytime! My feeling of excitement grew as he stared courting me.
I placed my elbow on the table and rested my chin at the back of my palm, staring at him while nibbling on my food.
His eyes drifted at me. He smiled and mouthed, "Ang ganda mo."
Napaubo ako nang maramdaman ang pag-init ng aking mga pisngi. Takte! Lagi niya talaga akong ginugulat!
Inabutan niya ako agad ng isang baso ng tubig at ininom ko naman iyon. "Huwag ka naman mambigla, Alejandro." I rolled my eyes, laughing.
"My name sounded so good when it's from you," he said, eyes were looking at me deeply.
I tsked and shook my head. "Your name is my favorite. Pangalan mo ang pinakamagandang narinig ko sa buong buhay ko," I told him.
He leaned forward, side of his lips rose up. "Your whole being is my favorite." Mas lalong uminit ang aking pisngi. Pinisil niya ito, natatawa. "Cute," he uttered.
Napanguso ako sa ginawa niya. "Masyado mo nang pinapasaya puso ko. Ikakandado na talaga kita," biro ko.
Bumitaw rin siya agad at napaawang ang labi. "Ophelia Aemour, you can lock me now. I'll stay and be with you evermore."
This night was the best! We got to tease each other, ate our meal together, walked together without any awkwardness, talked about things to him and the way he listened to everything I said and the way he told me about his self... I was so blissful and contented.
There was also a live acoustic show from a local band and Matmat requested a song titled Don't Know What To Do. We went home before 9PM as what he promised to my sister.
"Woah, nililigawan ka na pala ni Matmat?" gulat na tanong ni Axel kinabukasan nang hapon, nang bumili siya ng resin art and beads accessories ko para sa kanyang Mama.
I nodded and chuckled. "Oo," I replied, smiling.
Narito kami sa Ramen In Your Area at nakaupo sa isang wood bench stool at ini-serve na ang spicy cheese ramen na in-order ni Axel. Sabi ko ay sa bahay na lang kunin dahil alam naman niya kung saan ako nakatira!
"Hindi ba siya... magagalit na kasama mo ako?" he asked gently while I was stiring my meal using chopsticks.
My eyes gazed at him and I shook my head. "Nagpaalam ako kanina at wala naman daw problema dahil kaibigan naman kita." I smiled before darting my eyes back to the food and blew it before eating.
"I'm happy for you," I heard him uttered softly.
Inuwi niya rin ako kaagad sa amin bago lumubog ang araw. Pupuntahan ko sana si Matmat sa kanila pero baka busy siya at ayaw kong maistorbo siya sa kanyang pag-aaral.
I heard my phone beeped while drying my hair using a towel. I just took a quick bath. I grabbed my phone on the desk and sat down at the side of the bed.
From: Matmat
nag-dinner ka na ba?
I had eaten a meal with Axel, yet I still feel hungry. Walang kabusogan ang tiyan ko!
From:
i cooked chicken adobo :) i'll go there in front of your house.
I unconsciously smiled after reading his reply. Takte, matitikman ko ulit luto niya! Lumabas kaagad ako ng bahay kahit basa pa ang buhok at binuksan ang gate at doon ko nakita na palapit na siya papunta sa amin, dala ang pagkain.
I smiled widely when he was in front of me. I accepted the food. "Thank you, Matmat," I uttered sincerely. I looked at him deeply in the eye. "Salamat, ha? Kasi kahit busy ka, nagawa mo pa rin magluto para sa akin... Pakiramdam ko, napakahalaga ko sa 'yo," pahayag ko.
He ruffled my hair, smiling. "Mahalaga ka sa akin, Aemour. Hindi ako magsasawa na paglutuan ka."
I pouted. "Pero... hindi naman kailangan na lutuan mo ako palagi... Baka kasi, naiistorbo ang pag-aaral mo. Imbes na nag-rereview ka, nagluluto ka para sa akin," mahinang saad ko at napayuko.
He held my chin up and darted his eyes at me. "I always cook, Aemour." He chuckled. Agad nag-init ang pisngi ko. Ayan, masiyadong feeling akala mo sa 'yo lang! "You don't have to worry too much, hmm? Hindi ko pababayaan ang pag-aaral ko, kung 'yan ang inaalala mo." He moved forward, closing our space in between. "Remember that I always do my priorities... and you're one of them."
I bit my lower lip to stop myself from smiling. "O-Okay."
Hindi na kami nagtagal sa labas dahil pinapasok na niya ako sa loob ng bahay. Sakto at ilang minuto ang nakalipas ay narito na rin si Ate.
"Nabenta ko 'yong benteng pirasong puto flan na ginawa mo. Ayos, ah!" bungad ni Ate nang makapasok, habang tinatanggal ang kanyang sapatos. Inabutan niya ako ng pera nang sinalubong ko siya. "Ang galing ko magturo," pamumuri niya sa sarili.
"Wow," sarcastic na sabi ko bago iyon tinanggihan. "Sa 'yo 'yan, Ate, pinaghirapan mo 'yan." Natawa ako. "May dinner na tayo," sambit ko sa kanya.
Binalik niya ang pera sa bag bago dumiretso ng kusina at tinignan ang luto ni Matmat bago umupo. Ni-ready ko na 'yung plato at utensils niya. "Expert," she commented when we started eating.
I chuckled at her remarks. "Asawa ko 'yon, eh." Napangiti ako nang ngumiwi si Ate.
Nang matapos kumain ay pinilit pa rin niyang ibigay sa akin ang kinita niya. "Mabilis kang matuto kaya ayan, nakakatulong ka kay Ate." She handed me the money while I'm doing my project in my room. She's stiitng at the side of the bed and I was on the floor, making my patterns.
But still, I have a lot of things to learn. Madali raw ako matuto but I can't do these things without someone's help. Tinulungan ako ng mga taong nasa paligid ko na paniwalaan ang aking sarili. Na kaya ko. Na andiyan lang sila, handa akong suportahan at turuan sa mga bagay na nais gawin o malaman.
I tsked and looked at her. "Ate, naman. Sa 'yo nga 'yan. Kumikita naman ako ng sarili ko." I shrugged my shoulders. "Tumulong ako... pero ikaw pa rin ang mas nagpakahirap..." Muli akong bumaling sa ginagawa.
"Malaki ka na nga." I heard her sigh. "Hindi ka na mukhang pera." Malakas siyang tumawa at natatawang napairap na lang ako.
Kinabuksan ay tinuruan ko si Matmat ng basic stitches sa bahay nila dahil nais niya rin daw ito matutunan at hindi rin kasi siya busy. Nag-demonstrate ako sa isang tela ng mga tahi at ipinakita ko 'yon sa kanya. Hindi ko alam pero mas lalo akong na-in love nang makita kung gaano siya kaseryoso habang pinapasok 'yung sinulid sa butas ng karayom, habang suot ang specs niya at nakasando pa! Hindi ko kinaya, eh!
Dito kami sa terrace ng bahay nila kung saan may monobloc table at chair, at kasama rin si Eleazar na nagpapaturong paano manahi dahil gusto raw niyang i-embroider ang initials ng crush niya sa kanyang panyo.
Kanina ay kami lang ni Matmat ang narito at mukhang galing sa isang group project si Eleazar nang makauwi at naging curious siya sa aming ginagawa.
"Hanggang ngayon friends pa rin kayo?" pang-aasar ko kay Eleazar na nasa harap ko, pinapanood ang ginagawa ng kanyang pinsan.
Dumako ang tingin niya sa akin at napangiwi siya. "Nag-aantay lang ako... Mukhang hindi pa 'yon ready sa relationship. Magc-college na kami next year, eh. Kaya mas focus sa study." He shrugged and rested his head on the table.
"Saan siya magc-college?" tanong ko sa kanya.
He heaved a sigh. "Hindi ko pa sigurado kung saan," he replied.
Napatango ako at bumaling kay Matmat. Napapalakpak ako nang makitang nailusot na rin niya ang sinulid! "Wow! Napasok mo na rin!" Nakita kong pumula ang kanyang tainga at napalunok.
Sumilip si Eleazar at natawa. Itinuro niya ang pinsan. "Ang galing mong magpasok, insan!" nangungutya niyang sabi.
"Stop, Eleazar," nahihiyang suway ni Matmat at inayos ang specs niya.
I bit my lower lip to stop myself from smiling when I saw his face becomes redder. "Basketball player kaya 'yan!" proud na sabi ni Eleazar.
Nanlaki ang mata ko at napangiti. "Talaga?" nakangiti kong tanong kay Eleazar bago nilingon si Matmat. Ibinaba niya ang hawak sa mesa at dahan-dahan na nahihiyang tumango.
"Elementary to highschool siya naglalaro. Tapos shs at college, tumigil na siya," pagkwento ni Eleazar.
Sumandal ako sa aking inuupuan, hindi inaalis ang tingin kay Matmat. "Ang dami sigurong nagchi-cheer sa 'yo." I pouted before crossing my arms.
"Hindi ko naman sila pinapansin..." he said softly.
"Ang dami niyang fans! Kahit sino, pangalan niya sinisigaw! 'Escobar 08, papakasalan kita', 'I-shoot mo ang ball mo-"
Matmat halted him from talking. "Eleazar, I don't know them," gulat niyang sabi.
I tsked. "Sino nagsabi noong papakasalan niya si Matmat?" Tinaasan ko ng kilay si Eleazar na tumatawa.
I felt Matmat's hand on my left arm. He held it gently. "Aemour, I don't know those girls. Hindi ko sila pinapansin..."
I glanced at him. "Maganda siguro sila." Nagtunong selosa tuloy ako! Hindi pa naman kami!
Eleazar cleared his throat and stood up. "Iwan ko muna karo rito ni insan, Ate. Gagawa pa ako ng report namin." He chuckled.
Tumango ako at pumasok na siya sa bahay nila. Bumaling ako kay Matmat at pinanliitan siya ng mata. Takte, ang amo ng mga mata niya! "I don't even know their name,s" dahilan niya pa rin.
I pinched his cheeks and laughed. "Wala naman sa 'kin 'yon!" I uttered. "Bakit ka pala hindi na naglalaro?" I curiously asked and he slowly removed his hand on my arm.
"Ayaw ko ng atensiyon," he replied shortly and looked away.
I nodded and heaved a sigh. "Pero masaya ka ba sa paglalaro mo?"
He smiled and looked up. His adam's apple was protruding. "Yeah. I used to be a loner and a kid who loves books more than anything, until Eleazar and Levi invited me to play basketball. I found myself loving it... but as time goes by, marami na ang nakakakilala sa akin... Mga babae, bigay nang bigay ng kung anu-ano. Hindi ko naman sila kilala."
He looked back at me. "I gave up basketball and focused on my study since senior high especially now that I am in college." He gulped. "But, I found myself happy again... when I saw you." He smiled and gave my head a soft pat.
"Kunin ko lang muna gitara ko sa loob, hmm?" paalam niya at tumango agad ako.
My heart filled with joy. I exhaled hard and placed my hand on my chest. It was beating so loud as if it was chased my someone. "Kalma, Aemour...." I inhaled deeply.
He went out with his brown guitar, smiling and sat in front of me, where Eleazar was sitting a while ago. He glanced at me before placing his fingers on the strings. Then, he started strumming.
"I have loved you only in my mind..." He started singing and I closed my eyes, smiling. "But I know that there will come a time... You'll feel this feeling I have inside..."
Hindi ko alam pero kahit nakapikit ako, ramdam ko ang pagmamahal niya kahit sa pagkanta niya... I opened my eyes when he was in the chorus part. "Don't know what to do whenever you are near... Don't know what to say my heart is floating in tears... When you pass by, I could fly..." He was looking at me intently with love in his eyes. "Every minute, every second of the day... I dream of you in the most special ways... You're beside me all the time..."
He finished the whole song. And all the time, he was just staring at me. "Okay ba?" he asked. I pressed my lips together.
"Okay na okay." I gave him a thumbs up and smiled.
Tinuloy niya ang pananahi. Kahit mabagal ay may progress naman hanggang sa umambon. "'Yung mga sampay niyo!" I panicked and ran to get their bedsheets and pillowcases.
Mabuti at naalis din namin iyon agad at tuyo na rin pala ang mga ito. Sinamahan ko siyang itupi iyon at dito na kami sa sala nila dahil lumakas na ang ulan.
Tumayo ako mula sa sofa at napasilip ako sa bintana. "Ligo tayo," wala sa sarili kong saad.
Nilingon ko si Matmat na nakatingin na pala sa akin. "Magkakasakit ka," nag-aalala niyang tanong.
I gave him a small pout. "Magbibihis naman ako kaagad. Atsaka, hello, strong kaya 'to!" maangas na sabi ko.
Hindi ko alam pero marahan niya akong hinila palabas hanggang sa tumutulo na sa balat ko ang ulan. Tumingala ako sa langit at nakangiting binalingan si Matmat na basang-basa na rin, nasa harapan ko siya pero malayo ang pagitan naming dalawa. Kitang-kita ang katawan niya mula sa labas dahil sa nakasando siya at manipis lang iyon ang shorts naman niya ay... napalunok ako at 'di na 'yon pinansin.
"Ang saya!" I said like a kid.
I was stunned when he went near me slowly and grabbed my hands and he placed it on his nape and my heart was pounding so loud when he placed his hands on the side of my waist.
Mukha siyang nanghihina at hinihingal kahit 'di naman siya tumakbo. Napalunok ako. "O-Okay k-ka lang b-ba?" nag-aalala kong tanong, nakatingala sa kanya.
He exhaled like he did something that made him tired. "Gusto kitang isayaw nang mabagal sa gitna ng ulan, mahal ko," he uttered, it was almost a whisper.
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