Roadtrip
“Did I say that you can leave na?”
Napaigtad ang tenga ko sa boses ni mama. Mabilis akong lumingon sa kanya sa kitchen bago napayuko. “S-Sorry po, ma…”
Pinagtaasan niya lang ako ng kilay bago bahagyang binagsak ang mug niya sa lamesa. “Are you in a hurry? Anong pinagmamadalian mo?” her brows were roughly furrowed in her face while staring at me suspiciously.
I glanced at the door before clutching my books tightly on my hands. “Wala po. Si Rhysand po kasi, baka susunduin niya daw ako ng mas maaga…”
“Susunduin?” she asked. Her brows raised even higher. “Since when did he start fetching you? At may sasakyan na ba siya? Hindi man lang nagpapaalam sa amin...” she snorted.
Bumagsak ang balikat ko. “Ma, ngayon niya lang naman ako susunduin. And yes, he finished his driving lessons already. He’s currently using his brother’s car.” Matuwid kong sagot.
“But still, hindi nagpaalam sa akin o sa papa mo.” Matigas niyang giit.
I prefer to stay silent after her words. Hindi ko na gugustuhing magkasagutan pa kami dito, and I didn’t know should take this a big deal. Usually, kapag tungkol kay Rhysand ay hinahayaan niya nalang kami. She has known him for quite a while, sometimes I feel like Rhysand already earn her trust. But now, I don’t why but I feel like she’s staring to doubt him for some reason.
Kinuha niya ulit ang mug niya sa lamesa at pinasadahan ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. She took a sip of her coffee before pointing at me from head to toe. “Anong ayos ‘yan? You don’t look like going to work or school. Saan kayo pupunta?”
Napaayos ako ng tayo. “Roadtrip lang po, ma… U-Unwind…” I was too shy to even mutter the word. Madalang ko lang ‘to sinasabi sa kanya dahil hindi ko naman ito ginagawa. It’s just Rhysand offered a treat and it’s hard to decline. Lalo pa’t kakabati lang namin.
I’m not wearing anything much. Simpleng dress lang at boots. It’s something I would wear typically, but I want to try this. Gusto ko rin namang magbihis ng… kakaiba naman bukod sa mga damit na parati ko nalang sinusuot.
“Unwind?” she slightly laughed, as if I said something funny. “Wala ka na bang ibang gagawin?”
“I’m done with my assignments, ma… Napatulog ko na rin po si Dian.”
“And your other sisters?”
“Gumagawa po sila ng mga projects…”
“Good.” She sighed and took another sip of her coffee. “Fine. Basta huwag kang lumampas ng curfew. You know the consequences for that. And please, magpaalam ka sa papa mo. Huwag kang bastos sa amin, Aria.” Utos niya bago ako tinalikuran.
I sighed before heading to the living room. Nilapitan ko si papa na nakaupo sa couch bago lalapit sana sa kanya nang tinaasan niya lang ako ng kamay. Hindi niya man lang ako tinitigan at sinenyasan nalang ako na umalis na. He then returned his hand on the newspaper his holding. Tinakpan na niya ang sarili niya roon bago pa man ako makaharap sa kanya.
I bit my lower lip. “A-Alis na po ako, pa…” Tanging sambit ko nalang at tumalikod na.
As a child, their small gestures actually hurt me. Kahit noong una pa man, alam ko na iba na ang pagpapalaki sa akin bilang panganay. Rhysand would say I was raised too harshly, but I would say I was just raised more disciplined than my sisters. Minsan nagtataka rin ako kung ano rason sa likod nun. Kung bakit ganito nalang ang pagtrato sakin ng mga magulang ko.
But I know, questioning my parents about that would do no good to me.
Nawala ang mga iniisip ko nang masilayan na ang sasakyan ni Rhysand sa labas. Mabilis gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi ko nang bumaba na ang bintana ng sasakyan niya. His arm immediately swung out the wind before I could see him. His wearing his sunglasses. Hindi ko na naanig ang pa kung ano ang suot niya dahil muli na siyang pumasok. Tumikhim ako bago nagsimula ng lumabas.
Bahagya ko nang binilisan pa ang paglalakad patungo sa gate at dali-dali na iyong binuksan. I suddenly felt so vulnerable again. Para akong bata na naninibago sa gagawin naming ito. Well… we never really do this. Ito ang beses na magro-roadtrip kami, so I guess this feeling is natural.
I closed the gate and turned towards his car. Pero nagulat nalang ako nang makita na siyang nakatayo na sa labas ng kanyang sasakyan. Nawala ang pagkakasandal niya roon ng makita ako at napatayo ng matuwid. He took off his sunglasses and stared at me for seconds. Ilang sandal pa’y napaawang ang bibig niya.
“Woah.”
Napahawak ako sa isang braso ko at dahan-dahang lumapit sa kanya. Pinagmasdan ko rin siya.
His wearing a black coat that almost reached his neck. Nakabutones ang ibabang bahagi ng coat niya at nakaitim na pantalon rin siya at puting tennis kagaya ng sa akin. He slowly pushed back the sleeves of his coat on his arms then leaned on the car again. Pinagtiklop niya ang braso niya habang nananatili pa rin ang titig sa akin.
Thereo’s this smirk on his lips now. Hindi ko na tuloy alam kung nanunuya ba siya o ano.
I smiled then held the braids of my hair. “Ganda ng ayos, ah?”
He slowly nodded. “Oo nga… ang ganda mo.”
Napahagalpak ako ng tawa at umiling-iling sa kanya. “First time kong tinali ang buhok ko ng ganito. Ayos lang ba? Hindi ba magulo?” tanong ko habang kinakapa ang pagkatali ng buhok ko.
He just stared at it for few seconds before his eyes lingered back to me. Dahan-dahang siyang umiling. "It looks fine to me..." Halos pabulong niyang sagot.
He loosened his folded arms on his chest before opening the door of his car. "Dahil mukhang handang-handa ka na rin naman, shall we?" Mas binuksan pa niya ang pintuan.
Hindi na rin ako makapaghintay at tuluyan nang pumasok. I can feel the unfading smile on my cheek as he walked towards the driver's seat. Wala akong ideya kung saan kami pupunta ngayon... At hindi na rin iyon mahalaga pa. All I can think of now is the idea that we're actually leaving.
"I'm glad your parents let you go. Akala ko magne-next time ka na naman..." He murmured beside me while starting the engine of the car.
Napahawak ako ng mahigpit sa seatbelt ko. "I finished my responsibilities early." Sagot ko nalang. I immediately felt his stares at me.
"Pati assignments?" Tanong niya.
Sinagot ko na lamang siya ng tango. Alam kong naninibago siya, kahit ako rin naman. I never finish my assignments early. Sobrang tagal kong tinatapos ang mga iyon, I don't want a single scratch on those, or erasures. May pagkaperfectionist, yes. It's just that I was raised with that attribute from my parents. Ayaw na ayaw nila may mga pagkakamali sa mga ginagawa nila.
Ngayon, parang natututunan ko ng hindi panindigan iyon.
"Okay." I heard him sighed. "Baka nagpapabaya ka na dahil dito, ah?"
I chuckled. "I'm not, Rhysand. Nag-adjust lang ako konti ng schedule." Sagot ko bago kinuha ang phone ko mula sa shoulder bag ko.
Bumilis agad ang tibok ng puso ko nang makita ang isang message mula kay Ashen.
Ashen Jayus Aphelion: see u tonight?
Napawi agad ang ngiti ko sa nabasa. As much as I want to say yes, unfortunately, gagabehin rin kami ng uwi ni Rhysand. I wanted to savor this roadtrip as much as I can too.
I was on the middle of typing when another message from him notified.
Ashen Jayus Aphelion: I have something for you too.
"H-Hoy!"
Rhysand suddenly snatched my phone. Pinasadahan niya muna iyon ng tingin habang nagmamaneho bago pinatay at binulsa. He glanced at me. "No texting for the day." He suddenly spoke as if it's a command from him.
Agad ko siyang kinunotan ng noo at pinagmasdan siya. He was on his phone too! Nagte-text rin naman siya habang nagda-drive. "That's not fair! Akin na 'yan! Ikaw nga 'tong araw-araw madaming katext, hindi naman kita pinagbabawalan, ah?" Reklamo ko at sinubukang abutin ang phone kong nasa bulsa ng coat niya.
"What? I don't text anyone, Aria." Depensa niya at binalik ang tingin sa daan. "Not anymore..."
"Can I just have my phone back, please?" I tried to ask nicely. Hindi pa rin niya ako sinagot at mukhang walang balak nang sumagot pa. Sa huli ay napabuntong-hininga nalang ako at napasandal pabalik sa pintuan.
I folded my arms and stared at the window. Ilang minuto ang lumipas at naramdaman ko na ang dahan-dahang pagbaba ng talupak ng mga mata ko. I almost for forgot how I almost didn't sleep well just to finish everything I have to do for this time.
"Aria..." Rhysand called softly.
Napalingon ako sa kanya. "Hmm?"
"I want to talk to your parents..." I heard him cleared his throat.
Natahimik ako. "Why? Tungkol saan?"
"I saw them got home last night. Nasa bahay sila ng ilang oras dahil nagkausap pa sila roon. Kinausap ako ng mama mo tungkol sa... tungkol sayo. And I think I sounded rude. I wanted to say sorry." His voice sounded disappointed.
Napaiwas nalang ako ng tingin sa kanya at humilig sa upuan. Kaya naman pala may pagdududa kanina sa mukha ni mama...
"What did she ask about me this time?" Tahimik na tanong ko sa kanya.
"About school and personal stuff..." Napansin ko ang gaspang sa boses niya. Napatingin ako sa kanya. Matalim lang ang tingin niyang nakatutok sa harapan.
"Personal stuff? Like what?" Tanong ko ulit. Why would she ask Rhysand about this? Pwede naman niyang tanungin sa akin ang mga ito, ah...
Napasinghap ako. I'm starting to think she's going beyond the boundaries. "I want to know, Rhy... A-Ano pa ang mga tinanong niya sayo? I'm so sorry for that..."
Umiling-iling siya. "I don't want to tell you, Aria." He pointed out. "It was all nonsense..."
"It's not nonsense to me if it's from my mother." Sagot ko pabalik at napabuntong-hininga. "Si mama nalang ang tatanungin ko tungkol diyan kung ayaw mong sabihin." I gave up asking him. If he said he wouldn't let me know, he definitely won't.
Sumandal ako sa bintana nang muling umusbong ang katahimikan sa pagitan namin. He turned on the stereo but I didn't get to enjoy the song. Masyado na akong nadadala ng antok. I still have no idea where he's taking me. Gaano ba siya katagal magmamaneho?
Halos bumigay na ang talupak ng mga mata ko nang maramdaman ko ang pagkapa ng kamay ni Rhysand sa kamay ko.
I turned to him at glance at his hand. Sinulyapan niya lang ako bago bahagyang napangiti. "Did you brought a swimsuit?"
Pakiramdam ko nawala ang antok ko sa tanong niya. Napabangon ako mula sa pagkakasandal sa upuan at nanlalaki ang mga matang tinitigan siya. "W-What?"
Mas lalo pang lumapad ang ngisi niya. "Swimsuit, Aria. Magre-resort tayo. I already paid for everything--"
"T-Teka, teka..." I raised both of my hands. "Why would you bring me to a resort? Akala ko ba roadtrip lang? If I knew, I could've brought my sisters with us!" Hindi ko alam kung ano ang iisipin. Bakit hindi niya sinabi? This would've been a great bonding for us!
Sumimangot ang mukha niya. "Aria, this is exclusively for the two of us only. I'm only paying for you." Bumaling siya sa akin. "So? Do you have a swimsuit?"
Pinukulan ko siya ng tingin. "I only have my undergarments with me, Rhysand."
Humagalpak siya ng tawa at napailing-iling. He leaned back on his seat. "Parang magbi-bikini ka na niyan..." He chuckled.
Ramdam ko ang pamumula ng pisngi ko ko bago siya hinarap. Tinampal ko ang balikat niya bago umupo pabalik. I folded my arms in dismay. I could've prepared for this way better! P-Pero kahit kailan... Hinding-hindi ako magbi-bikini. "Bikini mo mukha mo..." Bulong ko dala ng pagkairita. "How about you? May dala ka ba?"
Tumango siya ng may ngisi sa mukha. "Shorts lang." Tipid niyang sagot.
Biglang nag-init ang pisngi ko sa sagot niya. I saw how his smile instantly faded as well as if he just realized what he said. I looked away from him, trying not to picture out what he would look like later. H-Hindi ko pa siya nakikitang magswimming ng lubusan... We had our vacations but those were always with our families, which means this would be our first time na kaming dalawa lang.
I suddenly felt anxious. Parang mas lalo pang lumamig ang aircon sa loob ng sasakyan.
Tumikhim siya sa tabi ko. "I-I'll just buy you a swimsuit then..." He awkwardly muttered.
Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang tumango nalang.
Few hours passed and all was left between us was silence. Nawala na di ang antok ko matapos malaman kung saan kami papunta. I was anxious all throughout the ride as well and I don't why. Malakas ang kalabog ng dibdib ko at namamawis na rin ang mga kamay ko. I'm excited but at the same time nervous, and I have no idea why am I like this. Hindi ko rin alam kung ano ang sasabihin sa kanya dahil una sa lahat... B-Bakit kaming dalawa lang ang pupunta dito? At bakit siya gagastos ng ganito kalaki knowing that I can pay for myself?
P-Perhaps, this was his way of making up?
Tumigil ang sasakyan sa isang parking lot. Hindi ako pamilyar sa paligid ko at parang hindi ko na gustong alamin pa. I was left frozen on my seat even though the car's engine already died. Hindi rin gumalaw si Rhysand sa tabi ko at nanatili lang na nakaupo.
I can feel his stares at me. Bahagya akong napakurap bago lumingon sa kanya.
"W-What's this for?" My voice trembled upon asking. Biglaan nalang akong naging kabado. This feels... really inappropriate.
Binigyan niya lang ako ng makahulugan na ngiti bago sumagot.
"This is for us. For our... friendship."
***
-kimsyzygy