Rod's POV
Rod: I love you so much! Thank you Ms. Chavez (his tears continues to fall)
____
I woke up because of mom. She threw pillows on my face. Magsasalita sana ako but she speak up.
Mommy Emilia: Hoy Roderick! Alam mo bang natakot ako ha? Bakit ka ba umiiyak? Kung ano anong mga pinagsasabi mo!
When mom tell those words, I held my face. Totoo nga!
Mommy Emilia: Tinatanong kita! Bakit ka umiiyak?
Rod: What the heck!It's just a dream?!
Mommy Emilia: Ahuh! You keep on saying Ms. Chavez anak. Why ba?
Rod: Napanaginipan kong sinagot na niya ako mom (then smile as his tears slowly fall but he wiped it right way.) It felt so real. Sana hindi na ako nagising
Mommy Emilia: Roderick ha! Ikaw kung ano anong pinagsasabi mo, gusto mong mawalan ako ng anak?
While mom telling those words, I sit on the bed and sigh deeply.
Rod: Can't believe na panaginip lang yun mom.
Mommy Emilia: Ayan kakaisip mo sa Lizzy mo, napapanaginipan mo na tuloy.
Rod: Sana nga napapanaginipan niya din ako mom eh (then smile)
Mommy Emilia: Wait, I heard sabi mo Barcelona. So nagbago na ba isip mo? Tatanggapin mo na ba yung offer ng tito mo?
Rod: Hindi po! (Then stood up)
Mommy Emilia: Oh okay. Basta sabihan mo kami agad ng daddy mo if ever na ...... you know maisipan mo na doon nalang muna magtrabaho.
Rod: Salamat mom pero hindi po talaga (then gave a quick hug to his mom)
Mommy Emilia: Oh siya sige, bumaba ka na ha? Kumain ka na dahil anong oras na.
Rod: Huh? Maaga pa na— (didn't finish his words cuz Emilia speak up)
Mommy Emilia: Jusko Roderick! Maaga pa ba ang 9am?! (Crossed her arms)
Rod: Huh? (Shocked)
Mommy Emilia: Anong huh? Bumaba ka na okay? I'll wait for you downstairs.
Rod: okay mom.
Mom just smile and went out of my room. I look at the clock and yes! It's already 9 na pala. I sit on the couch for a while then inalala ko yung panaginip na yun. "God! Panaginip lang pala?! Hayst! Akala ko naman tapos na paghihintay ko." I just sigh deeply and reached for my phone. As I open it, I saw a message from Imee so a smile automatically formed on my face. " Akalain mo nga naman oh, parang kagabi lang hiniling ko to ah. Ang lakas ko talaga sayo lord!"
From Imee:
Good Morning, Architect😅
Sorry I wasn't be able to reply na kagabi kasi maaga akong nakatulog.
"Ang sarap pala sa feeling kapag bumati sayo yung taong mahal mo. Sana bukas ulit HAHAHA". I immediately do my morning routine and pagkatapos non instead of sending Lizzy a message, tinawagan ko nalang. I called her twice but she didn't answer. After a couple of minutes, I tried to call her again for the last time. As she answered the call, she's outside. She's wearing all black and tie her hair up. Nagtaka ako bigla so I ask her.
*Facetime
Rod: Nasa'n ka?
Imee: I'm here sa cafe (then smile)
Rod: W-why? I-I mean what did you do?
Imee: Nag jogging lang ako kasi matagal na din nung last ko tong ginawa besides wala naman akong gagawin for today.
When I hear those words, nagtaka na ako. Parang nangyayari yung panaginip ko ah.
Rod: So you're not busy? Is it okay if I ask you out on a date?
Imee: Date?
Rod: Yah, minsan ka lang hindi busy eh. Para naman makapagrelax ka (then smile)
Imee: Saan ba tayo pupunta?
Rod: What if pumunta tayo sa Beach Resort niyo?
Imee: Huwag doon Rod.
Rod: Why? Bakit naman hindi?
Imee: Malayo at ayoko dahil mainit.
Rod: Oh okay. What about movie date? Manood tayo ng sine.
Imee: Sine?
Rod: Yes. Hindi pa natin nagagawa yun diba? So I'll fetch you around 1pm?
Imee: O-okay.
Rod: Oh by the way, Good morning Lizzy (then smile) Sorry late ako nakagising eh......You know what, first time mo bumati sakin kaya sana baka pwede bukas ulit? (Then laugh slightly) Oh hindi kita pinipilit ha, kung pwede Lang naman. Kung ayaw mo, okay lang din.
Imee just smile and didn't utter any words.
Rod: Umuwi ka na, okay? Wag kang tumambay jan. Mag-isa mo right? Hindi maganda yung lumalabas ka ng mag-isa.
Imee: Later, ubusin ko lang toh (show the bread and drinks)
"Bread and drinks?! Eh yan yung napanaginipan ko eh. Nagkakatotoo nga! Jusko lord, ibigay mo na sakin toh! Sana mamaya sagutin na ako ni Lizzy (in his mind)" Imee noticed the parang kinakausap ko ang sarili ko so she speak up.
Imee: Hey! Are you okay?
Rod: Y-yah.
Imee: I'll hang up na.
Rod: Okay. See you later, love.
Imee: Love?!
Rod: Yes love?
Imee: Tsk!
Rod: Biro lang.
After saying that words, she just laugh slightly then ended the call. "Una, nag-exercise. Pangalawa, naka-all black and tie her hair up. Pangatlo, nasa cafe. Pang-apat, bread and drinks! So is this a sign na mangyayari ngayon yung panaginip ko?!" I was distract cuz one of our helper knocked the door.
Rod: Pasok po.
Manang: Anak, pinapatawag ka ng mommy mo. Mag-breakfast ka na daw.
Rod: Sige po Manang, sunod na po ako. Salamat.
As Manang went out of my room, inilapag ko na ang phone ko then go downstairs. I saw mom watering the plants. Yes! She's a certified plantita. We even have plants dito sa loob ng bahay eh. Pero okay na din, may pakinabang naman sakin eh HAHAHAH.
I immediately head to the dining room and eat my breakfast. It took me 30 minutes para kumain then bumalik na ako agad sa kwarto. I remember, natapos ko na pala yung sketch na ginawa ko so pwede ko na ibigay kay Lizzy mamaya. I get the sketch and put it in a frame. Wala akong makitang lalagyan kaya wag na.
Around 11pm, nauna na akong kumain ng lunch para makaligo at makapagbihis na. I chose black plain shirt and dark pants paired with white sneakers. Nagsuot na din ako ng jacket kasi for sure malamig sa cinema mamaya.
Around 12:15pm nagpaalam na ako kay mom, she told me na wag magpapagabi pero bahala na ulit, bahala ng mapagalitan HAHAHAH. At exactly 12:50pm, nakarating na ako sa bahay nila Imee. Pinapasok ako ng isa sa mga helper nila and as I enter their house, I saw her mom at the pool area. Busy doing some paperworks again, I guess. Nung makita niya ako, lumapit siya agad.
Rod: Good afternoon po Atty. Chavez (then smile)
Mommy Maddison: Good afternoon din. What brings you here?
Rod: Ahm, lalabas po kasi kami ni Lizzy ngayon.
Mommy Maddison: Oh okay.
Rod: Yun ay kung okay lang po sa inyo.
Mommy Maddison: Wala namang problema sakin as long as gusto ka niyang kasama iho. Besides napapansin ko she's stress this past few days so she deserve to have a break.
Rod: Palagi po bang masungit?
Mommy Maddison: Yes! (Then laugh)
Rod: Wag po kayong mag-alala tita, I'm always here for Lizzy. Ako pong bahala sa anak niyo (then smile)
Mommy Maddison: Thank you iho (smile back) Oh pano, I'll excuse myself na ha? Ang dami ko pang kailangang tapusin. You guys should enjoy okay? Have fun.
Rod: Sige po tita.
As her mom left, umupo na muna ako. After a couple of minutes, bumaba na din si Imee so I stood up. Napangiti ako agad cuz she's wearing white sleeve shirt and pants pero yun nga lang paired with white sneakers na. Kinakabahan talaga ako, what if magkatotoo nga? Like, ang dami ng pangyayari na pareho sa panaginip ko.
Imee: Are you okay? (Confused)
Rod: Y-yah. So let's go?
Imee: Sure (then smile)
I just smile then nagpaalam na kami kay tita. I was about to open the car door but her phone ring. She show me the caller's name, it's Gab. Surprisingly she reject the call so I speak up.
Rod: W-why? Ba-bakit hindi mo sinagot?
Imee: Pipiliin kita ngayon.
After Imee tell those words, sumakay na agad siya ng kotse samantalang ako gulat na gulat pa din.
Imee: Ako na ba magdridrive? Ang tagal mo (then rolled her)
As she rolled her eyes, sumakay na ako agad sa sasakyan. Mahirap na baka magsungit na naman siya, ang ending hindi na kami makalabas. It took us 30 minutes to reach the Mall.
Imee's POV
We're now at the cinema. Ako na namimili ng panonoorin namin kasi kapag siya, sigurado ako puro romance o lovestory pipiliin niya. Tsk!
Rod: Nakapili ka na?
Imee: Ahm, parang gusto ko tong Escape Room.
Rod: Ayoko niyan, Lizzy. Nakakatakot yan.
Imee: So?
Rod: Pili ka nalang ng iba.
Imee: What about this The 8th Night. Parang maganda naman, pero mas gusto ko tong No One Gets Out Alive. Kasi you know what, I already watched the trailer of this movie.
Rod: No One Gets Out Alive? Jusko! Baka tayo ang hindi makalabas niyan. Madami namang iba jan.....Yung hindi nalang nakakatakot, please?
Imee: Teka nga, natatakot ka ba?
Rod: Ako? Natatakot? Hindi ah.
Imee: Oh eh bakit ayaw mo?
Rod: Ka-kasi ikaw lang inaalala ko. Baka bigla kang ma—(didn't finish his words cuz Imee speak up)
Imee: Sus! Let's go na!
I held his hand then pumunta na kami para bumili ng ticket. It took us 7 minutes dahil medyo mahaba ang pila. We are now sitting at the 10th row. Ayoko sa harap, masyadong malapit at masakit din sa mata. Rod excuse himself for a while cuz he need to use the restroom daw. Tsk! Hindi pa nga nagsisimula, naiihi na agad sa takot! HAHAHA The movie were about to start buti nalang dumating na siya. As he sit beside me, may dala na siyang pagkain.
Rod: Popcorn?
Imee: Thanks (then smile)
Rod: Itong inumin mo, saan ko ilalagay?
Imee: Hawakan mo lang (then eat some popcorn)
Rod: Huh? O-okay.
After Rod say okay, I laugh. Talaga tong lalaking toh Kahit kelan. Okay nalang ng okay eh.
Rod: Why?
Imee. Anong okay? Joke lang! Ikaw uto-uto ka talaga kahit kelan. Lahat nalang ng sasabihin ko okay sayo, pwede tumanggi ka naman kahit minsan lang? (then get her drinks to Rod)
Rod: Sayo lang naman ako uto-uto (then wink)
I just gave him a smirk then focus on the movie. Nasa kalagitnaan na ang pelikula and all people were screaming. Like, Duh! Hindi naman masyadong nakakatakot eh. I look at Rod and natawa ako kasi takip na takip siya sa mukha niya using his handkerchief so lumapit ako ng kaunti then agad kong inalis yun.
Imee: Huli! Takot ka pala (then laugh)
Rod: O-ofcourse not!
Imee: Sus! Then why you cover your face kung hindi ka takot?
He was about to speak pero sakto namang narinig niya yung suspense sound that made all people scream so napayakap siya sakin.
Rod: Tatapusin ba talaga natin yan? (Still hugs Imee)
Imee: Oo (inalis ang pagkakayakap sa kanya ni Rod) Sabi ko na eh, natatakot ka! (Then laugh)
Rod: Oo na. Wait, malamig dito (remove his jacket) Wear this.
Imee: Hindi na.
Rod: Isusuot mo o yaya—(didn't finish his words cuz Imee speak up)
Imee: Oo na, Ito na.
We were shock cuz someone speak mula sa likod namin.
Girl: Shhh! Ang iingay niyo. Kung hindi kayo titigil, lumabas nalang kayo. Kanina pa kayo eh (then rolled her eye)
Rod and I didn't utter anywords. Nagtinginan lang kami and sabay na natawa. He came closer to me and whispered.
Rod: Matutulog nalang ako.
After Rod tell those words, he rest his head on my shoulder. I was about to speak but he said "Please" so hinayaan ko na. The movie ended around 3:45pm. We we're now walking palabas ng cinema.
Rod: Ang ganda ng movie noh?
Imee: Tsk! Anong maganda? Tinulugan mo nga eh.
He just laugh then bigla niya akong hinila papunta sa Blue Magic. This store sells different teddy bears.
Imee: Anong ginagawa natin dito?
Rod: Anong gusto mo?
Tinignan ko ang mga price, nagulat ako cuz it's so expensive.
Imee: W-wala.
Rod: C'mon Lizzy, tell me. Gusto mo toh? (Get the blue teddy bear)
Imee: Tignan mo ang presyo niyan, napakamahal. Wag na!
Rod: Eh ano naman? Mahal ko naman pagbibigyan ko nito eh.
I just gave him a serious face then hinila ko na siya palabas ng store.
Rod: Why?
Imee: Don't spend too much nang dahil lang kasama mo ako, okay? Hindi naman kailangan eh.
After saying those words, he just smile and bigla siyang naglakad papalapit sa akin. May inabot siya sa likod ko then show me 3 roses. I was shocked cuz I don't know kung saan nanggaling yun. As I turned around, nasa harap pala kami ng flower shop so I faced him and accept the roses.
Imee: Thank you.
Rod: Wait here, babayaran ko lang yan.
I just nod as reply. It took him 5 minutes to pay for the roses then after that namasyal na kami. Kung saan-saang store kami pumunta, we're like mga bata na ngayon lang nakapunta sa Mall HAHAHA. Well I admit, I'm comfortable being with him and higit sa lahat, masaya ako tuwing kasama ko siya. I feel safe and secured at the same time.
Around 5pm we've decided na kumain ng meryenda cuz I'm starving. While eating he keep on telling me about his funny memories he had noong bata pa siya. Well, tama naman siya, mahirap talaga kapag iisang anak ka lang. Kung ano ano talagang nagagawa mo just to keep yourself happy and para hindi mo maramdaman na mag-isa ka. Habang nagkukwento siya, nakatingin lang ako sa kanya habang nakangiti and said " God, if this is the right time to say yes? Please give me a sign (in her mind)" After a couple of minutes, the girl who's sitting from the other table said "Say yes!". I just smile and look directly into Rod's eye.
Rod: Tapos ka na kumain?
Imee: Yah.
He ask for the bill then paid for it right away. We're now inside the car, he turned on the aircon dahil mainit. While tying my hair, he handed me a sketch with a frame na din. As I saw it, I breathe heavily.
Rod: W-why? Hindi mo ba nagustuhan?
Imee: No.
Rod: Huh? So-sorry. Ah palitan ko nalang, gagawa nalang ako ulit (smile forcely)
He was about to get his sketch but I speak up.
Imee: I love it Mr. Laurel, ang ganda. Thank you. (then faced Rod) Alam mo, you don't have to do this naman eh.......Dahil sa ginagawa mo, feeling ko nagiging sobrang unfair ko na sayo.
Rod: Unfair? Ofcourse not. Wag mong sabihin yan, okay? Kahit kelan hindi ka naging unfair. Mahal kita and I will do everything just to prove to you how much I love you. I know it's been a year and 6 months since I started courting you pero it doesn't matter naman eh. Always remember that this future Architect named Rod Laurel infront of you will always wait for his future Doctor named Imee Chavez, no matter how long it takes (then smile)
Imee: You think I should end today?
Rod: Huh? E-End what?
Imee: Rod you've waited long enough and I think today is the right ti—
I didn't finish my words cuz my phone ring. I immediately checked the caller's name and it's kuya so I answered it right away.
*on call
Imee: Yes kuya?
Anthony: Lizzy, Dad wants to talk to you. Umuwi ka na, right now.
Imee: O-okay kuya.
Kuya ended the call. Kinabahan ako bigla so sinabihan ko si Rod na ihatid na ako pauwi. Around 6:45pm, I got home. As I enter our house nasa living room si Dad while reading a newspaper so I walk towards him then gave a cheek kiss.
Imee: Dad?
Daddy Edward: Good thing you're home Ivy.
Imee: Gusto niyo daw po akong makausap? About saan po dad?
Daddy Edward: Magbihis ka muna. Let's talk nalang while having dinner.
Imee: Okay dad.
While heading to my room, iniisip ko kung may nagawa ba akong mali or kung may kasalanan ba ako cuz he called me Ivy. I know all of them, whenever they call me Ivy kasi that means galit o seryoso sila. To be honest, medyo kinakabahan ako. Nang makarating ako sa kwarto, I immediately took a shower then nagpalit muna ako ng comfy clothes. Mamaya na ako magpapalit ng pantulog, maaga pa naman. Around 7:30pm someone knocked the door.
Imee: Come in.
Anthony: Lizzy, let's eat dinner na.
Imee: Sige kuya, susunod po ako.
Kuya nodded then leave. After a couple of minutes, sumunod na din ako. Habang papalapit ako, mom and kuya smiled at me while si dad naman kumakain na.
*While eating
Mommy Maddison: Kamusta araw mo anak? (Referring to Imee)
Imee: Okay lang naman po mom. I had fun (then smile)
Daddy Edward: Ivy, your grades has been sent to me through email.
Mommy Maddison: Anak is there something wrong?
Imee: Wa-Wala naman po. Why?
Daddy Edward: Kung wala eh bakit bumaba ang grado mo?
Anthony: Pe-perhaps mahirap talaga dad, diba Liz?
Daddy Edward: Hindi ikaw ang kinakausap ko Anthony.
Imee: Sorry dad, there are some subjects kasi na mahirap talaga.
Daddy Edward: Mahirap? Walang mahirap kapag nag-aaral ka talaga ng mabuti.
Mommy Maddison: Hon?
Imee: So-sorry dad. I promise, it won't happen again.
Daddy Edward: Dapat lang.
Mommy Maddison: Edward, please stop.
Daddy Edward: From now on, you better get rid of anything that distracts you Ivy. You must focus on your studies before anything else, understood?
Imee: Yes dad.
It took us 30 minutes to finish our dinner then after that pumunta na ako agad sa kwarto. I am now lying on the bed while facing the ceiling. I immediately got up cuz someone knocked the door.
Imee: Come in.
Mommy Maddison: Can we talk?
Imee: ofcourse mom.
Mommy Maddison: About your dad kanina, don't mind him okay? Wag mo masyadong isipin yun.
Imee: Okay lang po mom besides tama naman po si daddy. Walang mahirap kapag nag-aaral ka talaga ng mabuti (smile forcedly)
Mommy Maddison: Sus! Ikaw talaga (then sit beside Imee) Maiba ako, kamusta naman yung lakad niyo ni Rod?
Imee: Ayos lang naman mom. He gave me that sketch again (pointed the frame)
Mommy Maddison: So sweet, sagutin mo na kaya anak? Ano bang kasing pumipigil sayo?
Imee: Well, I was about to say yes kanina mom kaso tumawag si kuya eh.
Mommy Maddison: Really? (Smiling)
Imee: Yes mom and siguro nakabuti na din na hindi natuloy kasi baka lalo lang po magalit sa akin si Dad. Baka sisihin pa niya si Rod kung bakit bumaba ang grades ko.
Mommy Maddison: Anak, don't say that. Hindi galit sayo ang daddy mo, okay? Nabigla lang siguro siya kaya niya nasabi yun.
Imee: Tama naman po si Dad. Kailangan ko ng umiwas sa lahat ng distractions. I should prioritise my studies before anything....... or anyone.
Mom didn't utter any words, she just hugged me tight. I can feel my tears fall so I wiped it right away. Medyo galit ako sa sarili ko cuz my number one rule is no disappointments and yet nagawa ko na. Kailangan kong bumawi sa kanila lalong lalo na kay Dad.
As mom left, my phone ring. I checked the caller's name and it's Rod. I didn't answer, hinayaan ko nalang hanggang sa ibaba niya ito and said "Sorry".
____________________________________