"Piker, saan po ba tayo pupunta? I'm still wearing my dress," I panicked as I realized na mukhang malayo ang pupuntahan namin.
"Basta," sambit niya. My sweats are already dripping yet Piker still has a fresh look. I frowned. Suot ko pa rin ang dress na binili pa ni Owi para sa sakin at mabato man ay dahan-dahan ang paghakbang ko, takot na marumihan ang bistida.
Piker was ahead of me but he slowly turned around while supporting me as he noticed that I was struggling to climb . Dahan-dahan niya akong hinila pataas habang pinipigilan ang multo ng ngiti. "Tara nga dito."
Piker is tall kaya naman ay walang kahirap-hirap siyang umakyat sa mababatong daan. Minutes passed after walking, tumigil siya and I think we are already here.
I quickly stopped when I saw what was in front of me. The sun rose above the horizon, and reflects its colors. From our point of view, we can actually see the whole province.
I looked at him, hindi na ako nagulat nang mapansin na sa akin siya nakatingin. His eyes speaks a lot of emotions na para bang pareho kami ng nararamdaman. I can even feel the rythmn of my heartbeat. Heto na naman siya, parang sasabog na.
"Happy birthday, Miliwinkle," his low voice echoed. I smiled. "Salamat, Piker."
I turned my back at him, hindi ko na kayang titigan pa siya ng matagal. Noong una ay litong lito pa ako kung ano nga ba at bakit ko 'to nararamdaman. I feel like I am too young to experience these kind of feelings.
I don't want to be reckless.
The sun was finally setting down. People may have different connotations to the word 'sunset', it may be farewell, pagtatapos, o pahimakas, but for me it's something special. I find sunset beautiful even it means something to others.
"I don't want to do this in front of the sunset, but on the other hand I want to give that word a new meaning," I heard him. I bit my lower lip. "Mili, tingin ka naman sa'kin, oh. Nangangatal na ako dito."
I chuckled and finally face him. He look so nervous, kanina pa niyang paulit-ulit na inayos ang buhok, his dimples were showing as he also bit his lower lip.
Piker Timotheo is indeed nervous.
"Nang-aasar ka na, e."
"Wala po akong sinasabi," I frowned.
Matagal pa bago siya kumilos, he slowly get something from his pants. A daisy bracelet. A crochet bracelets. Inabot niya ang braso ko, I smiled when his hand touch mine. "Ikaw pa dati ang nagturo sa akin kung paano mag-crochet..."
Kumunot ang noo ko.
"I never fail to memorize your words, hanggang ngayon saulado ko pa rin 'yung steps kung paano gumawa nito." He slowly put he bracelet in my wrist. "Mili... "
"I like you since we were six years old.."
"Ano ba 'yan, bata-bata pa may gusto na." He then chuckled after his monologue. After that, kinuha ko ang kapareha niyon at isinuot din sa kanyang kamay.
"Piker,"
"Hmm?"
"I think I need more sunsets in my life," I whispered as I stared directly at his eyes.
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