"Court me," she whispered, her arms still around my neck, her gaze locking onto mine. Her legs were resting on my lap. Her unexpected words made my heart race, and I could feel my cheeks heating up.
"Mercedez!?" Her voice pulled me out of my daze, and I looked at her again, feeling a mix of nerves and happiness. I couldn't quite comprehend the situation when she said that.
"Ma-ma'am... A-are you sure?" I stammered.
"You don't want? Fine! Get out!" sigaw niya ulit at pilit inaalis ang kamay ko na nakabalot sa waist niya.
"I mean... you're letting me?" pagpipigil ko sa kanya. Parang naghahasik na kasi ng lagim mga mata niya.
"What? You didn't hear me earlier? Do I have to repeat myself?" she exclaimed in frustration. I couldn't help but laugh at her reaction.
"It's not that..." I began, still chuckling. "I know, but I'm just trying to process if this is real."
"I'm letting you."
I held her even closer, pulling her body against mine. "It's as if God has granted me the chance to court one of his angels," I remarked.
Inikot niya ang mata sakin pero nakita kong namumula ang mukha niya sabay iniwas ang mukha sakin.
"Kiss?"
"No."
I pulled her closer again, tumingin siya sakin na naiirita but when I lean my face again to ask a kiss - dahan-dahan niya namang sinalubong ang mga labi ko.
Bibigay naman pala.
"Move," utos niya sakin. Mukhang aalis na kami.
Mabilis naman akong umalis sa kinauupuan ko at inayos niya ang upo sa driver's seat.
"Saan tayo pupunta, ma'am?" tanong ko sa kanya nang pinaandar na niya ang makina.
"Don't ask." Tipid na sagot nito.
We journeyed to a distant and almost rural location, a town-like place. It's a destination that promises tranquility. I couldn't help but smile as she held my hand throughout the journey, hawak niya ang isang kamay ko while her other hand is maneuvering the wheel and eventually, we arrived at a beautiful, spacious house situated in the heart of a large forest park.
Lumabas kaming dalawa sa kotse niya at naglakad papunta sa loob. Payapa akong tumitingin sa paligid, mahangin, masarap sa pakiramdam.
"Arf!" biglang tahol ng aso kaya napatingin ako sa may pintuan.
Ayan na naman ang aso niya, patakbong pumunta sa kanya at saka tumalon-talon.
"Laylaaa," she calls her dog while she's rubbing its cheek.
Pinanood ko siyang masayang masaya sa pagtatahol ng aso niya, umupo pa siya para suklayin ang buhok nito gamit ang kamay niya. She moved her head pagkakuway tumingin sakin.
"Layla?" malambing na tawag niya sa aso.
Halos lumipad na ang puso ko nang sabihin niya ʼyon.
Tumahol naman ang aso while wiggling its tail.
"This is ate Frey," pagpapakilala niya sakin sa aso. She's too cute, I can't.
The dog then run towards me tapos nagtakbo-takbo sa paanan ko. Umupo ako to rub the dog's hair nang biglang dinilaan ng aso ang mukha ko sabay napatumba ako.
"Layla!" natatawang tawag niya sa aso, tumingin siya sakin, "Don't worry she's not dirty, it's just she likes you that's why she's excited."
"It's okay, ang cute niya." I replied while chuckling.
Layla, her dog, is brimming with excitement. She showers me with affection by licking my face and nuzzling against me. Layla appears to be thoroughly enjoying our company, tirelessly running around. She dashes away into the distance only to come bounding back to us, creating an atmosphere of pure joy. Our faces remain adorned with smiles as we exchange glances, occasionally turning our attention to the exuberant dog.
"Rhea, miss?" a man spoke behind us.
Lumingon kami sa likod at lumabas si Mang Damian na may dalang prutas.
"Magandang umaga po, Mang Damian." Bati ko dito.
"Magandang umaga din po," sabay iniyiko niya ang ulo niya.
"Ano pong ginagawa niyo dito, Miss Rhea?"
Oo nga, anong ginagawa namin dito? Kakaalis lang nila Mang Damian kanina galing sa mansion niya at wala akong alam kung bakit niya ako dinala dito.
"Is my preferred picnic spot clean, Mang Damian?" She inquired.
"Yes, miss," Mang Damian responded.
"I came here with Jael because I needed some peace of mind. I've missed this place," she mentioned.
There was something in her eyes and expression.
Favorite picnic spot?
"Inalagaan po namin miss kasi alam naming importante sa inyo ang spot na yon," Mang Damian added with a smile.
Important? With whom?
"Please arrange the materials for the picnic. Soft and hard fabrics for the grass, fruits, food - you know the drill," she instructed.
"We will have a picnic?" mausisa kong tanong sa kanya. Tumingin siya sakin, tinaas ang kilay pero ngumiti.
"Yes, let's get inside first." She said, she holds my hand firmly and guided me inside.
We entered a spacious house together. The place was adorned with antique items and adorned with paintings by various artists. One painting that particularly caught my attention was by my favorite artist, Van Gogh. As I wandered around, my gaze settled on a picture displayed in a corner - the picture stood alone, featuring two people.
"Are you enjoying yourself here?" she asked.
I nodded in response, but my attention remained on the nearby picture.
"I'll go check on Manang Cecil. Do you want to join me?" she inquired.
"Dito lang ako," I replied with a smile. Ngumiti siya at pagkakuway umalis na para pumunta sa kung saan man sa parte ng bahay na to.
Tiningnan ko ulit ang imahe na nakita ko kanina. Taking a step closer to the it, its details gradually became clearer. The image was slightly aged but well-maintained, revealing a clear scene.
Upon closer inspection, I realized that one of the individuals in the picture was her. Her smile was sincere and heartfelt, while the other person was also smiling beside her.
Napatingin ako sa baba to gather my thoughts, realizing that the person in the picture might no longer be present, wala na. A sense of sadness enveloped me.
Could this be the reason for her cold and reserved demeanor? Could this past event have shaped her personality?
In the picture, she appeared youthful and carefree, accompanied by a person whose image was prominently displayed in her mansion. Ito din ang nasa picture niya sa mansion.
Ano ba ang tinatago niya?
Curious pero wala akong magawa. Her sudden presence startled me, she's in my back.
"Manang Cecil is already preparing our needs, let's head first." She said, wrapping her arms from my back.
"Hindi mo ba ako ipapakilala?" I asked, caressing her hand.
"I'll introduce you to her, of course." She answered,
"Come with me."
Kinuyog niya ako palabas ng bahay at lumiko kami sa isang daan papunta sa likod nito. Simple lang ang labas ng bahay, sa likod nito sobrang linis. Sumusunod naman samin si Layla - aso niya habang naglalaro ito at patalon-talon sa mga lantang dahon at nilalaro ang mga paru-paru.
Hawak niya ang kamay ko, nakarating kami sa medyo malawak na spot, nasa gitna ng forest nila. Malapit lang ito sa likod ng bahay pero hindi mo matantong sobrang linis, sa hindi kalayuan din ay may lawa at mga puno na magaganda. May duyan din na pwede mong sakyan habang nakamasid ka sa lawa sakay ng duyan.
"Kanino galing si Layla?" tanong ko sa kanya nang nakarating na kami sa isang spot. May nakalatag na ditong fabric at may unan din. A perfect spot for a date, I guess.
"She's from my - a person that is so important to me. Layla was a puppy back then." She stated. Umupo siya sa fabric resting her lap then she's tapping it, she wants me to lay down.
I slowly sat besides her at dahan-dahang humiga sa lap niya, staring her face while she's caressing my hair. Curious pa rin ako sa sasabihin niya.
"She was a puppy then?" I asked.
"She was a puppy when she was given to me. I don't like dogs but that person insisted and gave Layla to me as a birthday gift." Seryoso niyang sagot sakin.
"Hmm..." I hummed.
"When the person who gave me Layla left, vanished from my life, I was..." Her voice trembled.
Her words caught me off guard, prompting me to gently stroke her hand and place a kiss on it.
"T-that person is gone, and the o-only thing that holds the memories of them is Layla. Layla carries our memory. She's the living reminder of that person. She's the only one left with me." Tears welled up in her eyes as she continued speaking.
Mabilis akong bumangon at niyakap siya. Her sadness struck a cord on my body. As I've said, hindi ko kayang makita siyang umiiyak.
"I'm sorry for asking..." I apologized while rubbing her back, hugging her.
Niyakap ko siya ng mahigpit. Sobrang higpit. For her to find solace and peace on me. That this hug is a great reminder of her na nandito na ako, she don't have to be sad and distant.
"Andito ako, palagi."
She slowly lift her arms at niyakap na rin ako nang mahigpit.
"Thank you, Jael. In you, I always found peace." She muttered.
Upon hearing her heartfelt words, I closed my eyes and held her in a warm embrace. Her words resonated deeply within me, knowing that I had become a source of comfort and solace for her.
"I'll always be here," I whispered softly. We released each other from our embrace, our eyes locking in a meaningful gaze. Slowly, our faces drew closer until our lips met in a tender and intimate kiss.
May dumating na hindi katandaang babae, kaedad ni Mang Damian. Buti nalang at tapos na siyang umiyak.
"Miss Rhea, ito na po ang mga pagkain." Sabi nito sabay lagay ng mga pagkain sa fabric.
"Tulungan ko na po kayo," sabay tayo ko at tinulungan ang matanda.
"Salamat Hija, sino po sila?" tanong nito.
"I'm her ano po... stu-
"She's my manliligaw po manang," agad na putol niya sa sasabihin ko.
Bigla akong napatingin sa kanya, binoom bastic side eye ko siya.
"What? Isn't that true? You're my suitor." She said rolling her eyes at me.
[Freyja]
Kapal mo nga kanina, ikaw lang naman nag-utos sakin na liligawan kita.
[Rhea]
So you will not court me if I didn't?
[Freyja]
Liligawan pa rin. Ikaw na yan e.
Napatingin naman sakin ang matanda at saka ngumiti.
"Kagwapo namang bata ari." Natatawang sambit nito.
"Babae po ako," sagot ko dito. Bahagya naman siyang natawa sa narinig mula sa matanda.
"Alam ko ineng. Maganda na gwapo, alam mo ʼyon?" Natatawang sagot nito ulit.
Bahagya akong natawa at kinilig sa sinabi niya. Alam ko po manang, wag niyo na po ipamukha.
Manang may hugasin po ba kayo? Ako na po ang maghuhugas.
"Siguro maraming nagkakandarapa na babae sa iyo at lalaki, ineng." Manang Cecil admitted.
"Manang." Biglang tawag ng isa, her voice is cold. Sobrang lamig, nakakakilabot.
Ayan na nga ang sinasabi ko.
"Aalis na ako at may gagawin pa ako. Magsaya kayo ni Miss Rhea dito hija." Kinakabahan nitong sabi sabay umalis.
"Argh" she groaned. Tiningnan ko naman siya agad matapos umupo ulit. Iniwas niya ang tingin niya sakin at tumalikod.
Puzzled by her actio again, kumuha ako ng cupcake para isubo sa kanya pero iniwasan niya ulit ito.
"I don't want that." She firmly said.
"Kiss ko nalang?" natatawang sabi ko.
"No." She answered.
Hindi ko na naman siya ulit maintindihan. Kanina lang nasa mood pa siya ngayon wala na naman.
"Why?"
Nakatalikod pa rin siya sakin habang nakaupo, nakamasid sa lawa.
"Why don't you let your girls eat that and kiss them?" Her voice is cold again, tone is icy.
Napatawa ako sa sinabi niya. Si Manang Cecil talaga.
"Joke lang naman ng matanda ʼyon, ma'am." Natatawang sambit ko.
"Joke or not, I'd still hate it!" Galit na sa sigaw niya.
"I know. Sinabi ko na sayo diba?" Binalot ko siya ng yakap, a back hug.
"What?"
"I'm yours forever."
I kissed her ear temple. Bahagya namang nagbago ang aura niya.
"You better be."
"I promise."
She allowed me to hold her close, and together we absorbed the freshness of the air while basking in each other's warmth. My head found a resting place on her shoulder as I continued to embrace her. Amid the silence, a thought surfaced in my mind.
"Bakit mo ako tinatawag as Jael? Bakit Jael?"
"Many people refer to you by your name Vivien, Samonte, and others at the university. I wanted something special for you, a unique nickname just between us. That's why I chose to call you Jael. It's endearing and seems to fit you perfectly. I didn't want to use a name that anyone else calls you. I wanted something that's just mine," she explained, sealing her words with a gentle kiss on my hand.
"I'm not satisfied with your answer." I replied.
"You're unbelievable. I'm your professor so you should be satisfied with that." She retorted.
"I'm your student and you should make me praise you by your answer." I countered.
Huminga siya nang malalim with a hint of irritation.
"You're my student and you should not ask me something that is beyond that."
"I'm your suitor, your lover sooner and your future wife." I said, causing her to stop from her track.
"Fine!" she groaned again.
I can't help but to laugh at her strict demeanor.
"I got that nickname from your name, you know. Freyja Elie. I combined the 'Ja' from 'Freyja' and the 'El' from 'Elie' to create something unique for you," she admitted, her face slightly hidden in her hands due to embarrassment.
"It sounds like you're marking me," I remarked playfully, enjoying teasing her.
"Marking you? What? You're mine in the first place, Jael. You're mine," she exclaimed with a mix of exasperation and affection.
I couldn't help but laugh at her sudden declaration. Her embarrassment only made her more endearing, and her straightforward way of expressing her feelings warmed my heart.
"Right from the beginning, you had your eyes on me?" I continued to tease.
"I don't know. It's as if there's a magnetic pull drawing me closer to you. Something that refuses to let us be apart. And as time went on, I found myself growing attached to you. I realized that I felt safe and secure when I was with you," she confessed softly, her voice carrying a depth of emotion.
"What about Sir Montejo?"
Natigilan kaming dalawa sa sinabi ko. She sighed in frustration.
"I don't like him. He's just a mere toy."
"Pinaglalaruan mo lang ba siya dahil sakin?" I asked.
"It's not that, Jael. Everything has a reason. You will know it soon."
"I want to know it now."
"This is not the right time."
"Kailan?"
Her response was wordless, but she gently untangled my arms from around her waist and turned to face me. Holding my face in her hands, she looked into my eyes with a serious expression.
"I want you to promise me something," she said earnestly. "If you ever hear or see anything that could come between us, don't believe it. Don't let it break your heart. When the time is right, I'll explain everything to you."
Confused by her words, I asked, "What do you mean?"
"I mean that I have genuine feelings for you. So much so that even with the challenges I'm facing, I'd marry you without hesitation if I could," she revealed calmly. Her voice was soft and carried a sense of tranquility despite the weight of her words.
Marry me?
"You know, I'm really marupok when it comes to you." I said, "I promise. I believe you."
"Promise me that." Pagbabanta niya.
"Yes Professor Isfaela, I promise." I replied. Her gentle hands on my cheek is nice.
"Gusto mo na ako?" I inquired, my beaming expression is evident.
"More than that." She answered, seriously.
"Bakit hindi mo nalang ako ngayon sagutin? Mahal mo naman pala ako." Reklamo ko dito.
"It hasn't even been a day, Jael. You're moving pretty fast," she responded, taking a bite of a cupcake.
"Why not? Do you want me to court you until we're old and gray?" I retorted, gesturing towards the cupcakes in a hint for her to pass one over.
"It's not about that," she rolled her eyes again while reaching for a cupcake.
"Then what is it about?"
"I want you to put genuine effort into courting me. It hasn't even been a day, after all," she reiterated.
"The duration of courting doesn't determine the depth of love. Effort outweighs the number of days," I asserted.
"Effort is a visible manifestation of love."
"It is, but love is the driving force behind it. What if there's plenty of effort but no love?"
"What are you getting at?"
"Say yes to me, and I'll love you every single day, forever. Say yes, and I'll court you for a lifetime," I concluded.
Bahagya siyang napatawa habang hawak ang cupcake na hiningi ko sa kanya.
"You always got me by your words." She said, chuckling.
"Like the way you captivated my heart in the coffee shop."
I caught her with my arms again, binalik niya ulit ang cupcake pagkakuway humawak sa leeg ko.
"What makes you fall inlove with me?" She asked lingering her arms on my neck.
"From the moment I saw you, I've told myself that I already found my future wife." I confessed. Her smile is palpable.
"You're..." Our lips met, "Unbelievable girl." She kissed me again.
"Then say yes to me," I whispered, gently parting our lips. Her gaze met mine, her eyes reflecting a mixture of emotions.
"I can't say no. We're official," she responded, and then her lips found mine once more.
Amidst the quiet of the woods and the rustling leaves, we held each other close. Our hearts were the only sound, beating in harmony. Just like waves meeting the shore, our feelings converged. In this moment, I knew our connection was mutual. Her words resonated within me, and though I couldn't fully grasp the reason behind it all, I felt a profound happiness.
Looking out at the expansive view from this vantage point, I felt a sense of clarity and renewal.
Once more, I resurfaced from the depths of the ocean, but this time I wasn't surrounded by the vast waters. Instead, I felt as if I was suspended within her heart. It was as though we were engaged in a delicate dance, twirling and moving to the rhythm of our emotions.