"Kaye."
Segunda finally ended the dead silence that had occurred between us earlier. I was focusing on fixing her hair into a rosette-patterned bun, a technique she very impatiently made me master.
"I believe that I ought to inform you that I have grown a liking for you," Segunda said.
My hands were frozen in the midst of styling her hair as I felt taken aback by what she said. I stole a quick glance at Segunda's reflection in the mirror, her eyes closed in anticipation, a hint of a smile on her lips.
"I am still wary about you being an unknown entity, but you have been a very good companion in these past few months. Thank you for making things lighter for me and for not causing harm."
"Yeah, because I sometimes volunteer to take care of pets in the shelter," I murmured.
"What?" We said in unison. Hers was filled with shock, while mine was filled with jest. I snorted.
"Don't mind what I said. I was just kidding," I said in between laughs. "I grew fond of you, too."
She opened her eyes and met mine through her reflection, and we shared smiles in silence as we seemingly enjoyed the peace we finally had, a testament to the strong bond we finally shared.
I held her gaze as she held mine, and I am sincerely happy that I got to meet her, not just as an afterthought of history as one of Rizal's lovers, but as a dear friend whose memory I wanted to keep.
I do not want to think that this is merely a dream, for my heart believes all of these to be real. Or, at least, I want to believe that everything is real.
Because for all the months I had stayed with her, now also as a fellow student at Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion de la Concordia after several attempts at convincing her mother, I had bore witness to who she really is beyond what photos and writings could tell us and all the historians who had studied about her, albeit just in passing.
No one can tell me that I just imagine the murmurs I hear coming out of Segunda's mouth when she's asleep, the smell of the freshly cooked tuyo and sinangag served in our boarding house, and the touch of Segunda's hair whenever I fix it.
Segunda cleared her throat, which eventually ended my train of thought and broke the comfortable silence between us.
"Bueno, kindly continue adorning my hair. Make sure to secure everything properly, as I do not want Ipia's brother to think that I am an immodest lady."
*****
Segunda looked sideways before holding her skirt with two hands, ready to careen down the stairs in anticipation of the guest she had been looking forward to seeing every week. She eventually let go of her skirt and smoothed it out as soon as she got down the last step, with me tailing her far behind.
"Move faster, Kaye! Do not be like a tortoise!"
I tried to catch my breath as I got down the last step, holding the banister for dear life.
"What's the rush, anyway? He isn't even the person you're engaged with," I said mindlessly as I held my chest with my right hand, still not letting go of the banister.
Segunda frowned at me but chose not to answer because we both knew that I was right—she was already engaged with Manuel Luz, a relative, and it was a matter of time before the wedding ceremonies were held.
I didn't really mean to tell her off like that, though, because I knew how she always anticipates Pepe's visits. She can't even say Pepe's name directly without blushing, and I could always see the spark in her eyes whenever he's around. I looked at the back of her camisa as she walked down the hallway, eager to get outside the building, where visitors were allowed.
Finally, we saw a not-so-tall adolescent guy leaning on a pillar, his shoulders poised carefully as if in an attempt to make him look larger than he really was. However, this was in vain, as his slightly oversized camisa chino made him look smaller instead.
A lady with the same rosette-patterned bun as Segunda stood beside him, her body tense from what I could tell was a failed attempt to stifle her laughter.
"Ipia!" Segunda called as soon as we got near enough for them to notice us. "And S-Señor P-Pepe."
I raised my left eyebrow as I marveled at how Segunda indeed became coy when Pepe was around.
"Mi amiga," Olimpia, or Ipia as we endearingly call her, started. "My brother is here to give you something. Is it not right, Kuyang?"
I could hear a hint of teasing in Ipia's voice. I decided to keep my distance as we waited for Pepe to give Segunda whatever he wanted to give her.
"Do not listen to what Ipia is saying," Pepe started, his cheeks burning red with embarrassment. "She asked me to give this to you."
As if on cue, Pepe took his hat off and removed a stem of white rose from his hatband. He reached out to Segunda and took a bow while handing the rose over. Segunda sheepishly took the rose, visibly pleased. She moved the bud near her nose, closed her eyes, and inhaled the fragrance of the flower.
"Thank you. I'll keep this rose for the rest of my life," she said giddily, not opening her eyes.
Pepe then turned his attention away from Segunda and started walking towards me. His round eyes locked into mine, and I saw him take out another white rose from his hatband.
"And this is for you, Kaye," Pepe said, also extending his hand to hand me the white rose.
I gulped, unable to process what was happening. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead, and my palms were getting wet. Sadly, the summer heat had nothing to do with it.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Segunda seemingly snap out of her trance and look at me and Pepe, and I could tell that she didn't like what was happening one bit.
"I-I c-can't take that," I stammered.
Whatever the intent, I do not want Segunda to misinterpret Pepe's gesture and distance herself from me again. I already love the friendship that she, Ipia, and I have had, and I don't want anything that can break that bond. Besides, I do not even belong here in the first place.
"But why? Kuyang is offering this to you as a sign of friendship," Ipia said, thankfully, in an attempt to clear the palpable tension in the air.
Pepe looked at Ipia with a puzzled look but seemed to understand when he turned his eyes to Segunda.
"Take it. It is a sign of my appreciation of our growing cordiality," Pepe said with a smile.
I smiled back awkwardly, and I looked first at Segunda, who was already nodding before I took the white rose.
"Muchos gracias," I said, trying my hand at Spanish. "Did I say it right?"
"Absolutely!" Ipia exclaimed, still trying to dispel the tension still apparent in the air around us.
"¡Absolutamente! ¡Estuviste genial!" She continued, forcing a smile and clapping awkwardly. "Kuyang and I appreciate the amity we have all shared. We find it a delight to have you around."
"Si, si. She is indeed a pleasant sight to be around," Pepe said while nodding. He was facing Segunda, but I swear I could feel him looking at me from the corner of his eye. "She may not be the most beautiful woman I had seen, but I had never seen one more enchanting and alluring."
Segunda was once again pleased with Pepe's attention, and Ipia and I just shook our heads while we watched on the sidelines.
I knew that Jose Rizal was reputed to be a ladies' man, but I didn't know that he really had a way with girls. I also found myself captivated by his charms. As much as I hate to admit it, I also find myself looking forward to seeing him as much as Segunda did, and my heart skipped a bit with his earlier gesture.
The tension in the air eventually cleared, and we found ourselves talking aimlessly while having our mirindal. Finally, the bells rang and Pepe bid goodbye after we prayed the Angelus. Olimpia also bid us goodbye as she went to her quarters while Segunda and I went to ours.
"Just to be clear, you do not want to be Pepe's novia, do you?" Segunda said firmly as we prepared for bed. Of course, I knew what she expected me to say.
"No way. I just saw him as a friend," I said, which pleased her.
"Muy bien," Segunda said as she tucked herself under her covers.
"But please know that you are more precious to me than he is, and I value our friendship more than mine and his," I said.
Segunda did not answer but started murmuring instead.
I smiled while looking at her sleeping face. I am really thankful that I got to know her.
"Good night, Segunda," I said as I tucked myself to sleep.
_____
A/N: Those who have read this previously might've been confused since I changed the lead character's name from Sandy to Kaye. Sandy was the name I gave her when I created the story when I was younger, but I just recently realized that I had to change her name to Kaye for reasons that are important to how the story will end. It will all make sense in the end, I promise! Haha!
Thank you very much for reading, and I hope you'll stay with this story until the end. Please read the next stories as well!