IT WAS four in the midnight when she was talking in her sleep again.
“Hey, Jenna Rose…”
“Danson… I am going to tell you a story. I really don’t care about you at all, when I am watching Hana Kimi. Because back then I was really crazy about Sam. Uh-huh… I am crazy about Sam… Sam my family friend, Sam that you met just now… I can’t say that I am in-love with him because he doesn’t care for me that time. But when I grow up he wants me to become his girl. He declared that he was in-love with me and waiting for me to grow up. But I did not saw it to him. Maybe it was just fondness and infatuation. But when I saw you laughing when your opponent on dorm one I am so fascinated. My jaw dropped when I realized that you were drop dead gorgeous. Hahaha… I still remember that day and thanks top my friend that told me your name. Cute… I like you. I am in love with you. Can I court you?”
“No.”
He was surprised when he saw a water glisten beside her eyes.
LUMABI siya. Wala na basted na siya, panaginip lang iyon ha. At umiyak, siguro may girlfriend na ito. Bigla siyang nagising at napabangon. Pero biglang sumakit ang ulo niya. Nauntog siya.
“Aray!” sabi niya sa gitna ng hikbi.
“Ouch!”
“Duibuqi.”
“Sorry.”
Ano iyon? Bakit nasa gilid ito ng kama niya? Bakit parang totoo ang panaginip niya?
“D-did I blabber something?” di magkandautal-utal na tanong niya.
“Meiyou.”
“W-why are you beside my bed?” tanong niya habang pinupunasan ang luha.
“Waking you up.”
“Weishenme?”
“Let’s watch the sunrise.”
“Ahhh…. Hao a.”
“Why are you crying?”
“Meiyou, I dreamed of something bad… At ikaw yon.”
“Huh?”
“Meiyou, don’t mind me.”
GOOD thing he has thought of something to reason out. Whew! That was close. A very one.
“Do you think we can watch it here?”
“I think so.”
“ANG romantiko din pala kapag nanonood ng sunrise… Parang sunset.”
“Huh?”
“Meiyou. I said later I will bring you to my apartment and we will cook and bake.”
“What are your favorite places here that is out of Manila? Or I mean out of town?”
“Uhmmm… Many. Like Tagaytay, Baguio, Laguna, Fantasy World, Enchanted Kingdom.”
“What’s Fantasy World and Enchanted Kingdom?”
”They are theme parks. But Fantasy World is different it was a castle. You were like a princess that your prince brings you to a true castle.”
“Don’t worry next time I will bring you there.”
“Huh?”
“I will bring you there.”
“Weishenme?”
“Secret.” Lumabi siya.
“No. I don’t like that. I want an answer.”
“Sweet young lady, some questions should be left unanswered.”
“Hao a.” himala at hindi niya kinontra ito.
Niyakap niya ang sarili dahil nilalamig na naman siya. Hinubad ng katabi niya ang jacket nitong flesh at isinabit sa balikat niya.
“It’s already yours.”
“Huh? But this is your jacket.”
“I noticed you always get cold. So I am giving it to you. So, the next time you have a date you should wear my jacket.”
“Di kaya mailing iyon dahil jacket panlalaki ang suot ko? Eh, di na threaten iyon.” Bulong niya sa sarili.
“You’re saying something?”
“Meiyou.”
“What are your favorite songs?”
“When I was twelve Sam Concepcion songs, when I reach thirteen Danson’s song.”
“Ow?”
“Yup. Until now.”
“What are songs exactly?”
“Ai Wo, Zui Ai Hai Shi Ni, Fen Kai Yi Hou. That is my most favorites.”
“I see.”
Humilig ito sa balikat niya habang nanonood ng sunrise. Maya-maya ay naramdaman niyang bumibigat ito. Nakatulog na pala. He was facing his major crisis in his life. Napakabigat ng problema nito. Inihiga niya ito sa hita niya. Nagkaroon siya ng pagkakataon na pagmasdan ito.
“Kaasar ha! Bakit ba ang gwapo mo kahit tulog ka? Hay! Ano ba namang buhay ito! Bakit di mo kaya isara ang tatlong butones ng polo moh! Kaasar naman oh! Nang aakit pa… No wonder kung bakit ka Super Idol at international model, actor at singer ka.” Hinipo niya ang noo at ang noo nito. “Nilalagnat yata ako o nababaliw? Bakit ko kinakausap ang sarili ko? Halah! Masamang signos ito ha. Walng malisya ha… Pero pwede bang mahawakan ang labi mo?” ganoon nga ang ginawa niya. Nang mahawakan niya iyon ay parang may kuryente na dumaloy sa kamay niya. “Ano iyon? Atsaka ano bang klase ito? Walang malisya pero gusto kitang gahasain ng walang malisya. This is crazy! Eto ba ang tinatawag na crazy little thing called love at ang crazy love? Hay! Ito naman tulog lang…”
Naalala niya ang eksena sa oceanarium.
“Omigosh! Hindi niya ako hinalikan ano ba?! Binigyan niya lang ako ng CPR, oxygen para makahinga ako noh!” iyon ang sabi ng isip niya. Pero sa isang bahagi umaangal ang puso niya! “Ano ba ito? Gusto ba niya ako? Oo gusto niya ako. Bakit masasabi nito na pwede siyang maging mabuting asawa at ina? Nagpapalipad hangin na ba ito? Bakit hindi siya manligaw?”
Bigla naman niyang naalala yung panaginip. Panaginip na parang totoo.
“Danson… I am going to tell you a story. I really don’t care about you at all, when I am watching Hana Kimi. Because back then I was really crazy about Sam. Uh-huh… I am crazy about Sam… Sam my family friend, Sam that you met just now… I can’t say that I am in-love with him because he doesn’t care for me that time. But when I grow up he wants me to become his girl. He declared that he was in-love with me and waiting for me to grow up. But I did not saw it to him. Maybe it was just fondness and infatuation. But when I saw you laughing when your opponent on dorm one I am so fascinated. My jaw dropped when I realized that you were drop dead gorgeous. Hahaha… I still remember that day and thanks top my friend that told me your name. Cute… I like you. I am in love with you. Can I court you?”
“No.”
“Hindi! Panaginip ko lang iyon! Panaginip! Kaasar talaga!” ilalapag niya sana ang ulo ni Danson ng gumalaw ito about face, imbes na sa bintana ito nakaharap, nakaharap na ito sa tiyan niya. Pumulupot ang kamay nito sa bewang niya.
“Don’t leave me, Jenna Rose…” ang mainit na hininga nito ay parang kinikiliti ang puson niya. Dumilat ito at tumingin sa kanya. He smiled sleepily. “Stay beside me…”
“Hao a.”
“Stay beside me… even my crisis is over. Stay beside me forever.” Pagkatapos nitong sabihin iyon ay pumikit na uli. Gusto niya sanang itanong dito kung tama ang narinig niya. “Forever” nga ba ang narinig niya? Ano ba iyan? Baliw na nga siya, bingi pa.
“Hay… buhay…”
HINDI niya namalayan na nakatulog na pala siya. Lagi naman eh! Sabi ng isang bahagi ng isip niya. Nararamdaman niya na gumagalaw si Danson.
“Danson… Danson… Danson…” niyuyugyog niya ang balikat nito. “Danson!”
Biglang bumangon ito at yumakap sa kanya.
“I have a bad dream…” sabi nito sa gitna ng hingal sa may balikat niya.
“What about your dream?”
“That you marry somebody else. And you are not there to stay by my side… Forever.”
“It will not happen… I will stay by your side forever…”
Lalong humigpit ang pagkakayakap nito sa kanya.
“I am afraid to lose you. I can’t wake up every morning that you’re not there. I am just thinking of it, I felt like my life would be nothing without you…”
“It’s okay… It was just a dream. I am here.” Na-realize niya umaga na pala.
“I really have no sleep these days… I want to sleep… but how about you?”
“I am okay.”
“But what about our plans today?”
“Okay, you will sleep for two hours. I will just stay here by your side. I will not go anywhere. Then after two hours I will wake you up then we will go to my apartment. It’s only nine o’clock. At lunch we can make it to my house.”
“Hao a.” at pumikit uli ito.
“Wait, you will sleep again there at my lap?”
“Yes, any problem?”
“Ahhh…. Meiyou.”
Nang alam niyang tulog na tulog na ito tinawagan niya ang driver nito.
“Kuya, ibili mo naman ako sa convenience store ng Lucky Me! instant noodles flavored Tom Yum. Dalawa lang po, kuya.”
“Okay.”
HE was now awake. The moment he open his eyes he saw Jenna Rose. Why is it feel good to wake up seeing Jenna Rose? What was special about her?
“She is one of those things that make you happy…” said a part on his heart and mind. She was reading a book the one that he bought to her yesterday.
“Jenna Rose…”
“Oh, you’re awake it’s only 10:30…”
“It’s okay. Have you eaten breakfast?”
“Meiyou. I am waiting for you.”
“Hao a. Let’s go and eat some breakfast.”
“Wait… Uhmmm…. I asked Kuya Jepoy to buy us an instant noodle… Do you eat that kind of food?”
“Xing. What flavor?”
“Your favorite… Tom Yum.”
“How did you know that?”
“Wo… Wo… Ah… Ni.”
“Wo? How come? Did I tell you?”
“Bushi. Forget it. Let’s just eat.”
“Hao a.”
BAKIT ba napakabilis ng tibok ng puso niya sa tuwing titingin sa mga matang iyon?
“Ano ba itong nararadaman ko?… hay…”
“Shenme?”
“Wala. Nagtatanong-tanong ka pa diyan sarili ko nga hindi ko na maintindihan.”
“I can’t understand.”
“Me either.”
“Huh?”
“I don’t know too. Forget it.”
DUMIRETSO sila sa apartment niya. Pinaupo niya ito sa living room. Nagpunta siya sa kusina. Hindi niya inaasahan na pupunta din ito sa kusina.
“No you’re my visitor you should stay at the living room. My mommy will come and will join us for lunch.” Sabi niya dito Bigla itong namutla.“Whoa! Danson, are you okay? You look pale.” Hinipo niya ang noo nito.
“You didn’t say your mother will join us for lunch.”
“Sorry. She insisted eh. You’re okay?”
“Xing.”
“Can you cook?”
“Of course I can! Did you forget the series Rolling Love?”
“How would I forget that? Eh, selos na selos nga ako doon sa babae eh.”
“What are you saying again?”
“That it was a very nice series, how can I forget that?”
“That’s the time I began to be interested in cooking. I decided it to be a new hobby.”
“Ah.”
“What are we going to cook for today?”
“Sorry, I don’t know any Taiwanese dish. I will cook Beef with green pepper and then Fish fillet plus turbo chicken. We have soup first and then for our dessert my favorite blueberry cheesecake. Then we will bake later afternoon for our snack. Was that enough?”
“What can I say? I think it’s too much…”
“It’s okay…” binbigay niya dito ang apron niya ang kaso ay ayaw nito.
“Just wear it I’m fine.” Nagkukulitan sila habang nagluluto. Pinipisil nito ang pisngi niya kinikiliti siya. Binabasa naman niya ito at pinupukol kung ano ang madampot. Tapos ay tawanan sila ng tawanan.
Nang dumating ang mommy niya ay pinag-ayos na niya ito.
“Mom, this is Danson, Danson, my mother Sheila.”
“ Ni hao! auntie. Or should I say hello. I didn’t expect you’re still young…”
“It’s okay hijo. I understand that you grew up in Taiwan. And thanks, I accept that as a compliment. I am only twenty when she was born and I am only thirty seven now.”
“I am twenty seven, and he is seventeen. We are all ten years older and ten years younger.”
“Okay. Just stay there and feel at home. We will prepare the table.”
Nang nasa kusina na sila kinurot siya ng mommy niya sa braso.
“Aray naman, Mom.”
“Hindi mo sinabi na sobrang gwapo pala noon sa personal.”
“Speechless din ako, Mom, nung nakita ko siya noh!”
“Siya ba ang kasama mo magahpon kahapon?”
“Parang ganoon na nga.”
“Naku! Ang anak ko nagdadalaga na! Nililigawan na!”
“Hindi ah! Tsaka, Mom, wag ka maingay baka marinig niya tayo.”
“Naririnig niya tayo. Pero ang tanong naiintindihan niya ba tayo?”
“Oo nga noh! O sige halika na, kumain na tayo dahil baka mahuli ka sa pagsundo kay Sarah.”
“Yung kapatid mo naman na iyon! Oo nga pala!”
Masaya silang lahat na kumain. Para silang isang buong pamilya. Sino magkakapagsabi na first time lang nilang kumain ng kasama ang binata?
“You know my daughter is really good in cooking. I don’t know how to cook but my daughter cooks for us.”
“Jenna Rose, you didn’t say you’re a good cook. Your dishes are really overwhelming! Delicious!”
“But I am not Jiro Wang in Rolling Love ha?” biro niya.
Parang tumatalon ang puso niya ng malaman na nagustuhan nito ang luto niya.
Pagkatapos nilang kumain ay nagpunta sila sa sala at nagkwentuhan.
“Did you know that my daughter when she was thirteen years old, I think that was summer, she was incoming second year that time and the whole day she was in front of her laptop watching your series at the internet.”
“Mom! You’re being exaggerated.”
“No, I’m telling the truth.” Si Danson naman ay tatawatawa.
“Ta, meiyou.”
“Danson, what did she say?”
“That you really didn’t tell the truth.” Sabi nito at tatawatawa.
“Anak, ha, ikaw? Ang dalaga ko umiibig na yata.”
“What did you say, auntie?”
“That I must have to go because I will fetch her younger sister. And I told her to take care of you, very well.”
“Ah. Take care, auntie. Send my regards to Sarah.”
“Okay. Bye, Danson. Hope to see you again in the future.”
“Of course, auntie, take care.”
“Okay. Bye bye! Text mo na lang ako anak ha?”
“Opo, Mom.”
Inihatid nila ang mommy niya hangang sa labas ng gate. Nang muling pumasok nagpasya silang maglaro ng isang board game.
“Hey! Ni, cheat!” nandaya ka, sabi niya.
“Bushi.” Hindi, daw.
“Shiji.” Totoo, ang sabi naman nito.
“Meiyou.” Hindi daw talaga, sabi nito.
“Hao a. Wo gei shang.” Sabi niya ay sige na, suko na siya. Pinisil nito ang pisngi niya. “Ah! It hurts. It will become more red!”
“Cute.”
“Huh!”
“No, really, promise.”
Ito na naman ang nararamdaman niya, na hndi niya maintindihan.
“Hao a, let’s get back with the game.”
Nagtatawanan sila ng biglang mag-ring ang phone nito.
“Wait a minute…”
“WHEY?”
“Danson, they already found out that you were out of town you should already be here tomorrow morning.”
“Hao a.”
Okay! Vacation’s over! I have to face problem again.
“WHO’S that?”
“My assistant .”
“Ah.”
”They already found out that I am not in the country. So, I need to be there first thing in the morning so I can deny it.”
“Ah. You can do it. I believe in you.”
“Xing, I can do it.”
“Come let’s bake some xiaotianbing.”
“Wo ai xiaotianbing.”
WOW! He loves cookies and she likes to bake cookies.
“Ni ka ma?” saway niya ditto ng nilalagyan siya ng flour sa pisngi.
“It looks cute, you know?”
“No!” kunwari ay pagtataray niya dito. Hindi naman din siya pinansin nito. Ipinagpatuloy niya ang paghahalo ng flour.
“Can I try it?”
“Yeah, sure!” iniabot niya dito ang mixing bowl. Dinutdot niya ang bowl upang tumikim.
“Wow! Delicious!”
“Really? Can I taste it?”
“Sure!” dumutdot uli siya pagkapos y inilapit sa may labi nito. Parang may kuryenteng dumaloy doon at bumali na naman an nararamdaman niya. Ipinahid niya iyon sa pisngi nito upang maibsan ang nararamdaman.
“Ni ka ma?!”
“Duibuqi” sabi niya ng natatawa.
“Well, you’re not sorry.”
“I am.”
“Why are you laughing?”
“I’m not.” Sabi niya na hamahagikgik.
“Yes, you are!” tapos ito naman ang gumanti sa kanya.
“Ni ka ma?! You’re wasting the flour?” kunwa ay pagagalitgalitan niya.
“Oh, really? Sorry.” Pero tumatawa sila.
“Hao a. That’s enough! Maybe we don’t have anything to bake.”
“Dui.”
“WOW! This is delicious! The next time we meet again can you bake again for me?”
“Xing.” She said sure!
“Xiexie, Jenna Rose.” He said thank you politely in his language.
“Bu keqi.” And then she said you’re welcome in his language.
“You do really well in speaking in Mandarin.”
“Of course! Nag-aral kaya ako ng mabuti para maintindihan mo ako at maintindihan din kita.
“Huh?”
“I said so I can understand the series I am watching.”
“Ah.”
“Also, so I can understand you.”
“Wow! That’s great!”
“Great lang?”
“Well, that’s sweet of you…”
“Pwede na.”
“What’s ‘pwede na’?”
“Acceptable.”
“Ah.”
“DID you ever have a boyfriend?”
“Wo?”
“Xing”
“Wo meiyou.” She said “Not yet”
“Weishenme?” he asked “why”
“Do you remember your song Zui Ai Hai Shi Ni? Do you remember you’re saying there? That ‘if you have to wait long enough for real love to appear, then I’ll wait forever… if you wait enough, real love will appear, forever not letting you go.’ That’s it! I have to wait, so real love will appear, and if I wait enough it will appear and not let me go forever.”
“You believe in that?”
“ Xing. Zen me dayue ni?” she asked “how about you?”
“Yes. Soul mate, first love, true love.”
“Speaking of first love, who is your first love?”
“That question makes me confused.”
“Weishenme?”
“Because I don’t know if I ever really in-love before.”
“Ah. Zen me dayue xianzai?” she asked “How about now?”
“You’ll know someday.”
“Weishenme meiyou xianzai?” she asked “why not now?”
“Wo meiyou zhunbeihaole.” He said he is not yet ready.
“Weishenme meiyou ni zhunbeihaole?” ‘why not ready yet’ she asked.
“Yinwei wo meiyou zhunbeihaole.” ‘because I am not yet ready’’ he said.
Dahil hinihila niya ang shirt nito hawak nito ang kamay niya ng mapatingin sila roon tila sila napaso.
“Hao a, Wo gei shang.” She said ‘okay, I give up.’
“IT’S now time. I enjoy my stay here because of you.”
“Really?” tanong niya at tinitigan ito.
“Really. I will not be happy as this to my trip if you are not here.”
“Can I request something?”
“Of course, you can.”
“Can you repeat what you just have said?”
“I will not be happy as this to my trip if you are not here.”
“Really ha?”
“Really huh!”
“I’m very touched, Danson…”
“J-Jenna Rose, don’t look at me like that. I’m being uncomfortable and don’t smile like that. I’m scared. What’s that scary look?”
“I’m not giving you a scary look! Hao a. I’m not going to smile-like this lang ha? I loved to smile. I’m always a happy person.”
“I also loved when you smile.”
“Of course! Everybody loves my smile-what?! You loved my smile?” parang inilipad ang puso niya. Mahina talaga siya gumets!
“Yeah!” sagot nito. Tuwang-tuwa naman siya, yumuko siya saka ngumiti. Parang gusto niyang tumalon at magsisigaw! “I have to go or else I will be late to my flight.” Nang marinig naman ang pahayag na iyon may lungkot naman na bumalot sa puso niya.
“Oh, yes.” Sabi niya at pinilit na ngumiti.
“Bye-bye Jenna Rose…”
“Bye, Danson.”
“I’ll see you the next time.”
“Of course!”
“Take care for me, Jenna Rose.”
“I will. Take care too, for me…”
“I will. Bye.” Pagkatapos ay sumakay na ito ng kotse at nawala na sa paningin niya.
Nalulungkot siya at hindi maiwasan na maluha.