Gerald:
There. I said it.
"Ano?"
"Sarah, gusto kita."
"Gerald, wag ka naman mag biro ng ganyan" She looked away, trying to leave.
I held on to her hands, having no intention of lettling go.
"I promse, I will never hurt you, I'll make sure that you're always safe. Sarah...Mahal kita."
"Gerald, ano ba to? Mahal mo ako? Dalawang bwan pa lang tayo nagsasama. Hindi mo pa nga ako gaano kilala eh."
I knew she wouldn't believe me. I could hardly believe myself for that matter. But in my heart, I knew it was true. She made me feel different, in ways I couldn't understand.
"Alam ko hindi ka naniniwala sa akin. Pero Sarah, gusto kita. Mamahalin kita. Hindi kita iiwanan"
There was fear in her eyes. "Gerald, please, wag. Wag ka mag promise sa akin ng ganyan dahil kakainin po lang yan pagkatapos. Gerald, Hindi pa ako ready. Ayaw ko pa. Takot pa ako. Hindi ko pa kaya ang ganyan na relasyon. Please, Kung mahal mo talaga ako, maghihintay ka para sa akin."
"Maghihintay ako para sa yo hanggang kailan mo gusto" I smiled. "At least may chance ako diba?
The tension eased.
"Sira ka talaga!" Sarah slapped my shoulder, smiling.
"Bakit ba? totoo naman eh."
"hmph!"
I took her by the hand, and helped her to get up. "But seriously. Salamat Sarah. This is my favourite Birthday. Ever."
I took her in my arms, and embraced her. This felt real. I felt myself, and not Erick hugging Roan.
She pulled away. "Halika na...balik na tayo dun..."
Sarah:
It felt so weird. I didn't know what to say. He likes me? When did that happen? We've only known each other for a couple of months. I had to admit, I was starting to feel something for him to, but I knew it wouldn't last. Nagpadala lang sya sa pelikula. Ako din...dapat hindi din ako... Besides...I wasn't ready. I hoped that he would respect that. I know that it was last year, but my heart still...hurts.
I pulled away from his embrace. "Halika na...balik na tayo dun..."
He agreed, still smiling.
He didn't seem deterred when I didn't accept him. He still seemed...joyful.
"Happy ako ngayon."
I looked at him. "Bakit naman?"
"Kasi may chance ako diba?"
"Hoy! Wala akong sinabi noh....besides, mas gusto ko si Empoy!" I joked.
He looked insulted. "Bakit naman? Mas Gwapo naman ako ah!"
I tried to keep a straight face. His face was hilarious. "Ang kapal mo noh? Excuse me, pero gwapo din si Empoy! Besides...hindi naman kailangan sobrang gwapo." I pinched his cheeks. "Ang mga mukha na tulad mo, delikado!"
He laughed. "Bakit naman?"
"Kasi...Chickboy!"
"Hindi ah...kapag gwapo, chickboy kaagad?"
"oo"
"I'll show you...Kakainin mo yang salita mo...."
I was skeptical. "Sige."
He laughed.
We got back to the site. Everyone was doing their own little things.
I left Gerald to his fans and went into my tent.
"Hi mommy, hi Ate"
"Hi Sarah" Ate Shine smiled. "Nagustohan mo ba ang mga cupcakes na guwa ko?"
"Oo nga teh, salamat ah, ang sarap" I smiled. "Mommy, anong ginagawa mo?"
"Naghahanap ng signal para matext ang daddy mo...para masabi ko na pauwi na tayo bukas" She went outside the tent.
I nodded. I sat beside ate Shine.
"Nageenjoy ka teh?"
"Oo naman...nakakatuwa kaya manood ng taping..first time ko" She laughed. "Cute nga kayo nila Gerald eh. Or, should I say, Gege?"
"Ito si Ate..."
"Si Sars naman...Pero seriously, hindi ka ba nadadala sa inyong mga eksena? Ung kahapon nga eh, ang lapit ng mga mukha nyo eh..."
I blushed. "Hindi naman ate...pero, maganda din naman mag-padala diba? Para sa eksena..."
She pinched me in the side. "Uyyy...Nag bblush!!! Crush mo si Gerald noh!"
"Si ate talaga...uhm...medyo lang..."
She squealed. 'OMG ang little Sis ko!!!!"
"Ate naman, eh konting crush lang, napatili kaagad..."
"Alam mo sis, pwede mo akong sabihan ng kahit ano tungkol kay Gerald." She looked solemn.
For a second, I considered telling her about what happenned, Gerald's confession to me, but I didn't. "Wala naman teh eh...nilalagyan mo lang ng malisya..."
She shrugged, and left the tent. "Sige, Fine. Bahala ka."
I let out a big sigh. Ano bang gagawin ko? Ayaw ko pa magkarelasyon. Wala naman to eh...Pagkatapos lang ng pelikula, mawawala din to.
I knew the next time that I face Gerald, I wouldn't be able to face him the same way again. Nakakailang....
Gerald peeked his head into the tent. "Hi Sarah..."
I was startled. "oh, Ano?"
"Wala lang...I wanted to give you something."
He walked towards me and handed me a piece of paper. "Salamat ulit sa Birthday ha." He smiled and left.
I looked in my hand. It was a paper rose, with something written in it:
"Thanks for the chance. I'm taking it, and I'm taking it all the way."