Reality.
" What if? You admire someone tapos, hindi mo lang maamin sa sarili mo na nagkakagusto ko na pala sa isang tao na hindi mo akalain magugustuhan mo sya" Sabi ni Ezra.
" Ahh...kung ganun, true love yun? kasi sabi mo nga dati, kapag may rason ka para mahalin ang isang tao, kapag nawala ang rason na yun, mag iiba din...mas mabuti na mahal mo sya kasi, mahal mo sya" Sabi ni Noreen.
" Sinasabi ko na nga ba na yan ang sasabihin mo, you should really stop watching those lovey dovey flicks, yikes " Ezra cringed.
Nag iba expression ni Noreen, she was mad, she wanted to get his beating heart out of his body at ipakita sa kanya.
" Yang love na yan, hormones lang yan, chemical reactions that fool you " dagdag ni Ezra.
" Alam mo kuya Ezra, tatanda kang binata na maraming alaga na pusa " Sabi ni Noreen as she turned away from Ezra.
Ezra was smiling, if there was a fool between the two, It was him. He is being fooled by the chemical reaction inside his body, He is in love.
She likes him, He likes her but no one would say a thing.
Invisibility can be acquired but once you're translucent, It cannot be undone.
Kung si Noreen kanina pa nakatambay sa harap ng administration building, napansin din nila si Ezra na kasama sya. Their faces were flashed on the screens, 14 of them na nakakalat sa buong University.
Nakita din nila Noreen at Ezra, yung screen sa administration building.
" Tayo...yun?" Napatigil si Noreen kumain at napaturo sa screen, the image moved as she moved. It was live.
" Tara na " Sabi ni Ezra.
" Huh?" Nagtaka si Noreen pero bago pa sya makasalita, hinawakan na ni Ezra kamay nya at tumakbo na sila paalis, palayo sa kung sino man ang humahabol sa kanila. Noreen was laughing, hindi nya man alam kung ano ang kailangan nyang takbuhan pero masaya sya kahit sobrang sakit na ng lower extremities nya, Ezra was holding her hand. It was soft and it sent electrical impulses all over Noreen's body.
" Sakay ka na " Sabi ni Ezra, they reached the parking lot. He opened the door for Noreen then he proceeded at the driver's seat. " Saan tayo pupunta?" Noreen asked.
" Laguna " Sabi ni Ezra, he was either insane or he had this all planned out.
" Laguna?" Noreen asked.
" Yes, Laguna " Ezra said, he buckled Noreen's seatbelt.
" Why did we run away?" Noreen wondered.
Ezra didn't answer as he was busy driving on their way out of the University. " Because kapag alam ng Dad ko ang huli kong location, my plan will be ruined " Sabi Ni Ezra.
" Plan? What plan?" Noreen asked, she had a bad feeling about this at naisip din nya na baka ayaw ni Ezra na malaman ng dad nya ang tungkol sa kanilang dalawa.
" To spend my christmas break at Ireland with my step dad, Emmanuela and Elijah " Sabi ni Ezra.
" Kelan ka aalis?" Noreen asked.
" In two days... Daanan natin kuya mo at tsaka sila Fred " Sabi nya.
Una nilang dinaanan si Fred at si Klaud na sa iisang building lang nakatira next, si JS sa law school, Si Jun from his company and lastly they waited for N who was having a meeting.
" Wahh, ang tagal ko nang hindi nakapunta sa amusement park, thank you for bringing us back our friend" Sabi ni Fred kay Noreen, he leaned over the front seat para isaksak ang phone nya sa radio.
" Hindi ko ba alam dati na sa Alestair nag aaral ang kapatid ni N, hindi kasi kayo magkamukha " Sabi ni Klaud.
" Kaya nga " Fred agreed. " I just received a text earlier, Nakita kayong dalawa kanina sa administration building, bakit ba big deal yun?" Sabi ni Fred.
" Ahh! Yun yung mga nagsusulat ng kung ano ano ,sila yan. Naalala mo ginawa nila kay Ezra dati? Para may masulat lang ba " Sabi ni Klaud.
" May article dati tungkol saamin ni Klaud na kami daw dahil lagi kami magkasama, I mean...seriously?" Sabi ni Fred.
I know that article at alam kong Level 3 ang nagsulat nun...
Noreen started to feel small, and feel a little guilt, napapaslide down na sya sa upuan nya.
She started to bite her lower lip, she was guilty pero ,inassign lang naman sya ni Aries.
" Hindi naman sila lahat ganun " Sabi ni Ezra.
" Still, bakit lagi buhay mo pinapakeelaman nila Ezra? uh? Tsaka si Balm i mean, She's a WITCH!" Sabi ni Fred.
The other guys laughed and noreen as well. " Nakasalubong ko sa kanina sa University at sinita nya damit ko at sinabi ko na nakapink din si Ezra " Sabi ni Fred.
Noreen looked at Ezra, at Oo nakapink sya at sinilip nya din ang ibang member sa likod, nakapink din silang lahat. " Kuya mo pasimuno nito " Sabi ni Jun.
" Si kuya?" Noreen asked.
" Oo, nagtetext yun pag umaga, pink tayo " Sabi ni Jun. " Hindi ko din alam bakit namin sinusunod, bakit nga ba?" Tanong ni Jun.
" Cause we love each other so much " As expected from JS.Napatahimik nalang sila sa sinabi ni JS.
Dumating na si N, binuksan nya ang front door , binati nila si N and he glared at Noreen and Ezra. " Okay, pumapayag na ako na ligawan mo kapatid ko pero, Ako mag dr- drive at doon ka sa likod umupo Noreen" Sabi ni N.
Ano daw ? Noreen thought. Hindi na sya nakasalita, her eyes widened and she slowly unbuckled her seatbelt and moved at the back.
They followed the leader, he looked serious pero alam naman nila lahat si N. Noreen was at the back ,sa pinaka likod mag isa lang sya at natulog sya habang ang apat na iba ,maingay at nag kwekwentuhan.
Habang ang dalawa sa harap, tahimik.
" Ano sabi nya sayo?" Sabi ni N kay Ezra, he was referring to Noreen. " Di ko pa nasasabi, di na din sya nakasalita, tumakbo na kami " Sabi ni Ezra.
" Paano kung malaman ni Tito? Mapapaglaban mo ba si Noreen?" Sabi ni N. " Hindi nya malalaman" Sabi ni Ezra, as his dad only recognizes girls from the business world. " Itatago mo sya?" Sabi ni N.
" Muna, I already had two strikes, remember?" Sabi ni Ezra.
" One more and then?" Sabi ni N.
" He won't let me finish medical school " Sabi ni Ezra." He's been weird lately, lumuwag sya, dati pag hindi ako sumunod sa mga text nya pinapasearch na nya ako sa buong pilipinas pero ngayon, napagod na ata sya" Sabi ni Ezra.
" What about balm?" N asked.
" Balm is history, Hindi na din sya nilalapit saakin ni dad, I guess he became tired" Sabi ni Ezra. " I am stubborn afterall" Dagdag nya.
There's another difference between Ezra and Noreen, Masunurin si Noreen sa kuya nya while Ezra...he's very stubborn and he's almist fearless. Under the puppy appearance is a stubborn man.
" I trust you Ezra, remember that. Ingatan mo kapatid ko " Sabi ni N. " Anyways, I'll take her to Korea this christmas break ,May meeting ako doon and Mag aasikaso ako kaya isasama ko sya" dagdag nya.
" Pupunta akong Ireland" Sabi ni Ezra.
" Ahh, Kay Emmanuela at Elijah? Alam na ni Tito yan?" Tanong ni N.
" Hindi pa, but I will text him...5 minutes before the plane takes off" Sabi ni Ezra, They both laughed.
Gabi na nung nakadating na sila sa Laguna ,dumiretso sila sa Amusement park.
Noreen yawned as she was woken up by N, Nakababa na ang iba sya nalang ang natira sa loob.
Fred bought passes, Unlimited rides and a ticket for unlimited popcorn.
He distributed the passes , at dinikit nila paikot sa wrist nila.
" Churros?" Sabi ni N kay Noreen ,kasi alam nyang paborito yun ni Noreen, noreen smiled, she was still half asleep, hinawakan nalang ni N ang kapatid nya papunta sa churros stand bago pa sya mag wander off.
Nagbili din ng pagkain ang ibang member ,and they sat at a round table sa harap ng dinosaur ride.
" May favor ako sa inyong lima, bantayan nyo kapatid ko ,lagi syang naliligaw sa mga amusement park" Sabi ni N.
" Talaga?" JS asked. " Parehas kayo ni Klaud " dagdag nya.
" Hindi naman sa naliligaw ako, mabilis lang ako madistract " Sabi ni Klaud.
" Ano, padamihan ng stuff toy sa claw machine?" Fred challenged the five boys.
Kaya pala magaling si Ezra, hasang hasa pala sila Noreen thought.
" Sus, you guys can't beat me!" Sabi ni N. He took a bite off his hotdog and added more ketchup, kumuha din sya sa nachos ni Fred. " Hey, that's not your nachos" Sabi nu Fred na pabiro sabay hila sa tray nya ng nachos. " You have enough nachos to feed a baranggay " Sabi ni Ezra.
" Ano na? Padamihan " Sabi ni Chic Jun who was eating noodles in a very chic way.
Friendly reminder, Noreen is surrounded by two CEO's, A Law student, two engineering students and a nursing student. But, It felt like she's surrounded by 7 year olds.
" Ano ang limit? Parusa?" Klaud asked. " Kasi kung wala kayo naisipa ,ako meron" He added.
" Fifteen " Sabi ni N.
" Seventeen!" Sabi ni Fred. " Odd number, para maiba"
" Hmm ,okay, time limit?" Sabi ni Jun.
" One hour, it's 7:24 p.m...8:30?" Sabi ni Ezra.
" Okay, game " Sabi nila, paulit ulit nila sinabi ang word na game . They were excited ,naghadali na sila kumain , adrenaline is running through their bodies. They were like highschool again, when they didn't care about anything.
" I'll just wander off for an hour, Call lang kita kuya pag naligaw ako " Sabi ni Noreen.
" Sure ka? Be careful okay, To the Arcade!" Sabi ni N, he stood up and pointed at the arcade.
" Arcade!" Sabi ng lima, at ayun iniwan nila si Noreen. Noreen sat for awhile para magpahinga. After a few minutes, tumayo na sya at naglakad paikot sa kids' area, doon din matatagpuan ang arcade. Makikita mo ang mga bata at ang mga feeling bata ,nakakumpol sa harap ng mga claw machine, nakabend pa ang mga paa nila habang naglalaro.
Napangiti si Noreen, ang unang nakakuha ng stuff toy ay si Jun. she walked away and she followed the brick pathway that led her to a bridge, napunta sya sa viking or the large boat that swings back amd forth that makes your soul leave your body.
she walked again, lsa ibang path naman, napunta sya sa village looking area, they were shops that looked like houses, tumingin din sya doon while holding her pen. Napadpad sya sa shop na nagbebenta ng animal ear headbands, nagbili sya ng bear at ang giraffe ears. Next, she walked further almost at the end part of the park, It was a field filled with grass where some people are lying on. She looked up the sky and it was filled with stars.
She suddenly thought of Ezra, he is into stars. Noreen walked back into the center of the park and walked a different path, It brought her to the lake where huge swan boats that are paddled manually can be seen, and a merry go round.
She noted all the rides she likes on her hand, at yayain nya kuya nya mamaya.
Bumili muna sya ng three scoops of gelato, strawberry, blueberry and vanilla bago sya bumalik sa arcade, It was almost 8:30 p.m.
Pagdating nya sa arcade, wala na doon ang mga kuya nya, she walked more inside at doon sa red velvet na sofas matatagpuan ang mga 21 year old boys who appears to be 7 year olds.
"20...21" Ezra counted, he was looking like a boss while the other boys look defeated, akala mo natalo sa lotto o nalugi ang negosyo.
" Sino nanalo?" Noreen asked.
" Ohh, nandito ka na pala " Sabi ni N, napangiti sya sa pagkakita nya sa kapatid nya. " Si Ezra, I only got 15" Sabi ni N. " I want that one" Noreen pointed at the fluffy grey stuffed bunny at inabot sa kanya ni N, tumabi si Noreen sa kuya nya at sinuotan nya ng giraffe headband. " Thank you reen reen" Sabi ni N sa kapatid nya, Sinubuan din ni Noreen ng ice cream kuya nya.
" Paano ba yan? Nanalo ako, Tara na sa vertical drop!" Sabi ni Ezra, this was the very first time Noreen witnessed that Ezra was excited.
15.) He also gets excited
Ezra looks adorable when he's excited, his puppy appearance shows more and his jolly side. " Sabihin mo sa mga magulang ko mahal ko sila " Sabi ni Klaud na mukhang binagsakan na ng langit at lupa.
" Tara na! Vertical drop lang pala eh let's go! " Sabi ni Fred.
The others were almost glued to the sofa while fred is pulling their arms trying to get them to stand up.
" It's 100 stories high " Sabi ni JS na nakatulala nalang. " No, It's ONLY 100 stories high kaya tara na" Sabi ni Fred with a big smile trying to lift the dead mood in the room.
" What's a vertical drop?" Noreen asked.
" It's a new attraction, sa dulo dulo na parte ng park, it's a roller coaster which will drop you face first vertically and it's 100 stories high" Ezra said smiling, he was jumpy and he was smiling at the gloomy members, he is enjoying this.
" Come on, Madami pa tayong sasakyan " Sabi ni N, tumayo na din si N.
" Fine/ Sige na nga " Sabi ni JS at ni Jun, Tumayo na sila sluggishly still with a frown on their faces.
" Let's gooooo~" Sabi ni Fred. Inakbayan nya si JS at Jun.
-
They proceeded to the vertical drop. Si N, naka poker face lang, Fred's jaw is dropped, si Klaud nganga din habang ang dalawa na J, nakafrown.
" The vertical drop " Ezra said while smiling like the happiest kid in the planet. " As long as it's not me, it's okay" Ezra laughed at the fuve boys. " Suckers" Sabi nya sa lima.
Noreen was also at awe, may fear of heights pa naman din sya, she felt lucky that she doesn't have to ride the thing.
" Pass!" Sabi ni fred, his expression was begging for mercy.
" Anong pass ka dyan? Kanina ikaw nagyayaya saamin!" Sabi ni N. " Tara na!" Yaya ni N ,Hinawakan nya braso ni Fred at hinila sya para pumila.
Sumunod nadin ang tatlo, mukha silang nag death march, ang mga balikat nila mukhang mabigat.
" Noreen, I'll show you something" Sabi ni Ezra.
Naexcite si Noreen at madali na nakuha ang attention nya ni Ezra. " Ano...yun?" Sabi ni Noreen.
" Eto oh" May nilabas si Ezra sa inner pocket ng jacket nya, round metal object.
It was a magnet...
" So, that's how you won?" Sabi ni Noreen.
Ezra nodded proudly then he searched for the five dreadful looking boys who's in line.
16.) exceptionally intelligent and resourceful
" This is the best day of my life " Ezra said, he was smiling, medyo kakaiba nga lang ang rason bakit sya masaya, medyo miserable din mga kaibigan nya but he was happy, kahit kanina pa. Noreen was smiling at the view.
Sana ganyan ka nalang lagi Noreen thought.
-
Turn na nila N, Fred was praying, Klaud was quiet and he was trying to stay calm, N is calm, JS is smiling while Jun was still frowning.
They fastened their seatbelts, JS was screaming to ease tension, Fred was still praying.
" Kaya natin to " Sabi ni N.
" I love my mom " Sabi ni Jun, he grasped harder on the restraints that secure them.
" Eomma " Sabi ni JS.
The coaster started to go up, Fred was counting the stories as they go up.
" Pang 50th floor na ata to " Sabi ni Fred.
" AHH! AHHH! ANG TAAAS ! AHHHH!!" Sumisigaw na si JS.
" EOMMA" Sabi ni Jun.
Sa baba naman nanonood si Noreen at si Ezra, tumatawa sila nung paakyat na ang lima.
" AYOKO NA " Sabi ni JS.
They reached the dropping point, but it paused.
" If I ever lose consciousness ezra is gonn- AHHH! AHHH! OPPA! OPPAAAAAA!!!" JS waa gonna say, Ezra is gonna pay but the coaster finally dropped, mukha nila ang unang bumaba causing force to go against the flesh of their face. They were all screaming and screaming until the coaster went back to the front.
-
Inabangan na ni Noreen at Ezra ang lima sa exit, Mukhang naiwan na ang kaluwa ng lima doon sa langit, they were drained and they look like they were traumatized or either experienced amnesia. Who am I? Where am I? What world do I live in? That kind of state.
JS went off with jelly legs, Jun looked like he was havinf tremors, si Fred nganga nanaman, N was nauseus, while Jun...still frowning and he looks like he's cursing the world.
" How was it?" Ezra asked sarcastically ,feeling satisfied with his life.
They were all quiet, si JS kumapit sa silver pole and napaupo na sa sahig.
" Ayoko na " Sabi ni JS.
" I think I'm gonna throw up" Sabi ni Klaud who sat next to JS on the floor.
" Kuya ,okay ka lang?" Noreen asked N. Nag thumbs up lang si N, pero nakatripod position sya with his head down.
They are obviously not okay.
" Let's call it a day?" JS asked.
" Anong call it a day? Wala pa ngang fireworks" Sabi ni Ezra.
" Hin.di.ko.na.ka.ya.bes." Sabi ni Fred, sumunod nadin sya umupo sa tabi ni Klaud.
" Ganto nalang ,magpahinga muna kami sa Van...Samahan mo muna kapatid ko dito bago , manood kayo ng fireworks " Sabi ni N.
"CALL!" Sabi ng apat.
Nagkatinginan si Noreen at si Ezra.
" Wag na" Sabi ni Noreen.
" Sige!" Sabi ni Ezra.
-
Noreen's POV
Napatingin ako kay Ezra nung pumayag sya sa sinabi ng kuya ko. Now, Hindi ko alam kung sinadya ba yan ng kuya ko o hindi. Pero, kitang kita ko naman sa itsura nila na suko na sila.
Minsan na lang din ito mangayare kaya hindi na ako pumalag.
Dumiretso na ang Lima sa car, habang naiwan kami sa gitna ni Ezra doon banda sa carousel.
" Where to?" Tanong ni Ezra.
Tinignan ko listahan sa kamay ko. merry go round ,rio de grande, log ride, and last carousel.
" Uhh...Merry go round" Sabi ko.
" Okay, Tignan natin doon sa map" Sabi ni Ezra.
" Di na kailangan ,Alam ko na kung saan sya" Sabi ko.
" Okay, Tara" Sabi nya. It was getting awkward but I always hated this kind of atmosphere, I loosened up and turned my excited mode on.
" Okay !" I said in a high tone.
We proceeded there and we didn't speak when we're on the line. We rode seperate seats, It was terribly awkward. although the ride was thrilling ,it wasn't that high but the swing and the breeze felt good.
" Do you want...?" Sabi ni Ezra, pagbaba namin sa merry go round, a few meters away from the exit may nakita syang nag fa-face paint. I nodded, sabay nag isip na kami ng design.
" Ano sa tingin mo?" Sabi ni Ezra, he wanted spiderman.
" Okay yan haha" While I wanted the butterfly.
" You know...ang tao pwede mo ihalintulad sa isang butterfly" Sabi ni Ezra.
" Okay, I'm listening" Sabi ko.
" Kapag hinabol mo ang butterfly mas lalo syang lalayo, but if you remain still sya mismo lalapit sayo. It talks about waiting for that special someone " Sabi ni Ezra. He's the one who keeps on telling me to stop watching lovey dovey flicks pero ang dami nyang alam ba mga ganito.
" Hmm, Tama. You should write sometimes " I suggested, he just shook his head, ayaw nya siguro sa idea ko pero I like his ideas...
We got our faces painted then we decided to ride the log ride, Sya yung log na nasa water tapos mag dr-drop din but it's not that high, pero may thrill padin sya. I'm very neutral when it comes to rides. I don't get scared like they do ,I actually enjoy the thrill, pero ang Viking talaga ayoko, nagkakaroon din ako ng jelly legs dahil doon.
" Yung napanalunan ko kanina...you can keep them " Sabi ni Ezra saakin, nagtitingin kami sa souvenir shop ng mga pwede mong ipa personalize na mga gamit like mugs and keychains.
" Really? Kahit yung bunny lang katulad kay kuya, ang fluffy kasi haha...I mean kung okay lang sayo?" Sabi ko, medyo nahiya ako napakamot ako sa ulo ko pero sa totoo lang, gusto ko ikeep lahat. " Nahh, You can keep them all. Madami na akong ganun sa bahay " Ezra said smiling at me." Customized beanie" Ezra shifted to my side kung saan makikita ang mga beanie na nakahang sa wall na iba't ibang kulay at ang iba may bow pa na design sa top part.
" Kuha tayo ng seven?" I asked, then Ezra nodded. Nag pili kami ng color, we chose the same color, napansin ko din kasi na uso ang uniform sa barkada nila.
He looked excited, masaya sya tignan as a smile draws from his face habang nag priprint sa mga beanie ang mga pangalan namin.
We patiently waited for it.