~Gift~
|Marissa's POV|
Kasama ko ang kapatid ko. Isang araw lang ang itatagal niya dito sa Pilipinas pero babalik siya ulit kaso ang problema, di pa niya alam kung kailan siya babalik.
Dahil saglit lang siya ay kumain kami sa labas at ngayon kasama ko siya. Gusto niya daw ako makausap. Di ko din alam kung bakit at kung ano ang nakain niya. Pero sa totoo lang, namiss ko rin 'tong bugok na 'to.
Nasa rooftop kami ng condo ko. May mga alak at chips din. Aalis na kasi 'tong bugok na 'to mamayang madaling araw kaya gumawa ako ng ganito. Kapatid ko pa rin si Cadmus at namimiss ko rin siya. Kaya pag may pagkakataon na magkasama kami ay sinusulit ko na.
But, he told me to avoid Derry.
"I'm complete when I'm with Derry. Think of that as a real me." I said.
"What do you mean, complete?", sabi niya sabay lagok sa red horse na hawak niya.
Napatingin ako sa ulap. Walang mga bituin. Natatakpan sila ng mga ulap. Buwan lang ang nakikita ko. Parang ako. Akong-ako 'yung buwan. Minsan may kasama, minsan wala. Buti pa 'yung araw, komportable kahit walang kasama dahil masaya siya. Pero ang buwan, kagaya ko. Gabi-gabi malungkot. Nababalutan ng kalungkutan na mahirap takasan. Pero sa tuwing iniisip ko si Derry, nawawala lahat ng problema kasi ako lang naman ang babaeng papakasalanan niya.
"I wake up, go to sleep, go to school, dress up, cry and laugh because of Derry. I'm nothing without Derry. Without Derry, I can't do anything. There's no reason for me to live.", tapos inuman ko ng diretso ang punong-puno na baso na may alak.
"Ate, you are all about Derry.", tinignan ko siya. Napailing siya sa akin tas tumingin sa ibang direksyon.
"I have nothing better to do than chase a man who ignores me. You must think that I'm stupid. Its fine, though. I really am stupid.", tapos kumuha ako ng madaming chips.
" You shouldn't do things, that upset him, then. Like intruding to his profession and make a commotion to your classmate.", tapos binawasan niya ang hawak kong chips.
Paano? Bwiset 'tong bugok na 'to.
"That was...
Abbigail's fault! Yeah", sagot ko.
Tinignan niya ako ng normal. Poker face pa. Tapos ako napatungga ulit sa red horse ko.
"It was clearly your fault!", he said.
Bakit niya ako sinisisi? Si Abbigail ang may kasalanan! Siyang-siya!
"No, it wasn't! There was a reason for that! 6 months of rage exploded! The truth is, I want to speak with him, to have a good conversation with Derry and to bring back the feelings we shared together. That was my perfect plan..."
But I suddenly feel sad. Everything was ruined. I ruined my plan and came up with this. I miss him so much. Masama ba siyang kausapin?
"What did you think would happen?" He asked me again. I saw him having those serious stares at me. It was like he testing me if I was saying the truth.
Umiwas ako ng tingin. Tapos yumuko na lang ako habang hawak ang bote ng alak ko.
"I thought for sure I'd knock Derry out this time, with my bravery in going to confess my true feelings for him. I love him, bro. I really loved him so much. That I can risk everything for him."
"Seriously?" parang nangangamba pa siya.
Nilapitan ko siya. "Seriously." sabay batok sa ulo niya.
"ARAY!!" Napakuskos siya sa mga ulo niya. Malutong pa naman akong mang-kutong. I laughed at him. Ngayon lang kasi kami nagkasama ulit. I regret that I act like this.
Because of me, my family...
they regret that they have me as their daughter.
Hindi ko namalayan na tumutulo na ang luha ko.
"Okay, okay, – Sis, are you okay?" Tapos nilapitan niya ako.
"I'm fine, bro. I'm strong, right? So, dont worry." I laughed. Even if I can't. I smiled. Even if I can't smile at him. I'm doing this because I want to show to my brother that I'm fine here. Gusto ko na di siya mag-aalala sa akin.
*ring*
Dinukot ni Cadmus sa bulsa niya ang cellphone niya.
Napatingin siya sa direksyon. I was wiping my tears that time but I stopped myself from crying again.
"Sis, I think I have to go home. Sorry, that we only bond for a short while. But next time, I promised that we can have a long time as long as we can. So, wait for me, okay?" he said then smiled at me.
Niyakap ko siya. "Make sure to come back again or else?" Thank goodness. I didn't cry infront of him.
"Sis, bye. Take care of yourself."
"You too. Pag may girlfriend ka na, I must be the first person to know if you have one. Understand?"
"Yes. I love you ate!"
"Hurry. You will be late to your flight. Hurry up."
Tapos bumaba na siya ng rooftop. Ayaw ko siyang makitang umalis. Ayaw niya rin kasi akong humahagulgol sa airport. Ayaw niya akong umiiyak. Pero as his sister, kailangan maging malakas ako para sa kaniya. Kasi siya na lang ang meron ako.
We are adopted. Ampon kami. Inampon kami ng isang pamilya na may Real Estate dito sa Pilipinas. Pinaghiwalay kami ni Cadmus because I was a bad image for my father's business. Kaya nilayo nila ako kay Cadmus. Iniwan nila ako dito sa Pilipinas habang sila nagpapakasaya sa Japan. I'm okay. As long as I have my man, Derry. I can manage here in this dump shitty country.
I go to my room. Pagkabukas ko ng pinto, I saw a box in color pink. Then, may nakalagay na note.
'Sis, I'm happy in things that makes you happy. I will always be here for you. I love you.' - Cadmus
And I opened the box. And I saw a dress in a red-matte color. It was beautiful. Cadmus never fails to make me happy. I will miss him a lot.
|Abby's POV|
"Special gift?" pagtatakang tanong ni Aryh.
"I don't know. Ewan ko ba sa lalaking yun. But, he makes me so excited. I can't wait!" At tumili kaming dalawa sa kilig at excitement.
Noong nakita ko siya na pinigilan niya kami ni Adam sa kwarto namin. I saw his face in jealousy. It was a cute side of him. I know na he didn't want me to touch by any other person. It feels me like I'm safe and protected by him. Ngayon na may pa-special gift siya. It means I'm special too right?
"Anong oras na?" I asked while Aryh is taking selfies.
"It's 5:34 pm. Dismissal time na. Bessy, I gotta go. I know your'e excited about that gift coming from Derry but keep safe. Okay? Umuwi ka ng maaga." utos ni Aryh.
"You sounds like my mom."
I stopped for a while. I really miss my mom. She's working as Domestic helper in Kuwait. Hindi ko din alam kung bakit siya tumigil sa pakikipag-communicate sa akin. She didn't even answered my calls and messages. I don't hold any grudge with my mom. I really want to meet her because my heart can't contain the missing space and that is the love of the mother.
"Don't be sad. We know your mum works hard just for you. And you did the same endeavor. You really work hard as a student. Don't worry. I try to call her when I got home. So, for now. Just go and meet your man right now."
Aryh never fail to make me happy. She always there to comfort me immediately whenever I get sad. She's the best among very most bestfriend in the world. And I can't let go her.
She hugged me.
"I love you, bessy," she said.
"I love you, too." I replied.
Umalis na siya and ako naman ay pinuntahan na si Derry sa headquarters niya. Sumilip ako sa bintana and wala siya. So, pumasok na ako kasi nakta ko na nandoon pa ang mga gamit niya. I opened the door. And pumasok na ako, walang tao sa loob.
Biglang may nagtakip sa mga mata ko. Nagulat ako at napasigaw.
"WAAAAAHHHHHHH---------"
"quiet!" mahinang bulong ni Derry sa tenga ko. Nagbigay yun sa akin ng chills.
"What the hell are you doing?" I asked him habang nakatakip pa din ang mga mata ko ng mga kamay niya.
"Can't you wait?" He said.
Ano ba kasi? Ito na ba yung surprise?
"Hey, kailangan ko na magduty dahil you pick me as your stupid-lazy-annoying-student assistant. So, please let me go." I said na may halong pagmamakaawa.
"This is part of your duty. You and I will have time to each other." He said in my ears.
What the fuck?! Derry, tigilan mo ko sa mga ganyan mo dahil mas nakakadagdag yan sa hotness points mo. Then, bigla siyang naglakad. So, ako sumunod na lang din. Wala na akong magagawa. And come to think of it na this is the part of his special gift for me is what makes me more excited.
Narinig ko yung tunog ng kotse pag binuksan.
"Nasa parking lot ba tayo?" I asked for confirmation.
"Yes, my dear," he said.
I heard he open the door of his car and now he let's go of his hands to my ear. Nasilaw ako sa liwanag dahil sa tagal din ng pagkakatakip sa akin ni Derry.
"Sumakay ka na. Sorry, for that action I hope that it makes this gift more special," he said.
You didn't know how much akong naeexcite ngayon. I can't wait to see this special gift. Lalo na galing pa siya sa taong mahal ko.
"It's okay," then I smiled at him.
Sumakay na rin siya sa sasakyan. Inistart ang engine at pinaandar na ang kotse.
We have this long drive. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako dadalhin ng lalaking ito. But, I really trust him. I really loved him. Siguro noong una, di pa evident yun. And now, I'm so sure about this thing. Masaya ako pag kasama ko siya. I feel safe pag nandiyan siya. Ayokong mawala ang ganitong klaseng lalaki sa buhay. He was gentle, handsome and caring. Marami pang katangian ang hindi ko pa nadidiskubre sa kanya. I want to know every small details about him. I really want to know the Derry that most people didn't know.
I looked at him. I stared at him. There's nothing I can wish for.
"What? There's anything problem about my face?" he asked.
"Ohh?- I'm sorry about that. Wala namang dumi sa mukha mo," I chuckled.
He smiled at me. "It's good to see you smile. Your'e beautiful, Abby."
FIRST STRIKE!!! YUNG PUSO KO, PUNYETA. BAKIT KA GANYAN, PUSO? MANAHIMIK KA MUNA, PLEASE. BALAK ATA AKONG PATAYIN SA KILIG NG KUMAG NA TO. ITO NA BA YUNG SPECIAL GIFT NA SINASABI NIYA.
"Sa-saan b-ba tayo--?" I stuttered because of him. He laughs at me.
"You know, your'e cute too," he added.
SECOND STRIKE!!! HINDI KO NA KAYANG PIGILAN. PAAKYAT NA ANG MGA DUGO KO SA MUKHA KO. MY GOSHHHH. DI KO NA KERI TONG KAKILIGAN NA TO. YAWQNAH SA EARTHHHHHHHH!!
"Oh, your blushing?," he asked.
HINDI BA HALATA?! SUSME, PUNONG-PUNO NA AKO NG KAHIHIYAN DITO. HELP MEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
"I still love you, Abby," he said.
THIRD STRIKE!!! YUNG TATAA?! NAGLALARO BA TAYO NG ROS DITO. PAUNAHAN MAMATAY SA KILIG. AKO NA NAMAN NATALO. SUSMEEEEEE, BAKIT KA GANYAN? MAS LALO TULOY KITANG MINAMAHAL. KYAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
After that too much kilig moments that I can't handle, he parked his car. Nauna siyang bumaba and siya ang nagbukas ng pinto para sa akin.
He offers me a hand, then di na ako tumanggi at nagpaalalay na rin ako. I feel so special tonight.
Pagkababa ako namangha ang mata ko sa nakita ko, nasa themepark kami. Kamukha siya nung themepark na pinuntahan namin sa tagaytay. Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali kasi di ko malilimutang park yun na pinuntahan namin ni Derry.
"Ito ba yung —" Agad niya akong pinutol sa sasabihin ko sa kanya.
"Yes, your'e right. Gusto kong bumalik dito ng tayo lang dalawa," sabi niya sa akin. Nilingon niya ako at ningitian.
Seryoso ba 'to?! Kaming dalawa lang sa park na 'to?! KAMING DALAWA?!! Baka naman nirentahan niya 'tong park.
"Ahh, by the way, I didn't rent this whole park. I just asked the permission of the administration to wait us until we arrived. They said that it's the best for us to come at this time because its the closing time of the park. Then, I just rented the ferris wheel," his explanation to me.
I smiled at him. I feel like more special because of this. Hindi ko expected na hahanapin niya 'tong themepark na 'to. And now, nasa Bulacan kami just to come to this. I'm so happy about his efforts.
"Thank you," I said.
He smiled. "Tara!"
Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko. Tinignan ko siya. Napakahot niya talaga kahit saang anggulo mo siya tignan. Hinigpitan niya pa ang hawak sa akin. Tapos tumakbo kami at dinala na niya ako sa ferris wheel. Naka-abang na doon yung isang staff. At naka-abang na din yung cab namin.
Wait!
Yung heart-shaped car of happiness ba yun? Di ako nagkakamali. Yun nga yun!
Pagkarating namin sa staff, hingal na hingal kami kasi tinakbo namin yun eh. Hiningaan si Derry ng ticket bago kami sumakay.
"Ticket po?" tanong ng staff. Then, kinuha ni Derry yung ticket namin at inabot niya sa lalaking nakabantay sa gate ng ferris wheel. Pagkaabot ni Derry ng tcket ay agaran na kaming pumasok. At nakaabang naman ang isang lalaki para sa pagsakay namin sa the heartshaped car of happiness. Binuksan na ang pinto at agad na kaming sumakay ni Derry na may ngiti sa aming mga labi at magkahawak kamay.
Umandar na ang ferris wheel. Naeexcite na ako. Sobrang laki ng ferris wheel. At di ko alam kung ilang minuto ang aabutin namin papunta sa tuktok pero kasama ko lang si Derry para na akong nasa tugatog ng pinakamataas na bundok.
"Are you happy now?," he asked. I wiped the sweat in his face using the cuff of the long sleeve of my uniform.
Hinatak niya ang kamay ko. My eyes widen in his action. At ngayon ay nakasubasob ang pisngi ko sa tikasin niyang dibdib. Naggigym ba siya? Bakit ganito katigas tong mga dibdib niya?
"I'm happy that I'm here with you," bigla niyang sambit. I smiled. Niyakap ko na siya.
"Me too." I replied.
Kumalas ako sa yakap na yun. Tinignan ko siya sa mga mata. Seryoso ang mga mata niya nun. He even held my hand. Napangiti ako muli. Nilapat ko ang kanang kamay ko sa kaliwa niyang pisngi. At hinawakan niya ang kamay ko.
"This is not my special gift. Having you was my special gift." I said to him.
His two hands go to my cheeks. His staring at me sweetly. Unti-unti kaming nagkakalapit sa isa't-isa. Nararamdaman ko na ang hininga niya. Nakapikit na ako. At sa mga huling sandali, ay naglapat na ang mga labi namin.
Ang halik niya ay malambot. Punong-puno ito ng pagmamahal. Sumagot na ako sa mga halik niya. Ramdam ko na di na lang ito ordinaryong halik. He kissed with all of the feelings he have for me.
Tumigil kami at nagdikit ang aming noo sa isa't-isa at nakangiti.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you, too." I replied.
Then, he hugged me tightly. Napatingin ako sa bintana. Nakatigil na ang car na sinasakyan namin sa itaas. Tanaw ko na ang ilang bahagi ng Bulacan mula rito. Pero, mas tanaw ko na ang nararamdaman ko kay Derry. Mahal ko na siya. Mahal na mahal.
A U T H O R' S N O T E:
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Hi, Ina_cute_25
Wala kang jowa? Bigay ko na sayo si Derry, XHNZ!!! Go and read some remainig chapters para mas lalo kang mainlove sa mga characters. And show your love to the author by clicking the follow button. Continue supporting me! Welcome to the fam! Thankies po~
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