"Cali, I have a question."
Cali looked at me while she was drinking her smoothie. "What it is?" she asked, a bit curious, and placed the glass back on the table.
"This is just a random thought," I acted casual.
She slightly raised her brow as a gesture for me to continue. Tumikhim naman ako at nagpatuloy kahit medyo hindi sure kung paano ba ike-kwento. I didn't know what to do or how to ask for an advice, so I need to make something up!
"What if a girl received a confession from a guy, and the guy said that he likes her daw. And as a natural reaction to any out of the blue confession, she just stared at the guy after his confession and didn't do or say anything..."
"Hala. Bakit naman ganoon?" She suddenly looked invested.
"But they are still talking!" agap ko. "But it's as if no confession ever happened. What do you think is the right thing to do next?" I sound so stupid for sure.
"Siguro kapag ganoon, dapat i-figure out muna ang feelings at hindi kaagad umamin, 'di ba?" Napatanong din tuloy siya.
"That's all?" nagtatakang tanong ko. Nabitin sa ere ang kamay ni Cali may hawak na tinidor. She looked at me again and gave me a small smile.
"Let's be honest, I don't know anything about love!" She giggled. "Pero ganoon naman yata. Sure, it's flattering when someone likes you. Pero hindi dapat nagpapadalos-dalos sa pag-amin dahil lang may umamin sa 'yo. Feelings kaya ng tao ang involved."
I sighed and drank from my cup. I don't know... but she kind of made sense. 'Wag akong magpadalos-dalos. It probably took him a lot of guts to confess—if ever that was true—so the least I could do is to figure whatever I'm feeling for him instead of telling him immediately that I don't feel the same.
"Bakit naman ang random ng thought na 'yon? Nangyari sa 'yo?" She looked so innocent and clueless when she asked that but I guess my heavy sigh threw me away. "Hala, sino? Si Echo?"
I nodded. "Yeah."
Cali squealed and covered her mouth with a hand. "When?" she asked again, her eyes a bit wide, much more excited this time.
Oh-kay. Is she going to be on 'Jericho enthusiast' mode right now?
"A week ago. Birthday ni Kito," I answered.
"That took him long enough," she stated like a whisper.
"What?" I didn't get what she said. Took him long enough? What?
"Ah!" She let out a nervous laugh and shifted on her seat. I raised a brow at her. She shook her head repeatedly.
"What do you mean?"
"Iniiwasan mo siya?" pagbaliwala niya sa tanong ko. I didn't push it. Pinatong niya sa lamesa ang pinagsaklop na mga kamay, waiting for my answer.
I nodded as a response. "I don't know if I should believe him."
"Why? 'Di naman playboy si Echo, ah," depensa niya. Okay, here she goes. Basta usapang ako at Jericho, masyado siyang invested!
"Sila ni Roxy, right?" I asked. I didn't believe him when he said that they were cousins. Gano'n naman ang palaging sinasabi ng mga lalake, 'di ba? Then at the end, you'll find out that they are not cousins!
Her eyes widened a bit before she bursted out laughing. "What are you talking about? They're cousins. Ano 'yon? Incest?" She was still laughing.
"But, she calls him 'babe'!" I almost screamed, trying to defend myself.
Ugh, Esme! They're cousins pala talaga?! Nakakahiya naman ako! Why do I love making conclusions and not believing the people around me? Is this a sickness or something? Because if it is, I don't want it!
"Roxy calls everyone babe!" Cali laughed once again. "She's also a year younger than me that is why she speaks that way."
Lumaki ang mata ko sa sinabi niya. "What? Mas bata sayo?!" I asked in disbelief. "But that body!" I added, still not believing that she's a year younger than Cali. So that means... she's two years younger than me!
But, she's hot! How?!
"I know," Cali said, nodding, obviously agreeing with me. "She just turned nineteen this year. And believe me, they're cousins. Tanong mo pa sila."
"Sabi ni Raya sa 'kin mag boyfriend daw, eh!"Oh! That scammer!
"Ayaw niya kay Roxy, kung 'di pa ba halata." Umiling si Cali bago tumingin sa 'kin. "But believe Echo."
"Why would I?" I asked her, trying to know the reason to her 'that took him long enough' earlier.
"Should I even say this?" Cali contemplated. I gave her a nod. "Okay. Secret lang natin, ah." I nodded again and sat properly. "He likes you since we were in highschool."
Nagulat ako nang kaunti. "No, he doesn't," sabi ko noong medyo naka recover.
"Manhid ka ba?" Tinapunan niya ako ng tissue. Sinalo ko naman ito at nilapag sa table bago siya tiningnan ng masama. Tumawa naman siya at nagpatuloy. "He does. Bakit ka nga pala lumalayo sa kanya dati?" kuryoso niyang tanong.
"Ang awkward niya kaya!" I answered honestly.
"So now?" she asked, raising a brow at me.
"I... don't know?" I said, unsure. I stared at the food infront of me while listening to Cali.
"Maybe you do know. Pero ayaw mo lang aminin."
I glared at her. "I guess."
"Don't rush it. If Echo really likes you, then he would wait 'til you're ready." She continued eating pero parang may naalala siya kaya tumingin siya ulit sa 'kin. "Hala, so nililigawan ka na niya?"
Nanlaki naman ang mata ko sa tanong niya. I started waving both of my hands in front of her. "No, hindi niya ako... nililigawan. I mean... he didn't say anything like that," sabi ko at dahan-dahan binaba ang kamay.
"Tanungin mo kaya."
"I'll think about it." Bumuntong-hininga naman ako bago tumingin sa kaniya. "How about you?" I asked.
"How about me?" ulit na tanong niya, puno ng pagtataka ang mga mata.
"How's your love life?" I asked and took my cup. My tea was already cold.
She suddenly looked nervous. "Uh... Wala?"
My brows furrowed and I squinted my eyes. "Bakit patanong?"
"Wala!" ulit niya, maayos na ang tono. "Ano ka ba naman!" The bell of the cafe rang kaya naman napatingin siya kaagad doon. "Si Echo, oh!" Ang high pitch pa rin niya. "Echo! Dito!" Kumaway-kaway siya.
Tiningnan ko siya habang nanlalaki ang mata. Bakit naman niya tinawag?!
"Cali!" saway ko.
"Three... two..." Paimpit siyang sumigaw at hindi natapos ang pagbibilang. I smelled Jericho's perfume beside me and I immediately know why Cali stopped talking.
"Hey," bati ni Echo sa malalim na boses.
I froze when he placed a hand behind my chair and leaned to kiss me on the cheek. I heard Cali squealed again. Napatingin naman si Echo sa kanya.
"Ano?" Kumunot ang noo ni Echo.
"Aalis na pala ako! Mag-edit pa 'ko ng vlog. Ingatan mo 'yan, Echo!" Cali smiled mischievously before leaving us. She is really invested in this!
I looked at Jericho who was standing in front of me. I raised my brow at him when I noticed that he was confused.
"Ano'ng nangyari roon?" tanong niya sa akin.
"I honestly don't know," pagmamaang-maangan ko. "'Di ka uupo?"
"No," sagot niya at ngumiti.
"Then, why are you here?" tanong ko ulit.
"Sinusundo kita," he said, massaging his neck as if he was shy.
"Why?"
"Aalis tayo," simpleng sagot niya. He gestured me to stand up kaya tumayo naman ako.
Nagulat ako noong hawakan niya ang kamay ko at pinagsaklop ang mga daliri namin habang naglalakad palabas ng café. I did not protest, though.
"Where are we going?" I asked, looking at our intertwined hands.
Huminto na kami sa harap ng sasakyan niya. He opened the door and removed his hand on mine. I felt disappointed pero wala akong sinabi at pumasok na sa car. Umikot naman siya at pumasok na sa driver's seat.
"Seatbelt," he reminded. Sinuot ko naman agad ang seatbelt at hinintay ang sagot niya sa tanong ko kanina. He started the engine and glanced at me. "To the other side of the Isla."
Namilog ang mata ko sa sinabi niya. "Hindi nga?" I asked and I can feel the excitement rush in my veins.
"Yeah," sagot niya at natawa.
"No way?" He nodded. "La Cabaña Bananera?!" I asked again, making sure that what I had in mind was correct.
He nodded again and laughed. "Oo nga."
"Favorite ko roon!" I exclaimed and giggled after that.
La Cabaña Bananera or The Banana Cabin, is a simple yet amazing banana farm. I don't know, the view amazes me. The place is really picturesque and they also have this cute mini diner that serves different banana meals. Sobrang sarap doon kaya ko 'yon naging paborito.
Ever since I was young, doon ako dinadala ni Daddy tuwing weekends. Last christmas, noong nag bakasyon kami rito, it was closed. That's why I didn't attempt to go now. Pero open na pala ngayon? I'm so excited!
"I know," tipid niyang sagot. He had a small smile on his lips.
"How?" I asked, curiously.
"When we were young, you're not home every weekend. Tapos pagbalik mo, you'll always give us a box of banana," he explained. "I assumed na galing ka sa farm," he added and chuckled softly.
"How sure are you that sa farm nga 'yon galing?" I asked and raised a brow. Pwede naman kasi na binili lang diyan sa fruitstand, 'di ba?
"Come on, Esme. Lagi mo sinasabi sa amin kung gaano mo kamahal iyong banana farm," sabi niya at umiling.
I was shocked to know that he remembered that. And... he was paying attention to what I was saying? Pero hindi naman siya nakatingin sa 'kin pag nagsasalita ako dati, eh!
"So... you were paying attention to me?" I asked, shyly.
"I always do," he unconsciously said.
Nagulat ako noong kinuha niya ang kamay ko at dinala ito sa labi niya para hinalikan. After that he intertwined it and continued driving.
I probably looked flushed, kaya umiwas ako ng tingin. I looked at the trees na nadadaanan namin. It was sunny pero mahangin naman. I realized na medyo malayo na kami sa lugar namin. Ang bilis niya pala mag-drive?
"When are you going back to Manila?" he suddenly asked.
"Next week ata? I'm not sure, though," I replied and looked at him. "You?"
"The day after tomorrow."
"Why? Ang aga pa, ah?" I tried to hide the disappointment in my voice.
"I have things to do in Manila," he said. "Don't worry, I'll pick you up at the airport."
The side of my lips rose at what he said. "Really?"
"Really," he answered, nodding.
Nag-usap kami para hindi mapansin ang oras. Before I knew it, he already parked the car. Nandito na kami sa banana farm.
Bumaba ako at sumunod naman siya. I was jumping from excitement while waiting for him.
Nakita niyang tumatalon ako kaya natawa siya. He took his phone out from his pocket and pointed it at me. I knew he was taking a video. Lumapit siya sa 'kin kaya tumigil ako sa pagtalon at tinabunan ang camera ng cellphone niya.
"'Wag!" I protested.
"'Wag!" he mimicked and made a face. Napasimangot naman ako dahil doon. Napailing naman siya at hinila na ako papunta sa entrance.
Noong nakapasok na kami, nilibot ko agad ang paningin ko sa farm at napangiti kasi walang masyadong nagbago. Actually, only the size of the farm changed, it became bigger.
"Amilya!" Napalingon ako dahil noong may may narinig na pamilyar na boses . Lumaki ang mata ko nang nakita kung sino 'yon.
"Chase!" I shouted and ran to him. Sinalubong naman niya ako ng yakap. "Gosh, I missed you!" I let go. "But Amelie nga kasi!" naiinis kong sabi kaya natawa naman siya.
"Umuwi ka pala? 'Di ka man lang nagsabi," he said and ruffled my hair.
"Yes, last month. Babalik na rin ako ng Manila next week."
"Last month ka pa pala dito pero 'di ka man lang bumisita!"
Naalala ko na kasama ko nga pala si Echo noong tumikhim ito at hinawakan ang kamay ko. He looked at me with sharp eyes before looking at Chase.
"Oh." Tumikhim ako noong na-realize ang gusto niyang mangyari. "Uh... Si Jericho nga pala, uhm... my-" friend.
"Manliligaw niya," putol ni Echo sa sasabihin ko. He offered his other hand kay Chase. Tiningnan naman ako ni Chase at tinaasan ng kilay.
Nagulat ako doon. Manliligaw?!
"Yeah, I know you, bro. Small island," sabi naman ni Chase in a very manly voice kaya naman natawa ako. Lumingon sila sa'kin kaya umubo ako para matabunan ang tawa.
"Small island, but I don't know you," sarkastikong sabi ni Echo. "You are?" tanong niya, ang kamay ay nasa harapan pa rin ni Chase.
Chase cleared his throat before accepting Echo's hand and shook it. "Chase, her-"
"Friend," nagmamadali kong singit kay Chase.
"Her ex," mariin na sabi ni Chase and glanced at me. I mentally slapped myself for that.
Yes, he's my ex.
Chase had jet black hair, a sharp nose, thick brows, and nice lips. Every girl would want him. He even has a body that would pass as a model. He had abs, nice arms and all. He was fit, to be honest.
Dito kami nagkakilala sa farm. Sa kanila kasi ito, eh. And... we broke up because it wasn't working anymore and for some... reasons that I don't really want to remember. Somehow, we still remained friends. We weren't in touch, though. Nakikita ko lang siya paminsan-minsan.
Tumingin sa 'kin si Echo. When he raised a brow at me, I immediately looked away. He looked betrayed and I don't know why!
"Ex? Really? How come she never mentioned you," Echo said sarcastically and smirked at Chase.
"She never mentioned you either, nagreklamo ba ako?" Chase replied, sarcastically too. Nanlaki naman ang mata ko roon. Ngumisi naman siya nang nakita na napawi ang ngisi ni Echo.
I knew Jericho got annoyed because he pushed his tongue on the inside of his cheek. I held his hand and pulled him back a bit. He looked at me and I saw that his eyes were dark. I gave him a warning look before looking back at Chase, who was smirking.
Oh-kay.
I knew Chase was just teasing Echo. Ganyan naman siya palagi, eh. Ganyan din naman ugali ni Jericho pero napikon na siya ngayon. I wanted to laugh because he finally got a taste of his own medicine, huh.
"We'll head off now," paalam ko kay Chase. "See you when I see you!" I waved my hand before pulling Echo away from there para makapaglibot na sa farm.
"I don't like him," iritadong sabi ni Echo, ni hindi pa kami nakakalayo sa ex ko!
"Can we just forget about him?" I said and looked at him pero parang hindi niya ako narinig.
"You never told me that you had an ex," he said. He still had this dark aura around him.
"And you never told me na nililigawan mo ako," I fired back and glared at him.
He licked his lips and let out a sigh. "Well? Isn't it obvious?"
"No." I even shook my head.
"I already told you I like you, so of course I'm courting you," mariin niyang sinabi.
Napaawang ang labi ko. "What?"
"I'm courting you," he said with finality.
I didn't know how to react to that. 'Di ko pa nga nakakalimutan 'yong pag-amin niya sa 'kin, ngayon naman nililigawan na niya ako?! I thought we were supposed to talk about whether he would court me or not. I don't really know!
Oo, naging boyfriend ko si Chase pero wala nang ligaw-ligaw 'yon. He just suddenly declared na kami na. I said sure. Don't judge me... I was young! Ano bang alam ko sa pag-ibig?
I didn't know what to say to Jericho, that's why I said the first thing that came to my mind. "Kain tayo."
He groaned. "What? You're not going to say anything?"
"None," I replied and started to walk. Hinila niya ang kamay ko nang marahan. Muntik na akong tumama sa dibdib niya pero napigilan ko ang sarili. "Ano ba?!"
"I'm going to court you, Ariesse Amelie," he repeated.
"I know. Kakasabi mo lang." I even nodded at him to prove that I did hear what he said.
"And you're really not going to say anything?"
"What? What are you expecting me to say, Echo?" I snapped. Lumayo ako nang kaunti. He looked taken aback for a second but immediately recovered. He sighed before he began to talk.
"I know I declared that I am courting you, but if you go against it, I'll respect that... I'll accept that. I don't want to deprive you of your liberty, Esme. I won't force you to agree to something that's against your will," he sounded so serious.
Napaawang ang labi ko sa mangha dahil sa sinabi niya. He was a gentleman for letting me decide about it. I was happy to know that he wasn't going to force me kung ayaw ko naman.
"Sure ka ba hindi ka mag la-lawyer?" I asked, jokingly.
"Oh, God," he whispered and brushed his hair. He looked frustrated because I wasn't taking him seriously. Ang saya pala niyang gantihan!
"I'm kidding!" natatawang sabi ko. "Sure, Echo. I'll give you a chance, okay?" I held his hand and smiled at him.
I didn't know if I already like him... but I was feeling something whenever he was around. And I wasn't that selfish to not give him a chance.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Gusto mong bawiin ko?" I asked jokingly and raised my brow.
"Uy, walang ganoon!" He panicked. I laughed and pinched his cheek, which shocked him a bit. Yumuko siya, mukhang nagtatago ng ngiti.
"Hindi ko naman babawiin," I said, smiling. He returned my smile.
"Buti naman! Tara. Let's eat," aya niya at hinila na ako papunta sa mini diner.
Medyo marami ang tao sa loob, but there were still seats available naman. I looked around and noticed that the interior was different. Before, the walls were yellow and black, now they are the color of the wood. And the furniture was all white. It looked better and much neat.
"What's yours?" Echo asked and looked at me.
"Banana split and water, please," I said without looking at the menu. That's my favorite here. I hope they still have it, though. Baka kasi pati menu nagbago, right?
"Okay. Could you find us a seat? I'll order," he said.
"You sure? Samahan na kita," I said.
"No. Ako na," sabi niya naman. Sa tono pa lang niya alam kong hindi siya magpapatalo. Tumango naman ako at naghanap ng mauupuan namin.
I found an available two-seater table near the window. I sat there and placed my bag on the table. I took my alcohol inside and sprayed some on my hand. I suddenly remember something so I took my phone out.
ventosari: cali, he's courting me!!
I didn't send it sa gc. I only sent it as a DM to Calista. She was online kaya naman nag-reply siya agad.
mercalista: Really??
ventosari: yes nga! we're here ngayon sa la cabaña!
mercalista: Please tell me the deets when you come back!
I was about to reply pero nakita ko si Jericho na naglalakad na papunta sa lamesa namin at may dalang tray. Nagmamadali kong tinago ang phone ko sa bag. Baka mabasa niya, eh! Nakakahiya!
"Oh, sinong ka-chat mo?" taas kilay niyang tanong.
"No one!" I exclaimed, sounding a bit defensive. I was a bit nervous for no reason at all!
"Wala?" He crossed his arms. "Then, why did you panick when you saw me?" he asked again, his voice sounded like he was accusing me of something.
"I did not..."
"Really?" Pinanliitan niya ako ng mata. "Why? Is it Chase?"
"Kung si Chase? Selos ka naman?" tanong ko at binigyan siya ng mapangasar na tingin.
He shook his head and smirked at me. "Slight lang."