Ryseann
"Anak, where are you going?"
My Dad asked when I saw him sitting in the living room. These past days, he was usually not going to work because of his health condition. Mom is taking over the company while my Dad is still recovering. Last year nagsimula ang pagkakaroon niya ng iba't ibang heart complications.
Hindi na siya pwede masyadong ma-stress at mapagod. Hindi na rin siya makakapagtrabaho nang ganoon kabigat kagaya ng dati.
That also became the reason why I had to take over our company in the future earlier than we talked about.
I was supposed to work as a pilot first for like ten to fifteen years bago ko i-take over ang company. That's really my dream. That's all I wanted kahit sandali lang. But everything changed unexpectedly nang unti-unting humina ang puso ni Dad. I had to take over the company five years after I graduate.
And I am not blaming him.
I am not resenting him. Not at all.
He became a good father to me ever since. He was always there to support me and to become proud of me in everything I do. He was my motivator and my inspiration to work harder in life. And accepting the company is just my tiny way of giving back all the things he gave me.
"Enrollment na po namin sa school, Dad. I'll be back later. If you need something, tawagin niyo lang po si Nurse Pia. Nasabihan ko na siya sa mga dapat niyang gawin Dad." I reminded him.
"Sean, don't worry too much about me. I'm still strong. Kaya ko pa ang sarili ko."
I just smiled. Ayaw ko ng makipag-debate sa kanya. Alam kong kinakaya nalang niya at nahihirapan na rin naman siya. It's just a way of helping himself. Ayaw niyang maging pabigat pero ako bilang anak niya, gagawin ang lahat kahit pa buhatin siya sa hirap na dinadala niya.
"Sige po. Mauuna na po ako."
"Okay. Take care son."
"You too Dad. Take care." I reminded him again.
Kinausap ko pa ulit si Nurse Pia na bantay-bantayan si Daddy. She promised to take care of my father naman kaya medyo nagiginhawaan ako.
I'll be fetching my girlfriend first before going to school. Sabay na kasi kaming mag-eenroll for college. Parang kailan lang, senior high school palang siya. Naiirita pa ako sa kanya at first dahil ang kulit-kulit niya.
She is my total opposite.
But her smiles, her laughter, yung pagsunod-sunod niya sa akin. Yun yung mga bagay na hindi ko inakalang magbibigay ulit ng kulay sa buhay ko.
She is now one of the persons I cannot afford to lose.
Siya ang babaeng kaya ko at handa kong ipaglaban sa kahit ano.
She became my dream.
She became my life.
And now she is my everything.
• • • •
Gaya ng pinag-usapan namin, mag-aantay ako sa kanya sa may tapat ng isang waiting shed malapit sa bahay nila. Their house was huge. She's really a rich kid but she doesn't want to be called like that. Masyado siyang pa-humble that makes her personality cuter. Well, cute naman na talaga siya.
She's young kaya minsan she's really spoiled. She's bubbly, kind, may pagka-arte but has a big heart.
A heart that is incomparable to anything.
Medyo wala pa siya kaya I messaged her at IG.
ryseantos: Bibi, I'm here na.
She replied so fast. Halatang active sa social media.
rishrivera: Oh my gosh! I'm still putting my make-up on! Wait for me Babe!
I laughed.
ryseantos: Bibi, dali. Huhuhu 😿
I am trying to piss her off again. Ayaw niyang pinagmamadali siya but whenever I pouted or na-boboring na ako, binibilisan talaga niya. She's so cute for me.
But the truth is, gusto ko naman na talaga siyang makita.
We're good for the past days. We are actually hanging out together lalo na kapag nab'bore daw siya. Lagi siyang nagpapasama sa mall.
rishrivera: Ryseann, don't pressure me! I may not turn out maganda dahil minamadali mo ako! My gosh!
ryseantos: Babe, you're already beautiful.
rishrivera: You make bola pa nga!
ryseantos: Seryoso nga.
rishrivera: Okay, fine! You just want to see me eh that's why you are making me hurry. Ryseann, you're so pakipot talaga!
ryseantos: Oo nga. Gusto na kitang makita.
I smiled.
I am actually like this kapag kausap ko siya. Lagi niya akong napapangiti sa mga simpleng bagay na ginagawa niya. She may not feel it everytime kasi madalas akong masungit tignan sa kanya. But the truth is, walang minuto akong nalulungkot kapag kasama ko siya.
I saw her waving pagkalabas ng bahay nila. She looks so excited hindi ko alam kung dahil mag-cocollege na siya or dahil makikita na niya ako.
We both ended our school year well this quarter. I was in the Dean's list habang siya ay nagkaroon ng High Honor award. I'm so proud of her.
I'm so proud of us.
Agad akong lumabas ng kotse para salubungin siya. Para kasi siyang naglalakad sa mall. Ako pa ang natatakot kasi baka may mabilis na sasakyan ang biglang dumaan tapos inattentive siya.
She was wearing a black leggings, white shirt na may tatak ng isang designer brand. Tapos yung jacket na binigay ko sa kanya. She wears that almost everytime. Nakalugay lang siya ng buhok. Halatang hindi gaanong naayos kasi minadali ko.
I just laughed.
She's still the most beautiful in my eyes.
"Babe!" Agad niya akong niyakap.
I hugged her as well.
"I missed you so much!" She pouted.
"Weh? Last week nga lang tayo last na nagkita diba."
"Yeah. But a week without you feels like an eternity to me!"
"Date tayo mamaya?" I smiled at her.
I saw how her eyes sparkled. Makarinig lang talaga ng date ang mahal ko, nanliliwanag na ang mata.
"Really?!"
"Yes. Ayaw mo ba?"
"Of course, I want that! Sige! Date tayo ah! But first, enroll muna tayo! I'm so excited. I will be a college student na!"
"College is not that easy Babe." I reminded her.
"I know duh! But I can handle it. As long as I am with you, kakayanin ko." She smiled.
I kissed her forehead. I love this girl so much. Siya lang ang nakikita kong kaya kong makasama habang buhay. She was the only one that could give me genuine happiness na hindi kayang ibigay ng iba.
I can see my life with her.
"My gosh! I'll get to see you more often. Same area na tayo." She sounded so happy.
"Yeah. But next year, iba na ang campus ko."
She pouted.
"Oo nga pala. Then, don't pass this year para sabay tayo!"
"Tangek." Pinitik ko ang noo niya and he laughed.
Hinaplos-haplos tuloy niya yung noo niya. Inalalayan ko na siyang pumasok ng kotse ko at tinulungan siyang magsuot ng seatbelt. Dahan-dahan lang ang pagmamaneho ko kasi I take extra care kapag kasama ko si Rish.
Hindi naman gaanong hassle ang enrollment namin because it was all online. Pupunta lang kami ng school for the payments and other miscellaneous.
"Babe, you look so handsome." Sambit niya habang nakatingin sa akin.
I chuckled.
"Pansin ko nga. Kanina ka pa nakatitig sa akin eh."
"Hey! Eyes on the road, not on me!" She reminded.
"Wow. Say that to yourself. Eyes on the road, not on me. Baka matunaw ako sayo eh."
"Why? I wasn't driving naman kaya pwede kitang titigan." She laughed.
"Okay. Sa akin ka lang titingin ah. Hindi kita papayagang tumingin sa iba."
"Ooh, possessive boyfriend."
"Ganyan talaga. Ayaw kitang mawala eh." I said.
Ewan ko ba kung bino-bolachi lang ako ng girlfriend ko everytime na napapansin kong gwapong-gwapo siya sa akin.
I am just wearing a plain white shirt na may denim blue na pocket sa gilid. I tucked it in my ankle length khaki trousers and I paired it with my white Stan Smith sneakers.
• • • •
Sinamahan ko muna si Rish na tapusin yung mga payments na gagawin niya. Napansin ko pa nga na medyo mainipin talaga ang girlfriend ko. But I am always reminding her na dadagan niya ang patience niya cause it's a very essential value to learn.
"My gosh Babe! It's so hot here! I feel so sweaty na! I even removed your jacket na but I still feel so hot!" She ranted.
"Anong gagawin ko Babe?" Naguguluhan kong tanong.
"I don't know! I just don't want the feeling of getting hot!"
"Akin na nga yan." Inagaw ko sa kanya ang folder na kanina pa niya pinampapaypay. "Sandal."
"Huh?"
"Sabi ko sandal ka."
"O-okay." Naguguluhan niyang sambit.
She leaned on her chair and sat there properly. Nakatingin pa rin siya sa akin and I could sense na binabasa niya kung ano ang gusto kong gawin sa kanya.
"What are you going to do?" She asked.
"Diba naiinitan ka. Heto na po. Papaypayan na kita." I smiled at her.
• • • •
Natapos naming asikasuhin yung mga bayarin niya and ako naman na ang sumunod. Medyo mahaba nanaman ang pila but sabi ko nga earlier, patience is a virtue.
"Babe, are you okay?" I asked her.
Nakita ko nalang kasi siyang naglalaro ng Adorable Home sa cellphone niya.
"Yes I am. Tsaka I won't rant about something this time. Sinamahan mo ako kanina and even extended your patience for me kaya I won't bother you." She smiled.
"Wow. Akala ko naiinip ka na eh."
"Duh, why would I?!" She looked at her game again. "Oh my gosh, they're so sweet! Dali tignan mo."
"Ano ba yan?"
"Adorable Home duh!" She rolled her eyes playfully.
"You are my asawa here. Look! It's so sweet! We are on a bed together!"
Agad akong napalingon sa paligid. Tinitignan na tuloy kami ng ibang students. I suddenly shushed her pero natatawa pa siya. She's really bubbly.
"Wag ka ngang maingay. Baka ano isipin nila Babe." I whispered.
"Duh! Parang hindi naman na natin ito ginawa—"
Tinakpan ko na yung bunganga niya baka kung saan pa makarating yung mga sinasabi niya. Isipin ng mga tao dito, sinasamantala ko yung girlfriend ko. Mahal ko ito, uy! Hindi ko ito sasamantalahin!
"Ate, boyfriend niyo po si Number 07?"
May biglang nagtanong kay Rish. Katabi niya yung babae at mukhang ako ang tinutukoy niya. Seven kasi ang jersey number ko sa football.
Sinamaan niya ng tingin yung babae. She's really possessive too at times.
"Yes, he is. Why?" She asked.
"Wala po. Swerte niyo eh. Dami po kasing nagkaka-crush sa kanya."
"Oh my gosh! Who?!"
Hinawakan ko nalang ang kamay ni Rish and I intertwined it with my hands. Nakita ko naman siyang kumalma kaya bigla akong natatawa sa kanya. She and her attitude.
Kakaiba talaga!
"Galit na galit Ice Bear?" I chuckled.
"Natutuwa ka pa! Ang dami daw nagkaka-crush sayo! My gosh, who are they?! They are so epal!"
"Wag ka na ngang magselos. Napaka-selosa naman ng Ice Bear ko." I pinched her cheeks.
"Kasi! So papansin!"
"Rish, I don't care. You're the only one I love. You're the only girl I could entertain. Ikaw lang ang mahal ko, okay?"
She pouted then smiled. "Okay."
• • • •
I asked her na mag-antay nalang doon sa may pavilion kasi masyado nang mainit dito. It's my turn to pay so I won't be too long. Hindi na rin siya maiinip.
Nang matapos ako, agad akong nagpunta sa kanya. I saw her taking photos of herself again. That's her hobby at minsan dinadamay niya ako. Pinagbibigyan ko siya cause that is something that could make her happy.
I always want her to be happy.
"Oh my gosh, nandito ka na! Finally!" She hugged me again.
"Date na?" I smiled.
"Wait, picture muna." Napahinto siya at napatingin sa akin.
My brows furrowed.
"Lapit ka muna sa akin." She said.
"Why?"
"Basta! Lapit!"
Lumapit ako sa kanya. Dumuko ako kasi masyado akong matangkad para sa height niya. Sinuguro ko talagang malapit ako sa kanya. Pinantayan ko ang mukha niya and I saw how pretty she is, up close.
"May pawis ka eh. You must be exhausted. You're so handsome pa naman."
She wiped the sweat that was in my forehead. Pinunasan din niya yung nasa mukha ko kaya hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti. Pumikit pa ako para lang mapunasan daw niya bawat pawis sa mukha ko.
"Ayan na! All good na!" She smiled.
"Thank you."
"It's a small thing compared to all the things you've done to me. You cared so much about me. Kaya from now on, I promised na aalagaan na kita."
"My Ice Bear is growing." I smiled at her.
"Babe, wag kang mag-alala. Ako pa rin ito." She laughed sarcastically kaya tinawanan ko nalang din siya. Natututo na din siyang bumanat.
• • • •
We went straight to the mall and hang out there. We watched movie again then played at the arcade.
"Pano ba yan? Talo ka nanaman." I teased her.
"Stop it! May advantage ka lang kasi matangkad ka! Ang hirap kayang mag-shoot." She ranted.
"Tayo ka kasi Ice Bear."
"Babe, I'm standing! My gosh, so mapang-insulto! I hate you!" She pouted.
Tinawanan ko lang siya doon pero asar na asar pa rin siya. Nilapitan na ako nung staff ng arcade. Ako daw ang high scorer kaya may prize daw ako.
"Sir, ano po ang gusto niyong prize?"
"Ask my girlfriend about it. She'll have my prize."
Agad siyang napatingin sa akin. She still looked shocked. Kaya ko lang naman siya tinalo para maibigay ko din sa kanya ang prize ko kung sakali.
"Weh? You're giving it to me? But you're the one who win?" She asked.
"And I won to give the prize to you."
"Yey! Okay! I want the Ice Bear neck pillow." She said.
"Okay. Yun nalang ang kukunin ko."
"Okay sir." Sabi nung staff.
• • • •
After that kumain nanaman kami. Sabi ko nga sa kanya, uwi nalang kami para siya nalang ang magluto. She cooks so good! I can see na ito talaga ang gusto niya and I can also say that she'll be successful in this field in the future.
Natapos kaming kumain and we both decided to go home already. Kuya Nando texted her na siya na daw ang magsusundo kasi maagang dumating ang Dad niya. We are waiting for him in the parking lot.
"Hey! Samahan mo ako ulit two weeks from now." She asked.
"For what?"
"It's my birthday soon! I want you to help me prepare. Don't worry kasama natin si Mom."
"You're getting 18. Excited ako para sayo." I said.
"I know right! Finally, graduated na ako from pagiging bata! I can't wait to introduce you to my family soon. The long wait is almost over Ryseann. We're going to be legal." She excitedly said.
"Ako din. Ipapakilala na kita kay Dad soon."
"Weh?! Really?!"
"Yes. I want him to meet the girl I loved the most, very soon." I smiled.
• • • •
It's our first day of classes today and nothing's really new. We're just meeting new professors and some other classmates pero nandito pa rin naman yung mga classmates ko dati.
What I worried most is my Joerish. It's her first time in the college world. I am really hoping that she is doing fine. Kanina pa niya ako mine-message na kinakabahan daw siya. Nagkita pa kami kaninang umaga just to give my good luck kiss to her.
She was with Jessica kaya alam ko namang hindi siya ma-buburyong doon.
My phone vibrated and it was a message from her.
She really likes using her phone during classes, huh.
rishrivera: Babe, the professor scolded me. She was so mean. (◕︿◕✿)
ryseantos: Sige, mamaya abangan natin sila sa kanto. Inaaway nila Ice Bear ko.
rishrivera: Silly! You can't do that!
ryseantos: Eh di ipapabugbog ko nalang. Anything for you.
rishrivera: Baliw! I'm better now! See you later!
I am not really using my phone during classes kasi nakakabastos yun sa professor. But my baby is an exception. Sinasabihan ko rin siya na wag mag-phone during classes and use it kapag emergency lang. But knowing her, those scenarios are considered as her emergencies.
"So how was the first day of class?" I asked her.
"Tiring but it was great. It's a new experience."
I held her hands tightly.
"Babe, college is already hard kaya don't stress yourself too much ha? If you need help, I'm just one call away. I'll always help you."
"Okay." She smiled. "Thank you Ryseann."
• • • •
Wednesday nag-start ang classes namin and today is Saturday. I am with her Mom habang inaantay siyang lumabas sa fitting room. May design na ang susuotin niya and natahi na rin. She'll just going to fit it now.
According to her Mom, it was a fairytale off-shoulder royal red ballgown. I don't really know how it will look like pero alam ko namang babagay sa kanya ang kahit na ano.
"Ito na po siya Madam." The designer announced.
Rish stepped out of the fitting room. Hindi ko alam pero paglabas niya parang bumagal ang lahat. I was suddenly mesmerized by her beauty. She looked great. She looked wonderful.
She looked beautiful.
"What do you think?"
Is she speaking? Why is her mouth opening pero wala naman akong boses na naririnig?
"Babe! Hey Babe! My gosh! Tulala?"
Natauhan ako bigla kaya napangiti nalang ako.
"Ma'am gandang ganda po yata sa inyo." The designer chuckled.
"Fall na fall." Tita Julie said.
"I know right? Masyadong in-love! So Ryseann, how was it?" She asked.
"You looked the best, my love."
• • • •
Nagpaalam na kami kay Tita Julie kasi may work pa din siya. Nagpa-late lang siya saglit para masamahan daw kami ni Rish. Rish and I will be going to the mall para kitain sina Erin. We'll be giving them invitations. Nasabihan na namin sila dati bago ang enrollment nila. Pero para formal we'll be giving them their invitations now.
I am staring at Rish the whole time na nag-aantay kami dito sa Yellow Cab.
She look cute. Naglalaro nanaman siyang Adorable Home tapos naiirita siya kapag hindi niya mahanap yung mga heart sa pusa.
"Memorize it." I gave him a tip.
"You're staring at me." She rolled my eyes at me.
"Ganda mo eh."
She smiled out of the blue. Alam kong kapag ganyan kinikilig-kilig na siya. She's such a baby. Alam na alam ko ang soft side niya.
"Hey! Wazzup! Dito na kami mga Chong! As usual that was Yael.
"Hello!" Rish greeted them again.
"Hello! Long time, no see. Musta kayo?" Erin said.
"Happy pa rin." I answered.
"Shet! Sana all!" Marco teased.
• • • •
Kumain kami and we had a little catch up kasi medyo matagal talaga nung last kaming nagkita. If I won't be mistaken, Undas break pa. Yun talaga.
After that, we decided to go home cause it's getting late. I promised Tita Julie na iuuwi ko si Rish before 7 pm.
"Here are the other two invitations you asked. Para kanino ba yan?" She asked.
"That's for Liam and Gwen. My other friends. I'll introduce them to you soon."
"Babe, one week nalang. I'm entering legality na." She smiled.
"I can't wait Ice Bear. Ang tagal na rin kitang tinatago at tinitiis. Finally, pwede na kitang ipagyabang."
"Me too! Does that mean, you can kiss me na rin?"
I chuckled. She sounded so excited. Halatang-halatang ang tagal na niyang inaantay ito.
"Yes."
"Yes?" She repeated.
"Yes." I smiled.
"Yehey!"
• • • •
Naihatid ko na si Rish kaya umuwi na rin ako. It's 6:45 pm when I got home. I parked my car at the garage and after I came out from my car, I saw Rachelle waiting outside.
Nilapitan ko siya.
"Ginagawa mo dito?"
"I'm visiting you. Can't I?" She sounded hopeful. She sounded happy and I don't like it.
"Uwi ka na. I don't entertain visitors."
"Ryseann, bakit ba ang cold mo sa akin? We're getting engaged! And you know in fact that I like you so much."
"And I don't like you. So go." I commanded her.
"Fine. Pero hindi kita susukuan. Makukuha ko rin ang loob mo. We'll give this relationship a try."
"Rachelle, wag na. Walang magiging tayo cause I will never give you a try." I said.
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