Must Be Love At First Glance

CHAPTER SIX

Ngayon, nandito ako sa balkonahe ng kwarto ko abala na naman sa pagsusulat ng poetry sa diary ko, at oo si Raizen ang paksa. I wonder if there‘s a shooting stars roaming at the sky tonight, maybe if I will take a wish, all my wishes would be granted.

I became reckless of myself when it comes to you,

my heart is now tangible because of your touch that I couldn‘t resist,

oh for it was like a feather that landed on my fragile skin.

Countless nights of painting you and me here in my dark room

that only our precious photograph serves as our light.

Kiss of yours imprinted on my forehead before you flew away along my I love you heading to the north-west. Longing for your presence,

hourglass’ over, still here at our favorite spot, hoping that you‘ll show up.

You and I were damp in the mute street, chasing and dancing under the rain, nevermind the sickness we might get, ‘cause we‘re immune of each other.

On the other day. . .

“Everyone attention!” Mrs. Dewitt, our personal development third afternoon subject teacher.

Tumahimik kami sa pagsasalita at umayos nang marinig namin si Ma‘am. She just finished fixing the projector to show us her new discussion today.

Nagkaklase siya patungkol sa kung paano napapatakbo ang buhay ng isang tao, and that includes LOVE na siyang nagpapagising sa mga sleepy-head kong mga classmate, lalo na sa mga madaldal na mga babae sa kabilang row. Like, how can‘t love grab the mind of us? It was the most exciting and joyous plot of our lives, right?

Mrs. Dewitt went on and on her discussion. It's giving me relief and satisfaction, knowing that it'll help me to be better. Actually, hindi siya boring, binigyan niya kami ng magandang ihemplo para pagbutihin ang aming buhay at magpatuloy na may lakas at walang takot sa aming puso, lalo na pagnagmamahal tayo, objectively or not.

“I want you all to make a documentary about the impact of love in our lives as your first performance task on 1st quarter.” she announced.

“But first of all, magbibilang muna tayo 1-5. So count from Ms. Garmura to Mr. Corazon.” utos niya.

Suddenly, ang isa kong kaklase na babae na kilala dito sa room bilang bida-bida at attention-seeker, Bellinda Corpuz, tumayo siya at nagsalita dahilan para mapatingin ang lahat sa kaniya.

"Ma'am, bakit hindi na la'ng kami pumili?" malambot niyang tanong sa pagsusuhestiyon na tuno.

"Nope. We should be fair." tipid na sagot ni Mrs.Dewitt.

Dahil nasa unang row ako at front seat, ikalawa ako sa counting sa magiging leader. I became the leader of second group as usual, kasama ko sina Irene, Jacob, Harry, at Naumi.

Mayroong 1 week lamang para sa paggawa ng aming proyekto ang ibinigay ni Ma‘am, I guess 5 minutes la‘ng siguro ‘yong magiging documentary film namin. For sure, magiging mahirap 'to in the process, makakapalan talaga ako nito ng mukha, lowkey shy person la'ng 'to eh!

Since wala si Mrs. Laurel sa kaniyang last period this afternoon, ginamit namin ang time niya at nagtipon-tipon kaming maggu-grupo para pagplanohan kung paano namin gagawin ang dokyumentaryo.

“Ilan ba dapat ang host ng film na‘to Elora?” tanong sa‘kin ni Harry.

“I prefer 3 hosts. 1 boy and two girls.” sagot ko.

“And, we will decide if sino ang dalawang babae at isang lalaki ang magho-host. Anyone? You can volunteer.” nginitian ko sila.

“Ikaw Elora, magaling ka rin naman sa hosting, ikaw na la‘ng ang isa.” wika ni Irene. I like her suggestion, I believed in myself that I‘m good at hosting.

Pumayag ako na isa sa dalawang babae‘ng magho-host, at ang magiging partner ko ay si Naumi at Jacob, kasi sila ang mga mas interesado sa hosting. Meanwhile Irene and Harry, mas gusto nila ang maging editor na la‘ng at ang magiging camera man namin.

On Wednesday. . .

We started filming our documentary project. I‘m the first host that‘ll handle the first part of our documentary and, we‘re here at the school‘s wide field.

“ ‘Yong script nating lahat okay na ba?” tanong ni Harry.

“ Oo, kaming tatlo ang gumawa kagabi sa bahay.” sagot ko habang abala sila sa pag-aayos ng gagamitin naming camera.

Naglagay kami ni Naumi ng kaonting make up at tinali lamang ang aming buhok in clean ponytail, tsaka nagsuot ng long sleeve at fitted skirt, si Jacob naman ay nag-gel lamang sa buhok ng kaonti at nagsuot ng nude hue polo-shirt at trouser para naman presentable ang datingan namin.

“Okay! Ready ka na ba Madame Elora?” may kasabay na pambobola ni Harry, tumawa ako dahil tinawag pa niya talaga ako ng madame, kaasar! Hahahaha!

He already focused the camera at me and fixed the angle. I inhaled and exhaled to calm my nervousness before to begin my challenge, nerbyosa kasi ako.

When I feel relaxed, “I‘m ready.” sabi ko kay Harry.

“Lights camera action!” Irene.

“Good day 11- Loyalty! Ako si Yvonne Elora Caviño, ang kupido-host ng doyumentaryong patungkol sa epekto ng pag-ibig sa ating mga buhay. Narito tayo sa loob ng ating campus, here at this wide field!”

Nagpatuloy ako sa pagsasalita, until umabot ako sa parte ng aming script na kailangan kong makapanayam ang iba‘t-ibang mga studyante na aking mapipili.

When I took a glance around the campus for awhile, my sight catched the appearance of Raizen with his male friends, chattering on the bench near the pine trees that surrounded our campus.

Hindi siya nagsasalita habang ang kaniyang mga kaibigan ay panay kausap sa kaniya at sa isa‘t-isa, nakatingin lamang siya sa‘kin nang may ngiti sa kaniyang labi at sa mga mata. I feel flattered seeing him with a bright smile bespoke on his face. Heart's beating fast as we're drowning in our stares. I felt like I was covered by a yellow invisible blanket this time.

Dug-dug. . .dug-dug. . .

“Ngayon, kailangan nating makuha ang mga saloobin ng ating mga mag-aaral patungkol sa epekto ng pag-ibig sa kani-kanilang mga buhay.”

Nag-isip ako kung sino ang pipiliin ko, I roamed my sight to find a perfect target for my interview. And then not too long, I saw a girl walking in the hallway. She's perfect!

We came closer to this girl I spotted.

“Hi! I'm Yvone Elora Caviño of Grade 11-Loyalty. Pasensya na sa disturbo. I hope you don‘t mind, it‘s part of our project po. . .” I politely said and offered my hands.

She accepted me and we shaked hands, “Hello. Okay la‘ng po.” sagot niya. She‘s cute when she smiles.

“Ano po‘ng pangalan n‘yo?” I asked.

“I‘m Amaya Velasquez.” she answered.

“Amaya, may itatanong po ako sa inyo.” nakangiting wika ko.

“Go ahead. . .” tugon niya.

“Ano po‘ng epekto ng pagmamahal o pag-ibig sa iyo?” I grinned.

She let out a cute laugh before answering, “Love is everything for me po. Dahil sa pagmamahal ng aking pamilya, I realized how colorful and flowery is the life. Nagpatuloy ako sa pagsusulat ng aking storya kahit na minsan ay nauubosan ako ng lakas ng loob.” matamis n‘yang sagot. I was touched by her answer.

Pati ang mga kasama ko, napangiti sa kaniyang sagot, she‘s so sincere.

“Awww. . . Nakakataba naman ng puso ang sagot mo Amaya, keep going!” nakangiting wika ko.

“At dahil d‘yan, may hugis puso kaming chocolate na regalo sa‘yo!” masaya kong ani at nakangiti niyang tinanggap ang regalo ko at nagpasalamat.

“Maraming salamat rin sa pagpayag na makapanayam ka. Magandang araw!” nakangiting tugon ko.

We bid our goodbye‘s and proceed to another scenes naman. Naghanap na naman kami ulit ng 4 students na makakapanayam, kailangan kasi namin ng lima.