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3354 Words
Valentine's day at namumula ang school sa flowers and surprise panghaharana sa mga crush na girls or girlfriend ng mga boys.
"Pathetic," I whispered while watching the group of boys from our section going to the third year classroom just to court their crushes or to ask them for a date.
We have a color coding for this day.
We have to wear red if we are in a relationship, green for complicated, yellow for those who were moving on, pink for those who were flirting with their special someone, and white for single.
Chari, Mica, and I, we were all wearing white. Kuya Seb was wearing pink kaya nagalit sa kanya si Chari.
"May nililigawan yan." sabi niya sa amin ni Mica while looking at Kuya Seb who's sulking at the corner because Chari didn't wear pink!
We received chocolates and flowers din naman from our classmates and to those who are tring to court us. Pero among the three of us, si Mica ang may pinakaraming presents today. A definite advantage of being beautiful.
"Ikaw nililigawan niya di ba?" tanong ni Mica kay Chari.
Chari scoffed and rolled her eyes to us. Alam naman naming lahat ang mayroon sa kanilang dalawa. Hindi lang nila inaamin sa lahat and we never ask anyway. It's a private matter to the two of them.
"Nililigawan, siya nakausot ng pink ako puti lang. May ibang nililigawan yan." Confident na sagot ni Chari sa amin.
I shook my head while listening to her. She turned to face me this time, "Ikaw anong ganap niyo ni Santino?" tanong sa akin ni Chari.
I looked at her before shaking my head. "I don't have an idea. He's not here naman kasi."
I'm not hoping anymore na pupunta siya. Last term na rin naman sa class niya and alam ko na busy siya. I'm not a needy person or what naman.
Hindi ko pa rin nalilimutan yung pinag-usapan namin ni Lola Esmeng about her late husband and how similar he was to Sancho. I was expecting na he would visit here pero not this time pa. Maybe after his finals. I don't know. Wala naman kasi akong idea sa mga school activities niya.
All I know is that he's studying at the University of the Philippines, Dean's lister always, and running for Laude. Lahat iyon ay nabanggit sa akin ni Lola Esmeng and I know how proud she was to Sancho. Kahit ako rin naman proud sa kanya.
I like him and I won't hide it to anyone if they ask me kung what I feel about him.
He's a nice and mature person na kahit artehan ko ay wala lang sa kanya.
My feelings for him grew each day but I will never admit it to him or to my family. Ayos na yung iba lang ang makaalam. Baka kasi ipilit nila na magpakasal kami lalo na at nalaman nila na gusto ko si Sancho.
I won't trade my dreams over him.
My goals and dreams, those are my main priorities in life. I need to learn more at hindi ako papayag na mahahadlangan iyon ng pagkagusto ko sa kanya.
Ang malakas na tilian ng mga kaklase namin ang nagpalingon sa akin. May hawak na gitara yung isang fourth year sa kabilang section. I eyed them while walking inside our classroom, holding and strumming their guitar.
I know them, the guy who's holding the guitar likes Chari so much.
Without even batting their eyes, they walked passed to Kuya Seb para makalapit kay Chari.
I stood up and went onto the side ganun din ang ginawa ni Mica. Chari was left in our seat while watching the guy approach him. His minions at the back were holding a bouquet of red roses, big teddy bear and two heart-shaped chocolates.
"Maybe I should sleep it off...Maybe I should let loose...When I see for myself that... I can't take it anymore..." Pagkanta ng mga lalaki sa harap ni Chari.
I rolled my eyes while watching them serenading Chari. I mean, hindi naman masama kaya lang everyone knows that Chari's for Kuya Seb.
Did they fail to receive the news about it?
"Maybe, maybe, maybe...Maybe yes or no...Should I stay or should I go...Maybe, maybe, maybe..."
The class turned quiet dahil sa panghaharana na iyon. Everyone's watching them na para bang they're watching in circus.
I can't understand if why others like these kind of public display of affection. Don't they feel cringe at all?
I just don't like this kind of attraction kapag nagkataon. Nakakahiya.
"Para sa'yo, Alaina. Ngayon lang kasi ako nagkalakas ng loob na aminin sa'yo na gusto kita..." The guy said.
His minions whistled as if they have had practiced this scenario already.
They handed the bouquet to the guy, who then handed it to Chari, after that they guy knelt in front of her and gave her the two chocolates and the big brown teddy bear.
"Showy naman masyado." I murmured at the side.
Mica heard that and she's smiling while looking at me. I can sense na she can agree to me as well.
"Pwede mo ba akong payagan na ligawan ka, Alaina?" The guy asked her.
The deafening silence in the room were screaming in our ear. Suddenly, Kuya Seb stood up and walked away.
Chari saw that kaya tumayo siya at humingi ng despensa sa dalawang lalaki.
"I appreciated the effort, pero Jimmy, sorry at hindi kita mapagbibigyan ngayon." Chari didn't wait for them to answer. She walked outside the classroom and followed Kuya Seb as well.
"Mali ka naman kasi ng babae na pinili, Jim! Alam mo naman na kay Velasquez na si Chari. Wrong move ka naman, brader!" sigaw ng isa sa mga kaklase namin.
Jimmy, the guy, didn't spoke and just looked at us.
The guy including his minions took the gifts and left the room with their hunched shoulders walking them way out.
Naging maingay ulit ang room paglabas nila. The class talked about them, I'm not a fan of gossips but I love hearing news from my classmates. Kinuwento kasi nila na playboy talaga si Jimmy but he liked Chari since day 1.
I don't know what have happened to Kuya Seb and Chari. Sana nagkaayos na ulit sila. Free time lang kami mostly this day dahil pinagbibigyan ng mga teachers namin ang request ng bawat section.
We only had one class and that was our first period which was Math.
Sa mga remaining hours namin ay naghintay lang kami kung may papasok na teacher or wala. There are teachers who came at binantayan lang kami pero yung iba ay hindi na talaga pumasok.
It was fine with us. Kaya lang it was very annoying kapag may mga sumisigaw na lower levels because their crushes gave them something.
The sunny day turned cloudy pagdating ng hapon. The rain fell so hard kaya we were stranded at hindi makalabas ng room namin. May ilan naman na pumilit lumabas kasi they have to meet their significant others outside.
Nobody's waiting for me though. Why should I go in a hurry?
"Sabay ka na. Ihahatid ka namin," Kuya Seb told me.
Uuwi na kasi sila ni Chari at Mica. Si Mica kasi kailangan pang pumunta sa San Rafael tapos may work pa si Chari sa isang carinderia.
I shook my head and declined Kuya Seb's offer. I'm not in a hurry naman.
"I'll wait until the rain stops. I'm not in a hurry naman, Kuya Seb. Thank you for the offer though." I told him.
The three of them looked at each other.
"Iniintay mo ba si Santino?" tanong ni Chari sa akin.
I shook my head eagerly this time. Why would I wait for him? He's a busy guy and besides I don't expect anything from him. Masaktan pa ako sa kaka-expect sa kanya.
"No! I just don't want to go home yet and...I love watching the rain. It looks nice kasi." I told them, trying to insist na mali yung iniisip nila tungkol sa akin at kay Sancho.
"Are you sure?" Kuya Seb asked again.
I nodded this time. They were so persistent hanggang sa umalis na. Only few remained inside the campus. Almost half an hour na rin noong nakaalis sina Kuya Seb, Chari, at Mica.
I went down papunta sa waiting area. Our school has this huge roof that covers the entire ground of our campus. Hindi naman masyadong tumutulo ang ulan doon kaya I took my time walking on it.
Past five in the afternoon na. Umuulan pa rin at wala pa ang sundo ko. Baka ayaw pasuungin ni Mommy sa ulanan ang driver namin. That's fine with me naman.
I was expecting for our family driver na naghihintay sa akin sa labas ng gate pero isang tao na may hawak na itim na payong ang nakita ko.
Standing in the middle of the rain with the other fetchers waiting for their passenger was Sancho.
He's dark blue button down long sleeves was folded into three-fourths that showed his muscular arm and fitted his body. The long black jeans hugging his long legs made a perfect match on his black shoes.
His entire presence screams confidence and authority while standing there. He's wearing an eyeglasses this time.
Mukhang galing pa siya sa Maynila dahil bakas na bakas sa mga talsik ng mud na kumapit sa sasakyan niya.
Upon seeing him, my heart automatically react. Parang sasabog na naman yung puso ko habang nakatingin sa kanya.
He smiled and walked towards me. Agad niya akong inakbayan para makapasok sa loob ng payong na hawak niya.
He tilted the umbrella on my side para hindi ako mabasa.
I was speechless while looking at him. Nakasunod lang ang tingin ko sa kanya.
His unique scent filled my nose kaya naman para akong nabuhay ulit.
He opened his car door for me kaya wala sa sariling pumasok ako doon.
He ran to the driver's seat naman, he folded his umbrella at nilagay sa back seat bago buksan ang pinto at sumakay.
Nabasa tuloy siya ng ulan at kahit ganun ay tumatawa pa rin siya habang nakatingin sa akin habang pinapagpag ang damit.
I grab my handkerchief and handed it over to him.
"W...wipe yourself." sabi ko sa kanya.
He turned to me, smiling, flashing his perfect set of white teeth. Hindi siya bagay na news anchor, sa tingin ko ay mas bagay siyang maging endorser ng toothpaste brand or kahit mga clothing lines. Masyado siyang gwapo para doon.
"Thanks, babe." sabi niya sa akin bago tinanggap iyon.
I drifted my gaze away from him at hinayaan lang na tumingin sa labas. The rain keep on falling. I really love how the rain falls.
I cleared my throat before turning to him.
"Why are you here?" tanong ko sa kanya.
He faced me and smiled towards me, "Kasi Valentine's ngayon?"
I tried not to smile. Hindi naman niya obligation na puntahan ako dito lalo na at wala namang makakakita sa aming dalawa.
"Are we going on a date?" tanong ko sa kanya.
My face flushed upon realizing the question that I just threw to him.
Ang kapal naman ng mukha mong magtanong ng ganun, Olivia!
Sancho smiled before pinching my face, "Yes. I had a plan kaya lang umulan at umuulan pa rin. Ayos lang ba sa iyo na dito na lang tayo sa loob ng kotse mag-date?" tanong niya sa akin.
I blinked my eyes before nodding. "I don't want to waste your effort so...go." I told him.
Iniwasan kong huwag kabahan habang nasa loob ng sasakyan niya. Sancho maneuvered his car.
Walang nagsasalita sa aming dalawa hanggang makarating kami sa pamilyar na tanawin.
The beautiful sand beach of Trinidad.
Malakas ang alon at kahit nasa loob kami ng sasakyan ay hindi pwedeng hind ko marinig iyon.
"Here talaga?" I asked him.
Wala kasing tao sa area. Who would've think naman kasi na pumunta sa beach habang umuulan? Nobody, right?
"Yeah. I find this place really serene. I hope you understand. " sabi niya sa akin.
He unbuckled his seatbelt before placing his arm behind my seat. Nagkatinginan pa kaming dalawa kaya kumabog nang malakas ang dibdib ko.
Sinubukan kong iiwas ang mata ko sa kanya kaya lang para akong nahipnotismo sa paraan ng pagtingin niya sa akin.
Hindi rin kaagad nakagalaw si Sancho habang nakatingin sa akin. Our eyes met and talked like they have a life.
I blinked fast before trying myself not to look at him anymore.
"Mabuti pala at hindi na ako bumili ng chocolates para sa'yo. You have received a lot already." He said to me sabay abot ng isang malaking bouquet of roses.
My breath hitched away while looking at the light pink petals of dozens of roses na binigay niya sa akin.
Puro red roses ang natanggap ko ngayong araw. Most of them ay plastics pa, ngayon lang ako nakatanggap ng ganito kagandang bulaklak.
I can't help but be amaze while looking onto it.
I touched the soft petal of it before looking up to Sancho again. He's watching me with a smile on his face.
"Thank you. They are beautiful!" sabi ko sa kanya.
"Only the best for you, babe." He replied.
Nahiya naman ako bigla dahil wala man lang akong maibigay sa kanya.
"I'll get the food. Wait here. " He went out of the car and went to the back of his car, he opened the hood at nilabas ang basket doon. Nagmamadali siyang bumalik sa harapan.
"You're wet na," I told him.
Nilapag ko sa lap ko yung flowers na bigay niya tsaka ko inabot muli yung panyo na pinunas niya kanina.
"We could reach that basket from here. You don't need to go outside pa." sabi ko sa kanya.
He smiled to me before putting the basket in between us. "I hope na gutom ka. Sandwich lang ang nahanda ko at salad. Galing pa kasing Maynila ito, babe. Baka lumamig kasi sa biyahe kung magluluto ako ng Pasta." He said while opening the basket.
"No worries. I can eat that and yes, I'm hungry na." I replied. I helped him na maglabas ng sandwich.
Sabi na at galing pa nga siyang Maynila talaga.
I bite one, pagkabigay niya sa akin. Masarap talaga siyang gumawa ng kahit anong pagkain. "Masarap?" tanong niya sa akin.
Tumango ako sa kanya. I have no doubt kapag gumagawa siya ng ganito. Alam kong lahat ng niluluto niya ay talagang masasarap.
"I made a Chicken Salad for you. Sorry at hindi ako nakapagluto talaga. Gusto ko sanang magluto for you kaya lang sobrang dami ng dapat gawin sa school." sabi niya sa akin.
"It's fine. You don't have to say sorry. I can understand naman beside you're graduating na rin naman...What's your plan after graduation?" I suddenly asked.
He turned to me while eating his sandwich as well. I saw a sauce on the side of his lips. I motioned him to brush it away pero hindi niya kaagad nakuha. Kaya ako na lang ang lumapit, I wiped it away using my thumb.
"There...there's a sauce on your lips. Sorry." I lowered my gaze sa sobrang kahihiyan.
I could mention it to him so bakit ginawa ko pa?
"Thanks, babe." He said.
Mabilis akong tumingin sa kanya bago siya nginitian. I returned my gaze to the waves of the sea.
"Nag-apply kami ng mga classmates ko sa isang local news show. We have to start as a field reporter pero ayos lang..." Binalik ko na ang tingin sa kanya this time. Ang mga mata niya ay nakatuon na ngayon sa dagat din.
"My dream is to become the most reliable person when it comes to news casting. I want to deliver real and fair news to everyone. Gusto ko rin magkaroon ng sarili kong documentary show..." He chuckled then he turned to me.
"I know it's still far from reality. Malayo pa ang lalakbayin ko para makilala sa pangarap ko pero handa akong maghintay." sabi niya.
I slowly and gently nodded to him, "You are amazing, Sancho. I know that you could make it. You will become famous someday." It was the most sincerest word that I have told to him.
"Will you be there kapag naabot ko na iyong pangarap ko?" tanong niya sa akin.
I looked into his eyes intently. He has his fair share of dream as well. Lahat naman siguro ay marunong mangarap at kanya-kanyang panghahawak lang kung paano maaabot iyon.
Tumango ako sa kanya.
"Thanks, babe. It means a lot to me." He said before turning away his eyes to me.
Namayani ang katahimikan sa aming dalawa at tanging ang hampas ng alon lamang ang naririnig naming dalawa pati ang pagbagsak ng ulan.
Maya-maya lang ay may inabot siya sa akin na isang tupperware mula sa basket. "Ano ito?" tanong ko sa kanya.
"Pastillas. I know that you have a sweet teeth for everything. I made that for you. Sana magustuhan mo." saad niya.
I sighed deeply while looking at the tuppeware. Bakit ba niya ginagawa ito? Hindi siya nanghihingi ng kapalit pero nakokonsensya ako na wala man lang akong naibibigay sa kanya. He really exerted an effort just to go all the way here.
"You didn't have to do this," sabi ko sa kanya.
His eyes raised to me, "Bakit naman?"
"No one's looking at us, Sancho. We could go on in our lives today dahil wala naman nakatingin sa ating dalawa." I told him.
Sancho sighed before leaning back on his seat, "I want to do this kahit walang nakatingin sa atin, Olivia. I have my own decision and this is what I want right now." He answered to me.
I swallowed while looking at him. Are we in the same page ba? I doubt it. I'm sure na he has a special someone in Manila.
A fling or secret girlfriend, perhaps?
"You're supposed to be with your girlfriend and not with me," mahinang sabi ko sa kanya.
"I'm with my girlfriend now. You are my girlfriend, right? Ah...wait. You are my fiancée and not just my girlfriend." He told me.
Our eyes smoldered each other's eyes. I swallowed really hard while looking to him.
I don't want to expect anything. I still have my own dreams and I want to fulfill it. Kaya kong magmahal at sumabak sa isang relasyon pero hindi ko kayang magkaroon ng asawa sa ngayon.
I'm still young.
I know what I want.
"Was that a sarcasm?" tanong ko sa kanya.
He shook his head, "Humor me, Olivia. If I don't like you that very first time that I saw you...I would decline this family tradition. Let's say na...I wanted to know more you. Gusto kitang makilala kaya ayokong pakawalan ka kaagad. And if I don't like you at all...I will never go here just to have a date with you." mahabang sabi niya sa akin.
My breathing turned heavier this time as I looked into him.
"My family never forced me into this s**t. They asked me to met you and pumayag ako. After that night, they asked me kung gusto ko bang ituloy and I said...yes." He added.
Lumapit bahagay sa akin si Sancho, he held my hand and pulled me closer to him.
Halos hindi ako makahinga sa sobrang lapit naming dalawa.
"I like you, Olivia. I really do. Hindi dahil sa sinabi sa akin pero iyon ang nararamdaman ng puso ko ngayon para sa'yo. I like you, Olivia Samantha. So please...let's stop pretending to everyone and make this relationship real."
My eyes widen sa sinabi niya pero mas nagpadilat sa mata ko ang paglapit niya sa akin at paghalik sa labi ko. It was just a peck but my world tumbled because of him.
"Give me a chance to show you that I'm worthy." He sincerely told me.
I can feel the heat in my eyes while looking at him. Mukhang hindi ko na rin kayang itago yung nararamdaman ko para sa kanya.
Marahan akong tumango sa kanya bago siya niyakap palapit sa akin.
For once, I would gladly listen to the scream of my heart. Kahit sandali lang.
- Writer
