14-Drake

"Alas singko, Drake. Hindi dapat lalagpas." Tita Anne reminded me one last time.

"Opo, Tita. Iuuwi ko po dito ang anak niyo ayon sa binigay niyong oras na may red carpet pang nakalatag."

"Mambobola talaga kayong mga Mathildo."

"I'm just being witty, Ma'am. The more you frown, the more wrinkles you get. It's not good for you. Life is too short to keep frowning. Smiling makes you feel good." I consoled her.

"Talaga ba? I'll smile more from this day on,"

Tita Anne smiled tenderly at my indication. I wanted her to take that in mind. There wasn't any reason for her to strangle herself with worry.

Sinuot ko ang black leather gloves na regalo ni Angel sa akin. Sumaklang na ako sa aking Yamaha YZ250 habang naghihintay kay Anghel.

She bounced outside wearing her furry purple bucket hat, her black t-shirt with pink ice-cream cone print on the front and on the back. Her fit jeans made her legs long. She paired it with white shoes and brown sling bag.

Humalik siya sa pisngi ni Tita Anne at nagpaalam.

"Amping sa pagmaneho, Drake." sabi ni Tita Anne sa amin bago pumasok sa loob ng bahay.

Inabot ko kay Angel ang helmet. She took it. She paused when she was about to wear it around her head.

"Bakit ako lang ang may helmet, Drake? May dala ka bang extra?" pagtataka niya.

"I have a stubborn head, Angel. Hindi tatalab ang anumang aksidente sa ulong ito."

Dagliang nanlaki ang mga mata niya. Her eyes softened afterwards.

"Pero delikado, Drake."

I exhaled a breath. "I'll drive in an average pace."

She covered her head with my helmet. She struggled to breath when her hair was in total disarray covering her face.

"Let me." I removed the helmet from her head. "Ayusin muna natin ang buhok mo. Anong hairstyle gusto mo?"

She chuckled. "Ako na, Drake."

Hinawakan ko ang helmet. Inayos niya muna ang kanyang buhok bago sinuot ito.

Bago kami pumihit paalis ng bahay nila ay nakita ko ang kapatid ni Angel sa may bintana. Her sister was giving me an evil look. She wasn't convinced with me at all. I just smiled at her and saluted as a respect.

Kailangan kong sanayin ang sarili sa mga ganyang tingin. Makakatanggap pa ako ng mas maraming pamimintas sa hinaharap.

Angel's mother was complacent. She was even the one who push Angel to stroll and have fun with me. We were completely bombarded with exams and activities the entire week. At may isa pang project na kailangan naming ipasa next week. May pitong araw pa kami para tapusin iyon. Dapat lang na mag–chill muna kami bago sumabak ulit sa paggawa ng mga requirements.

***

We halted in front of the Dessert Avenue. Khalid recommended me this place. They served delicious foods and drinks. We got in and settled on a table beside the window.

Wala silang masyadong customers. Their music choices were so cool. Shamrock, Cueshé, and Parokya ni Edgar were my vibes. Who was responsible for the music? Co's damn, it was suave for the moment.

"Anong gusto mo, Anghel?"

Kinuha ko ang menu.

She moved forward to get a good view of the menu. I displayed it to her. Her eyes flickered like she couldn't pick the right food and drink to order.

She clucked her tongue to give her final decision. "Hawaiian Pizza at halo-halo." She leaned back in her seat.

I took a quick scan of the menu. "Cheese burger," tipid kong saad. "For drinks and dessert?"

"Mocha Shake for me. Mango juice and mango tapioca for you." Lumiwanag ang mukha niya.

How did she know my favorite? It tickled my heart. Did she ask one of my brothers? Kay Jethro kaya?

I was always happy as Larry when she knows a thing or two about me.

Tinaas ko ang aking kamay at tumawag na ng waiter bago pa maging halaya ang mga tuhod ko.

I told him our orders. He went back to their kitchen swiftly.

"Ako magbabayad." I stated.

She shook her head in resolution. "Hati tayo, Drake. Hindi pwedeng ikaw lang ang magbabayad. Dapat pantay lang."

She never failed to amaze me.

"Oh, pretty...with pretty mind..." I agreed with that. "Pero ako ang nagya-"

"Paghatian na natin, Drake." She said in a pretty conviction.

"Okay." Tumango nalang ako.

Kimi siyang ngumiti. "Sayang wala silang bibingka sa menu." She yawned out of the blue.

"Si Nanay Hermina ang nagluto ng mga bibingka noong birthday ko. If you want, I can ask her a favor..."

I stretched out my arms in front of her while yawning and she did the same.

"Ang sarap ng pagkakaluto niya, Drake." puri niya at humikab ulit. "I have tried cooking several times but it always overcooked..."

"I will study the recipe..." I whispered and the contagious yawning continued.

To cure the boredom in the air, we played thumb wrestling and tick-tack-toe.

We just clicked together. It didn't occur in my mind that we'll get along like this. As if we were childhood buddies. It was completely entertaining –just sitting there playing childhood games.

After that, we took plenty of selfies. Once again, I imitated her signature selfie poses: her nose scrunch and her cute pout. There were the pictures I needed for evidences to her mother.

We waited for twenty minutes before our orders were ready. She ate three slices of pizza. She ate more than I expected. Hindi siya nahiya na lumamon sa harapan ko. We were just comfortable with that.

I liked the vibe inside. The music, food, and drinks. And my Angel in front of me.

I sipped my mango juice and put it down. "Pretty..." tawag ko sa kanya.

"Hmm?"

She knew it was my nickname for her. She was chewing her another slice of pizza.

"I want you to be honest..." I scratched the nape of my neck.

She nodded meekly.

I wanted to know what she thinks of me when were still not this close. My hands gripped the arm of the chair in case her presumptions about me would be harsh.

"What was your first impression of me?" I sought for truth.

I hadn't heard her first impression about me. It wasn't too late for that.

Alam ko na hindi talaga maganda ang isasagot niya subalit kailangan kong marinig iyon galing sa kanya.

Kumuha siya ng tissue. "I don't want to be sound too honest, Drake." She wiped her mouth and swallowed her mocha shake.

"You can be honest as much as you can with me. Walang problema sa akin."

My hands burned with a nervous shake that couldn't seem to leave my body.

Her eyes narrowed a bit, trying to recall. I felt the sudden rush to grab the nearest chair.

She exhaled a sharp breath."Boratsero. Basagulero. Buhalhal. Padaskul-daskol."

In links in the chain of her reasons, I coughed and drank my mango juice for two times.

I looked outside the window. I couldn't look at her, really. There wasn't a thing to be proud of with that!

Yawa, nakakahiya!

"Pero kagilas-gilas ka, Drake." bawi niya sa katahimikan.

Unti-unting gumapang ang ngiti sa aking labi. My eyes were probably flickering like stars right now.

I prolonged our eye contact. "Kasi ako, Angel. Noong una kitang nakita para kang diwatang ginagayuma ako."

"Tinkerbell, Silvermist, Iridessa, Vidia, or Nyx?" she mentioned.

May choices pa talaga.

This time she was the one who cannot maintain her eye contact with me.

"Your favorite fairies were nothing alike to you, pretty. Ikaw ang diwatang tinutukoy ko."

Sinisinok na siya ngayon. Kaya binigyan ko siya ng tubig. She sipped some water and fanned herself with her hand. I hadn't seen her like this.

Angel Faye Soledad had always this angelic calm nonchalance. Sometimes her confused expression was her only answer to my downright compliments. And seeing her like this was an improvement.

"Ikaw Drake parang kahawig mo si..." She recovered.

"Sino?" I pressed my lips together to stop a grin from appearing in my face.

She cleared her throat. "Drake Wayne Mathildo."

"Natatangi ang mukhang ito. Walang kapareha." I winked at her.

She slugged her mocha shake. Her eyes were looking outside from time to time. I pouted when her glass of mocha was empty.

Bahagya siyang napanganga. She bit her lower lip. "Can I try some of your drink, Drake?" she pointed my mango juice with her lips.

I couldn't say no to this pretty fairy. I pushed the glass to her, "Sure. Sayo na."

This might be my new instinctive responsibility.

Her smile broadened. She gripped the glass and impassively swallowed it all down.

"Drake, may itatanong ako." She was tapping her shoes. I know she was thinking something again.

"Hindi ko alam kung masasagot mo ito. Wala pa namang nakasagot sa akin nito. Kahit sila Bonita, Kirsteen, at Jethro..."

There would never be a mood of dullness with her randomness. She was really open with her thoughts and curiosity.

I grasped my hands together. "I'll try..."

"Bakit may butas ang donut? Tapos ang bibingka wala? The world is too unfair."

Napabungisngis ako. Sumandal ako at napahawak sa aking tiyan.

"Your dry sense of humor is always on the spot, Angel. Napaisip rin tuloy ako."

She stood up after our shared laughter ebbed.

"Saan ka pupunta?" Naalarma ako. "Did that offend you?"

"Hindi, ah. That was a joke. Pupunta lang ako ng comfort room."

Tumayo ako. "Babantayan ko ang labas ng Cr para sayo. Sa labas. Sa pintuan lang. I will stand there like your Royal Guard."

It was normal thing to do. Being concerned to her was my obsession.

"I'm not Queen Elizabeth. Just stay here..." She scooted to the comfort room bringing her sling bag.

Habang naghihintay ay tinignan ko ang mga pictures namin sa phone ko. It was so endearing to not post it in my social media accounts. But I had to follow her rules. Bumalik rin kaagad siya sa aming table.

Tinago ko kaagad ang phone ko. I didn't want this device to disturb us.

Speaking of time, we still had two hours. I already had a place in mind to visit.

"Punta tayo Chuckies Peak. May dalawang oras pa naman tayo bago mag-alas singko." I suggested.

"Ang layo, Drake. Kailangan ko munang magpa-alam kay Mama. I could get in big trouble for this. Ang sabi mo ay dito lang tayo. Tikalon kaayo ka ba." Mahina niyang angal.

"Trust me, this will be so much fun. I will check my wristwatch from time to time."

She frowned with skepticism.

"Don't give me that look." Mas lalong lumalim ang tingin niya. "Tigilan mo na 'yang tingin na 'yan. Parang nang-aakusa iyang mga mata mo, pretty. Ibabalik kita sa bahay niyo sa oras na binigay ni Tita!"

Kalaunan ay sumang-ayon din siya. Kaya nagdala kami ng Cheese Desal at dalawang Milk tea.

***

We got there safely. I reckoned it was around twenty to twenty-five minutes' drive. Chuckies Peak was located at Ilib Pala, Kyumad Amsipit. It was a surreal vista for motorcyclist, mountain hikers, panoramic– view–enthusiast. and other people who like to put their mind at peace.

We hoofed through the stars to the peak. I waited while she was at the end of the stair, tying her shoe laces.

"Are you good?"

"Oo! Mauna ka na!"

"Sabay tayo!"

We took pictures and videos at different angles. May videokehan sila. I exchanged my fifty pesos into coins. I inserted some of it to the karaoke peso machine and pressed buttons for the song I wanted to sing.

I positioned the mic to my mouth and ready to make Angel fall head over heels with me. I began singing with my eyes on her.

Ipagpatawad mo aking kapangahasan

Binibini ko sana'y maintindihan

Alam kong kailan lang tayo nagkatagpo

Ngunit parang sa'yo ayaw nang lumayo

Ipagtawad mo ako ma'y naguguluhan..

I was singing Ipagpatawad mo by Gloc 9. My voice wasn't that bad. I could still make her blush. And her cheeks would never lie to me. She was flipping the pages of the list of songs.

Di ka masisi na ako ay pagtakhan (di ka masisi)

Di na dapat ako pagtiwalaan (di na dapat)

Alam kong kailan lang tayo nagkatagpo

Ngunit parang sa'yo ayaw nang lumayo

I finished it with her legs swinging: her eyes looking away and tilting her head when our eyes met, pretending to be nonchalant the whole time.

When it was her time, she selected a song that showed her deep love for Taylor Swift.

Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone

I'll be waiting, all there's left to do is run

You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess

It's a love story, baby, just say, "Yes"

I would take you somewhere if you tell me to or run away from mayhem. Just – so we could mellow out things that put us into pressure. Or run out to the road to lax what was gripping us.

I picked a song that would make our head bang and make us jump and waved our hands.

Sugod by Sandwhich was a perfect song for a convivial atmosphere we had created.

"Sugod, mga kapatid! tayo ay magsama-sama! Iwagayway na ang bandera! Rock 'n' roll hanggang umaga!"

We were singing at the top of our lungs. We were jumping like we're having our little concert inside the cottage. Some of LGU Maasim Tourism visitors were quite amazed by the freedom and joy we feel.

Napagod kami saka tatalon. Nagdesisyon kami na magpahinga at kainin nalang ang dinalang pagkain. We sat down at a bench and admired the breathtaking panorama view on the top of the mountain.

The air and scenery gave me life. May mga hayop din silang mga alaga. Kagaya ng unggoy, ahas, at kalapati.

I watched Angel feed the monkey with a peeled banana. Nakangiti siya habang ngumunguya ang unggoy.

"Puta, ang ganda talaga. Labi na siguro kong mag-hubo."

"Putragis." I seethed.

Someone whispered. I glanced over my back. It was Benhur recording Angel having a cute interaction with a monkey. He was part of the Sacristans in Santa Cruz Parish.

I clenched my fists tightly, nails digging into my palms to control the devil inside of me, "You're recording a video of her without her knowing, dodong. Do you think that's even acceptable in the name of God? Sakristan ka pa naman. Go, ask her if she wants to be recorded by you. I bet not." Kalmado kong saad.

"Pasmado ata bibig mo, Mathildo." anas niya sa akin.

Aba, walang respeto!

"Ayos na iyong pasmado ang bibig hindi lang ang utak. Nakakatanga, nakakagago, at nakakabastos, pre."

He wanted a rough approach from me, huh. He was young and rude. Ganito na ba ang mga kabataan ngayon?

"I'm just recording her beautiful face. Wala namang masama sa ginawa ko. Ginagawa mo rin naman ito. Huwag kang magmalinis, Mathildo." pag-dadahilan niya

"Alam kong may pagka-demonyo ako pero hindi ko hinahayaan na sakupin ang ulo ko. At least know how to ask permission first, dumbass. Sino ba ang nagpalaki sayo?" I questioned him.

"Mama ko."

A woman raised him and one of the disciples of a holy place. Wala man lang nakapagbigay ng pangaral sa kanya? The fact that Angel didn't know him makes my head heat up.

I snatched the phone from him before he could blink.

"Password. Basi malabay ko ni. Isa, duha, tulo-"

"Angel Faye Soledad." He answered right away when Angel ran to the store to buy something.

"Listen buddy, you have the guts to use her name as your password and being vocal about your malicious intent to her. Just to show your admiration? Is that even good? You don't know what's permission? You don't know what's respect? Mali iyong sinabi mo pati na ang iniisip mo. Hindi mo ba alam iyon, dodong?" I enunciated to him while I was aggressively typing his password on the screen of his phone.

I deleted the video.

"I have three reasons why I deleted the video. First, you had this malicious intent. Second, you had no single amount of respect to Angel. Three, you can edit her video with malice. With that mind of yours, you can possibly do that. Hindi ka ba tinuruan ng Mama mo ng respeto? Gusto mong itanim natin sa utak mo? I can borrow a shovel."

"Ang dami mong satsat, Mathildong dakog ulo!" Saway niya agad sa akin nang sinuklian na si Angel ng tindera.

Sinapak ko siya sa likod ng kanyang ulo. "Makinig kang gago ka. Huwag mong ipalabas sa kabilang tainga mo ang mga sinabi ko."

Nakatakbo na siya bago pa makatingin si Angel sa amin. Nang nakalapit na siya sa akin ay sumulyap si Angel kay Benhur na ngayon ay nagmamadaling bumababa sa hagdanan.

"May kaaway ka ba, Drake?" pagtataka niya.

"May palaka lang."

She quickly perched up in the bench. "Umalis na ba?"

"Oo." I laughed.

"Hindi mo naman sinaktan?" She queried with her eyes roaming around to search for the frog.

"Hindi ako nananakit ng mga hayop, Angel."

She sat down with a sigh and blow the bubbles she bought. I popped them all every time it floated in the air. I borrowed the cylinder container and whisks the bubble wand from her. I felt like a giddy kid when she catches and pop them all.

Tinignan ko ang aking wristwatch ilang sandali pa.

"It's 4:11. Are you sure you're not tired? You've been running through my mind all day." I grinned at her.

"Not yet." She grabbed the container from me and blow my face with bubbles. "I still want to roam around your head."

Dumadagundong na naman ang dibdib ko na tila may bombang sasabog. I refused to look at her beaming face at me while were being surrounded with bubbles. It seemed to be a picture to capture.

I swallowed. "Pero kailangan na nating umuwi."

"Okey dokey." She inserted the bubble cylinder container to her sling bag.

"Let's go back here when we all finish our remaining School projects. Dalhin natin si Tita at ang Ate mo. I can ask Kuya Ranger to borrow his car."

Tinapon namin sa basurahan ang mga kalat namin.

I dropped fifty pesos on the donation box since the owner of the place didn't want the visitors to pay for a high-rate entrance fee.

Angel gently pushed me on the stairs when we were about to get down. I gently tripped on the second step but I didn't totally fell down for I able to hold the railing.

She was laughing so hard like a naughty kid while pointing her finger at me. But she got an instant taste of karma when her foot slipped on her next step.

I caught her immediately. Her laughter faded.

"Ang sama ng hagdanan. Hindi naman mabiro."

It was my time to laugh louder than she did. It was a payback time. I mimicked her reaction: pointing my finger at her like a kid while laughing boisterously that my stomach hurts. She pouted in embarrassment and faked a crying face.

At the end, Angel still won for I guided her through the uneven stairs in a gentle-like manner until we get down the parking area.

I fastened the retention system under her jaw to secure that the helmet wouldn't just come off.

"The sun is so hot, Drake. Kailangan mong gumamit ng sunscreen. Wala ka pa namang helmet." she advised.

"Did you bring one?"

She nodded. I didn't ask for her signal and take off my shirt. She sprayed some sunscreen on my arms, my back, and my chest.

"Your skin is safe now." she whispered.

"Like you and your heart is safe with me now. Hindi ko hahayaang may lalaking bumastos sa'yo, Anghel." I responded determinedly.

"Huh? Wala namang bumabastos sa akin, Drake."

"You don't know yet how other guys can get so creepy and disrespectful. As long as I'm with you, I wouldn't let other guys treat you like that."

"May mga lalaki talagang ganyan. I'm not blind with it."

"Good. Because they would face my wrath first before they can even disrespect you,"

The whole ride was so cool. We got back to Dessert Avenue nevertheless. When heavy raindrops began dropping from the sky.

Sumilong muna kami sa loob. We waited for almost thirty minutes before the rain stopped. I revved the motorcycle and we arrived at their house on the time given by her mom.

"See?" I showed my wristwatch to her. "Right on time."

She took off the helmet and handed it to me. She gazed at me with a reflective admiration.

"I didn't just say my promises to be only taken by the wind, Angel. I mean what I oath."

"You're really a Mathildo. Jethro is also like this. He takes his promises seriously. He takes his responsibilities adamantly." she realized.

"It's a Mathildo style." I attested.

Lumabas si Tita Anne.

"Uuwi na po ako, Tita Anne." paalam ko.

"Amping, Drake. Salamat at sumunod ka sa usapan,"

Angel and I bid our goodbyes to each other. I drove off afterwards.

Twenty-four seven, I was over the moon again. Even though the moon hadn't come out yet.

PERIEDOT