16-Angel

Sabay naming pinasa ang aming music video projects. Ma'am Jennifer applauded to us. We received lots of praises and teasing from other students that we were so sweet to each other.

"Nilasing ka ba ng suwail na Mathildo noong birthday niya, Angel!? Kanina lang binalita sa akin ni–"

My sister zipped her mouth immediately when I meddled between her words, "Hindi ko alam na may spy ka na palang inutusan para magmasid sa mga ginagawa ko, Ate."

"Dapat lang dahil kapatid kita. Ano nilasing ka ba niya?"

"He did not." kinalog ko ang aking ulo para bigyang diin ang aking pagtutol, "Ako ang may gusto, Ate. At saka tubá lang naman iyon. Hindi ko na iyon uulitin."

"Talaga lang, ha. Kaya pala hindi ka nakauwi sa gabing iyon. Isusumbong na talaga kita kay Kuya, Angel. When you bridge too far, you know what's going to happen next."

Ilang banta na niya ito sa akin ngunit hindi parin umuuwi si Kuya Soren. Si Mama ay wala ng problema kay Drake.

I truthfully didn't like him at first. But when I got to know him deep down his soul, my quick conclusions about him were far from the real Drake Wayne Mathildo.

I didn't ask him to change his old habits. Nor think about the idea that I could fix a guy like him - to let him in my life. I had a strong and angelic conjecture that he was doing right. His self-fostering changes were apparent.

***

Drake was a bag of nerves when we were gathered in the function hall of the Senior High Building for our upcoming Prom night.

"Are you okay, Drake?" I whispered at him when everyone was busy gossiping.

I didn't know what's wrong with him. Hindi siya mapakali. He was fidgeting, cracking his knuckles, and leaning back and down.

"I'm fine, Anghel." he whispered back.

I smiled at him reassuringly. He straightened his shoulder and winked at me to assure me back.

"Hindi kasali ang ibang strand sa Prom night niyo. Dahil gusto nilang exclusive lang para sa kanila ang event. Sumang-ayon na ang Principal tungkol dito. Kaya HUMSS 11, we must stick to the tradition. All Girls will put their names on a strip of paper, rolled it properly and put it inside the balloon. Then, pipili ang mga boys ng tig-iisang balloon na may nakalagay ng pangalan ng magiging partner nila sa Prom. Did you get the instructions?" Ma'am Mina, our personal development teacher, instructed us properly.

"Yes, Ma'am!"

"Wuhoo! Exciting!"

"Crush, in case you want me to be your partner, kukulayan ko ang papel para madali mong makita!"

Humalakhak kaming lahat maliban kay Drake.

I should probably talk to him later. He seemed not fine.

Ma'am Mina distributed one balloon to each one of us and a strip of paper to put our name. We rolled it and put it inside the balloon before blowing it with enough air.

She mixed all the balloons in front. Boys were given five minutes to choose one balloon. In the middle of hectic search, I recorded in my mind how fast Drake had picked a balloon.

He popped it with a pin and opened it eagerly. Nalaglag ang panga niya.

"Angel Faye Soledad, partner tayo!" He exclaimed out suddenly, pointing at me. "I will be a noble partner! I'll make sure our prom night will be the best!"

He even pounded his chest with his hand in obvious determination.

That moment I wanted the ground to swallow me whole!

My subject teachers, my classmates, and batchmates were giving me that brows-wagging teasing.

"Mr. Mathildo, lower down your voice. Sit down properly. And please, you don't have to shout. That's not how a noble man should act." Ma'am Mina chided him.

"Sorry, Ma'am."

He was grinning the entire day. I couldn't help but smile too every time we crossed path in the hallway. His energy was too contagious to ignore.

***

Sa gabing iyon ay hindi ko maiwasang magmuni-muni dahil ang madilim na langit ay punong-puno ng kumikinang na mga bituin.

That faithful someone is already facing you. Why can't you see?

Suddenly, his words rang in my ears.

I shook my head and drink a Chamomile tea before going to bed.

"What are the signs that a guy like you? Really like you right and pure." I curiously asked Bonita one time in our lunch break.

Bonita seemed to have more knowledge about boys. Kasi madami na siyang nabasang romance novels. I knew she's expert when it comes to this.

"This is according to google, Angel. But I find these proven and tested in every romance novel I've read. One, he finds reasons to talk to you; two, he holds your gaze longer than usual; three, he's always available for you; four, he remembers details about you, even if that's small details about you; five, he invites you to non-dates; six, he always tries to impress you; seven, he never talk other girls; eight, he never use his phone around you; nine, he puts effort into his appearance when your around. If ever ginawa niya lahat ng mga binanggit ko sayo, then he likes you right and pure —for sure."

Drake did all those things to me. My throat just went parch.

Naghuhurementado ang aking puso habang umiinom ng tubig. My first ever boyfriend who appeared to like me didn't even do all those things to me.

I remembered he would talk other girls. He always used his phone every time we went on a date and he tend to forget and ignore small details about me.

Bonita snooped her eyes at me. "I know Drake Wayne — Dakog ulo Mathildo is pursuing you secretly in the disguise of friendship. But think twice, Angel, he's the most stubborn and rebellious Mathildo." payo niya.

I wasn't in my presence of mind for few days. During our cotillion practice, Drake would pull me back from overthinking by saying hilarious jokes to me.

***

Pagkatapos ng practice ay naisipan naming tumambay muna sa library. Kasama ko sina Kirsteen, Bonita, at Drake. Kahit papaano ay nakikisama na ang mga kaibigan ko kay Drake.

I dabbed some powder on my face. I reapplied some mascara and lipstick.

"I think girls who spend their time in reading books is better than girls spending their time putting makeup on their faces." Malakas na parinig ni Fritz sa kabilang mesa sa loob ng library.

She was reading Noli Me Tangere by Jose Rizal.

Kumibot ang mapulang labi ni Bonita sa narinig kaya naman ay hinawakan ni Kirsteen ang kamay niya para pigilan.

"There are girls who spend time reading books while also spend time and money for makeup or cosmetics. Not to impress anyone but to enhance their skills and their unique features just to feel good and be creative alone. I think that's pretty amazing. Wala naman akong nakikitang problema doon." I volleyed back gently while brushing my eyelashes with mascara.

"That's my girl!" Drake cheered for me.

"Cosmetics is better than badmouthing someone or keeping a plastic personality." I stated as a matter of fact.

Fritz with her friends stormed out of the library.

"Plastic rin ako, Anghel." He leaned forward. "Kunwari kaibigan kita pero crush talaga kita. So, you hate me now?"

I freaked out inside. Binalik ko lahat ng make up basic essentials ko sa aking tiny kit.

Bonita slammed the book she was reading.

"Can you stop messing my friend's mind, dakog ulo na Mathildo? You're giving her mixed signals!"

"I'm only going to listen to Angel. Nothing else."

"Fuck you." Bonita seethed.

"I'm giving you clear signals, Anghel. It's clearer than the day." Drake alluded.

Bonita was about to rebut again but Kirsteen intervened, "Bonita, tahan na."

Bonita huffed.

***

Our regular classes and afternoon practices went on for days. Kasalukuyan kaming naghihintay ngayon kay Ma'am Mina sa Municipal Gymnasium para sa whole day na rehearsal.

"Hindi matutuloy ang rehearsal ngayong araw!" Monica announced.

Nagsiuwian kaagad ang iba. Nagpaalam si Kirsteen na may gagawin pa sa bahay nila.

Si Bonita ay baka hindi pa gumigising kaya ay nag-iwan nalang ako ng mensahe sa kanya. I quickly texted Drake too. Not on Facebook.

Me:

Drake, huwag ka ng pumunta dito. Hindi matutuloy ang rehearsal.

He replied right away.

Drake:

Yehey! Punta tayo Sussana or sa Casa D'vans? Are you busy today?

Bonita said if a guy likes you, he's always available for you and I wanted to test him.

Me:

May lalabhan pa akong mga damit sa bahay.

Drake:

Handwash? I'll help you, pretty. I'm available. Wala akong ginagawa. Nasanay na ako ngayon dahil kasama kong nilalabhan ang mga damit ni Jethro.

Me:

Ang totoo wala talaga akong damit na lalabhan ngayon, Drake. Joke lang^_^

"Punta tayo kina Drake, Jeaneth!" bulalas ng kaklase ni Drake habang nag-iisip palang ako ng susunod kong mensahe sa kanya.

"Angel, pretty girl, tawagan mo naman si Drake, oh! Tambay tayo sa bahay nila!"

Jeaneth was naturally loud and energetic. Kagaya ni Kyle. Noong birthday palang ni Drake ay kumpirmado ko na ito.

"Kausap ko siya ngayon. Anong idadahilan ko?" I had no other reasons in my bucket.

"Sabihin mo maliligo tayo doon dahil buong araw walang practice at dahil kaibigan ka niyang pretty." saad niya.

She sounded like she was using me for their plan. Bakit kasi ako lang ang naisip nilang panangga para mapapayag nila si Drake?

"That's not a good reason." Umiling ako agad. Hindi sang-ayon sa kanyang ideya. "Nakakahiya naman..."

Kahit magkaibigan kami ni Drake. Hindi iyon advantage para humiling nalang ako sa kanya na tumambay sa bahay nila kahit kailan ko gusto.

"Kapag ikaw kasi ang mag request. Hindi iyon tatanggi. Siguradong ipagluluto pa tayo. Malakas ka talaga sa kanya, eh." pangatwiran ni Atlas. Umuwi ata ang iba pang tatlong kaibigan ni Drake.

"Sige na pretty girl, oh..." They begged cutely.

They were doing the puppy-eyes at me like Drake usually do. I couldn't resist them. It would be fun to hang out in their house. So, I texted Drake about it. He agreed quick off the mark.

***

Pagkarating namin sa harapan ng gate ng bahay nila ay sinalubong niya agad kami ng may dala-dalang payong. May nakasabit na black and white striped na tuwalya sa kanyang balikat. He was already wearing swim trunks too. Mukhang maliligo palang siya.

"My Queen has arrived..."

Sinilong niya sa aming dalawa ang payong at ginaya na ako sa loob ng compound ng bahay nila.

He ignored his classmates.

"May palaka!" irit ni Jeaneth.

Nagulantang ako at sumabad ng takbo papunta sa tabing-dagat. Sumulyap ako sa kanila na ngayo'y binabato ni Drake.

He lifted his middle finger at them before he followed me to the shore while holding his umbrella. It turned out that they were only joking!

Nagluto si Drake ng chicharon, banana chips, at fish balls. Pinatulong niya ang apat niyang kaklase habang pinaupo lang ako sa kanilang sala.

Bakit parang ginawa niyang personal helper ang mga kaklase niya at ako ngayon ang walang ginagawa?

Tahimik kaming kumain sa kusina nila Drake pagkatapos nilang magluto. Tanging langutngot ng chicharon lang ang maririnig.

Hindi ko manguya-nguya ng maayos ang aking kinakain dahil wala akong ambag sa kanilang preparation.

Pagkatapos ay pinahugas pa ni Drake ng mga plato at baso ang mga kaklase niya.

He ushered me to the small hut in front of the shore.

"Hindi ka pa naliligo, Drake?" I wondered.

His hair was messy. His eyes were kind of puffy. But I guess not because of crying. I felt guilty. His classmate dragged me to do this thing.

"Do I look one? But at least not smell like one, right?"

"Almost, Drake."

He roared in a genuine laughter. Humupa lang ito nang sumunod ang mga kaklase niya.

Sa hindi inaasahan ay bigla nalang siyang lumabas sa small hut at sumigaw. Minsan talaga may pagkaisip–bata siya. Actually, pareho kami.

He was spreading his arms under the broad daylight, feeling lively.

"Drake, sunscreen!" paalala ko sa kanya.

The sun would definitely burn his skin. He walked back to me with obvious enthusiasm.

He took off his shirt without a care in the world. He was topless in front of me and his classmates. Nilahad niya ang likod niya sa akin.

"Ehem." Pekeng umubo si Jeaneth. "Ang caring naman ni pretty girl..."

I sprayed some sunscreen to his back. Mabuti nalang hindi lotion type ang nabili kong sunscreen.

"Spread out mo nalang Drake." I said between the stares his classmates were giving us.

"I can't reach my back, Anghel. Ikaw nalang. I'll bend down a bit."

I saw a smile slowly coming out on his face. He was naturally tall and have long arms. And he couldn't reach his back?

His classmates were silently watching the interplay between us. Dahan-dahan kong kinalat ang sunscreen sa malapad niyang likod.

"Put some on my face too."

Winisikan ko rin ang mukha niya ng sunscreen.

"Pahingi, Angel." His classmates cooed.

Kinuha ni Drake ang sunscreen spray sa akin. Siya na mismo ang nagwisik sa mga mukha nila. He muttered something at them I didn't hear.

"You want to ride with me in a canoe?" he asked me.

I nodded hesitantly. "Hindi ako marunong lumangoy!"

"Hindi ka naman lalangoy. Sasakay ka lang. May kukunin lang ako sa loob."

He traversed the distance to their house like a volt.

He came back with a purple furry bucket hat which seemed to be mine. It was indeed mine!

Naiwan ko ata sa kwarto niya noong kaarawan niya. Pinaikot niya ito sa kanyang hinlalato. Sinuot niya ito sa kanyang ulo. Akala ko isasauli niya sa akin. Hindi ito kasya sa kanyang ulo, kaya nagmukha niya lang itong pinatong.

He untied the canoe from palm tree and dragged it to the sea water. Sinundan nila si Drake.

"Hindi mo ba kami tatanungin, Drake, kung gusto ba naming mamangka?" usisa ni Atlas.

"Nagtanong ka na nga. Kung gusto niyo. May isa pang lunday. Doon kayo." Tinuro niya ang isang nakataling canoe. "Kami lang dito."

I whisked some sunscreen on my arms, neck, and face before I walked to him.

"Sakay na, pretty." He gestured his hand. I held it tight.

"Sandali lang, Drake. Takot ako sa mga pating. Baka may nakabuka na diyan sa malalim." bantilaw kong pagdadahilan.

"Don't worry, pretty. I will not let them bite you because I will be the first one to bite them."

Drake with his hilariousness at its finest.

My furry bucket hat was on my head as quick as a flash when I settled on the stern seat. Umupo siya sa bow seat na may ngiti sa labi.

He started paddling and his classmates did too. They had some difficulty in making the canoe steady. After several minutes, we were far away from the shore.

Hindi ko na halos makita ang small hut dahil sa layo namin. Katahimikan ang bumalot sa aming dalawa habang nagpatuloy siya sa pagsagwan.

"Have you been in a relationship, Angel?" usisa niya sa mababang boses.

He waited in a terse conviction.

"Yes. Why?" I hoped he wouldn't dig more.

"Hala, Drake! Bolinao!" I seized the tense moment to divert his attention. However, his salutary to bring it up was recognizable.

"I think I punched your ex-boyfriend." he said, nonchalantly.

My eyes bulged at him. "You know him...?"

Naalarma ako.

"Yes... Walang-wala pala siya sa akin..."

"Drake? Are you just joking?"

"I'm not joking, Angel. His face looked swollen when he ran away from my grasp. Aside from that, I didn't further hurt him. He was talking shit about you. He deserved the pain, so I gave it to him. Hindi naman ako madamot."

He wasn't obviously jesting. Anong joke lang ang manuntok ng walang dahilan?

"Nag-away kayo? Saan? Bakit ngayon mo lang ito sinabi?" sunod-sunod kong siyasat sa kanya.

Walang tigatig siyang humikab na tila kagigising lang niya at isasalaysay palang niya ang kanyang napaginipan sa akin.

"Hindi kami nag-away, binigyan ko lang siya ng black eye, isang bukol sa pisngi, at tae sa mukha. Matagal na ata iyon. I couldn't remember the image of how bad and smelly his face. Sa pagkakatanda ko ay sa inodorong may tae ko ata ibinaon ang mukha niya." He recounted as if it was a trivial story he created.

"Drake, you shouldn't do that. No..No..No..." I massage my forehead while shaking my head.

I couldn't explain how chaotic and violent the images in my head.

It made me just cover my face in mortification.

"Then, I think he shouldn't do that, Angel."

He stopped paddling, as if he was on the verge of exploding his profanities.

"He was disrespecting you. I couldn't just brush that off. I have to punch that pervert or else I wouldn't able to sleep throughout my life."

I saw the consecutive mad pulses of his jaw.

"Drake, you really...don't have to fight for me... Not even in that way..." I trailed off.

Bonita was right. Drake was the definitely the most stubborn Mathildo.

"I have to fight for you. I will fight for you no matter what. You're now part of the people I cared the most, Angel."

His voice softened like the texture of silk and cotton.

"You have to control your temperament, Drake. Talagang hindi iyan nakakadagdag ng angas."

Nalukot ang ilong niya sa aking brutal na katapatan. Tumingin siya sa gilid. He bit his lower lip to control himself and his audible laughter.

"Yes, Angel. It won't happen again. He pissed the hell out of me. How can I stay calm?" anas niya sa mas mababang tono.

"Don't do that again, please. If you can't stay calm, Drake, then practice how to stay calm starting now."

I breathed out. Nakakasakal siyang umamin ng kasalanan.

"I promise, pretty. Not again." He raised his right hand, admitting his solemn promise.

"Huwag mo ng gagawin ulit iyon," I repeated.

"I will not do it again,"

I fanned myself with my hand. He was twenty-one years old. His mind was still a teenager.

He was maneuvering that stare again at me: cold as the polar regions and fervent as the tropical locations. Namula ako at nag-iwas ng tingin.

"What's the best gift you've ever gotten, Angel?" he queried randomly.

Tuluyan ng nawala ang aking kaba sa pag-iiba ng kanyang tanong, "Aside from life and loving mother and siblings. I think the best gifts I ever gotten would be: art materials from Jethro and Kirsteen; makeup palette and eleven shades of lipstick from Bonita; when Kuya Soren and Ate Sonya cooked my favorite food – bibingka; and when my mother agreed to let me give her a makeover."

"I think I know what to give you in your birthday." he said before jumping to the body of water.

I hadn't talk about my birthday. Nagdadalawang-isip pa ako. Si Kuya Soren kasi...

"Let me take pictures of you, Drake."

Umahon siya. He raked his buzz cut hair. He gave me a peace sign pose. And he swam back easily.

Naghintay ako sa kanya. Kumuha ako ng litrato sa dagat. I took selfies and videos too. Subalit wala paring paramdam si Drake.

"Ilang minuto na hindi parin siya umaahon..."

May nakita na ba siyang pating at inunahan niya na ito ng kagat?

"Umahon ka na, Drake..." Bumalik ang kaba ko kanina.

Sa una ay akala ko nagkukunwari lang siya o trip niya lang na tumagal sa ilalim ng tubig. As seconds passed by, he was giving me the heebie-jeebies.

"Drake umahon ka na, please naman, oh! Hindi rin naman kita ililigtas kasi hindi ako marunong lumangoy! Iligtas mo nalang ang sarili mo!" I exclaimed.

He popped back.

Bumulwak ang tubig sa kanyang ilong at bibig. He was cracking up a laugher that could wake up a sleeping shark.

"That's not really a good joke, Drake!" I blurted.

He wiped out the droplets of water from his face.

"At least, learn how to stay calm when someone is drowning, Angel."

Tumayo ako ngunit daglian ding umupo dahil gumiwang-giwang ang lunday.

"How can I stay calm, Drake? You make me worry!"

We paddled back to the shore after his laughing concert. Hindi ko siya kinausap hanggang bumaba kami. Wala talagang nakakatuwa sa ginawa niya.

***

"Angel! Pwede paki kuha ng tuwalya ko!? Basa na ako!" he called out from his room.

His classmates were having fun in the shore. Pumasok si Jeaneth sa sala kung saan ako nakaupo.

"Palihog lang, pretty!" He shouted again.

"Hush now, Drake!" I was supposed to ignore him.

I climbed upstairs and entered his room. It was clean and organized. Kudos to his Ben 10 underwear.

Kinuha ko ang tuwalya sa ibabaw ng kama niya. He snaked his hand on the tiny crack of the bathroom door. I handed him the towel. The shower was still running inside. So, I went downstairs hastily.

Jeaneth was gazing at me with inquisitive eyes.

"Alam mo pala ang kwarto ni Drake, Angel?" Isinatinig niya na ang kanyang pagtataka.

"Ka-asi.. Hindi.. I-I he-he" I stammered a bit.

Lumunok ako upang makahagilap ng matibay na rason. "Sinabihan lang ako ni Jethro noong birthday ni Drake." I lied.

"Diba dito ka natulog noong birthday ni Drake?" she followed up.

I denied it by shaking my head violently. I beamed at her awkwardly.

"Ang pretty mo talaga. Kaya ang matigas na dakog ulo nahumok. Iba talaga ang epekto mo. Nakaka-anghel." she praised me instead of asking more.

"Salamat. You're pretty too. We're both, pretty." I smiled genuinely at her.

"Ang sarap mong kurotin." Nanggigil niyang komento at pumunta sa kusina upang uminom ng tubig.

Our rehearsal for our Prom night continued the next few days. It would be throughout the day. Kaninang umaga nagsimula ang aking menstruation.

I was feeling so dull and tired. There was a cramping pain in my lower abdomen and it radiated to my lower back and thighs. My head was aching too.

Hindi ako inaasar ni Drake. Sa totoo lang naiibsan ang sakit ng aking puson dahil sa kanya. Nilalaro ng kanyang mga daliri ang tikwas ng aking buhok.

"I know you're not okay. Is it the first day of your period?"

Tumango lang ako. I had no energy to even speak.

"Namumutla ka. Just tell me if you want to go home." bulong niya habang sinusuklay ang aking buhok.

Drake might have that brash, careless, often charming, and funny outlook. But he had this sharp observation skills.

"Absent ka nalang. Hatid kita sa bahay niyo. Alam kong mas masakit pa ang buwan-buwang regla kaysa sa tuli.."

Gusto kong matawa sa sinabi niya subalit napakalambing ng boses niya.

"Hindi pwede. Final rehearsal na ito, Drake." I declined his offer.

I was fluttering my eyes in a dizzy manner.

"No. You need one day rest. Hindi ito pwede. Kakausapin ko si Ma'am."

Lakas-loob niyang pinuntahan si Ma'am Mina.

"Ma'am Mina ang pinakagwapa sa tanang maestra." He began his sugarcoating, "You know period cramps should be taken as a valid reason to be absent, right, Ma'am? Si Soledad po tignan niyo isang ihip lang ng hangin ay babagsak na sa sahig dahil sa pamumutla at panghihina."

Dahil doon ay pinuntahan ako ni Bonita at Kirsteen. Tinabihan nila ako at marahan akong sumandal kay Kirsteen. Bonita was massaging my hand. Kumirot nalang bigla ang aking puson. Napapikit ako sa sakit.

I heard Drake's heavy footstep. "Pretty, iuuwi na kita."

"Anong sasakyan niyo? My driver is–"

Drake interrupted Bonita, "Ako na maghahatid sa kanya."

Inakay niya ako papalabas ng Municipal Gymnasium.

"Drake, take care of her! Drive safely, dakog ulo!" malakas na paalala ni Bonita.

Banayad lang ang pagpapatakbo ng kanyang motorsiklo. Pagdating namin sa bahay ay pinahiga niya ako sa aking kama. My mother gave me a heating patch and place it on my abdomen.

Nakatulog ako buong hapon. Ang sabi ni Mama umuwi si Drake pagkatapos niyang gumawa ng ginger tea.

I took a warm bath after eating dinner and drink his ginger tea. I checked my messages.

Drake:

Huwag mo ng isipin ang rehearsal. Take the ginger tea I made and sleep early.

Napangiti ako. Kalaunan ay sumeryoso ako nang napagtantong may mensahe si Kuya Soren sa akin. Mahaba ang mensahe niya. Talagang wala ng follow up message.

Soren Soledad:

Angel, someone told me there is something going on with you and Drake Wayne Mathildo. Is this true? Isang beses lang akong sumang-ayon na dumalo ka sa birthday ng suwail na batang 'yan para respeto sa kanyang Ama at kay Ranger. You still not learn from the last guy you hide from us. I will talk to you in your 18th birthday. This is a serious matter.

PERIEDOT