Kabanata 13

A Love to Remember

He courted me for 91 days; and within those days, he showed me what love is.

He showered me with fondness and affection. He made sure I smiled and laughed day by day. He gave the best he could and showed what a real man would do for his girl.

I'm deeply touched from every effort he made. He really does deserve the 'yes' I gave him.

Happiness and warmth surrounded those days.

I could never ask for more when I'm with him.

"Thank you... Thank you... Thank you..." He repeatedly said.

He hugged me, now full of warmth and love.

He then touched my chin, "I'll never forget this day, bibe..."

"No one has ever made my heart go like this..." pag amin n'ya. I locked eyes with him, He locked eyes with me. I felt selcouth all over my smiles; unfamiliar, rare, and strange, yet marvelous.

He looked at me, full of adoration, seconds came by, and It was deafening, and yet I didn't complain because love was present throughout the room.

"You're bewitching me again, My Amara..."

A Music from Louisse' room broke our locked eyes. We laughed together.

"Naalala mo 'yung nasa basketball court tayo?" He smiled sweetly. I nodded slowly.

"When I told you, that you made me smile, like a lot?"

"Mhm..." I swiftly answered.

"I was wrong..." He stared at me.

"Huh?" Itinagilid ko ang ulo ko.

"Happiness is what I felt, not just smiles..." He then walked to his drawing desk and reached for a box.

"Ibibigay ko sana 'to sa'yo, kaso medyo napaaga 'yung pag sagot mo sa'kin," He smiled, I looked at him, "pero 'di naman ako nag rereklamo, hehe..."

"What's that?" I came up to him.

"Explosion box," saad n'ya, "sabi ni Louisse nakakakilig daw 'yan, kaya ginawan ko kayong dalawa, kaso 'di pa tapos..." pagtutuloy n'ya.

"Can I see it?" I smiled excitingly.

"Sige," sabay abot n'ya.

I untangled the purple ribbon at binuksan 'yung box, purple butterflies magically flew out of the box, I was surprised by it. There were tulips on the middle with pictures popping out, and pockets on each side of the box. I saw a lot of pictures of Seus, Oreo, and I. There were also love letters written and it was well-decorated kahit 'di pa tapos.

I felt butterflies, not just in my stomach but everywhere! My heart jumped crazily. I caressed my face and felt the redness all over my face. The fire in my heart expanded, and I didn't want to stop it, fuel started to pour, and I love it.

I pouted from the effort he made, "Ang sweet mo naman," I smiled to ease my redness, "Pato..." I continued.

He chuckled, "Ako lang 'to," sabay pakita n'ya nang muscles n'ya.

"I also have a gift for you..." I smiled.

I reached for my bag and gave him a piece of paper. It was not just a paper, but a paper full of love.

"I wrote in here, since the day you courted me," I smiled cutely at him.

"I wanted to express my feelings in here, and I want to share it with you..."

He gave me his hand, I pushed it away, "I'll write something... for the last time..."

"Alright..." He reached his ballpen and gave it to me.

I started to write, pouring my feelings down. After I wrote it, I instantly hand the paper to him, I shivered and my heart pounded when he read the first sentence.

"A heart locket, and little help by Oreo, gave millions of butterflies flying inside my stomach." Pagababasa n'ya.

Itinuloy n'ya ito hanggang mapunta s'ya sa dulo nang letter, "He's an elysian, a perfect example of it," he smiled as he read it.

"All the steps I had took led me to my other half; and today, I'll walk again to him, to say the yes he deserves."

"An iridescent glow follows us, even at times in low. He radiates this energy that cheers me up every day. He's someone that every woman in this world deserves."

"I caught my eyes constantly staring at you. I caught my heart suddenly jumping when I'm with you. I caught my cheeks unexpectedly blush 'cause of you. I caught my mind abruptly thinking of you. I caught my knees instantly trembling while walking up to you, then it hit me, I like him. My heart got attached and was drawn to you without any restrain."

I looked up to him when I saw him teary-eyed while reading my letter, I stood up at dali-dali ko s'yang yinakap, "Read the last part, 'yan 'yung sinulat ko kanina..."

"Mhm..." He smiled.

"I love the way he smiles with his lovely eyes. I love the way he looks at me, with adoration that's full of glee. I love the way he carried his girl; twinkling and a twirl. I love the way he cries, letting out what's inside. I love the way he speaks, a voice full of mystique. I love everything and anything about you, especially the little things 'cause I love you."

He hugged me and looked at me with sincerity, He opened his mouth to speak but smiled instead to stop himself from talking.

"Can I kiss your forehead?" tanong n'ya. I stared at him for a bit before I nodded with a smile on my face.

He kissed my forehead softly, and I felt redness all over my face again.

Pagkatpos n'on ay hinatid na ako pauwi ni Seus. He told me, may date s'yang hinanda para bukas, He'll pick me by lunch.

I then suddenly caught myself thinking about him, I snapped myself out of it, but It didn't stop me from smiling and blushing once again.

I walked upstairs and screamed, "Oh my God!"

I shouted more things, pouring my feelings inside my room.

I touched my forehead, smiling.

Nanay then opened the door and instantly looked at me, "Akala ko naman kung napano ka!"

I then saw Manong Ram, Mang Roel, Manong Boyet, at Manang Elda, nasa likod sila ni Nanay. I smiled when I saw them, Manang Elda waved at me with a broom on her hand.

"I have good news..." I smiled cutely.

"Sinagot ko na si Seus."

Agad silang pumasok sa kwarto ko at yinugyog ako.

"Talaga?! OMG!" untag ni Manang Elda.

"Masaya ako para sa'yo, Sapph," Manong Ram smiled.

"Masaya kaming dalawa ni Manong Nescafe..." sabay tawa ni Mang Roel.

"Kaya naman pala... naku, naku, naku, inunahan mo pa talaga ako..." Nanay smiled.

"Nay, I'm 17 almost 18 na... 'kay? Don't worry about me."

"'Tsaka nakita kaya kita sa Grocery may kasamang lalaki!" untag ko.

Tinakpan naman ni Nanay 'yung bunganga ko, "Pa'no mo nalaman?!"

"I went to buy there..."

"Fling ko lang 'yun, Ano ka ba!" sabay tawa ni Nanay, I laughed as well.

"Sana all, Nay!" saad ni Manang Elda.

"Ano ka ba, Ako lang 'to 'no!" Nanay grooved.

Before the day ended, I called Papa but Mama only answered it sabi n'ya busy daw s'ya. I just told Mom to tell her the news about Seus and I. She was very happy when she first heard it at gustong-gusto n'ya nang iwanan si Papa sa Spain para makauwi. I told Mama that they should finish their agendas first, pagkatpos n'on ay pwedeng pwede na sila umuwi. She said her I love yous and bid goodbye.

I woke up from the noise I heard from downstairs. I jumped out of my bed at sumilip sa baba. I saw Seus, sitting on our couch, napapaligiran s'ya ng mga tanong nila Nanay.

"I thought lunch pa?" tanong ko sa sarili.

"Kailan ang birthday ni Sapphire?" tanong ni Nanay.

"Ika-7 po ng Setyembre..."

"Ano ang paboritong kulay ni Sapphie?"

"Purple po, hehe..."

Dahan-dahan akong umupo at pinakinggan ang usap nila.

"Kailan mo s'ya nakilala?" She asked again.

"Psstt... Huy! Tama na 'yan Nay! Worthy naman si Seus kay Sapph!" Manang Elda showed her beautiful smile.

"Hm... sagutin mo muna," sabay ngiti n'ya.

"I met her when were younger," ngumiti s'ya, "kids." paglilinaw n'ya.

"What? Really?" bulong ko sa'kin.

"No, he didn't!" saad ko sa sarili.

"I was a total jerk back then," pag amin n'ya.

"Ay! Naku!" komento ni Nanay.

"Nay... people change..." ani Manang Elda, pampalubag loob n'ya.

"Sapphire lost her Baby Panda back then because of me..." yinuko n'ya 'yung ulo n'ya.

"And some boy helped her find it. It was my first time getting jealous when I saw her hugging him and even called him her 'Prince Charming'" sabay scrunch n'ya sa ilong n'ya.

"Naalala ko 'yan! 'Yan 'yung umiiyak si Sapphire pauwi dito at bumalik muli sa playground, desididong desidiong hanaping ang kanyang Panda!" sabay iling ni Nanay. I saw her disappointment.

"I thought Nanay liked Seus for me?" I asked to myself, I shook my head to get rid of questions inside my head.

"Nanay is so protective, even more protective than Mama and Papa..." I chuckled.

"Nay, honest lang si Seus..." Manang Elda touched Nanay's shoulders.

"Alam mo bang 'yung Panda n'ya lang 'yung kaisa isang regalo nang Mommy n'ya sa kanya?"

Umiling si Seus. "I'll be a better person and a man, not because of Amara, but for Amara..."

"You know, boto talaga ako sa'yo, but you still have a lot of provings to do..."

"Wew! English, Nay!" komento ni Mang Roel.

"Naku, ikaw, pumasok ka na sa kwarto mo at matulog," sabay iling ni Nanay.

"'Eto naman mainitin ang ulo, umagang-umaga, Nay, oh!" turo ni Mang Roel sa orasan namin.

After a few seconds, Nanay spoke again, "Gisingin ko lang si Sapph, date n'yo 'di ba?"

"Opo... Aantayin ko nalang po s'ya," sabay ngiti ni Seus.

I walked to my bedroom at dali-daling nag handa. I then heard Nanay's knock.

"Sapph, nag aantay si Seus sa baba..."

"Naliligo na 'ko, Nay..."

"Ang gwapo-gwapo at ang bango! Medyo nagalit ako kanina pero sobrang bait pa din! Keep mo na s'ya, Sapph!"

I chuckled from what Nanay said.

I then wore my wide legged jeans, a cropped tank top, my platform sandals. I also wore my crocheted cardigan that Ate Rein gave me on my birthday. To top it all off, I wore jewelries.

I sprayed my signature perfume, "You look very pretty, Sapphire..."

Bumaba ako nang hagdan at agad na lumiwanag ang mukha ni Seus nang mapunta sa'kin ang kanyang mga mata. Lumapit s'ya sa'kin at kinuha ang kamay ko at hinalikan ito. His kisses were gentle and soft. He's very light and tender about his kisses.

"Ganda naman nang bibe ko!" sabay ikot n'ya sa'kin.

"Mauna na po kami..." he then showed his killer smile. Tumili naman si Manang Elda, pati si Nanay ay medyo ngumiti din.

He then opened the door for his car, "Sa'n tayo pupunta?" tanong ko.

"'Di mo pa nakita message ko?" takang tanong n'ya.

"Hmm... wait," sabay bukas ko sa aking cellphone.

9:14 pm

@perseusverg_

Date with my bibe ;))

12:00-1:00 – Brunch

1:00-2:30 – Painting Date

2:30-4:00- Mall

4:00-5:00- Early Dinner

5:00-6:00- Dog Park for Oreo

6:00-6:30- Home

I wasn't aware that my smile was forming, I stopped it but I saw Seus with a ghost smile while looking at me. Nagtipa ako nang sagot.

11:24 am

ms_sapphiremerritt

Noted po ^-^

He smiled when he saw my message. Agad namang inandar ni Seus ang sasakyan at inikot ang manibela gamit ang isang kamay. He really looks good. I mean his beautiful thick eyebrows, dark brown eyes that compliments his skintone, charming narrow nose, and his pinkish soft lips that completes his whole look. I couldn't help but to stare at him.

"You look cute when you stare at me," he smirked.

"You're very much correct about that," I smiled then flipped my hair.

"30 minutes 'yung drive papunta sa resto," ani n'ya. He then opened his spotify to play something.

"Swing Lynn by Harmless..." saad n'ya. I nodded, I know the song it's calming and simple but is so beautiful.

After that his playlist played 'This Side of Paradise' then 'Still into you'. He checked his watch, before turning off his Spotify, after that he turned his radio on.

"This is for you my Bibe, with love, your Pato," narinig kong saad sa radio.

"Here's a song for you," ani ulit nung radio broadcaster.

I looked at him, and pointed at the radio, "W-what?"

He just nodded while smiling, I turned the volume up before the song could even start.

"When I Met You by APO Hiking Society," dugtong nang babae sa radyo.

The song began and I was mesmerized from the first few words it played.

Seus started to sang quietly, I then joined him shortly. I smiled while singing it.

"And before I knew, There I was so in love with you..." we ended the sentence by locking our eyes to each other.

"You gave me a meaning to my life..."

We sang with pure love. I'm really happy when I'm with him.

"and you, you taught me to love," We looked at each other.

"and darling, I will always cherish you, today, tomorrow and forever..." He held my hand.

I blushed until the song came to its end.

"And it all began when I met you..."

"When I met you..."

"I love you so much, my heart, sincerely your other half," ani nung radio broadcaster.

"What a very sweet song! I felt kilig! Sana all!" untag nang radio broadcaster.

After a few minutes we arrived from our destination, saktong-sakto alas-dose na.

Seus opened the door for me, at agad kong naramadaman ang malamig na hangin galing sa napakalaking verranda.

"Sir, Ma'am, here's the way for your reserved table," ngiti nung crew.

"Reserved?" tanong ko sa sarili.

Inilahad kami sa verranda at umakyat sa maliit entablado, there's a table for two, at well-decorated s'ya.

"Here's the menu, Ma'am and Sir..."

We scanned the menu, then I ordered, "Can I get Tapsilog and Sinigang na baboy po?"

"Yes, ma'am available po 'yan... How about you, sir?"

"Longsilog, and two hot chocos..."

"Okay, Sir, will that be all of it?" ngiti n'ya.

"Yep..."

"Ang hangin dito, I love the view!" I smiled.

"I'll take pictures of you..." he grabbed his phone and took pictures of me. I did simple posings and it looked beautiful when I saw the pictures. Saktong-sakto at dumating na kaagad ang mainit na brunch naming ni Seus.

"Tutuloy mo pa ba modeling mo beb?" sabay higop n'ya sa sinigang.

"Not sure, ako lang kasi ang tagapagmana sa company namin..."

"No siblings? or any relatives?" tanong n'ya. Umiling ako.

"Hmm... tuloy mo lang bibe, bagay na bagay sa'yo. I'll help you with the company in the future if gusto mo..." he then bit his longganisa.

Hinigop ko naman 'yung sabaw ko, "I've been debating kung papasok ba ako nang college, but I want to go to New York, Paris... maybe? Or even Milan para sa modeling ko," I smiled.

"You should do it," he smiled.

I paused, "Are you okay when I leave you?" I asked, agad naman s'yang tumingin sa'kin.

"for my modeling..." I clarified.

"Oo, naman! I could even help you if you want..."

"But..." nanghihinayang kong ani.

"There's no buts if you're doing it for your dream," he smiled then held my hand.

"There are so many ways to communicate, bibe... kayang kaya natin 'yun..." dagdag n'ya.

"'Tsaka we're still young, 'di lang puro love, we have to strive for our future, m'kay?" he smiled softly.

"Okay..." Nakayuko kong ani. He then held my chin at itinaas 'to nang dahan-dahan.

"Smile, bibe, you look even more beautiful when you smile..." He made a funny face that instantly made me burst my laughter.

We ate while talking about the most random things. After our Brunch, we went to this painting place.

He opened the door for me. "Thank you," I pinched his cute nose.

"Wc!" he then chuckled.

"Hi! Welcome to Lollie's Painting Place!" ngiti n'ya.

"Hi! How are you?" I asked.

"I'm good. What do you want to paint? We have mugs, stones, plates, hairbrushes, water bottles, phone cases, basically everything you want is here..." sabay abot sa scrapbook.

I flipped the scrapbook, "Ano gusto mo, Amara?" baritonong ani n'ya.

"Mugs?" saad ko, he nodded.

"2 mugs for the two of us..."

"Okay!" sabay bigay n'ya sa'min nang dalawang mug.

"You can choose your paints there..." sabay turo sa shelves, "Oh, and! You can pick your aprons there!" dagdag n'ya.

I smiled, at nagtungo na d'on.

"I'll get the Pastel paints, ikaw?" I looked at him, he's tying his apron.

Lumapit s'ya sa'kin, at sinuot 'yung apron. He ribboned it softly, I smiled when he's done.

"Pastel paint din sa'kin..." gaya gaya n'yang saad.

Lumapit uli kami d'on sa babae, at inilapag ang paints na kinuha namin.

She punched the two mugs and the two paints, at inilagay sa rattan na basket. The basket has splattered paints. It looked so cute.

"You may pick a spot..."

"Sa'n mo gusto bibe?" tanong n'ya.

"We can try outside..." I looked outside.

"Outside..." ani Seus sa babae.

Ngumiti naman 'yung babae at kumuha ng picnic blanket.

We stepped outside at inayos na ni Seus 'yung picnic blanket at nagsimula na kami mag pinta.

I watered my brush, and dipped it to a pastel green paint.

"What are you gonna paint?" I asked, I then continued to paint.

"Secret..." He smiled cutely.

"Hmm... I'll keep mine secret then," sabay tago ko sa nasimula ko nang pinta.

After a few minutes of painting, I looked at him, he looked so serious about his painting.

I then added a bow to the paint I made. "Kailangan ko pa 'to ipa-dry..." ani ko sa sarili ko.

I looked at people that were painting, I smiled when I saw a couple enjoying their painting date. I then looked back at Seus who's literally staring at me.

I snapped at his face, "Seus, stop staring..." I pouted to stop a smile slipping on my lips.

"Alright," baritonong saad n'ya.

"His voice is so masculine!" bulong ko sa sarili.

After a few minutes my painting was done, "I'm done!" I smiled.

"Hmm... Tapos ko na din sa'kin," sabay suri n'ya sa kanyang painting.

"Here it is!" I showed him a cute frog with a purple bow. I also added a green drips sa taas nung mugs, which made it elevate more I made minor mistakes but nonetheless it's so cute.

"Ang cute naman nang froggie mo," he chuckled.

"Can I see yours?!" excited kong ani.

"Yeah, sure..." sabay abot n'ya sa'kin.

My mouth widened when I saw a painting of chibi Oreo, "This is so cute!"

"Oreo's eating an oreo!" I pointed out.

"With a milk!" nakangiti kong dagdag.

"Our mugs are so cute!" pinagdikit ko ang dalawa.

"Wait, I'll add something, is it okay?" I asked for permission.

"Go ahead..." he smiled.

I drew a heart on the bottom of the mugs. The heart connects kapag ipinagtabi.

"Do you like it?" I smiled when I finished it.

"Galing naman nang bibe ko..." he placed his head on my shoulders.

"Let's put our signature..." I gave him his cup.

I picked a pastel purple to write my signature.

He opened the car door for me.

He looked at his watch, "Time check it's 1:57 pm."

"I think makakarating tayo d'un ng tamang oras, 2:30..." saad ko.

We talked until we arrived to the mall, agad kaming bumili ng ice cream. We ate it habang umikot-iko sa mall.

"Amara, may nakita akong platform boots sa store na 'yun," he pointed this famous brand, "Bagay na bagay sa'yo, tara..." He smiled.

"You paid our brunch, our painting date, and you're even buying me boots?" I smiled and looked at him.

"I'll pay din for us, please? 'tsaka you don't have to buy me those, okay?"

"Pinagipunan ko 'to, bibe, and I don't have the intentions to buy anything kapag hindi naman para sa'yo," He smiled with sincerity.

"Are you sure? Basta promise me na ako nama gagastos sa next date natin," I gave my pinky, "or you can find a pair of Nike shoes and I'll pay it..." He interlocked his pinky to my pinky.

As we stepped inside my nose instantly smelled the soft and fresh laundry inside the store.

"Hi! Good afternoon!" bati ko sa crew. Bumati din si Seus.

"Platform boots... for my girl," sabay turo sa platform boots nan aka display.

"My size is 7.5 in US," I smiled to the crew, he smiled at me back.

"Sakto, last pair na po, ma'am..."

I took my sandals off, isusuot na sana sa'kin nung crew 'yung boots pero pinigilan ko na.

"Ako nalang po," I smiled as I took the boots from him.

I then tried to put the zipper down pero ayaw n'ya, nagulat na lamang ako nang lumuhod si Seus at kinuha 'yung pair. He insterted the boots softly and gently. Inilagay n'ya din 'yung kabila at hinawakan ang dalawa mong kamay para tumayo.

I comfortably stood up and even tried walking with it.

"Ma'am model po ba kayo?" usisa nung lalaki.

"Bagay po sainyo!" dagdag pa nito. I softly smiled at him.

"Bagay 'di ba kuya?" sabay lapit ni Seus sa lalaki.

"Opo, sir!" ngiti naman n'ya. I rolled my eyes with a smile on my face.

"Apir!" sabay apir nilang dalawa, "yown!" tawa n'ya.

While walking, I can't help myself but to look at him. He's wearing his oversized graphic shirt, trousers, and a pair of nike sneakers. He's sporting a messy hair that fits him. He's also leaner than before. He even winked at me that made me blush.

I walked up to him and realized we're almost the same height. "What's your height?" curious kong tanong.

"I'm 6'2, ba't bibe?"

I shrugged casually, "nothing..."

I'm 5'7, He's 6'2. If we're gonna have kids, they're going to be so tall!

I pinched myself after a few seconds of realization. I'm 17, he's 19, and! We're both too young to have children!

I sat down, lumuhod naman s'ya para kunin 'yung boots.

"Kukunin ko na 'yan bossing, paki-pack nalang," sabay punta sa counter.

"6,999 Sir, would you like to pay it in cash or credit card?"

He pulled his wallet out of his pocket, "cash..."

Lumabas kami nang hawak-hawak ni Seus 'yung paper bag.

Know that I've grown, I realized how important it is to save money.

"Seus, you told me kanina na pinagipunan mo date natin..."

"Mhm?" he lifted his eyebrow up.

"Kung naubos 'yan-" he didn't let me finish.

"Amara," he touched my hand, "It's okay, besides, it's our first date, I want it to be as memorable as possible..." Ginulo n'ya 'yung buhok ko.

Habang kami'y umiikot ikot sa mall. We saw the Nike store at agad ko s'yang hinila d'on, I begged him to let me pay for his shoes naman, he told me he couldn't say no to me, kaya naman nabili na 'yung shoes. He picked out this versatile sneakers that he can pair up to any of his clothing pieces. Dumaan na din kami sa mamahaling diner na kinainan din namin n'un ni Seus. We ate until we were full.

"Seus, I'll go," sabay turo ko sa restroom.

"I'll wait for you, call me when you need anything," sabay abot n'ya nung phone ko. I nodded before walking to the restroom.

The restroom looked very luxurious, and smells good as well. I can even hear the violins being played. I entered the cubicle and began to urinate when I heard a familiar voice.

"Why did you hila me here ate?!" iritang ani Hazel.

"I need to see Seus! I need to speak with him!" iritadong saad n'ya.

"Hazel, you know he has a girl now right?"

"Girl? He's just courting her, okay?!" galit na untag nito.

"And stop acting like you don't like him! A friend of mine told me you hangout with that Sapphire girl, I know you're just using her to be close with him? Am I right?" dirediretso n'yang bulalas.

"Haven, tell her the truth," pagbubulong ko.

"Tell her the truth..." I repeated.

I patiently waited for her to say a single 'No' from her, but I didn't.

Hazel clicked her tongue, "See?"

Naestatwa at nanlumo ako sa narinig ko. After a few seconds, I heard the door closed.

I waited for a few seconds and stood up. I heard my phone ringing, but I didn't bother to pick it up. I looked at myself in the mirror, I was crying. My beautiful and innocent reflection was crying. Pinasadahan ko ang mga luha ko gamit ang likod ng aking kamay.

I composed myself and tied my hair, I heard a few knocks on the door.

"Sapph? Are you okay? Do you need help? Pads? Bibili ako kung gusto-" I cutted him off by opening the door.

"Mhm... I'm okay, I just-"

"No need to explain," nasilayan ko ang kanyang magagandang ngiti. I don't think he knows what happened.

"It's past five, let's fetch Oreo, then we can go to the dog park..." saad n'ya nang makapasok kami ng sasakyan n'ya.

"Okay!" I cheerfully smiled.

"Go, Oreo!" I gently patted him.

He ran and looked at me, I waved at him before he continued to run with the other dogs too.

"Ang cute n'ya!" untag ko.

"He's the smallest there..." he chuckled.

"Right?!"

I took videos of Oreo playing with the other dogs, some of their owners talked to us as well. We got home pagkatapos ng apatnapu't limang minuto.

Pumasok si Seus sa bahay at bumati bago umuwi.

Agad namang nagtipon tipon sila sa harap ko.

"What?" I smiled, knowing I'm blushing all over my face.

Kinuha ni Manong Ram si Oreo sa'kin, "Achu Achu Achu chu," he softly scratched Oreo's neck.

"Anong nangyari sa date nung momma at poppa mo?" tanong ni Mang Roel kay Oreo. Tumahol naman si Oreo at ngumiti pa.

"Nag kiss sila!" nakangiting bulalas ni Mang Roel.

I shook my head, "Nope!"

"Marunong kaya ako makipag usap sa mga aso! Expert ako d'un!" ngising aso ni Mang Roel.

"Mang Translator Aso, tumahimik ka nga d'yan!" Manong Ram interrupted Mang Roel's imagination.

"Ikaw ang tumahimik, Manong Nescafe!"

"Tumigil na kayo!" wika ni Manong Boyet na may halong biro.

"Ano kwento ka na," nakangiting saad ni Manang Elda.

"We ate to this restaurant sa mountain, super lamig there and ang ganda nang view!" I opened my phone to show them the pictures.

"Wow! Kakilig!" Manang Elda commented.

"Gusto mo idala din kita-" Manong Boyet was cutted off.

"Dati mo na 'yan sinasabi! Ni-isa wala namang nangyari! Pfft!" pagdadabog ni Manang Elda.

"Suyuin mo na Boyet, baka toyoin 'yan hanggang bukas!" komento ni Manong Ram.

"Baka hanggang next year pa 'yang toyo n'yan!" Mang Roel laughed.

"Magkwekwento lang ako, kung titigil na kayo..." I looked at them.

"'Yan kasi!" sipat ni Mang Roel.

"Then there's this song that played in the radio, it was When I Met You by APO Hiking Society..."

"H'wag mong sabihin na para sa'yo 'yun!" gulantang wika ni Manang Elda.

"It was for me, he also left a message na sinabi nung radio broadcaster..." I smiled when I remembered what happened earlier.

Nagkwento ako nang nagkwento. 2 months passed by. It was slow, but quick at the same time. We've Graduated from Senior High School. Louisse and Seus were busy finishing up the things they need to do, they also attended summer class, kaya bihira nalang kami mag date ni Seus at magkita ni Louisse. They were very sorry but I understood them. I tried to cut ties with Haven but every time she needed my help, I'd go walk again in thorns and help her. We didn't talk about the situation, I'm guessing she doesn't know that I heard what they talked about 2 months ago. Jessa and I hangout almost everyday, she told me we could take a video sa mga ginagawa naming, then we could show it to Louisse. I was happy when I heard her idea and we instantly took videos.

I heard three knocks- It was Timothee. He always knocks three times, I actually don't know why.

"I'll leave the door open," He smiled.

"I'm leaving in a month... 'di na ako makikipagkita kay Charm..." bungad n'ya.

"You're going to ghost her?!" I went to him.

"No."

I nodded.

"Mahal na mahal n'ya 'yung mga makalumang bagay, and I want you to give her the letters I've written," He furrowed his thick eyebrows.

Inabot n'ya sa'kin ang mga papel na mukhang luma na. I sniffed it, it smelled like coffee, "When will I give these to her?"

"Tomorrow, sasamahan kita ibigay, pero 'di ako magpapakita," He stepped outside my room.

"She's waiting there!" turo ko ng makita ko s'ya.

"Talk to her, and give the letters to her. T-tell her I'm g-gone, dead," he cleared his throat. I knew It was hard for him to say it.

"Ako na bahala..." I smiled.

"Are you sure ako na?" tanong ko muli bago bumaba. He nodded without any hesitation.

Bumaba na ako sa sasakyan. Ang mahalumigmig na hangin ay yinakap ako. My hair was floating so I tied it. Napunta 'yung mga mata ni Charm sa'kin.

"Hi!" bati ko nang nakalapit na ako sa kanya.

"Magandang hapon..." she smiled but curiousity was evident in her eyes.

"So, I'm here to tell you something," I sat down with the grass, she sat down quietly.

She looked at me with a smile on her face, ready to hear what's in my head.

"Uhm..." Kinapa ko 'yung mga salitang bibitawan ko.

"T-Timothee's g-gone."

She tilted her head, "H-huh?"

"He's dead. I'm sorry..." I touched my lips after lying.

She stared at the grass for a moment. Suddenly, her tears were flowing. She then covered her eyes with her hands.

"Bakit? Paano?" paulit ulit na tanong n'ya. Her voice was brittle.

"He told me to give you these..." hirap na saad ko. I gave her the letters slowly.

She looked at those and wept. Misery was present in her eyes.

"'Di ko kailangan 'yang mga 'yan, kailangan ko s'ya," tuloy-tuloy na wika n'ya.

A drop of rain poured one at a time. It was suddenly becoming more vicious as the time goes. Worried, I covered her head using my hands.

"Sapph, it's okay, you can leave," she looked at me with sincerity. Her eyes were puffy and her nose reddened.

I looked at the car when I saw Timothee na bumaba na nang sasakyan. His eyes showed how worried he is. I signed him to stop, at bumalik na sa loob. He did, even if it was hard for him.

"I'll leave the letters here..." sabay bigay ko sa bag ko.

"You can have my bag, baka mabasa 'yung mga letters..."

She just nodded. I walked slowly towards the car at pumasok na.

When the sky thundered, she joined It too.

The rain was pouring down, but you can distinctively see her shattered heart. The fog was present you can clearly see the never-ending pain in her eyes. The sky darkened, but you can see her shine in her white dress. The sun was out of sight, but the agony and sorrow in her wasn't.

〰〰〰〰『𖤣𖥧𖡼..✎ ..𖡼𖥧𖤣』〰〰〰〰

sofiagii

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