Kabanata 4

It was an odd feeling of giddiness. The same feeling you get when two of your favorite characters were about to kiss — it was heartwarming but can also make your heart react in an erratic motion.

Sarathiel.

I unknowingly smiled to myself while mentioning his name in my mind. Ilang beses ko na 'yatang pinaulit-ulit ang pagbigkas nito sa aking isip pero hanggang ngayon ay parang hindi ko pa rin kabisado.

Nang makauwi ako ay dumiretso ako sa aking kwarto. I locked my door so no one will disturb me. I took a quick shower before plopping to my bed. Ilang minuto akong nakatulala, just casually staring at the ceiling.

It's funny, I was already at home but my mind is still wandering somewhere else. Particularly, it was wandering around someone I just met. I never thought it was possible to make someone occupy your entire mind for an entire day. Lalo na ang isang tao na kakikilala mo pa lang.

I couldn't believe it.

I couldn't contain the smile on my face. Kinuha ko ang isang unan at binaon ang mukha ko para tumili. His hoodie, his gesture and the way he says my name. I never thought Philomena would sound so nice in another person's voice.

✿✿✿

"Thank you po," I thanked our driver who drove me to Iscalade's house.

Nasa isang subdivision ito pero nabigay naman niya sa akin ang kumpletong address ng lugar kaya madali lang akong hinatid dito. Nasa labas pa ako ng bahay nila at agad na inikot ko ang tingin ko rito.

I examined their house design and it really looks modern. The house has flat roofing and the large windows made it look minimalistic. If I was just a bystander, this will be one of the houses I'll add in my dream home. I decided to use their door bell but it surprised me because it was a telecom instead.

I pressed the button and greeted.

"Good morning po, pwede po ba kay Iscalade?"

A few minutes passed and the gate automatically opened.

Habang tumatagal ay lalo akong humahanga sa bahay nila. Our house is also quite big but it's more common. Binili na nila ito ng gawa na at hindi na sila masyadong nag-renovate. This house was really built with effort, I could tell because of the small details that I've seen such as the Sansevieria Moonshine placed into bud vases.

Sinalubong ako ni Iscalade, he was sporting a white t-shirt and red jogger shorts. Ilang beses akong kumurap dahil mukhang kagigising niya lang. He looks so casual while I look like I'm attending a party. I was currently wearing a criss cross back tiered dress but I decided to put a shrug on because I didn't like the feeling of my back being exposed.

"You look like..." Iscalade's eyes widened. "Saan punta mo? May party?"

My jaw dropped. Oh my, don't tell me he forgot? Poor doggie.

"You told me it was your dog's birthday!"

Realization hits him and his hand flew into his forehead.

"Hala, oo nga." He bit his lower lip. "Sorry, Philo. Wala talaga akong kwentang kausap kapag kulang sa tulog."

"You mean you haven't prepare anything for your dog?"

He nods, guilt was all over his face.

"What about a cake?" I asked.

He ruffled his own hair, it looks kind of messy right now.

"Dogs can't eat cakes, Philo."

"Oh, akala ko po may cake."

"You can bake some for the two of us, magpapabili na lang ako ng dog treats para kay Issie."

I exasperatedly sighed because of it but I decided that I'll help him prepare something for the birthday celebrant. I decided to volunteer for baking the cake. Pumunta ako sa kitchen nila, my mouth formed into awe. The used of concrete and glass blends well with the whole kitchenwares. Siguro kung dito ako nakatira ay palagi akong tambay sa kusina. I really like baking but our house isn't really friendly in terms of that kind of hobby, however this house's kitchen looks like it was from a cooking magazine's ideal environment for baking.

"Your house is really nice," I praised after I roam around my eyes.

He puffed his cheeks before putting his hands in his pockets.

"Well, my Mom and Dad are both the architect and engineer so they're pretty much hands on with the interior and exterior design of our home."

I can't help but smile at Iscalade.

"This looks like my dream home."

I wasn't kidding. The whole place was very homely despite of the large space. It didn't look like it was too big for a family unlike our house. Sa sobrang laki 'yata ng bahay naming ay malimit kaming magkitang tatlo, I often see our helpers more than my own mother and father.

Iscalade kept staring at me, he looks frozen on the spot. I tilted my head because I was confused with his reaction. Agad siyang natawa, he was suppressing it though by biting his own knuckle.

"Pota, bakit ako kinikilig?"

I blinked a few times because I didn't get it, kinikilig siya dahil pinuri ko ang bahay nila? That's so pure but I really think that their house deserves all the praises.

"It's true, I really like your house po."

"Hala, bahay lang? Ayaw mo sa nakatira?"

He clipped some imaginary hair to the back of his ear.

I frowned at his statement. I don't get it.

"I want this kind of house too," I added.

"Bakit kasi naging tao pa ako, di na lang ako naging bahay."

He chewed on his buttom lip, stifling a smile.

"What do you mean?"

"Wala, Philo. May mga pagkakataon lang talaga sa buhay ko na parang mas masarap na lang maging bahay."

I tilted my head once again. Hindi ko ma-gets ang gusto niyang iparating. He sighs and went to the pantry instead. Ako naman ay hinanap ang mga gagamitin ko sa pag-bake ng cake, as I was rummaging through their kitchen I saw that they were complete with the equipments.

I decided to do a simple chiffon cake dahil para lang naman saamin ito. Iscalade got me the ingredients I asked from him. I heard him talking over the phone, nagpapabili siya ng balloons at kung anu-ano pa. I can't believe he forgot his dog's birthday.

After I put the cake on the oven, I decided to roam around the house because Iscalade was upstairs, kinukuha na ang kanyang aso na si Issie. I halted from my tracks when I saw the frames on their living room. Maraming mga pictures ang nandito pero ang napansin ko kaagad ay isang group photo.

It was Iscalade with his friends, my eyes was particularly drawn on the familiar face that I kept on seeing on my dreams.

Iscalade is friends with Sarathiel?

They looked close to each other. Naakbay si Iscalade kay Sarathiel tulad nung tatlo pang iba na nasa larawan. I guess they have a group or squad or whatever they call it.

I traced the picture and immediately felt my cheeks heating up. I looked around to see if someone was there, when it was clear to me that I was alone... I decided to do something risky.

I looked at the picture with my mouth slightly gaping. Kinakabisado ko ito sa aking isip. Halos kumapit na ang mukha ko sa mga picture frames dahil sa sobrang lapit ko.

Sarathiel really looks cute! I mean, in a good way. Palagi siyang naka-hoodie, even in this picture! Nasa field 'yata sila ng UJD.

At agad akong napatalon nang biglang may kumalabit sa aking braso. I turned around and saw Iscalade looking puzzled with a small puppy on his arms.

"What are you doing?"

I froze. My hand started shaking when I realized someone saw me.

Nakakahiya!

It was Iscalade with his puppy. Issie was looking at me.

"I'm..." I couldn't find any excuse!

"Hala ka, Philo..."

"I'm so s-sorry!"

I covered my face in embarrassment. This was definitely one of the most disastrous things I've done! Ayoko na magka-crush!

What if he tells Sarathiel that I was a weird girl almost burying her face in the picture frames? That will probably make him dislike me! Baka nga layuan niya pa ako o baka pagkalat niyang isa akong obsess na babae! The horror!

I felt guilty. I should apologized for it. I was about to say sorry once again when Iscalade chuckled.

"Philo. . ."

Iscalade looks weirdly happy. He was smiling from ear to ear. Halos mapunit na ang mukha niya sa sobrang ngiti niya.

"Can you hold Issie for a while?"

Pinasa niya sa akin ang aso niya at binuhat ko naman ito. He went upstairs and went back after a few minutes. Nanglaki ang mga mata ko nang makita ang hawak-hawak niya.

It was pictures of him.

"Anong size ba gusto mo? 1x1? 2x2? Landscape? Portrait? Wallet size?" sunud-sunod na tanong niya saakin.

Oh my, he got it all wrong! I bit my lip because I can't tell him the truth! Nakakahiya talaga! He's friends with my crush! Of course, he'll tell him!

"A-all sizes s-sana." I close my eyes shut because I can't lie directly on his face. My conscience is bugging me.

I'm really not good at this crush thing.

❛ ━━━━━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜