Baler, Aurora

     "WHAT are we going to buy here?" Tanong ni Zach, as we walked inside the mall.

"I'll buy a cake for my brother tapos bibilhan ko rin siya ng regalo. Okay lang ba?" I glanced at him. He was casually walking beside me, looking like an international model.

He's wearing a gray Nike shirt, black trousers, and white Nike shoes. He's also wearing his expensive wristwatch and a silver chain necklace. Simple lang ang suot niya pero sobrang lakas ng dating. Nag-iwas  kaagad ako nang tingin nang lumingon siya sa akin.

I clear my throat. "S-Sinabi ko naman sayo na hindi mo naman ako kailangan samahan," sabi ko habang pinaglalaruan ko ang sariling daliri.

In my peripheral vision, I saw his eyebrows furrowed. "Why not? I told you that I have time."

I bit my lips, nodding. "Tapos kana ba sa plates mo?"

"Yes. Are you excited to spend your undas break with me?" He teased, his eyes are on me.

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad, I looked up at him. Ang laki pala talaga ng agwat ng height namin! I'm already standing five feet and six pero nagmumukha pa rin akong maliit kapag katabi ko siya!

I lifted my eyebrows. "Mas excited akong makita sina Mama," sabi ko at naglakad-takbong pumasok sa bilihan ng cake. Nasa likod ko lang naman siya, nakasunod sa'kin.

"What flavor are you going to buy?" Tanong niya habang nakatingin sa mga nakadisplay na cake.

"Chocolate indulgence. Mahilig sa chocolate flavor si Pao-pao, 'e."

His lips twitched. "I think that's the one you're looking for." He pointed to the cake and asked the crew to wrap it.

Nakangiti ako habang pinapanood ang babae na ilagay sa box ang cake. I told the crew to write a happy 8th birthday dedication on the cake, nagbayad na rin ako nang matapos. Pagkatapos namin bumili ng cake ay dumiretso naman kami sa toy kingdom para magtingin-tingin ng mga laruan.

We entered an aisle and looked at different toy cars. I saved up for this day, handa ang bulsa ko sa balak kong bilhin na regalo para sa kapatid ko. My brother likes toy cars, he has a collection of inexpensive toy cars that Mama and I bought on the sidewalk.

I glanced at Zach when he stood next to me. He glanced at the toys I had been looking at for a while, tapos lumingon ulit sa akin. "Does your brother like toy cars?" he asked.

Tumango ako, nakangiti. "Oo, bakit?"

"I'll buy him a gift too." He said casually, his back leaning on the shelves while staring at me.

My lips parted. "Huh? Huwag na. Hindi naman kailangan," sabi ko.

"No, I insist. Let me buy something for him, please?" He looked at me with pleading eyes. Napakamot ako sa kilay, hindi alam kung papayag o hindi.

"Zach, hindi mo naman kailangan bilhan-"

He held my shoulder and leaned closer to me. Our faces were an inch afar, isang maling galaw lang at maglalapat na ang mga labi namin. "It's his birthday, and I also want to give him something. So, let's meet at the counter?" he used his serial charm on me, and I couldn't do anything but say yes.

"Sige," napipilitang sabi ko.

Hindi naman ako masyadong natagalan sa pagpili ng laruan na ibibigay ko kay Pao-pao. Naglalakad na ako papunta sa counter nang may sumabay sa akin, when I tilted my head to the side, our eyes met. I glanced at what he was holding, and my lips parted when I saw him holding two boxes of toys.

Ilang beses akong napakurap-kurap at baka namamalikmata lang ako pero hindi nagbago ang nakita ko. Zach is holding two boxes with a remote control turbo toy car and a transformer action figure inside!

"Ang dami naman niyan?!" hindi ko napigilan ang hindi pansinin ang bitbit niya.

His eyes landed on the boxes he just placed on the counter. "Hindi naman marami, ah?" he said, confused.

"Hindi ba marami ang dalawa para sayo?"

He shook his head, stifling a smile. "Hindi,"

I scoffed.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin nang lumabas ang total ng binayaran niya. Mas mahal pa iyong binayaran niya kumpara sa akin na kapatid ng may birthday!

"Tara sa jollibee," hinawakan ko ang daliri niya at hinila siya.

Balak ko siyang ilibre dahil sinamahan niya ako ngayong araw. Saka, palaging siya na lang kasi ang nanlilibre sa akin kahit may pera naman ako.

And as far as I remember, I'm his fuck buddy and not his sugar baby!

Napasimangot ako nang makitang puno na sa loob ng Jollibee. Zach insisted that we just go to the drive-thru and eat inside his car. Pumayag naman ako dahil desidido talaga akong ililibre ko siya ngayong araw. Napasimangot ulit ako nang medyo mahaba ang linya sa drive-thru kaya natagalan kami sa paghihintay.

"Do you want to listen to music?" he asked, napansin ata niyang naiinip ako sa paghihintay.

I nodded. "Good Idea!"

Habang naghihintay ay nagpasounds si Zach kaya hindi lang ang mga paghinga namin ang naririnig sa loob ng sasakyan. Napalingon ako sa kanya nang kumanta siya bigla. Namula ang pisngi ko nang sa akin siya nakatingin habang binabanggit ang salitang 'my girl'.

"Hinay-hinay at baka bigla akong malusaw," pagbibiro ko, he let out a low laugh.

"I can't stop looking at your grumpy face though," he said, chuckling. 

"Wow! Salamat, 'ah?" sarkastikong sabi ko.

He shake his head, grinning. Pinaandar niya na ang sasakyan nang umusad ang linya.

"Whoa, Finally! Akala ko hindi na tayo uusad," sabi ko at narinig ko naman siyang natawa.

Kumatok sa bintana niya ang babae sa drive-thru. Nang binaba niya ang salamin sa gilid niya ay nakita ko kaagad kung paano natigilan ang babae nang makita si Zach. Gwapo ba, Miss?  Gusto ko sana itanong kahit halata naman ang sagot.

"What's your order?" He turned his head at me.

"I'll have amazing Aloha champ Jr, choco mallow pie, and chocolate sundae! Ikaw ba?" I said, excitedly dahil kanina pa nagrereklamo ang sikmura ko sa gutom.

He smiled, his gaze shifted to the lady crew. "I'll have the same order as her but minus the sundae. Can you also upgrade the fries into a bucket? That's all. Thank you," he said politely.

Tumango naman ang crew na mukhang nalove at first sa lalaking katabi ko. I mentally shake my head. Iaabot ko na sana ang perang pambayad sa mga pagkain namin pero mabilis na binigay ni Zach ang card niya sa crew.

My eyebrows furrowed. "Zach, ako ang magbabayad ng pagkain natin!" sabi ko.

He looked at me, shaking his head. "Ako na. I won't let you pay for our food,"

Umiling ako. "Ako na, please? Ako muna taya ngayon sa pagkain natin." Bumagsak ang mga balikat ko nang umiling siya sa pangalawang pagkakataon.

His eyes narrowed at me. I saw his adam's apple move when he saw my sulky face.

He let out a deep sigh, a sign of giving up. "Fine. You can pay for our food."

I beamed. "Yes, I won!"

He shake his head, smiling. "Silly girl," he pinched the bridge of my nose.

Nang dumating ang order namin ay kinuha ko kaagad ang resibo at nang makita ang total, I quickly paid the amount he spent. Nakasimangot niyang kinuha ang perang inabot ko.

I chuckled, caressing his strong arm to console him. "Huwag ka ngang sumimangot dyan."

"How couldn't I? You paid for our food kahit ako naman dapat,"

Mahina akong natawa. "It's not a big deal who pays for our food, okay? Nakakahiya kaya na palaging ikaw na lang ang nagbabayad kapag kumakain tayo. This is my first time buying you a food, huwag kana magtampo,"

"I'm not sulking," he said, sounds sulking.

I bit my lip to stifle a laugh. Then, I leaned closer and gave him a smooch catching him off guard.

Mabilis siyang napalingon sa'kin, lips parted in awe. "You really know my weakness, huh?" he said in an amused before his hand slipped on the back of my neck, giving me a torrid kiss.

And that's how we settled our petty misunderstanding.

Zach maneuvered his car swiftly until we reached my apartment. I unbuckled my seatbelt and turned my body to his side. Ngumiti ako sa kanya.

"Thank you for today," pagpapasalamat ko.

"It's my pleasure, Miss Ma'am. So, I'll see you tomorrow? Just text me what time I should fetch you," 

Tumango ako, nakangiti. "Sige, I'll see you tomorrow." I leaned closer to him, hinalikan ko siya ng mabilis sa labi.

"Seriously? A smack?" he said, shaking his head.

Natawa ko. "Bawi ako bukas," biro ko at lumabas na ng sasakyan niya bitbit ang cake at ang regalong binili ko.

Zach didn't leave until I entered the apartment. I heard him blow his horn three times. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang marinig ko na ang papalayong sasakyan niya.

"Khrizanta!" I was startled when I saw Khriz sitting on the sofa, watching Netflix.

She stood up and helped me. "Akala ko hindi na tayo magkikita bago ako umalis," she said sarcastically.

Sinundan ko siya hanggang sa kitchen. She put the cake on the fridge, tapos kumuha siya ng tubig at binigay sa'kin. I smiled at her and embraced her tightly.

"Mamimiss kita," sabi ko.

"I'll miss you, too. Sa Hongkong kami magcecelebrate ng Undas,"

May one week kaming undas break at palaging nag-out of the country ang mga Altamirano. Last year they spent their short break in Japan. Habang ako ay palaging sa bahay namin sa Baler ako nagbabakasyon.

"Ayos 'yan. Mamimiss kita sobra. Uuwi ka, 'ah?" biro ko, natawa naman siya.

"Of course! I need to go home dahil pupunta pa tayo sa Paskuhan," she said, I beamed.

Around 4 in the morning, when I woke up. I already texted Zach that I'm already getting ready because we have to travel early to avoid the traffic. Nagtext siya sa akin na nasa labas na siya kaya binitbit ko na ang bag ko, ang cake at ang regalo ko para kay Pao-pao.

I slowly shake Khriz's shoulder. "Khriz, Aalis na ako. Enjoy your short vacation in Hongkong," bulong ko.

She yawned and embraced me. "S-See you next week. I love you." She kissed my cheeks.

Tumango ako. "I love you," I whispered and tapped his back so she can go back to sleep.

My foot was left in the air when I saw Zach leaning on the hood of his BMW. He looks so sexy the way he leans on his car! He's wearing a grey sweatshirt and black trousers. On his feet, it's Balenciaga shoes.

His hair was still a little bit wet, but it was fixed in his usual hairstyle, a slick back, making him more handsome. Ang unfair naman talaga ng mundo!

"Are you going to stand there and stare at me forever?" I blinked twice when I heard him teasing me.

Humakbang ako palapit sa kanya. His perfume immediately whiffs my nose, it's a dior sauvage perfume. Bukod sa pabango niya ay naamoy ko rin ang  ginamit niyang toiletries, Dove Men +care products.

"Good Morning. Nagbreakfast kana?" Tanong ko.

He bent down and gave me a quick kiss that caught me off guard. "Good Morning. Not yet. But I made us a pancake for breakfast. We can go to the drive-thru later when we get hungry,"

I bit my lips, hiding my blushing cheeks. "S-Sige,"

Kinuha niya ang mga dala kong gamit at nilagay sa backseat. Sinigurado niya munang hindi mahuhulog ang mga gamit namin sa likod bago kami sumakay. In no time, he started the engine, and we were now driving on the highway.

He glanced at me. "How old is your brother?" he asked, his other hand is resting on my lap.

"Eight na siya niyan bukas," sabi ko.

"I can't wait to see him," he said, making me smile. "Does he look like your mom or your father?"

My smile quickly vanished. "Wala akong tatay," I muttered.

He quickly gazed at me, lips parted. "S-Sorry, I didn't know. I shouldn't ask about it," his grip on my lap tightened.

I exhaled. "Okay, lang. Hindi rin naman big deal sa akin iyon," I gave him a timid smile. "Noong nalaman niyang nabuntis niya si Mama, bigla na lang siyang nawala na parang bula," mahina akong natawa at  napailing. "Ang galing gumawa ng bata, pero walang bayag para harapin ang responsibilidad niya."

"I'm sorry to hear that," he said softly.

Sumandal ako sa bintana at tinuon ang atensyon ko sa mga sasakyan sa labas. "Magkaiba kami ng tatay ni Pao-pao..." panimula ko.

"You don't have to tell me if you aren't comfortable," I can feel the sincerity in his voice.

"I'm saying this because I trust you, Zach."

He showed an affiliative smile. "Thank you for trusting me," he said softly.

Ngumiti lang ako at nagpatuloy na sa pagkukwento. "Si Uncle George ang tatay ni Pao-pao. He's a good father and a partner to my mom. Naalala ko pa noong kausapin niya ako dahil balak niya raw magpropose kay Mama, but before they can even get married, naaksidente si Uncle George. He wanted to adopt me legally, Zach. He accepted me. He became a father figure to me kahit hindi niya naman talaga ako anak..." Bigla akong pumiyok.

"Sorry, ang drama ko," I said, trying not to sob.

I looked at him when he caressed my face, wiping my tears. "It's okay to feel sad, to show emotions. It's okay to cry when you can't hold it anymore. You don't have to pretend to anyone that you're okay when you feel like you're falling apart."

Napapikit ako at hindi na napigilan ang hindi umiyak. Mas lumakas ang pag-iyak ko nang marinig ko ang boses ni Zach na pinapagaan ang loob ko.

I felt his hand on the top of my head, caressing it. "People cry, not because they're weak. It's because they've been strong for too long."

Nakayuko ako habang patuloy sa pagdaloy ang luha sa mga mata ko. Akala ko maayos na ako, akala ko hindi na ako iiyak kapag usaping pamilya ang topic, hindi pa rin pala. My family is my greatest strength, yet they're also my weakness.

Zach held my chin, making me face him. "Always remember that tears are words that the heart can't express. Cheer up, beautiful," he said softly.

I bit my lips, wiping my tears. "Ang panget ko na siguro, no?" sabi ko, my mood lightens because of him.

His lips twitched, nodding his head. "Medyo,"

Napaawang ang labi ko. "Grabe ka! Alam mo bang sarcastic iyon?!"

He chuckled, looking at me with amusement. "You're such a softie,"

"Akala ko ba I'm feisty?"

"Yes, feisty on the outside, but a softie on the inside." He held my hand and intertwined it with his. "Thank you for showing me your vulnerable side." He said, pulling me and pressing his lips on my temple.

It only took us five hours to get to our destination, my hometown Baler, Aurora. Around nine in the morning nang makarating kami sa may bayan namin. Pagdating sa mismong street namin ay nagsilabasan kaagad ang mga kapitbahay namin para makita kung sino ba ang nagmamay-ari ng magarang sasakyan na naglakas loob na dumaan doon.

"Sa may puting gate ka huminto." Tinuro ko ang mismong gate namin kay Zach.

Alam naman ni Mama na uuwi ako ngayon at sinabi ko rin na may kaibigan akong kasama. Hindi ko nga lang nasabi na lalaki at hindi babae ang kasama ko. When Zach parked his car in front of our gate, I instantly saw my mom who's busy watering the plants. Mabilis kong tinanggal ang seatbelt sa akin at tumakbo palapit kay Mama.

"Mama!" Malakas na tawag ko sa kanya na naging dahilan upang mapalingon siya kaagad sa gawi ko. I saw her gasped when she saw me.

Nagmano muna ako bago siya niyakap.

"Nandito kana pala! Hindi mo man lang ako pinadalhan ng text para nasundo ko kayo sa sakayan. Kumusta ang byahe mo?"

"Ayos lang po, Ma. Si Pao-pao po?"

"Nasa school. Tanghali pa ang uwi no'n at paniguradong magugulat iyon na nandito ka. Teka, nasaan nga pala ang kaibigan mo? Akala ko ba kasama mo?" Tanong niya.

I scratched my eyebrows. "Mama kasi—"

Mabilis akong napalingon nang marinig ang boses ni Zach mula sa likuran ko. 

"Hello po, Good morning po." He greeted politely, nagulat ako nang magmano rin siya.

Nabitawan ni Mama ang hawak na regadera habang nakatingin sa lalaking nasa harapan namin ngayon. Parang sinusuri!

"Mama, si Zach nga pala. Siya po iyong kaibigan ko na kasama kong magbabakasyon dito. Zach, si Mama Joyce pala," pagpapakilala ko.

Zach smiled. "Hello po, I'm Zachariah Silvestre. Nice to meet you po, Ma'am."

"Huwag mo na akong tawagin na ma'am dahil hindi naman ako titser! Tawagin mo na lang rin akong mama."

Napasinghap ako. "Ma!" Segundo ko kaagad.

Tumingin sa akin si mama, nakangiti. "Bakit? Wala naman masama kung tawagin niya akong Mama." I bit my lips, sighting. "Kumain na ba kayo? Kung hindi pa, hali na kayo sa loob at may natabi pa akong almusal."

"Sige po, Mama." I quickly shifted my gaze at him. Napangiti naman si Mama nang marinig ang tinawag ni Zach sa kanya. "Kukuhanin lang po namin ang mga gamit namin sa loob ng sasakyan, then we will eat breakfast na po,"

"Osya! Mauuna na ako sa loob at sumunod na lang kayo," sabi ni mama at nauna na ngang pumasok sa bahay namin.

Hinampas ko kaagad si Zach nang makaalis si Mama. "Masyado ka naman masunurin! Talagang mama ang tawag mo sa mama ko, 'ah?"

He bit his lips, hiding a smile. "Mama insisted. I don't have the right to reject her. So, can we get our things now step sis?" he teased.

My jaw dropped. "Anong step sis?! Hoy Silvestre!" I yelled, at hinabol siya palabas.

Siblings don't fuck each other!

"Kumain kana, hijo," sabi ni Mama nang makita kaming pumasok. "Pasensya na at simple lang ang bahay namin."

Zach shook head. "Ayos lang po, Ma. It's actually beautiful. I like the interior, simple at maaliwalas." Pambobola naman ni Zach bago sumunod kay Mama sa dining area.

Our house is a small bungalow with a small terrace attached to the front of our house. May dalawang kwarto, isang katamtamang laki ng banyo at kusina. Malawak ang bakuran namin kaya binabalak talaga noon ni Uncle George na ipaextend ang bahay namin at magpagawa ng maliit na swimming pool.

Pinasok ko sa loob ng ref ang cake at umupo na sa tabi ni Zach. Sa lamesa ay may nakahain na tuyo, sinangag , itlog at longganisa. Typical Filipino breakfast.

"Pasensya na at iyan lang ang almusal na nailuto ko. Hijo, kumakain ka ba ng tuyo?" Tanong ni Mama.

"Y-Yes po! Kumakain po,"

I bit my lips to stifle a laugh. Hindi ko pa siya nakikitang kumakain ng tuyo!

"Osya, kumain kana hijo. Kumain kana rin Riel,"

"Sige po. Thank you for the food, Mama." Magalang na sabi niya bago nagsimula kumain.

Napailing na lang ako at kumain na rin.

"Taga Manila ka ba, hijo?" Tanong ni Mama.

"Opo, I was born and raised in Manila po," nakangiti siya nang sumagot.

"Sigurado ka bang hindi ka boyfriend ng anak ko?" Curious na tanong ni Mama.

Sabay kaming nasamid ni Zach sa iniinom na tubig. Pinunasan ko ang labi ko gamit ang likod ng palad ko at tumingin kay Mama.

"Ma! Kaibigan ko lang talaga si Zach!" Maagap na sagot ko nang makabawi.

"Aba, bakit? Maganda ka, matalino, masipag, mabuting kapatid at anak. Zach, Hindi mo ba gusto ang anak ko?"

"Uh..." Zach glanced at me.

"Mama naman," sabi ko, nahihirapan.

Napakamot sa ulo si Mama. "Sige na nga. Hindi na ako magtatanong tungkol sa relasyon niyo." Nakahinga naman kami ng maluwag ni Zach.

Nagpatuloy ulit kami sa pagkain. Maya maya lang ay nagsalita ulit si Mama.

"Hijo, Doon ka pala kwarto ni Riel matutulog, 'ah? Meron naman kaming extra foam kaya pwedeng-pwede kang matulog doon. Paniguradong hindi ka kakasya sa sofa kaya mas mabuting doon kana lang sa kwarto ni Riel. Huwag niyo na lang ilalock ang pinto, naiintindihan niyo ba?"

"Opo," sabay na sagot namin ni Zach.

Nang matapos kami kumain ay si Mama na ang naghugas ng plato dahil pinagtabuyan niya na kami paalis sa kusina. Dinala ko na lang si Zach sa kwarto ko para makapag-ayos na rin kami ng mga gamit.

"Your room looks nice. It's neat," sabi ni Zach habang lumilinga sa bawat sulok ng kwarto ko.

I smiled. "Salamat. Halika, upo ka para maayos mo na iyong mga gamit mo." I tapped my bed.

Pagkatapos namin mag-ayos ng mga gamit ay lumabas na rin kami ng kwarto para bumalik sa living room. Umupo kami sa sofa kung saan nakaupo si Mama at nanonood ng paborito niyang teleserye.

"Nakapasyal kana ba rito sa Baler?" Tanong ni Mama.

He shakes his head. "Hindi pa po," He said, sumulyap pa sa akin.

"May malapit na beach at mga kainan dito sa amin. Dalhin mo si Zach sa Dimatubo Falls at doon sa Sabang. Pwede niyong puntahan ngayon total maaga pa naman."

I glanced at Zach, mukha siyang excited nang marinig ang mga sinabi ni Mama. I exhaled. "Zach, tara na?"

Mabilis bumalantay ang ngiti sa labi ko nang tumambad sa akin ang napakagandang dagat. Pinaghalong asul at berde ang tubig, Hindi kalakasan ang alon at sumasayaw-sayaw pa ang mga sanga ng mga puno sa paligid. I stretch my arms and close my eyes as I feel the gentle winds that touch my skin.

The smell of the sea and the sounds of waves make me want to swim. Ang kaso, wala akong dalang damit. I miss the sand and the sea breeze of my hometown. Since it's been a while since I swim here, ay naghubad na lang ako ng suot na sandals at umupo sa may puting buhangin.

Nakangiti ako habang pinagmamasdan ang dagat.

Ang ganda.

I quickly turned my head when I felt massive warm hands wrapped around my waist. Biglang nagwala ang tibok ng puso ko nang magkatitigan kami ni Zach. His light brown orbs met my gaze. Mabilis akong napalingon sa harapan nang ipatong ni Zach ang baba niya sa balikat ko. Both of his legs were on my side, causing me to sit in between his legs.

"The view from here is breathtaking, it took my breath away," he whispered against my ears. 

I glanced at him, just to find out that he was looking at me.

Bakit sa akin siya nakatingin? O baka assuming lang ako? 

I fake a cough and shifted my gaze. "S-Sayang at wala tayong dalang damit. Bukas na lang tayo magswimming, 'ah? Pupuntahan rin natin iyong falls na sinasabi ni Mama," malumanay na sabi ko.

"Okay. For now, let's enjoy the  scenery." He whispered, and I felt him kissing the side of my neck, making my breath hitched.

*****