Chapter 10

“You may now give each other a sign of a peace,” nang sabihin iyon ng pari, agad kong hinarap si Aldridge saka ako tumungo sa harap niya.

“Peace be with you,” sambit ko sa kanya, nakangiti.

“Peace be with you,” he replied back. Ganoon din ang ginawa namin sa mga taong nasa harap, kaliwa at kanan, maging sa likuran namin.

Noong communion na ay sabay rin kaming nakipila sa ibang mga tao. As I got back in our seats, I knelt down and prayed silently. Aldridge did the same thing until the mass ended. Bago kami umalis ay nagtirik pa kami ng kandila sa may gilid ng simbahan saka kami nagdasal ng taimtim.

Pagkalabas namin ay tahimik lamang na pinagmasdan namin ang ilang tinderang nakahilera sa gilid. Some were selling candles, bracelets and sampaguitas. Ang ilan naman ay nagtitinda ng native delicacies katulad ng mga kakanin, ube halaya, puto at bibingka.

“Are you hungry?” With pursed lips, I shifted my gaze to Aldridge and nod at him. Then he took my hand at dinala ako sa tapat ng nagtitinda ng mga kakanin.

Bumili ito ng tig-iisa namin. Ang sabi pa niya ay kuha lang daw ako kapag kulang ko pa. That delicacy was formed in circle shape. Then bumili rin ito ng dalawang hot chocolate sa may vending machine.

Dahil may tambayan hindi kalayuan sa harap ng simbahan, doon kami naupo ni Aldridge. Most of the teenagers like us are with their friends. ‘Yung iba pa ay nagkanya-kanyang kuha ng litrato sa harap ng simbahan.

“Gusto mo pa?” he asked when he noticed that I already finished eating the food he bought for me. I again nodded to him as my answer. Masarap kasi ‘yung pagkakaluto nila.

“Just sit here. Ako na lang ang bibili.” Aldridge then left me. Sinundan ko na lamang siya ng tingin  habang hinihipan iyong hot chocolate sa may cup ko.

Yesterday night, I received a message from an unknown number. Seconds after, biglang nagring iyong phone ko. Curious about who the caller is, I swiped the answer button.

Noong magsalita ito sa kabilang linya, even without informing me that it was him, I am certain that it was Aldridge. It’s just that his voice is too familiar for me to be mistaken.

We talked about random stuff that night until he invited me to attend the mass. Since I have nothing to do, pumayag naman ako that’s we were together today.

“Here.”

“Thanks,” I answered.

Pagkatapos naming kumain ay saka kami naglakad-lakad. Hindi naman gano’n kasikat ang araw kaya sakto lang para maglakad-lakad muna kami.

“Hey. Picture tayo roon,” saad ko sa kanya nang makapasok kami sa park. Sa gilid no’n ay may garden area at may nakapwestong fountain sa gitna.

Since it’s just the two of us, gumawa na lang kaming paraan para makakuha ng magandang litrato.

“Meg!” Habang kumukuha ng litrato ay nakita kong si Nathalie iyon, kaklase ko. Kumaway ako sa kanya hanggang sa tumakbo ito papunta sa direksyon namin. “Kagagaling niyo sa simbahan?” she asked the two of us.

“Yeah.”

“Hand me your phone,” she ordered. “Kuhanan ko kayong litrato. Pumwesto na kayo ro’n sa may fountain habang wala pang masyadong tao,” ngiting saad nito sa amin.

Bigla akong nahiya nang wala sa oras lalo na sa paraan ng pagngiti ni Nathalie. Alam ko kasing sa likod ng ngiti niyang ‘yon ay ang pang-aasar niya sa akin.

Aldridge and I then looked for a nice spot. Si Nathalie naman ang nag-adjust upang makuhanan kami ng litrato.

“Tingin na lang kayo ng maganda pero sure naman akong lahat ng kuha ko ay maganda,” sabay pasikretong kindat nito sa akin.

Nathalie then bid us her good bye. Nang buksan ko iyong gallery ko, nagulat akong umabot ng halos lampas sa benteng litrato ang mayroon doon. Akala ko talaga ay nasa dalawa o tatlo lang ‘yung kuha niya sa amin, ‘yun pala’y sobra pa. At ‘yung iba ay pare-pareho lamang.

“Loko talaga,” naiiling kong saad, natatawa.

After taking pictures on that fountain, all thanks to Nathalie, naupo kaming dalawa sa may bench saka namin pinanuod iyong ibang mga taong may kanya-kanyang ginagawa.

Some were sitting in bench like us. Some were having chitchats with their friends. Some were with their families. Some were eating and the likes. Other kids were laughing and playing. Others were crying because their parents don’t buy the toys and foods they want.

“Aldridge,” mahina kong tawag sa pangalan niya matapos ng katahimikang sumakop sa pagitan naming dalawa.

Nang makaupo kasi kami ay wala kaming ginawa kundi panoorin iyong mga tao. “May tanong ako,” dagdag ko.

“Spill it.”

“Kunyari may nililigawan ka—”

“May nililigawan ako, Megan,” mariin nitong saad lalo na no’ng sambitin niya ang pangalan ko sabay lingon niya akin.

“Hindi. Kunyari nga lang—”

“Hindi ‘yon kunyari, Megan,” napakagat na lamang ako ng labi upang pigilan ‘yung kilig na nararamdaman ko.

“Okay, sige. May nililigawan ka nga. What will you going to ask her for you to be his official boyfriend? Alam mo ‘yon? ‘Yung parang magpopropose ba? May napanood kasi ako sa YouTube noon. But for your part? Anong itatanong mo sa babae?” matapos kong magtanong, nilingon ko ito at nakita kong tila nag-iisip nga siya kung ano bang sasabihin niya kung sakali.

“Curious lang ako. Tatanungin mo ba siya using Filipino language or English?”

“Well, I don’t know. Maybe English?” hindi siguradong saad nito.

“Kung English, anong exact words ang sasabihin mo?”

“Are you for real?” he asked curiously. Nakita ko pa ang pamumula ng dalawang tainga nito.

“Oo nga. Kunyari, tatanungin mo siyang will you be my girlfriend gano’n. Kung ikaw ang magtatanong, paano mo sasabihin iyon?”

Seeing his side view profile, I saw him gulped and even bit his lower lip before facing me. Our eyes were locked as he restated that question.

“Will you be my girlfriend?”

Matapos ng ilang minutong nakatitig kami sa isa’t isa, siya iyong unang nag-iwas ng tingin sa aming dalawa.

“Well, if I’m going to ask the woman I’m courting—”

“Yes, Aldridge.” I cut him off.

“Yes?” saka ako nito nilingon na may kunot sa kanyang noo. I simply pursed my lips, trying not to stifle a smile because he didn’t realize what I told him.

“That’s my answer to your question,”  nang banggitin iyon ay hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili kong ngumiti lalo na no’ng lumaki ang kanyang mga mata. I bet he just realized what I mean now.

“You’re kidding me, Megan Uy,” usal nito, napailing, halatang hindi makapaniwala.

I showed him a cheek dimple smile. “Bakit? Ayaw mo? Pwede ko naman siyang bawiin—” I was shut when Aldridge suddenly pulled me and gave me a quick soft kiss on the lips. Ngayon, ako naman ang nanlaki ang mga mata dahil sa ginawa niya.

“Walang bawian, Megan,” saka niya ako ikinulong nang mahigpit sa kanyang bisig. “I’ll take note of this day, of this place, of this moment.”

Aldridge then kissed the top of my head. “I love you, Meg. I love you, love.”

I smiled in between our hugs. “I feel the same way here, Aldridge,” mahina kong usal, pinipigilan ang kilig na aking nararamdaman.

Being locked into his arms, isiniksik ko ang sarili ko sa leeg niya. Hindi ko na rin maitago ‘yung ngiti ko dahil kusa silang lumalabas sa labi ko.

“Malayo pa naman ‘yong graduation but I feel like God gave me you as my early graduation gift. And I swear, you are one of the best gifts He has ever gave me.” Mas lalo kong isiniksik ang sarili ko sa kanya.

Maybe for some, it’s too early for us to commit ourselves into this kind of relationship but I don’t want to prolong this anymore.

I can’t recall when did I first feel this towards him, but having him beside me is enough reason for me to appreciate everything about him.

If you’re going to ask me why I love him, there’s no exact reason for that. He’s Aldridge and that’s the reason why I fell for him.

Sa sumunod na linggo, iyong graduation practice na ang pinagkaabalahan namin. Buti na lang at naayos na namin lahat ng requirements namin pati sa graduation. Kanina lang din ay nakapagbayad na ako ng fees sa treasurer namin.

“OMG! For real na? Paano mo siya sinagot?” agad kong tinakpan ang bunganga ni Shane but it’s no of use. Sa tinis ng boses nito’y narinig siya ng mga kaklase namin kaya ngayon, lahat sila ay nakapalibot na sa akin.

I was shy to tell them at first but in the end, I was able to share it to them. Tinutukso pa ako ng mga ito.

Since ang pinagkakaabalahan na lamang namin ay ang graduation practice, Aldridge went to our room before lunch approaches. Nang makita siya ng mga kaklase ko ay naging tampulan tuloy kami ng pang-aasar nila.

“Are you that proud of me?” pati ito’y inaasar na rin ako. Siguro’y iniisip nitong ipinangangalandakan ko sa mga kaklase kong siya ang boyfriend ko.

“H’wag ka ngang assuming,” I contradicted.

“Come on, love. Hindi rin naman kita masisisi.”

“Hoy, ang kapal mo ha?”

“Mas makapal ‘yung pagmamahal ko sa’yo,”

“Ewan ko sa’yo!” but he just chuckled.

Both of us then entered the cafeteria. Magkatabi kaming um-order ng pagkain namin. He ordered sinigang while mine is caldereta.

Habang abala kaming kumakain, I took his attention by calling him through an endearment he used to call me.

“Love,” tawag ko sa kanya.

“Yes, love?” agad akong napatungo sa kinakain ko. I even bit my cheeks inside. “Love?” tanong niya ulit, maybe he’s asking me what I need.

“Nothing. Eat well,” nangingiti kong sagot.

He looks comfortable in calling me through that endearment. Should I let myself get used to it too?

After that lunch, bumalik na ulit kami sa gymnasium for our practice at ipinagpatuloy ang mga dapat naming gagawin.

During our break time, I guess it was around 3 in the afternoon when they called me including some students in different strands. There, the teachers informed us about our part in the program. Kung sino ‘yung maglilead ng prayer, magconduct ng national anthem, ng welcome address. Napunta naman sa akin ‘yung Student’s Testimony which will happen before the Pledge of Loyalty followed by our graduation song.

Nang matapos kami sa pagpapractice ay umuwi na rin naman kami kaagad at tama nga ‘yung sinabi ko sa Mom ko na second week of April magaganap iyong graduation namin.

While on my way home, I received a message from Shane. She’s apologizing to me. I asked her what that apology is all about at nasabi nitong pasikreto niya raw kasi kaming kinunan ni Aldridge ng litrato. Nakatalikod kami sa larawang ‘yon saka niya ‘yon ini-my day.

Ate Trixie, whom assumed that it was me, replied to her, asking if it was really me and she said yes. Hindi niya raw kasi alam na hindi ko pa pala nasasabi sa family ko na kami na ni Aldridge. I just told her that there’s no need for her to apologize dahil sasabihin ko rin naman iyon sa parents ko.

Nang makarating ako sa bahay, hindi na ako nagulat na iyon ang isusumbat sa akin ng mga magulang ko.

“Is that guy your boyfriend now?” Mom’s eyebrows met. Beside her was my Dad while my sister was laid comfortably on the long sofa, feeling entertained because of what she’s seeing right now. I know, this is because of her again.

“Y-yes, Mom,” I stuttered, saka ako mariing napalunok.

Then Mom stood up. “I told you not to entertain suitors, Megan! I even told you not to entertain him! Is he the reason why you only got With Higher Honor?” napatingin ako nang diretso sa Mom ko nang sabihin niya iyon, na para bang isinusumbat niyang si Aldridge ang may kasalanan no’n.

If she thinks that Aldridge is a bad influence to me then she’s wrong. She’s definitely wrong dahil hindi gano’n ang pagkakakilala ko kay Aldridge. Hindi gano’n ang impluwensiya niya sa akin.

“Mom, hindi po sinisira ni Aldridge ang pag-aaral ko! In fact, sobrang laking tulong niya po para sa akin dahil—” I was surprised when I received a hard smash between her hand and my face.

Dad stunned for what my Mom did and through my peripheral vision, I saw Ate Trixie sat and seemed startled about the scene she just witnessed.

May kung anong gumuhit na sakit sa dibdib ko. Tears also automatically rolled down my cheeks. Not minding my tears, I met my Mom’s raging eyes, not even showing a trace of guilt in it because of what she just did.

“You’re getting worse and worse, Mom,” I described with brittle voice before running upstairs until I locked myself inside my room.

Napasandal na lang ako sa likod ng pintuan ko saka ako umiyak nang umiyak. Kahit ang pagtingala, o ang pagkagat sa labi ko ay hindi nakatulong para mapigilan ko ‘yung iyak ko.

Ang sakit na kasi, e. Tinitiis ko ang lahat pero hindi ibig sabihin no’n na hindi ako nasasaktan. Dahil sa totoo lang, palala na sila nang palala. At ang sakit lang para sa akin na mismong pamilya ko ang nagpaparamdam sa akin ng ganito.

I didn’t bother to take my dinner that night. My phone kept ringing but I didn’t answer it. I just laid down on my bed, waiting for my tears to stop.

“I’m already here,” sagot ko sa telopono. Maya-maya pa ay nagulat ako nang maramdaman kong may yumakap sa akin mula sa likuran.

Aldridge informed me that his parents wanted to see me but instead of feeling nervous, parang wala akong maramdaman ngayon. Just after taking a bath and fixing myself, kaagad akong umalis sa bahay na ‘yon dahil pakiramdam ko ay masasakal ako.

“Love, are you okay? Your eyes are swollen.” Ngumiti lamang ako kay Aldridge nang sabihin niya ‘yon. I already put concealer on my face but I didn’t know he would still notice it.

“I watched a tragic story yesterday night. Don’t worry, I’ll just cover it using my make up.”

“Meg, I know you. If you’re not okay, we can postpone—"

“It’s alright. Gusto ko na ring ma-meet yung parents mo,” saad ko sa kanya. But at some point, I’d rather be with him today, or be with other people than to be around my family.

Since he just lived in a village nearby, we just took a tricycle. Hindi nagtagal ay nakarating kami sa bahay nila. Noon lang din ako kinain ng kaba.

“Let’s go inside.” Aldridge then assisted me in going inside.

Nang makarating kami sa sala nila, agad na tumayo ang parents nito. Niyakap pa ako ng mga ito na siyang ikinagulat ko.

“Hello hija! Glad to finally meet you. You can call us Tita and Tito. By the way, I’m Amelia and he’s your Tito Rafael,” pagpapakilala ng Mom ni Aldridge. Hawak-hawak pa nito ako sa magkabila kong kamay matapos niya akong yakapin kanina.

“I’m Megan Uy po. Nice meeting you po,” bahagya pa akong yumuko sa mga ito dahil hindi ko alam kung anong tamang irereact ko sa kanila.

Hinaplos ni Tita Amelia ang buhok ko at tila kinakabisado nito ang kabuuan ng mukha ko. “No wonder why Aldridge is fond of you. Walang araw yata na hindi ka niya ikinukwento sa amin,” kwento nito sa akin.

Mula sa gilid, napakamot si Aldridge sa kanyang ulo. “Ma, h’wag mo naman akong ilaglag.” Natawa na lang kaming lahat dahil sa isinagot nito.

No’ng araw na ‘yon, I was able to enjoy the day being with Aldridge’s family. Sobrang gaan sa pakiramdam, na para bang kabilang talaga ako sa pamilya nila.

Habang kasama sila, ramdam ko ang talagang kahulugan ng pamilya na siyang malayo sa relasyong mayroon ako sa pamilya ko ngayon.