Chapter 7

“Oh gosh! Your necklace looks so surpassingly splendid! Gift ng parents mo? Or gift ni Ate Trixie? Ang ganda!” Shane’s eyes were mainly focused with the necklace I wore. I just shook my head as an answer to her question. “Binili mo or may nagbigay sa’yo?” tanong pa nito.

Thinking about the person who gave this to me, I shrugged both of my shoulders, giving Shane a cheek dimple smile. “OMG! Binigay nga! The who?” as we sat in our chairs, she faced me. She seemed obsess to know who really gave this necklace to me.

“Just someone,” I answered, not giving her a clue. It’s been a week since Aldridge gave this to me and ngayon ko lang siya naisipang isuot sa school.

“Sino nga?” she even closed the gap between us.

Using my pointing finger, I pressed her forehead away from me. “Ang lapit-lapit ng mukha mo! Doon ka nga!”

Dahil sa ginawa ko, tumaas ang sulok ng labi nito, ipinagkrus pa niya ang kanyang mga kamay saka niya ako tinignan patagilid. “Damot!” kumento nito, napailing na lamang ako.

Busier than anyone could feel now that our midterm examination is fast approaching, I did nothing but to focus in all my subjects especially in listening during the class discussions.

That whole week, nasabay pa ‘yung Food Business Expo namin as part of our Entrepreneur subject kaya kailangan talagang hatiin ng husto ang oras ko. I’m just glad that our profit exceeded all our food expenses. Isa rin kasi iyon sa factor na titignan para mabigyan kami ng mataas na grado.

Another week passed and today’s the start of our midterm examination. While waiting for our adviser to arrive, all of my classmates had their own spot, holding their own notebooks. Some even grouped together and they’re throwing each other a question related to our topic. Si Shane din ay nakatungo lamang sa table niya, abala sa pagbabasa.

Unlike them, I just sat in my chair quietly. I just have this attitude wherein I don’t scan my notes anymore minutes after the exam for as long as I already reviewed it last night. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit gano’n ang ginagawa ko. Maybe because I wanted my mind to be in a relax and calm state minutes before the exam.

Our adviser then arrived. Since my classmates asked for more time, Ma’am Teresita gave us five minutes to review again. As soon as that time ends, we started our examination. After that first subject, we rested for an hour saka kami nagproceed sa ibang subject. Sa umagang iyon, we took two subjects. Ngayong hapon naman ay dalawa ulit.

“Busy?” napataas ako ng tingin sa taong iyon at sino pa nga bang gagambala sa akin maliban kay Aldridge?

Not answering his question, he sat beside me. I was actually here under the tree while busy reviewing my notes. Although Shane and I ate together for lunch, she was not with me today. Nandoon siya ngayon sa library samantalang ako ay pinili kong mag-isa rito.

Hindi kasi ako sanay magreview sa maingay na kapaligiran. Although, the lib is quiet, paniguradong hindi ako makakapagfocus sa pagrereview dahil alam kong maraming tao roon. Mabilis kasi akong madistract. Kaya nga kapag nakikita kong nagtatanungan ang mga kaklase ko tuwing vacant time namin, in a way that they are reviewing, I’m wondering how they can still be able to digest everything.

“What time next exam niyo?”

“1:30.” sagot ko sa kanya.

Aldridge kept in silence and didn’t ask me anymore. Siguro ay para hindi ako maistorbo. Hindi naman ako gano’n katagal na nagreview. I just scan my notes para ready na mamaya.

Nang mapansin niyang tapos na ako ay saka lang niya ulit ako kinausap. I asked him if he’s done reviewing and he said yes. He’s supposed to head in their room but he saw me that’s why he came here. Ala una pa raw kasi exam nila.

“Why did you take STEM strand?” Aldridge asked out of nowhere and I’m quite stunned for a bit because I’m not used to being ask about my strand.

“It’s my staircase to success,” I figuratively replied.

“Doctor?” I nodded at him. “Hindi malabong mangyari ‘yan. I can see how passionate you are. I know you can do it,” he flashed me an assuring smile.

Hinarap ko ito at binigyan siya nang malaking ngiti. “Thank you,” I answered.

Ang sarap lang kasi sa pakiramdam ang marinig ang mga salitang iyon. I didn’t know it felt this way knowing that someone believes in me... that someone appreciates me.

“Hindi ka pa pupunta sa room niyo? Mag-a-ala una na,” mabilis kong iniba ang usapan dahil bahagya akong nakaramdam ng pagkailang sa paraan ng paninitig nito sa akin.

“Ah, yeah. I’ll see you some other time. Good luck sa exam, Meg,” Aldridge immediately stood up and he slightly messed my hair. When he left, I leaned on the roots of the tree, taking some rest before facing another exam later.

Though, it felt like it’s our hell week, masaya naman ako na natapos iyong exam namin and all of us passed. The start of our finals is now waving.

“May naisip ka ng magiging title ng research niyo?” I shook my head as my reply to Shane’s question.

Bago kasi natapos ang subject namin kanina, our adviser already grouped us for our research which will happen around last week of March. Although malayo pa naman siya since mag-eend pa lang ang January, nagrupo na kami in advance para magkaroon kami ng enough preparation and kailangan naming magprovide ng five titles para icheck ni Ma’am Teresita kung anong magandang topic sa bawat grupo. Unfortunately, hindi kami magkagrupo ni Shane.

“Here,” agad kong kinuha iyong cup ng kwek-kwek kay Aldridge. Binigyan din nito si Shane which is fishball and squid ball naman ang laman.

Yep, Aldridge is with us today. A walking distance from our school is an area where street vendors sell and we decided to buy some street foods here to satisfy our cravings.

While eating, Aldridge wiped the side of my lips. Maybe because some sauce stained from it.

“Meron pa?” I comfortably asked. He adjusted his head and still using his thumb, he wiped it again.

“Ang tamis naman,” sabay kami nitong napalingon sa direksyon ni Shane.

“Matamis? Pwede mong haluan ng suka ‘yang sauce mo,” I suggested.

“Ay, ang slow,” puna nito. Kalaunan ay dinagdagan niya nga ng suka iyong cup niya.

Weekends came, I just found myself going to the bridge using my bicycle. Oo nga pala, kasama ko si Aldridge. Hindi ko rin alam pero napapadalas kami ng lalaking ‘to sa tulay na iyon. As for me, it is not questionable since I used to go there even before I met him.

As we reached the bridge, isinandal ulit namin iyong bike namin sa gilid. I quickly looked myself for a spot. Eksakto kasing papalubog na ‘yong araw. I don’t wanna miss the chance.

“What do you like about this bridge?” I didn’t know why Aldridge ask that as he stood beside me. Siguro ay dahil ilang beses na niya akong nakita rito. Kulang na nga lang ay gawin kong tambayan itong tulay lalo na kapag kahapon.

“This whole place comforts me,” I answered based on what I really feel. Aside from my room, this bridge witnessed my true feelings. The way the scenic view this bridge gave me, it comforts me.

Smile drew in my lips as I watched the sun slowly setting down. This is what I like the most here, witnessing how the sun sets down as it reflects in the water.

I sometimes wonder. Maybe I am the human version of the sunset. I shine during the day time but it fades as the dark invades. But still, this bridge, this scenic place seems to be my comfort zone.

“What about you? What do you like about this place?” I asked back. I’m not sure if he really likes this place though.

“This place allows me to see the real you that everybody doesn’t knew. This place allows me to like you.”

“Huh?” when I faced Aldridge, I found him staring intently at me. As my eyes glued on him, I can read different emotions in his eyes, it’s as if he wanted to tell me something.

“I don’t know if this is the right time to tell you this but I like you, Megan.”

That made me stop. Sinking what he said into my mind, my heart drums in a quick speed. The sun rays isn’t hot as it touches my bare face but Aldridge’s words caused my cheek to redden. My lips also slightly fell. Though I wanted to tell him something, words couldn’t come out from my mouth.

My reactions caused him to chuckle. His way of producing that soft laugh seems to be an awesome rhythm in my ears. “I just want you to know that. No pressure,” he stated.

“Hoy! Ang kapal mo ha?” I defended raucously. “Huwag mo nga akong tignan ng ganyan!” itinulak ko ang mukha nito palayo sa akin gamit ang kamay ko. Grabe kasi siyang tumitig. Kulang na lang ay matunaw ako.

Hindi dahil sa naiilang ako. It’s just that part of me is rejoicing because of what he just confessed. Gagi! Ang rupok lang!

“No wonder why your name is Megan. Dahil ikaw ay megan-dang nilalang,” Aldridge laughed as he restated the way I introduced myself the first time we met. Sa unang pagkakataon, gusto ko na lang na lamunin ako ng lupa dahil sa kahihiyan.

Since the day Aldridge confessed, wala namang nagbago sa pakikitungo ko sa kanya. To be honest, I became close to him even more. I’m supposed to feel shy, right? But Aldridge is Aldridge. His power of making me feel comfortable works every time I am with him.

“Aah, ang anghang,” reklamo ko habang pinapaypayan ang bunganga ko gamit ang kamay ko.

I took the mineral bottle beside me. Sinubukan ko iyong buksan pero hindi ko magawa-gawa dahil nag-aapoy talaga sa anghang ang labi ko. Aldridge then took the mineral bottle from me. Matapos niyang buksan ay kaagad niya iyong iniabot sa akin.

“Wait me here,” mabilis na umalis si Aldridge at hindi ko alam kung saan ito pumunta.

Pagkaalis niya ay sinisi ko si Shane samantalang siya ay tawa lang nang tawa. Sinubukan ko lang namang tikman iyong spicy chicken curry na in-order niya. Hindi ko naman alam na super spicy pala ‘yon.

Mahilig kasi siya sa maanghang tapos nagpadagdag pa pala siya ng sili roon sa nagluluto. Marahil sa kanya ay hindi gano’n kaanghang ang ulam na ‘yon, pero para sa akin ay sobrang anghang no’n dahil hindi ako sanay sa ganoong lasa.

Aldridge returned quickly. He’s now holding a cup of milk. I don’t know where he got it pero naubos ko ang laman ng basong iyon. Kahit papaano ay nawala naman ‘yong anghang sa labi ko.

“Ayan, try try ka pa. Hindi mo naman pala kaya,” maging si Aldridge ay tinawanan ako.

“Ewan ko sa inyo! Pag-umpugin ko kayo r’yan, e.” I snorted but they both laughed at me.

Noong nagsimula na ang finals, hindi naman naging hectic ang schedule namin. May times lang na sunud-sunod ang projects, group activities and individual outputs. May times din na wala kaming masyadong ginagawa.

Especially when February came. Knowing that it’s heart’s month, naging maluwag ulit iyong schedule namin dahil naging busy ang teachers sa preparation ng Valentine’s Ball. Senior High Ball is different from juniors but unlike theirs, simple lang ‘yung tema sa amin, samantalang sa kanila ay aasahan mo ng magiging bongga.

Wanting to feel the same experience when Aldridge took me home using his bike, gano’n ulit ang ginawa namin. I just texted Uncle Danny na huwag na niya akong sunduin.

“Hi...ya!” mahina kong pinalo ang baywang ni Aldridge na para bang kabayo ang sinasakyan ko.

“Meg, stop it. Huwag kang malikot,” suway nito sa akin pero natatawa rin naman dahil sa kalokohan ko.

Nang makarating kami sa village, agad na binuksan ng guard iyong main gate saka tuluy-tuloy na nagpedal si Aldridge hanggang sa makarating kami sa bahay. Ngunit sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon, nang iliko na sana nito iyong bike niya ay saka naman dumating ang parents ko.

When the car stopped in front of us, the window slowly opened and my Mom glanced at us. “Don’t you want to invite your friend inside?” Mom asked and she’s giving me a deep stare.

Nang sumara iyong bintana, pinaandar na ni Daddy iyong kotse paloob. As they parked in the garage, I faced Aldridge, giving him a worry look. It’s not that I’m worried about introducing him to my parents. I’m just worried that they might do something unnecessary things to him.

Not wanting to let my parents wait, Aldridge and I walked inside. Magalang naman na binati nito ang parents ko pati ang mga kasambahay namin, including Ate Trixie who did nothing but smirk at me.

My Mom offered Aldridge to take dinner with us. Hindi naman ito tumanggi.

“So, you are?” Mom asked in the middle of our dinner.

“I’m Aldridge Samonte po, Ma’am. I lived at the village nearby,” Aldridge answered.

Habang kumakain kami ay kung anu-anong tinatanong nila sa kanya, na para bang ini-interrogate nila ito. Every time Aldridge speaks, hindi ko maiwasang mag-alala. Though just by looking at him, hindi naman siya kakikitaan ng pagkailang o kaya ay nahihiya. Or maybe he’s acting out in front of my family to hide his nervousness.

“Kaibigan mo lang ba talaga si Megan?” Ate Trixie interfered. Nang magtama ang paningin namin nito’y tinaasan niya ako ng kilay pero noong malipat ang tingin niya kay Aldridge, she faked a smile.

I know she asked that for a purpose.

Instead of facing my sister, Aldridge faced my parents instead. “Actually Sir, Ma’am, I like Megan. Nasabi ko na rin naman po sa kanya na gusto ko siya and if it’s okay with you, I’m asking for a permission to court your daughter po,” Aldridge spoke straightaway.

Dahil sa sinabi niyang iyon sa harap ng parents ko, muli kong naramdaman ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso ko, doble pa sa naramdaman ko noong nagconfess ito. Yes, he confessed that he likes me but I didn’t know he wanted to court me, knowing na sinabi pa niya iyon sa harap mismo ng family ko.

After that dinner, he stayed a bit with us. Kaswal lang naman itong nakikipag-usap sa parents ko. I wonder how he could stay this brave in front of my parents. Na para bang sanay itong i-handle ang ganitong tagpo.

Hindi nagtagal ay nagpaalam na rin naman ito sa family ko. As my guest, inihatid ko ito sa labas.

“Damn it. I feel like my heart is going to burst,” pag-amin nito nang tuluyan kaming makalabas sa bahay. Napahilamos pa siya sa kanyang mukha. Natawa naman ako nang mahina dahil sa reaksyon nito. Tama nga ang hula kong nag-a-act out lang ito sa harap ng parents ko.

“Acting brave, huh?” I teased.

“Did I mess up earlier? Fuck,” mahina nitong mura, ginulo pa ang buhok niya.

“No. You were great,” I commented. Bahagya naman akong napahinto dahil sa isang bagay na naglalaro sa isipan ko ngayon. “About what you said earlier—”

“About courting you?” wala sa oras na napalunok ako nang magtama ang paningin namin nito. “I am serious about it, Meg. I really wanted to court you and I hope you will give me a chance,” saka niya ako nginitian.

Pursing my lips, I bit my cheeks inside, hiding the smile that wants to form in my lips.

“I’ll go ahead. See you tomorrow,” paalam nito. Napatango lamang ako sa kanya. Before he could leave me, Aldridge gave a soft peck on my forehead which surprised me. “Bye, Meg,” matapos niya akong kawayan, saka ito umangkas sa bisikleta niya at pinasibad iyon paalis.

Left alone, I screamed without sound. I feel like my heart is going to burst as well. Done composing myself, saka ako bumalik ulit sa loob. I tried not to stifle a smile dahil baka ay kung anong isipin nila sa akin.

“Is he gone?” salubong ng Mom ko. Napatango naman ako bilang sagot. “I don’t like that guy for you. Why don’t you just focus in your studies instead of entertaining guys, Megan?” Diretsahan nitong saad.

“Never entertain that guy again.” My smile faded in an instant because of what my Mom stated.

With heavy feelings, I pursed my lips hardly, then I nodded to her which is against from what I truly feel.