“Where are we?”
After the program, he asked me to come with him. Nag paalam ako kay Nanay na sasama lang sa isang kaibigan. We ride a tricycle and stop in front of this restaurant style building.
“Sa lomihan. Kakain tayo ng lomi.” he answered as we walk inside.
My brows furrowed.
“Lomi?”
He chuckled then looked at me.
“Oo, masarap yun. Promise.” he said.
He hold my wrist then pull me to the counter.
“Ate, dalawang special” he said to the woman.
Naglakad kami papunta sa isang bakanteng lamesa sa may harapan. When I settled myself, I looked around the place. There are some people eating on the other side.
“How do you know this place?” I asked as I turned to him.
“Madalas akong kumain dito. Minsan kasama sina Syndy.” he said.
I nod my head.
“And...why did you take me here?”
“To...celebrate. We just finish junior high school, it's an achievement.”
I stared at him for a minute. He averted his gaze then look away.
“Pasensya na, hindi kita madadala sa mamahaling restaurant. W-wala akong budget-”
“You could have celebrate it with your family, you know.”
His face turned serious as he looked at me intently.
“Why celebrate it with me?” mahinang tanong ko.
He didn't answer so I spoke again.
“Do you.....pity me?” I asked.
I don't want others to see me as a charity case. I don't like it when someone feel sorry or pity me. It's annoying.
“Cause if you do-”
“Hindi” he said. “G-gusto ko lang....na ikaw ang kasama ngayon”
Nagulat ako pero agad din namang nakabawi mula roon. I opened my mouth to say something but no words came out. Isang nakakailang na katahimikan ang namagitan sa aming dalawa.
“Ang tagal naman, gutom na ako” he said, trying to change the atmosphere.
“Ranzell...” I called him.
He looked at me.
“Bakit?”
“Thank you” I said then smiled at him.
His lips parted for a bit then sheepishly rub the back of his neck. He looked away then bit his lips trying to hide a smile. His ears and neck were also a bit red.
My brows furrowed at his reaction but I chose to ignore it. Maybe....it's just hot in here.
My mouth water as I stare at the food in front of me. This lomi thing is soup like with thick noodles, with a lot of meat, a piece of egg, siomai, chicharon, and a few vegetables. It looks delicious.
“Tikman mo” he said then hand me a spoon and fork.
I took it and taste the lomi. The moment my tongue tasted it, I instantly smiled at him.
“Masarap?” he asked with a smile on his face.
I nod like a kid and took another spoon of lomi.
He chuckled before he started eating.
“Sabi ko sayo eh”
This is my first time to eat this kind of food. It's really good. He smiled at me so I smiled back. The food in here isn't so bad at all, so is he.
After we eat I decided to go home already. Wala na rin naman akong pupuntahan. Besides nakakahiya kay Ranzell, ayoko na matapos ang araw na ito na hindi niya man lang nakasama yung family niya to celebrate.
“Ihahatid na kita” he said.
We ride in a tricycle in our way to my house. It was my first time but suprisingly the ride is silent but very comfortable. Somehow I forget about what happened earlier.
“Dito na yung bahay niyo”
Napatingin ako kay Ranzell nang magsalita siya. Napapahiya akong tumango atsaka inilabas ang wallet ko para kumuha ng pera para iabot sa driver.
I was about to open it when he stop me.
“Wag na. Ako nang bahala.”
I looked at him.
“No, it's fine. You already pay for the food earlier.” sabi ko at pilit inaabot sa kaniya yung perang hawak ko.
Pilit niya naman iyong iniiwasan. Nang hindi niya talaga kinukuha ay inilagay ko iyon sa bulsa ng suot niyang uniform atsaka dali daling lumabas.
I was about to go inside the gate when a hand held my wrist, stopping me. Kunot ang noo ko na lumingon. My lips parted when I saw Ranzell's serious face.
“W-why?”
Inilagay niya yung pera sa kamay ko atsaka iyon isinara. Kumunot ang noo ko atsaka nag angat ng tingin.
“I told you-”
“Sabi ko sayo na ako na diba?” he said, slightly annoyed.
I pouted.
“But you already pay-”
“Ililibre nga kasi kita. Ako nagyaya sayo diba?”
I sigh then nodded.
“Okay fine. Your choice.”
He smiled as he stared at my face.
“What?” mataray na tanong ko.
“Toy, hindi pa ba tapos yang ligawan niyo na yan?”
Nagugulat akong napatingin sa gawi ng tricycle ng bahagyang sumigaw ang driver nito habang nakasilip sa gawi namin.
What the hell? We are not flirting.
I glared at Ranzell when he chuckled. He smiled then pinch my cheek again. I swat his hand away.
“Bye, sweetheart” he said smiling.
I rolled my eyes before turning back at him and going inside. Narinig ko pa ang pagtawa niya.
Dire-diretso akong naglakad papasok. When I was inside the house I was surprised when I saw Nanay and our other housemaids holding a banner, congratulating me.
They even prepared all my favorite food. Sabay sabay kaming kumain. Kahit nga busog na busog pa ako ay kumain pa rin ako. I really appreciate what they did for me.
“Thank you Nanay” I said smiling while tears are pooling in my eyes.
She hugged me so I hugged her back.
“Nandito lang ako para sayo, anak.”
Lalo pa akong naiyak dahil sa sinabi niya. Anak. My mother never called nor treated me that way after that accident.
I sigh then looked at the time. It's late at night and Mom and Dad are still not home. Maybe they are doing really important right now. More important than me.
Maybe because I'm not real. Yeah, maybe that's why.
I smiled bitterly. Siguro kung si Ate March yun, hindi niya na kailangan mag hintay pa kina Mom. Baka simula pa lang ng program ay nakaupo na si Mom sa tabi niya at binabati siya. Kung si Ate March yun, hindi niya mararanasan yung ganito.
Ang kaso ay hindi ako si Ate March. Kasalanan ko kung bakit wala na si Ate March. Kahit hindi nila sabihin lalo na ni Mom alam kung ako ang sinisisi niya. They blame me for it and so I did.
I wipe a lone tear that escape my eye. I took out my phone from my pocket when I suddenly remember something.
To Unknown Number,
             Thank you for today Ranzell.
I typed then send it to him. I also changed his name on my contacts.
I was about to open my room door when my phone beep.
Ranzell,
       Always welcome sweetheart😘😉
Naiiling na lang akong napangiti. What's with the corny emojis?
I didn't bother replying and put back my phone into my pocket. I went inside my room to have my rest. It's been a tiring day for me.
When the morning comes that day, dad talked to me and say that he is sorry. He told me about the emergency that they need to attend to. He even gave me a credit card and told me to go and shop new clothes and bags.
I never wanted those things. I wanted them to be there for me.
After a week since the vacation started it was really boring as hell. I did go to the mall with France yesterday but I barely enjoy it. She's with David and I am like a fucking third wheel on their date.
As for Ricca, she's spending her vacation in her Aunt's place in Japan. I always video call her everyday.
I looked over my bedside table and saw my Dad's credit card over there. I pursed my lips then took it. I was thinking of going to the mall but I don't wanna go alone.
I don't wanna appear to be a third wheel again so not France. Ricca isn't here either.
What about....My eyes widened as I realize who came into my mind. Gosh May, why would you think of him?
He is the last person you wanna be with if you want to enjoy your day.
So....what if I invite him? Pwede ko naman siyang yayain na pumunta ng mall para lang pasasalamat ko for what he did. I could buy him anything he wants as a thank you gift.
Yeah, I can do that.
I took my phone and click his number.
To Ranzell,
      Are you busy?
My brows furrowed when he didn't reply. Dati ay wala pang isang minuto ay may reply na agad siya.
I instantly look at my phone when it beep.
Ranzell,
     Bakit? Miss mo ako?
I rolled my eyes due to his reply.
To Ranzell,
      Stop being annoying and just answer my question!!
Ranzell,
    Hindi hahahha. Bakit?
I bit my lip and typed my reply.
To Ranzell,
      Let's go to the mall
Mariin akong pumikit bago pinindot ang send button. I waited for his reply for like five minutes.
Ranzell,
     Niyayaya mi ba aking mag mall?
My brows furrowed when I saw his reply. Typos?
To Ranzell,
     Yeah. Go to the mall with me.
I waited for his reply but it didn't come. Walang gana kong ipinatong ang cellphone sa kama atsaka nahiga sa kama.
Looks like I'm stuck here at home.
I was busy watching the anime in my laptop when Nanay knock on my door.
“May, may tao sa baba. Hinahanap ka, schoolmate mp daw siya.”
Nangunot ang noo ko sa sinabi ni Nanay. Schoolmate? Si France ba?
Lumabas ako ng kwarto atsaka tinungo ang hagdan pababa. Nasa taas pa lang ako ay sinilip ko na agad sa sala kung sino ang naghahanap sa akin.
My eyes widen when I saw who it was. It was Ranzell. He is wearing a black shirt and a black shorts paired up with a white shoes. He is talking to Nanay.
Dali dali akong bumaba ng hagdan dahilan para mapatingin silang pareho sa akin.
“What are you doing here?” tanong ko ng makababa ako.
“Maiiwan ko muna kayo”
Nanay excuse herself and go to the kitchen.
He stood up then bit his lips. He put his hands inside his pockets.
“S-sabi mo....magpapasama ka sa mall” he said pouting.
Natigilan ako ng ilang segundo.
“I thought you don't want to..” I said.
“Bakit naman?”
“Well....you didn't reply so..-”
“Naligo na kasi ako” he reasoned out.
I bit my lip then sigh. Hindi pa nga ako naliligo. Gosh, nakakahiya.
“Hindi na ba...tuloy?” he asked.
“N-no. I mean...tuloy.” I said.
“I'll just....get change.”
Tumango siya atsaka ngumiti.
“Sige. Hintayin kita.”
I pursed my lips then nodded.
“Do you want anything?” I asked.
“Hindi na. Sige na, magbihis ka na” he said then sit back into sa sofa.
I nod my head then hurriedly went upstairs. I quickly took a bath and change into a nude tube top and denim shorts. I paired it with a flip-flop and my black Gucci shoulder bag. I let my hair down and put on a face powder and lip tint.
Naabutan ko siyang nakasandal sa backrest ng sofa habang nagkakalikot ng cellphone. Tumikhim ako para kunin ang atensyon niya.
Nakita ko ang pag awang ng labi niya ng tumingin sa akin. Para siyang wala sa sariling napatayo.
“Mag papaalam lang muna ako.” I said to him before I made my way to the kitchen.
Nag paalam ako kay Nanay na aalis muna ako. She agreed but she keeps throwing me those teasing glances. I also told Kuya Jude that I am going to the mall.
We are both sitting on the back seat. I glance at Ranzell. He looked uncomfortable. I can't blame him, it was very awkward inside the car. Kuya Jude keeps glancing at us.
When we arrived at the mall we both decided to eat first since it's also time for lunch. I insisted on ordering and paying our food. He keeps arguing at first but eventually agreed when I use the same reason he used at me last time. Ako ang nagyaya.
“Holy Heart ka pa rin ba mag senior high school?” he asked while we are in the middle of eating.
Uminom muna ako ng tubig bago sumagot.
“I was thinking of transferring at first...pero may TVL-Home Economics naman sa Holy Heart kaya doon na lang rin.”
“TVL? Yun ang kukunin mo?”
Tumango ako.
“What about you?” I asked.
“GAS ako” he answered.
“Thinking of transferring?”
Umangat ang kilay niya atsaka nag angat ng tingin sa akin.
“Bakit? Gusto mong lumipat ako?” he asked.
Natigilan ako atsaka nagiwas ng tingin.
“Not really....I mean, it's your choice”
He chuckled.
“Hindi. Bakit pa ako lilipat kung nandoon ka naman?”
Umawang ang labi ko atsaka nagugulat na tumingin sa kaniya. Is he....hitting on me?
Gosh, it can't be.
After we eat I did go to buy some clothes. He was just following me. I choose a black leather skirt and a midriff top. After I shop for my clothes I go into the men's wear.
I was choosing a shirt or anything that will look good on him when he spoke up.
“Para kanino? Sa Papa mo?”
I turned to him. He stop walking when I did.
“Nope. It's for you.” I said.
His lips parted for a bit and his brows furrowed.
“Para saan?” he asked.
I just shrugged.
“I figured that you might want one” I said as my eyes scan the clothes.
“Masyadong mahal ang mga damit dito. Hindi naman ako ganoon kayaman gaya mo.” he said.
I rolled my eyes and looked at him.
“Ako naman ang magbabayad, so just...choose what you want.”
Nakita ko ang pagdaan ng isang hindi ko mapangalanang emosyon sa mata niya.
“Salamat pero ayoko” mariin na sabi niya.
Saglit na umawang ang labi ko ng mabakas ang inis sa boses niya.
“But why-”
“Basta. Ayoko” he said and was about to turn his back on me when I hold his arm.
Agad ko din iyong inalis ng bumaba ang tingin niya roon.
“Bakit ba ayaw mo? Like I said, ako naman ang magbabayad. Just choose a shirt that you want.”
I don't know why but he looked more annoyed now. I was shock for a bit. Hindi ko pa siya nakikitang mainis.
“A-are you mad?” nagtatakang tanong ko.
His jaw tightened as he intensely stare at me.
“Isinama mo ba ako dito para lang insultuhin?”
I was taken aback by his question that I wasn't able to answer. Pagak siyang tumawa atsaka nag iwas ng tingin.
“I am offended by your words, Perez.”
Ipagpapatuloy..........