Who Are You

Who Are You 35

Reject.

"Do you like it?" I asked as I accept the call.

"I LOVE IT!!" She said with extreme excitement. "I look more pretty ngayon! Oh my god.."

Napangiti ako. "Mabuti naman at nagustuhan mo. I used my own savings to bought that kaya gamitin mo 'yan ah?"

"Syempre naman! Thank you sis. Babawi ako promise!"

Sinara ko ang gripo at binuhat ang watering can. Lumapit ako sa mga halaman na tinanim ni mama ising, ang bibilis nilang tumubo. May maliliit na dahon na agad siya. Parang kailan lang namin binili 'yung buto.

"Hindi na kailangan. Magpagaling ka lang ayos na sa'kin 'yun.."

"Kahit na! Basta, thank you! Sobrang nagustuhan ko. Mukhang natural siya.."

Napangiti ako. Mabuti nalang at nagustuhan niya 'yung bigay ko. Medyo mahal pero okay na, basta masaya siya ayos na ako.

Magsasalita na sana ako nang marinig ko ang nurse sa kabilang linya na kinakausap si ayra. Maya maya rin ay nagsalita siya. "Sis, balik ko na 'tong phone kay ethan ha? May gagawin muna ako saglit."

"Sure sure.."

Nang maubos ang tubig sa watering can ay bumalik ulit ako sa may gripo. Kinuha ko ang garden hose at idinugtong sa gripo.

Binuksan ko ang gripo saka nagpatuloy sa pag dilig ng mga halaman pati ang mga bulaklak na tinanim ko. Ang hirap pala ng igib igib lang mas nakakapagod kapag ganun.

"Hello aya? still there?"

Inilipat ko sa kabilang tenga ang cellphone. "Yep, hi! Kumusta?" Unang bati ko.

"Nag usap na kami kahapon."

"Ahh.." tanging nasabi ko.

Kahit na curious ay hindi ko naman gustong usisain sa kaniya ang pinag usapan nila. Magsasalita na sana ako nang maunahan niya ako.

"I'm sorry aya. Hindi ako pwede magtagal at uuwi na rin ako bukas. Kailangan rin ako ni dad sa office.."

I shook my head kahit alam kong hindi niya naman nakikita. "No, no, no. What you did is too much. Thank you for doing my favor, e.."

He chuckled. "Don't mind it. I also went here just to let her know she has a friend. I wanted to cheer her up too.."

"So, how is she?"

"She looks happy nang makita niya ang bigay mo. She's brave fighter.."

Napangiti ako. "Indeed.."

I love how mature and considerate man he is. I know he cares about my sister even after what she did to him. Ethan is such one of a kind man.

"Thank you talaga. Don't worry, I'll cook for you once you get here. Pambawi lang rin dahil pinagluto mo pa kami last week."

"Really?"

I can picture him smiling from ear to ear based on his voice. He's adorable.

"Yes. Really."

"looking forward to it, aya marie."

My smile widened. I used to hate my name, but hearing it from someone after all circumstances, I can't help but to feel happy. He knows me now, the real me.. and somehow, that's enough to me.

"Uh-huh. E, I have something to do. I will drop this call now ha.."

I was about to end the call but I heard him called my name.

"Aya.." he repeated because I didn't respond.

"Hmm?"

There was a dead silent in the middle of the call. I checked the phone just to be sure if it is ended but its still on the line. Dinikit ko ulit sa tenga ko ang phone.