Purest Stone (Paradise Series#3)

Kabanata 6

Event

He handed me a paper bag. Nagtataka ko namang kinuha 'yon.

"Dapat hindi ka na pumunta dito. Sa school mo na lang sana binigay. What's this by the way?" I curiously look at the paper bag on my hand.

"Sinong maghahatid sa'yo sa school kung mauuna ako?"

I slightly chukcled. "Y-Yeah. I almost forgot that."

Since that day na lagi kaming magkasama ever afternoon or after class I feel there's nothing a line between us. I felt that I'm free to talk to him like he's my friend. I'm treating him as my friend I hope he doing that to me too kahit hindi niya na sabihin.

Binuksan ko ang paper bag at kinuha ang laman. It was a puff long sleeve A-line black dress. I had this one too. It was from kuya Soren. He bought that to me as a gift.

Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili at napangiti. "Thank you for these, Gideon."

"It's not a branded dress but I hope you like it."

"I really like it! The color is suit to me," puna ko.

He nods. "Nalabhan ko na 'yan. Pwede mong suotin."

Nagulat naman ako. Nilabhan niya? Siya ang naglaba? "I'm going to wear this before the event."

Nandito kami ngayon sa kwarto ko at inaayos ang mga gamit na dadalhin for event. Ngayong araw na ang event namin at kinakabahan na ako. Alam kong may mas magagaling sa akin out there. I just want a grades. Hindi ko kailangan makipag-compete sa kanila. I just want my parents proud.

Hindi ko na pinapunta ang parents ko and hindi rin naman sila makakapunta kahit ayain ko since bumalik ulit sila sa Manila two days ago. Naiintindihan ko naman 'yon. I'm not mad though. Ang mahalaga they supported me.

Kukunin ko na sana ang duffel bag nang unahan ako ni Gideon.

"Tara na."

I smiled. Why this man is almost perfect? From his face, body built to his attitude. Who wouldn't be like this man?

Naglakad na kami pababa. Manonood raw si kuya Samson. He will ditch one of his subject para supportahan ako.

I appreciate his support pero yung magdiditch siya sa isang subject for me, nakakaguilty. Mamaya ay bumagsak pa siya doon. Kasalanan ko pa. We talked that last night and he's not listening. Kahit anong mangyari manonood raw siya. Sometime I feel like I'm his ate and he's the bunso.

Sumakay na ako sa car at sumunod ai Gideon. Agad niya rin naman pinaandar ang sasakyan paalis. Habang palapit nang palapit sa school ay mas lalo akong kinakabahan.

"You're sweating."

I turned to Gideon. "I can't stop but to feel nervous. I don't want to disappoint my parents also my prof. She give me an opportunity to join the event. Ayokong magsisi siya na ako ang pinili niya."

"I'm trusting you. Trust yourself too."

Ayon lamang ang sinabi niya ngunit tila nabigyan ako ng lakas. Napangiti ako. Nang makarating sa school ay agad kaming dumiretso sa gymnasium since doon gaganapin ang event. Nanghingi ako ng slip para ipaalam si Gideon sa mga prof nito. They let Gideon since masipag na estudyante ito.

And I feel like a proud mother when they talk good things on Gideon.

Inaayos ko na ang mga gamit. Pinaupo ko na rin si Gideon. One hour lang ang binigay sa amin ng Prof para ayusan ang mga models namin.

May mga bumabati pa kay Gideon habang inaayusan ko siya ng buhok. Hindi ko naman 'yon pinapansin since I was too focus to him.

"Hey, breathe okay? Don't be rush."