Falling for Strawberry Girl (Short Story)

Chance

 

Alia’s POV

I feel at ease na nagawa pa naming magbiruan about the movie. He is silently driving. Saang restaurant naman kaya niya ako dadalhin?

Halos buong araw na pala kaming magkasama and just like the past days na nagkasama kami, I never felt bored. I have never felt this calm and happy with any other man before. Masaya din akong kasama noon si Lionelle but not as happy as this.

I feel like I’ve known him all my life kahit ang totoo naman ilang buwan pa lang yata nung una kaming nagkakilala sa school when he suddenly approached me.

“I am willing to pay million bucks para lang malaman ang iniisip mo habang nakatitig sa akin!” natatawa niyang hayag. Napakislot ako. Gosh! I didn’t even notice that I was staring at him the whole time.

“Let’s go?” He smiled. Shocks! Nakahinto na pala ang sasakyan. Di ko man lang namalayan.

He caressed my cheek. Napalunok ako.

“What were you imagining while staring at me?” he grins. Bigla naman akong pinamulahan kahit alam kong biro lang niya iyon.

“Imagine ka diyan! Feeling mo naman artistahin ka!” irap ko at tinanggal na ang seatbelt ko. I heard him chuckle habang bumababa ng sasakyan. Loko talaga ang isang to.

His smile didn’t disappear while opening the car door. Na-awkward tuloy ako habang siya ngiting-ngiti lang.

“Napag-isipan mo na ba kung bibigyan mo ng chance ang sarili mo?” he asked smiling habang tahimik kaming kumakain.

I raised an eyebrow. Ano namang chance ang sinasabi niya? May pagka-weird talaga to minsan.

“What chance?” I asked. Ngumiti naman siya ng malapad.

“A chance to be my girlfriend!” he said casually not withdrawing his gaze. Napaubo naman ako sa kabiglaan. Feeling ko bumara yung pagkain sa lalamunan ko.

“Hey, relax. Drink this!” agad niyang iniabot ang baso ng tubig.

Inirapan ko naman siya nang makabawi ako na ikinatawa niya.

“Will you stop laughing? Feeling artista ka talaga, no?” irap ko. Tumawa lang din siya pero tumahimik din ng makita ang pagkapikon ko.

I felt awkward when he just stared at me. Biglang bumilis ang pintig ng puso ko lalo na nung hawakan niya ang nanlalamig kong kamay. Babawiin ko sana pero naramdaman kong mas malamig pa pala yung kamay niya kaysa sa akin.

“What?” I raised my eyebrow. I felt a little relaxed knowing na mas kinakabahan pa yata siya sa akin.

“Will you give us a chance? I really wanna be your boyfriend. I wanna take care of you and do things for you.” He whispered.

I don’t know what exactly to say. I was thinking a proposal like this should start with “I love you. Will you be my girlfriend?”

Now here comes this guy asking me to be his girlfriend. Pero kung sakaling mag-I love you man siya, di rin naman ako maniniwala. Ilang buwan pa lang naman kaming magkakilala. I always believe that love can only be conceived through bond and time.

“Do you love me?” I asked trying to test him.

“I won’t tell.” He stared at me seriously.

“Why?” pangungulit ko.

“Well you said, you don’t believe in love at first sight. I don’t want to change your belief.” He said still looking at me. Gosh! He’s making another impression on me. Lahat yata ng sinasabi ko ay natatandaan niya at inaanalisa.

 “Let’s just try as couple. Enjoy each other’s company. Give ourselves a chance to love each other. If it doesn’t work out then so be it.” Pahayag niya. Why does he have this power to say what I wanted to hear? Truth is, I got his point and that exactly ang gusto kong mangyari.

“So?” he said trying to gauge my answer.

“Okay!” I nodded.

He smiled and rose to his feet at agad akong hinila patayo at niyakap.

“Thanks, you have no idea how happy I am.” He whispered as he kissed my forehead. I was stunned and speechless.

“You’ll never regret this day.” He added.

“Ang corny mo!” biro ko nang makabawi. Napatawa naman siya.

I can’t believe this day will end up this way. Whenever I look at him my heart flutters.

“Goodnight, strawberry girlfriend.” He said and kissed my hand. Nandito na kami sa tapat ng bahay. I don’t still get why he calls me strawberry girl.

“Goodnight.” I smiled. Napatango naman siya at ngumiti.