Glimpse of the Sun [ON GOING]

4 of 4

[ Alcoriza ]

The finest flower I've ever known. I smiled full of adoration with a little sunflower in my sight. Unti-unting namumukadkad ang mga nandoon sa patuloy na pagsikat ng araw. Makulimlim ang lagay ng panahon kanina kaya tinanghali ang labas nito. A 10 AM sunshine.

"Want me to get you some?" Him at my back. I am taking photos when he suddenly appeared in my camera. Itinago ko ang aking cellphone at nilingon siya.

"Bibili ako." Sagot ko. Lumapit siya sa akin at nagsalita.

"Its always free if it's you." Aniya at walang pahintulot na kinuha ang cellphone sa aking kamay. Natameme ako habang pinagmamasdan siyang kinakalikot ang kung ano roon.

"Let me borrow your index." Aniya at kaagad na dinala ang hintuturong kamay ko sa fingerprint sensor ng cellphone. His palm was a little bit rough, and it looked like a giant's hands. Kayang-kayang lamunin ang dalawa kong kamay gamit lamang ang isa nun. I remained silent, unable to believe I appeared to be under a hypnotic spell.

"Thanks." Aniya matapos ma unlocked ang cellphone ko.

"Ano ba! Akin na nga yan!" Nagulat siya roon. He observed me, his gaze lingering on my delayed reaction.

"Give me my phone!" Patuloy ko‚ nakatingin parin siya sa akin.

"I-I said! G-give me my phone!" He then smirked, distanced himself, and placed my phone in front of him, as if he was ready to take a photo.

"Go on." Sambit niya‚ di kalayuan sa akin.

"A-ayoko." Nahihiya kong tugon. Bakit ba ang kulit niya?

"Sige na." Pilit niya.

"I-I said I don't want to! I can take selfies alone; I don't need your help." Lumapit ako ngunit umatras siya.

"I know how to take photos with good quality. It would also be nice to have a full-body shot. Go on." Tiningnan niya ako saglit at kaagad ding ibinalik ang mga mata sa cellphone.

"Alright." Pagsang-ayon ko. I was thinking, I should also md this. "Thanks for your voluntary concern, mr."

"Pleasures."

I struck several poses, his eyes fixed on the screen of my phone. Hindi ako umangal at patuloy na nag pose hanggang sa magsawa at wala nang maisip na susunod pang pustura.

"That's fine." Reklamo ko nang hindi parin siya tumitigil roon.

"Can you turn your back on me?" He swallowed after saying that.

"I can't‚ I'm tired. That's enough." sagot ko at umaktong lalapit sa kanya.

"Just one pose‚ really." I sighed. Tumalikod ako ngunit lumingon sa camera. My heart raced when I met his gaze. There was something there, something I couldn't explain or understand.

Naiilang akong ngumiti. I then stopped and walked near him.

"I'll go home." Saad ko nang makalapit. Hinintay ko rin siyang makasagot.

"I'll prepare your flowers then." May kung ano rin sa kaniya na hindi ko mahulaan.

Naglakad kaming muli pabalik sa greenhouse. He allowed me to sit on a monoblock chair in front of a large table. Kumuha siya ng mga bulaklak at iba pang materyales saka ipinatong roon. I watched him wrap sunflowers with dahlias. I was amazed by the way he made a bouquet out of them.