Falling for Strawberry Girl (Short Story)

Final Chapter - Kambal na Strawberry

 

Dominic’s POV

Buti nalang at naihatid ko si Alia just on time for her next class. I looked at the backseat and smiled.

Mamaya ko nalang ibibigay yung basket ng strawberry. I’ll give her strawberries until she remembers our first meeting at our hotel’s swimming pool.

We agreed that I’ll go to their house at dinner to finally meet her parents. I feel a little nervous but this is it. I love her at gusto kong makilala din ang mga magulang niya. Gusto kong matanggap din nila ako kagaya ng pagtanggap ng magulang ko sa kanya. If not, then I’ll do everything to earn their trust. I love Alia and I want our relationship lo last forever.

I called her phone. Nakita kong dumungaw siya sa may bintana and waved. She didn’t bother to answer. Hinintay ko nalang na pagbuksan niya ako ng gate.

“Ready?” she asked smiling. Tumango naman ako. She looks beautiful in her above-the-knee flowy dress which is tighfitting on the waist up.

“For you!” Iniabot ko ang basket ng strawberries. For a moment, she looked at me saka ibinalik ang tingin sa strawberry.

“Gosh!” Napakagat siya sa labi niya saka ulit ibinalik ang tingin sa akin.

“Ikaw si Dominic!” she whispered. I looked at her puzzled.

“Yes, I am!” I said. Is she making a joke?

She immediately stepped closer and hugged me tight. Napangiti naman ako. What is she up to? I wrapped my arms around her waist.

“Oh my god! Bakit ngayon ko lang naalala? That’s why you call me strawberry girl. Ikaw yung kumain ng strawberry ko sa restaurant.” Hayag niya.

“Yes strawberry baby!” I smiled. Kanina lang umaasa akong maalala niya ako. Now, she remembered me. I am so happy. She tiptoed and give me a kiss. I can’t help but smile again.

 

___________

Alia’s POV

“For you!” He handed me the basket of strawberries. Nahagip ng tingin ko ang isang nakausling kambal na strawberry. Then realization hit me, yung lalaking kumain ng kambal na strawberry ko, yung nakita ko sa may pool area is him. I remembered he introduced himself as Dominic but I didn’t bother to accept his hand.

Malungkot kasi ako noon dahil sa pagpapakilala ni Lionelle kay Clarisse. Then, when I get home, I wanted to run away from him at agad na pumuntang Taiwan. I totally forgot about the twin strawberry.

I immediately hugged him. Kaya pala niya ako tinatawag na strawberry girl.

“Let’s get inside. Baka pinapanuod na naman tayo nila Mommy.” Anyaya ko ng makahuma ako.

“Okay,” tugon naman niya at inakbayan na ako papasok ng bahay.

“Mom, Dad, Si Dominic po, boyfriend ko. Dominic, my parents.” Pagpapakilala ko. None of them smiled. I felt a little nervous.

“Ikinagagalak ko po kayong makilala.” Iniabot ni Dominic ang kamay niya. Si mommy ang unang tumanggap. Mom looked at me and mouthed ‘good taste’. Napangiti naman ako. I thought they wouldn’t like him.

Inabot din ni dad ang kamay niya.

“Dinner is ready.” Saad ni Mommy kaya’t nagtuloy-tuloy na kami sa kusina. Nobody is talking. Kabaliktaran naman ito ng lunch date namin kasama ng parents niya.

When we reach the table, dad cleared his throat.

“I think it’s better if Dominic will lead us the grace before meals.” Hayag ni Dad. Omg! I know he is testing Dominic. Lagi niyang sinasabi sa akin noon na gusto niya ang maging boyfriend ko ay yung may respeto at takot sa Diyos. I mentally prayed na sana kabisado niya or else minus points ito kay Dad.

I looked at Dominic. He smiled reassuringly.

“Okay po. Let us bow our heads and feel God’s presence.” He started and we made the sign of the cross. I closed my eyes.

“First, thank you Lord for these wonderful people around me. Thank you for the gift of love. We praise and glorify your Name as we say, Bless us, oh Lord and these, your gifts, which we are about to receive from your bounty through Christ our Lord, Amen.”

I opened my eyes and smiled at him. Napangiti rin sina daddy at mommy.

“Let’s eat?” mom asked kaya nagsimula na kaming kumuha ng pagkain.

“Dominic, that Cadillac you help bought…” umpisa ni dad sa usapan. I looked at him.

“I think is too much. Don’t you think?” dagdag niya. Dominic looked at me. Maybe he was thinking na mag-ama nga kami dahil pareho kami ng issue.

“Para sa akin hindi naman po. If it’s for Alia’s safety and comfort, I am willing to spend all I have.” He said with conviction.

“We raised her as a simple person, sana wag mo siyang sanayin sa luho lalo na kung wala ka rin lang balak na magtagal sa buhay niya.”

 I flush at dad’s remark. He is so straightforward. Dominic held my hand na nakapatong sa table.

“Wag po kayong mag-alala, wala po akong balak na matagal sa buhay niya.” He squeezed my hand. Mom’s jaw dropped while dad’s jaw tensed.

“Dahil ang balak ko po ay manatili sa buhay niya. Yun po kasing magtagal ay may hangganan pa rin. In as much as possible, I want ours to last forever.”

For a moment there was silence unti dad cut through.

“Good! I hope you could hold on to your word, young man.” He said looking at Dominic.

“Makakaasa po kayo.” Segunda naman niya.

This man is really shocking sometimes.

I can’t help but smile.

Mukhang nakumbinsi naman niya ang parents ko dahil naging magiliw naman sila sa kanya. Sa katunayan, nagkuwentuhan pa sila ni Dad pagkatapos ng dinner.

“So, all is well.” He said nang ihatid ko siya sa sasakyan niya. He is holding my hand at panaka-nakang hinahalikan.

“Yeah, thanks!” I whispered.

He stopped nang makarating kami sa sasakyan niya.

“So, tomorrow I’ll fetch you at school?” he asked.

“May sasakyan ako. Magkita nalang tayo, text me the place.”

He placed his index finger on my  lips.

“Nope, ganito nalang ihahatid kita bukas ng umaga tapos sunduin kita ng hapon, okay? No buts!” wika niya. Napatango nalang ako.

He held my chin and kissed me lightly.

“I love you, so much, Alia, my strawberry girlfriend.” He whispered on my lips.

“I love you, too!” I pressed my lips to his and we kissed again with passion.

I can’t believe that I’d fall inlove with the man who ate half the twin strawberry.

Tama nga ang yumao kong lolo, totoo nga ang alamat ng Kambal na Strawberry.

__________

[Author’s Note: Katuwaan lang po itong story na to. Hope it entertained you somehow. Thank you sa votes at comments esp. to @shiegab]