Tears Of Sorrow (PUBLISHED UNDER UKIYOTO)

TOS 10

Aisla’s POV

“Bukas hihintayin kita sa may coffee shop malapit sa school ah?” Raze said, handing me my bag. I took it from him, my heart still fluttering.

“O-oh sige,” I stammered, my mind replaying his kiss.  His lips were so soft.  I couldn’t help but think about how amazing it would feel to kiss him again.

Huwaaaa, ano ba yung iniisip ko?

“Sige na, I love you,” he said, brushing a strand of hair away from my face.  He was still standing outside his car, seeming to wait for something, and I could tell he wanted to say more.

“I-I love you too,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.  I felt my heart jump into my throat as I saw his smile.

Ahh, Raze Yuan, why am I so smitten with you?

I walked home, a goofy grin plastered on my face, still thinking about our kiss.

My smile vanished when I saw my dad waiting for me at the front door.
“Mukhang masayang-masaya ka anak ah?” he said, his eyes a mix of concern and amusement.  I bowed my head, offering a quick “mano po” to show respect.  My dad walked inside,  and settled on the sofa in our living room.

“Bakit parang ang saya-saya mo naman anak?” he asked. I averted my gaze.

Kailangan pa bang tanongin kung bakit ako masaya?

“M-masaya po a-ako dahil k-kahit papaano duma-dami na po yung kaibigan ko sa school,” I said, a little too quickly.

I wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do, but I couldn’t tell him that it was Raze who made me happy.  He would be furious!  My dad was so strict about me dating.  So I had to come up with a lie.

“Sigurado ka Aisla?  Baka may ibang dahilan pa?” My dad said, his gaze fixed on me, his expression a blend of concern and skepticism.  I made my way to the kitchen, grabbed a glass of water from the fridge, and took a sip. I saw my mom setting the dinner table.

“Aisla, kinakausap kita!” my dad said, his voice firm, his gaze expectant.  I went back to the living room and sat down next to him.

“Papa wala naman pong ibang dahilan para maging masaya ako eh. Kailangan po ba may dahilan?”

My dad smiled.

“Wala naman, anak. Basta ang usapan natin, hindi ka pwedeng mag boyfriend hangga’t hindi ka pa tapos sa pag-aaral mo.”

I nodded, my heart sinking a little.  I wasn’t sure how I was going to hide my relationship with Raze.

We ate dinner in silence.  My phone buzzed, and my parents both turned to me, their eyes searching mine.  They were waiting to see if I was going to answer.
I glanced at the caller ID. It was Raze.

Halaaa? Anong gagawin ko?

“Bakit hindi mo sagotin ang tumatawag sayo Aisla?”  my mom asked.

“Sino ba yan?” my dad chimed in.

Oh my godd, anong gagawin ko?  I looked back at my phone, which was still ringing.

“Excuse me po,” I said, getting up from my chair.

“Dito mo na sagotin,” my dad said.  He continued eating.

I answered the call, my voice filled with a mixture of nervousness and apprehension.

I needed a quick excuse.

“Oh?  Hello Xylene? Kamusta ka na? Ayos na ba pakiramdam mo?” I said, trying to sound convincing.  I could hear my mom sigh,  a sound I knew meant she was suspicious.

“Huh?  Ako to, si Raze. Yung boyfriend mong gwapo.”  I could hear Raze’s mischievous laugh.  I mentally scolded myself for not coming up with a better plan.

“Ah, ganun ba Xy? Sige, kita nalang tayo bukas sa may parking lot ah.  Text nalang kita. Kumakain pa kasi kami eh,”  I said, hoping my parents wouldn’t notice my awkwardness.  I could hear Raze’s confused silence on the other end.

“Okay sige.  I love you,” he said. I quickly ended the call and glanced at my parents.  They seemed satisfied.  I breathed a sigh of relief and continued eating my dinner.

After dinner, I went to my room and locked the door.  I changed into my pajamas and lay down on my bed.  I opened my phone and called Raze.  He answered immediately.

“Hello Love? Okay ka lang ba?”  He sounded worried, and I couldn’t help but laugh.  He must have been confused about my earlier call and my use of Xylene’s name.

“Oo naman, ayos lang ako. Haha, bakit?”  I asked.

“Kanina kasi tinawag mo akong Xylene.  Eh hindi naman ako si Xylene!” he said.

“Ano ka ba? Hahaha. Alam ko namang si Raze ka, pero kailangan kitang tawaging Xylene para hindi na magtakha sila Papa,” I explained. I could hear him sigh on the other end, and I laughed.

“Strict ba talaga parents mo?” He asked seriously.  I sighed.

“Oo, gusto kasi nila na kapag nakapagtapos na ako, tsaka ako magboboyfriend,”  I said. “Sana maintindihan mo ako. Pero kung sakaling malaman nila ang tungkol sa atin, ipaglalaban kita. Syempre, mahal kita.”

“Ang sweet naman ng girlfriend ko.  Anyway, ano bang kukunin mong course next year?  College na tayo next year,” he said, changing the subject.

“Gusto ko sanang maging Veterinarian. Kasi sobrang hilig ko sa mga hayop eh,” I replied.

I heard him laugh.

Ano kayang nakakatawa doon?

“Edi pwede mo palang gamotin si Jake?  HAHAHAHA!” he said, his laughter booming through the phone.

“Hoyyy, ang sama mo, hahahaha!”

“Biro lang, hahahaha,” he said, still laughing. I joined in, but I kept my laughter soft.   I didn’t want my mom to hear.

“Ikaw ba, anong kukunin mong course?” I asked.

“Medicine.”  I was surprised.  We were going to be doctors.  Just different kinds of doctors.

“Nice, hehe. Anyway, matutulog na ako.  Kita nalang tayo bukas sa coffee shop malapit sa school.”

“Okay, my princess. Good night. I love you, my home,” he said. I felt my cheeks burn.

Oh my gosh, Raze Yuan, I love you even more!

“I-I love you too,” I stammered.  I still wasn’t used to saying those words.

“Ikaw parin ang pipiliin ko, kahit paglayoin pa tayo ng tadhana.”

I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through my body.  I knew things were going to