A Bucket Of Your Heart

Chapter 21

»»21««

Days passed by me just staying inside the house. Sometimes my friends would come over, so it wasn't that boring. Si Clyde 'yung laging pumupunta dito pagkatapos ng klase. He would always say how he misses me and talk about things that happened in school. 

Even before our movie marathon that one night, alam na pala niya. They already knew that I wouldn't go back to school. 

Nung una, ayaw na talaga pumasok ni Clyde sa school kasi wala na rin naman daw ako but I insisted. I told him that I would be disappointed in him if he wouldn't go to school. He has done a lot for me. And I appreciate it. 

Minsan naiisip ko kung kamusta na sila Tatang Marcelo. Malapit ko nang makalimutan ang itsura ng park. All those happy faces and vibrant place. 

I turned around when I heard a soft knock. 

"Handa ka na?" he leaned on my open door. 

I closed my small bag, "I think so. Halika na." And then we went outside along with everyone. 

Nasa loob na sila ng sasakyan at kami nalang 'yung nahuhuli. It's my fault. I forgot that we'll have a picnic today. One thing on my bucket list.

I stepped inside the now occupied seats. Magkakadikit na nga silang apat sa back seat. I was left bending there.

"Dito ka nalang Cloe."   "You can seat here."

My eyes darted at Clyde and Ken who talked simultaneously.

"Uhh..." I faked a laugh and went to sit on Marielle's lap. 

"Simps," she whispered which everyone heard. Kaya ayon, Noah teased them which ended up in a long bickering that led to another conversation. They were so loud. It was a bit awkward on my part. Like hello? My parents are with us. 

I glanced at them to see their reaction. They were smiling along with them. Mom turned on the radio and Dad started the car.

»»♡««

We arrived at an open space after a 2 hour long ride. There were tons of people around who also had the same agenda as ours. We settled near a tree for shelter. Tinulungan namin sila Mom na maglatag ng picnic blanket at ng mga pagkain. The place was so refreshing. There were flowers and trees around. 

"Pa'no nga pala kayo nakakapasok ng school?" Mom asked, amusement was obvious in her face. 

We concurrently looked at Ken who halted from eating his slice of cake in the mid air. He dropped down his fork and started to explain things. He was the reason we got to go to school in the first place. If he didn't help us that one time we almost got busted... we wouldn't have been friends with them now.

Clyde chuckled at Ken's distress. 

"Ang sama mo," I said to him. 

He just raised his eyebrows at me and offered his cake but I politely declined. I wasn't in the mood for sweets. 

I opened a bottle of water to drink pero malapit na akong mabilaukan nang biglang tanungin ni Dad si Noah kung may crush ba siya kay Marielle. 

How did the conversation go there?

I looked at Noah who's now beet red. 

Pinagtawanan siya ng boys. Ang sama talaga. 

I peeked at Marielle to see her reaction but she seemed cool about it. Sometimes I don't know what's going on inside her head. 

She suddenly handed me a slice of her cake using a fork. I bent down to eat it. 

"Huy, ano yan? Ba't 'yung sa akin tinanggihan mo?" Clyde asked as if he was just betrayed. 

I just shrugged at him and continued to accept slices from Marielle. I mean, baka kasi nahihiya siya sa situation. She doesn't say her feelings that much. 

"Bakit hindi niyo po tanungin si Clyde kung sino 'yung crush niya?" Marielle stepped in Noah's defense 'nung hindi nila tinantanan si Noah na tuksuhin sa kaniya. 

Clyde was shocked because all the attention went to him. Siya na ngayon 'yung tinatawanan. 

"H-huy, ikaw Marielle ah! Ba't sa 'kin mo binabaling 'yung atensyon?" 

"Sino nga 'yung crush mo?" Ken pressed. 

Hindi naman ako manhid. I'm not blind too. 

Our eyes met. 

Even if he doesn't say it. Alam ko naman na gusto niya ako. The thing is, I don't know what I feel towards him. And I think I don't have the privilege to like someone kasi mawawala rin naman ako. 

"Si Cloe."

"Sino?" Noah asked, clearly just teasing him.

"Si Cloe!" he said louder and looked away from me, shoving the cake in his mouth while they teased him. 

Dad coughed, "Bata pa kayo."

"Honey, crush lang naman 'yan." Mom giggled. 

"'Wag po kayong mag-alala. Wala naman ata akong pag-asa sa anak niyo," he said while eyeing me and Marielle, looking disgusted. 

Ew. He should not talk until he's done chewing the food on his mouth. Idiot.

"Excuse us?!" Marielle blurted. 

"Makakadaan na kayo," Clyde said.

"Baka nga si Marielle at Cloe talaga 'yung magkakatuluyan," Ken nodded. 

"Tapos kayong tatlo naman 'yung para sa isa't-isa?" I argued. 

And the squabble continued until almost all the food was finished. I only ate fruits yet I was already full. 

The five of us were crouching and each one of us was holding a dandelion. And this ruckus is caused by Noah the great. 

"Sabi nila, kapag nahipan mo raw ang lahat ng seeds sa dandelion sa isang hingahan, mamahalin ka daw ng taong  mahal mo."

"It's just a legend. Hindi naman 'yan totoo," Marielle countered. She was right though. It's impossible. 

"There's no harm in trying. As long as you believe, even the impossible may be possible." 

I looked at my dandelion, "Basta't maniwala ka, kahit ang imposible ay maaaring maging posible." I whispered to myself. 

"Pa'no kapag hindi nahipan lahat?" 

We looked at Ken and his now not completely bald dandelion. 

"Hmm. Hindi ko naisip 'yan. Siguro hindi kayo magkakatuluyan." Noah answered. 

"Wala bang second chances?" I asked.

"Ewan ko," he shrugged and gave Ken another one. 

I sighed. Wala akong ideya kung sino ang taong hihilingin ko na makatuluyan. I'm too young for love. 

I closed my eyes and listened to what I really wanted. 

I wish I'll live long.

I opened my eyes after blowing. I frowned when there's still seeds left. 

"Sayo na."

I looked at Clyde who handed me his dandelion. 

My heart felt full. I can't help but smile. 

"No. We'll share," I went closer beside him and held his wrist, holding the flower. 

I closed my eyes and wished again. Maybe it was wrong earlier. 

I opened my eyes and we then blew the dandelion seeds together. It's now bald!! 

The seeds were wafting through the air. I watch as they float, hoping that my wish would come true.

I wish I'll live long... so that I can love someone.