Chapter 6
"Sahil..." I mumbled as I watched him until he vanished from my sight.
Nagbuntong-hininga nalang ako at bumaling sa isaw na binayaran niya. I smiled sweetly before I started to eat it.
Hindi siya mawala sa aking isip habang kumakain. His simplicity and all. It's like he's hacked my system effortlessly. Nagkakagulo na sa loob-loob ko. I even scolded myself for not talking to him when I already got the chance!
Kasalanan ko bang masyado akong nabighani at hindi na nakapaglabas pa ng salita? I got speechless! Wala akong nagawa kung hindi mamangha ng palihim habang nasa likuran ko siya.
Nang hapon na iyon ay nagtagal ako sa plaza. I looked for an empty bench and got lucky when I found one. Doon ko ninamnam ang nilibreng isaw ni Sahil. Paminsan-minsan ko pang natatanto ang pagngiti ko ng kusa.
I understand my gestures. I know that I like him already. I won't question how fast I got my feelings for him. It's not unbelievable. Pakiramdam ko nga ay masyado siyang sobra para sa akin. Masyadong perpekto. I feel like he's so high to reach for me.
Umuwi ako nang hapon na iyon nang may ngiti sa labi.
Hindi na ako mapaghintay. I will surely talk to him on Monday. I'll definitely ask why he was always staring at me when he came to our school. Noong unang araw ng pasukan. There's in me who's telling that maybe, he likes me too!
It can be possible. Pero paano kung wala naman pala?
"Then I'll make him like me." naibulong ko sa hangin.
Bagot na bagot ako sa bahay kinaumagahan. Linggo. Isa na namang nakakabagot na araw ang kakaharapin ko. Alas otso na pero hindi parin ako bumababa dahil alam kong maaabutan ko na naman sina Mommy. I know she'll convince me again to come with them.
I suspired when I heard a soft knock on my door. It's Mommy.
"Breakfast's ready." malambing niyang wika.
Ngumiti ako sa kaniya ng tipid. "I'll follow, Mom."
Ang totoo ay hihintayin ko nalang sila matapos bago bumaba. Ayaw ko lang na paulit-ulit marinig ang pangungumbinsi ni Mommy.
"We'll wait for you."
But she'll not let me pass this breakfast. Wala akong nagawa kung hindi sumunod nga. Naroon na sa hapag si Daddy, nagbabasa ng diyaryo habang nagkakape. He smiled when he saw us.
Nagsimula kaming kumain at nanatili naman silang tahimik. I thought we'll finish our breakfast with silence but I'm wrong. Mommy always find a chance to talk or convince me to visit them in their work.
"Can you come with us today, anak?" aniya.
"Can't." I answered with a low tone.
"Just today. Sa susunod ay hindi na kita pipilitin. Just come with us today? Puwede ka namang tumambay nalang sa swing na ginawa ng Dad mo pagkatapos mong makita ang mga bulaklak..."
My lips twitched, starting to get annoyed. She really can't understand that I don't like to go there. Alam niya namang kapag ayaw ko ay ayaw ko talaga. She can't convince me. She's just hoping too much.
"Then you can go home, after." malungkot siyang ngumiti. "I just want to show you the flowers. Our plantation. Your plantation. It will be yours when we're gone..."
"Mom!"
"Honey..."
Now that she used that reason I think I might have to go. I'll just scan her flowers then I'll leave. Para na rin matapos na siya sa pagkukumbinsi sa akin. Or maybe, kapag sinunod ko ang gusto niya baka puwedeng sila naman ang sumunod sa gusto ko.
