Softly, you whisper

Ten

Ten

Holding someone's hand like you don't want to let go is the best feeling for me. It guarantees assurance and safety. It was like you're holding their heart too and guarantee that it was safe and it was loved.

I never knew that holding Nori's hand like this will feel like forever. I can't seem to notice the time when I am holding her hand and savor the moment with her. But I knew that she was different. Holding her hand like this, she doesn't want any assurance and safety. She just wants me to love and support her but I'll give her beyond that. Kung anuman ang hinihingi niya, hihigitan ko pa iyon.

"So your mom lets you drive the car now? As in everyday in school?" she asked.

"Yep. Now, I can wait for you at your work. Pwedeng sa sasakyan na lang din ako maghintay."

"Pero hindi ka ba pagod niyan? Galing ka pang practice tapos magd-drive ka."

I squeezed her hand that was holding mine. "I don't mind. Magpapahinga naman ako habang hinihintay ka."

"Hmm, oo nga pala," she chuckled. "I forgot that you're so persistent about things."

I chuckled too. "Kaya nga girlfriend na kita ngayon eh."

Time flies so fast when you're just enjoying life with someone you like. I am in a relationship with Nori for two weeks now. Noong unang linggo, Mom won't let me drive the car anymore because I looked tired. She said that maybe it wasn't a good idea to let me drive after practice. Si Manong Ayda ay nagsumbong rin na hindi naman na namin hinahatid si Nori. So Mom concluded that maybe I was out late because I was with some delinquent friends, finding some trouble.

Of course, I denied them. I still have contacts on those delinquents but I'm out of that anymore. Those dudes understand that if I go home one last time with a bruise or maybe a knife stab on my stomach, it will be the death of my mom. Kaya tumigil na ako. The last time I came home with a bruise, was just when I saved Nori. Wala ng sumunod pa.

It was the weekend now and I was planning to take Nori to our Abuela's home. Doon kami madalas ng mga pinsan ko nagkikita, together with the Bevacques, the other part of the family who's not really blood-related with the dela Cuestas. Magulo but that's just how we are. We bond through friendship and not by blood.

"I can only stay there for an hour, huh?" Nori reminded me.

"I know. I'll take note of that."

It was the most challenging part. To hide from Nori's parents. Gaya ng sabi niya, hindi ko siya inihahatid sa mismong tapat ng bahay nila. I'll just drop her off in front of the subdivision. Medyo malayo kung saan siya nakikita ng mga guards.

I wanted to be a part of Nori's life but not like this. I feel like it will just burden her——trying to hide from her parents, sneaking out like prisoners. But I still want this. I want her.

We were already in Cavite where my Abuela's house was settled. It was already old but every year, we get to renovate some parts of the house to make it look new. The wide front lawn is our favorite. Minsan tambayan ng sasakyan, minsan tambayan naming magpipinsan. I remember running around on those bermuda grass with my cousins, girls and boys.

"Marami ba kayo?" Nori asked as we went inside the large red gate. I was holding her hand again. This time, I was ready to tell all of them that I had gotten myself a girlfriend after that freaking promise.

It was meant to be broken, sabi nga nina Vernon.

"Uh, not much." I said, not sure about it.

I called the Bevacques cousins as some of them really are my cousins.