Beneath the Two | Academy Series #1

Chapter 19

"What movie do you want to watch?"

There was a little doubt in Zach's voice. Pakiwari ko ay iniisip niya pa rin ang sinabi ni Mommy kanina. I didn't see it coming and my Mom had no bad intentions either, pero hindi siguro maganda ang impresyon niya roon.

I'm sitting beside him at the backseat, but he still left inches in between us. Kanina pa ako patingin-tingin sa kaniya dahil mukhang malalim ang iniisip nito. I scooted closer to him and held the hand on his lap.

"Stop worrying about what Mom said. Ayos lang naman sa akin kahit saang date. I'll love it, as long as I'm with you."

The young Leigh would laugh. Hearing myself say these things is like hearing a different person. Hindi ko inakalang ganito nakakatakot mahulog sa isang taong naiiba sa 'yo. I never imagined how emotions and feelings can really change beliefs, principles, perspectives and people.

"Thank you. Salamat sa pagtitiis sa mga bagay na kaya kong ibigay ngayon, pero huwag mong sanayin ang sarili mo. I'll work hard," aniya ulit.

"No Zach, you don't have to. I will be better."

I squeezed his hand gently as I rested my head on his chest. I can hear his heartbeat in this position.

Like what he told Mom, we watched a movie. It was a short movie at horror pa. I'm not into romance or drama kaya iyon na lang ang pinili ko. Hindi nga ako masyadong nakapagpokus sa panonood dahil nasa kaniya lang ang atensiyon ko. Kaya ko siyang panoorin ng isang buong araw nang hindi nagsasawa.

Shortly after we got out of the cinema, he treated me to a meal. McDo as usual. Kung noon ay diring-diri ako sa fries dipped in a sundae, I found myself enjoying it now.

"Iwanan mo na lang 'yan diyan," bawal ko sa kaniya dahil siya ang naglilinis ng lamesa.

I get that he's kind, but it's someone's job. I don't know, I still feel scared that someone might see us. It'll be shameful for me. Lalo pa at tinutulungan ko siya kahit binabawal. Sinabi ko na gusto kong magbago para sa kaniya. But it won't be easy, I guess . . .

"A little help can be a big help to others. Wala namang masama kung lilinisin natin ang sarili nating kalat."

"But it's someone's job, they are getting paid for this."

"I am also getting paid for this." Pinagpatong-patong niya ang mga plato at pinunasan ng tissue ang lamesa. "I was once a crew, so I know how it feels when someone cleans their own table."

Napangiwi ako. I forgot, he also worked in a restaurant before at nagtatrabaho pa siya sa cafe ngayon.

Now, I won't be eating the same way again. Malamang linisin ko na rin ang sarili kong lamesa next time.

"Did you tell Yelah we're going out?" pag-alala ko sa pinsan niya.

"Hindi, gusto kitang solohin ngayon. Next time na lang natin siya isama." He scoffed.

We are here at the small park inside the mall, nagpapababa muna ng kinain bago umuwi. It's located at the most upper floor, kaya kita mula rito ang ilang kabahayan sa ibaba.

"Kailan ka ulit magiging free? Next month, pasukan na naman, mauulit pa ba 'to?"

Para akong batang nagmamaktol sa Nanay. I'm sitting at the swing and he's throwing me lightly. Nakakahiya sa mga batang naghihintay na bumaba ako.

"Baka maging busy muna ako sa pagtatrabaho, Leigh. Mabilis na lang ang isang taon natin sa Senior High, kailangan ko nang makapag-ipon."

"That's why I'm insisting to pay for our date, bakit ba ayaw mo?"