Beneath the Two | Academy Series #1

Chapter 21

I and Zach are already dating for four months since vacation. I couldn't even feel a single change. Nothing changes. He still does the same thing and I'm always amazed by how pure his love for me is.

I am kind of afraid to be honest because what love I'm getting right now is far from what people expected me to receive.

Life is always give and take, I'm aware of that. What you give is what you get. What you get is merely a reflection of what you give. In my case, people believe that this is not the love that I deserve, so I shouldn't be having it. My old schoolmates, my few victims, and even strangers who've heard of me from random stories see it that way.

Siguro kung ano-ano nang halimaw ang nabuo nila sa isip nila mula sa mga kuwento ng kung sino-sino tungkol sa akin, ng kaibigan nila, biktima ng mga masasakit kong salita, mga taong may inggit sa akin.

I'm not saying those stories are not true, they could be, because I'm aware of what I've done in the past. I don't care, ano naman kung tingin nila hindi ako enough para kay Zach?

I'm done with people's opinions. I don't get hurt whenever people speak ill of me. They can't just accept the fact that someone loves me for who I am. Walang pagpapanggap, walang halong kaplastikan, puro at totoo.

May mga araw naman na minsan, gusto ko na lang magbago. Not for other people, but for Zach, to be that someone they believe Zach deserves, because I know he really need someone who's as kind as him, as mature as him, as loving as him. Ang sarap magbago, 'di ba?

Pero sino ba naman ang hindi mapapamura kung kanina pa ako naglalakad sa gitna ng tirik na araw sa loob ng masukal na simenteryo?!

"Malayo pa ba? These stupid things are getting on my nerves."

Ang daming dumidikit sa damit ko na kung anong tusok-tusok mula sa mga damo na hinahawi niya para makadaan kami.

"Pagod ka na ba? Malayo pa tayo, gusto mo pumasan sa 'kin?"

"No thanks, you look tired. I need to do a little exercise sometimes. Just keep going."

Sa halip na magpatuloy sa paglalakad gaya ng sinabi ko ay huminto ito at umupo sa harapan ko. He is showing his back.

"Pumasan ka na, baka pumayat ka niyan." May tono ng pang-aasar ang boses ng lalaki.

"Excuse me? I'm forty-two kilos! Just forty-two! And with my height, I'm classified as petite!"

"Wala naman akong sinasabing mataba ka, pinapapasan nga kita dahil baka pumayat ka lalo."

"No need, baka mabali pa ang mga buto mo at rayumahin ka. Your built is kind of deteriorating now, mas malaki na ang katawan ni Idris."

Nagsasalita pa ako nang walang paalam ay hinila niya ang braso ko at ikinapit sa sarili niyang leeg. He lifted my knees, successfully carrying me on his back now.

"I can even lift you with one finger. My built is deteriorating, sigurado ka?"

"Well . . . mas malaki na ang katawan ngayon ni Idris, batak sa training." I teased.

"Mas malaki ang katawan ni Idris, ano naman? Iyon ba ang ideal type mo?"

Natawa ako sa ideyang nagseselos siya. Nakangiti tuloy ako habang mahigpit ang kapit sa leeg niya. He is in duty of removing the tall grasses on our way, while I'm busy daydreaming here.

"Kind of, gusto ko sa lalaki ang matangkad, malaki ang katawan, healthy, handsome and has good sense of humor." Sinadya kong diinan ang huling mga salita habang iniisip si Idris.

"You like a man who has a good sense of humor?" He scoffed. "Hindi ba sinabi sa 'yo ni Yelah kung gaano ako kagaling mag-joke?" he bragged.

I laughed silently. It's going to be fun, he's literally buying my joke about Idris. "No, because you're more of a serious type of person, mature and oldie! Hindi ka nga marunong magbiro."