Perennial Blooms (Ciudad de Escalante #2)

Phase 16

That day, Cassiel and I were just casual like what we have ever been. We have a one-week preparation for the performance, and we're planning to meet today.

It's the weekend, Saturday in specific. Sa Wednesday na ang presentation.

Honestly, I'm a little bit nervous. Sabi niya kagabi ay maghintayan daw kami sa isang bookstore na malapit sa university. Hindi ko alam kung saan niya balak pumunta. I don't like it in our house or even theirs. It's not good if Gaviana will see us together.

"Wala naman tayong date pero nag-ayos ka pa para sa akin..."

Oh, he's here. I thought I'd be going to wait for him. I don't like tardiness.

"It's just my simple outfit..." masungit kong sabi at pinasadahan ang suot ko. I'm wearing my usual romper shorts and wedge sandals. My wavy hair is flowing freely as it is.

"How about you? You even wax your hair..." pagpuna ko at tumingkayad para maabot ang kanyang maayos na buhok. His hair is soft and smooth as it brushes my palms. As I lean to him, I can smell his alluring scent.

"Malamang kailangan mag-ayos. Nakakahiyang tumabi sa'yo, agad magmumukhang dugyutin..." he said and I rolled my eyes.

Pinigilan ko ang mapangiti. Kahit kailan naman hindi siya naging dugyot. He's overreacting.

"Yeah, that's right..." pagsang-ayon ko nalang at pinasadahan siya ng tingin. He's simple too and yet enticing with his black shirt and denim pants.

"Hanggang anong oras ka ngayon?" he asked, and when I was going to answer, a little voice intervened in our conversation.

"Ate!" the cute Badjao kid approached me with a pair of new clothes and slippers.

"Hey..." malambot kong bati sa kanya at lumuhod ng kaunti para pantayan siya.

"Lagi po kita hinahanap dito, Ate. Gusto ko po sabihin na salamat dahil nakatulong po kayo sa amin ng madami..." umiiyak niyang sabi habang niyayakap ako.

Nataranta ako sa kanyang pag-iyak at tumingin kay Cassiel para humingi ng tulong na patahanin ang bata. Tinanguan lang niya ako at nginitian. I don't know how to handle kids...

"Ate, salamat po...dahil sa inyo nakapagsimula kami ng hanapbuhay..." sabi niya sa gitna ng pag-iyak.

Itinuro niya sa malayuan ang pamilya niya na abala ngayon sa mga bumibili ng paninda nilang prutas na nasa loob ng karton.

I can't help to smile while watching her family. Did I really change someone's life with my little money?

"Walang anuman. Huwag ka ng umiyak, ha?" malambing kong sabi at inayos ang buhok niya.

Tumingin ang bata kay Cassiel at nagtagal ang titig sa kanya.

"Kasintahan niyo po, ate?" she asked cutely. My eyes widened in her question. Mabilis akong umiling at pilit na tumawa.

"No..." sambit ko at sinulyapan si Cassiel na nakangisi sa pagtanggi ko.

"Ah, edi yung isang gwapo po kasintahan niyo?" tanong niyang muli kaya napakunot ang noo ko.

"Sino?" si Cassiel ang nagtanong sa bata.

"Yung gwapo na may pekas po dito..." she replied and pointed to the part of her cheeks and the bridge of her nose.

"Oh, he's not..." natatawa kong sabi ng matukoy kung sino iyon.

Maybe she saw us together. Greshawn is having a morning exercise here every weekend. Minsan nag-uusap kapag nadadatnan akong kasama si Gigi na naglalakad-lakad.