Just Youth

Kabanata 12

4 days had passed, walang araw na hindi pumupunta sa'kin si Linderio. Almost everyday ay lagi siyang nandito, napapagalitan na nga ni Mama dahil baka masira pag-aaral niya pero wala din nagawa dahil sa sobrang kulit!

Dalawang araw na lang ay lilisan na si Papa. Hindi pa ako handa pero wala akong magagawa sa isang araw ay ililibing na siya. Masakit pero kailangan tanggapin. Hiram lang ang ating buhay sa kanila, we don't have a choice but to accept the fact that no one will live forever.

Lumapit ako sa kabaong ni Papa at taimtim ko siyang tinignan. "Pa, dalawang araw na lang iiwan mo na kami, miss ko na ka-gwapuhan mo," I laughed. "Sana naka-ngiti ka ngayon, you look more handsome Papa, huwag ka mag-aalala ako na bahala kay Mama at kila Cindy, hinding-hindi ko sila papabayaan pangako iyan habang buhay," I solemnly make a promise for my Father.

"Kumusta ka na kaya Papa? Guminhawa ba pakiramdam mo?" I asked him. "Lagi mong babantayan sila Mama ha, mahal ka namin sobra pa sa sobra, alam mo iyan," I said. I want my father to have a better life, but now he was gone, I promise to him when I finish my studies, my family have a better life with me.

"Hey, you look pale," Linderio said. "I'm okay, puyat lang 'to mababawi ko naman ito kapag nailibing na si Papa," I said, "You should take a rest Rachel, kailangan mo din mag-pahinga dahil ayaw nakikita ni Tito na ganiyan ka mas lalo ako, nag-aalala ako sa'yo," he was so sincered. Oh f*ck my heart again! It beats a million times when he cared for me.

"Oo na pero ayoko pa magpahinga ngayon," I said. "Fine, basta magpahinga ka mamaya," he said. I nodded. Hindi rin naman siya papa-awat kaya pagbibigyan ko na dahil ayoko mag-talo kami sa harap ni Papa, baka bigla akong batukan ni Papa.

"Anong oras ka uuwi?" I asked. "Gusto mo na ba ko pauwiin?" nagtatampong sambit niya. "Ulol," I said. Natatawa ako sa kaniya dahil para siyang tanga. "Kahit kailan isip-bata ka," nailing kong sambit, "Atleast baby mo naman ako," his crazy lines. "Mais Pare," I teased. "Wala akong baby, bawal pa akong maging batang ina," dagdag na pabibiro ko. "Kahit kailan ang panget mong kabonding," pikon na sambit niya. Humagalpak ako ng tawa.

I always like to tease him because he was too cute like an idiot. Kidding aside, "Pero wala ka ba talagang balak umuwi na? Baka mapagalitan ka na? Lagi ka na lang nandito, puwede naman bumaktaw kahit isang araw para naman makapag-focus ka sa studies mo," I said. "It's fine I can handle it naman," he said. "I don't want to ruin your studies na baka ako ay masisi pa ng magulang mo," I said.

In the first place hindi ako tanggap ng pamilya niya but we continue our agreement pa din dahil sa awa ko sa kaniya. Wala na din akong magawa dahil choice ko na din iyon. "Ah by the way puwedeng huwag mo na ako swelduhan kasi may tutulong na sa pag-aaral ko, tutulong pa din ako bilang fake girlfriend mo basta huwag mo na lang ako seswelduhan okay?" I said. He look confused from what I've said. "Ganito tutuloy pa din natin ang kontrata bilang fake couple but hindi mo na ako seswelduhan, tulong ko na sa iyo 'to," I said. "Thank you, but please if this would end. Can you please stay with me 'til last?" he asked. Hindi ko alam kung saan aabutin ang nararamdaman ko para sa kaniya.

"I can't promise but I will try," I said, Hindi ko kayang mangako gayong hindi ko naman kayang panindigan. "Just stay, tell me kung hindi mo kaya. I will accept your decision," he said. I just nodded, buti ganito ang mindset niya. That's the reason why I start liking him because even though na maloko siya, matured naman siya mag-isip.

We just did some small talk and until decided to go home now. "Buti naman at naisipan mo ng umuwi hano?" I teased. "Mamimiss mo kasi ako," he teased me back. I laughed. "Ang kapal mo naman," I hissed. He just laughed. Parang ang unfair kapag siya pinipikon ang bilis niyang gumanti!

"Ewan ko sa'yo maiwan na nga kita diyan," akmang aalis na ako ng hablutin niya ang braso ko, "Teka, ahm. I want to say... I'm always here for you no matter what will happen, I'll stay with you and also I will always support you. Even... you gave up, I'm staying on you. I will keep reaching you," he said, which made my heart beat so fast like a racing motor! "What do you keep saying? Why are you always like this Linderio? I just... it makes me confused on you...on what you feel on me or am I just assuming that you had feelings towards me," I said. "You will know soon, just wait for me," he said and kissed my forehead.