Sa Ilalim Ng Buwan

Chapter Twenty-nine

Maurice

I was sorting through my things sa kwarto when I heard a knock on my door. Itinago ko muna ang box sa ilalim ng higaan ko bago ko ito binuksan. I was surprised to see the girl I've been thinking about since last day in front of my bedroom door. She is holding something in her back while nervously smiling at me.

  "Hi," I greeted, smiling at her.

  "Hello," bati nito pabalik.

  "Uhm. I'm surprised. Napadaan ka?"

  She rocked her feet back and forth bago sumagot. "Ano kasi. Diba naalala mo na nililigawan kita? And uhh, ito ako ngayon, nanliligaw sa'yo."

  My smile widen. "Ohh. Talaga?"

  She nodded and showed me a bouquet of bookmarks in hand. My eyes widen in delight.

  "Alam ko kasi kung gaano ka kabaliw sa mga libro and minsan naiinis ka dahil nawawala ang mga bookmarks mo, kaya bilang magandang manliligaw ito ang naisip ko."

  I can't help myself from grinning. "You are so corny, Fausteo. Can I hug you?"

  She shyly held out her hand and I pulled her in for a hug. Natawa ako nang maramdaman ko ang malakas na pintig ng kanyang puso, but tightened my hug when I feel like she's about to pull out. Not so fast, Sarina.

  Gosh, she's just as nervous as me.

  Nang malubos-lubos ko na ang yakapan namin ay bumitaw na ako, pero bago pa siya makalayo ay hinalikan ko ang pisnge nito. "I'm just kidding. This is sweet and very thoughtful."

  "Talaga? Nagustuhan mo?"

  I nod and pulled her inside my room. Bago ko pa maisara ang pinto ko ay nakita ko ang kapatid ko sa gilid ng pinto sa kabilang side ng floor na nakangiti. Pagkatapos ay binigyan ako nito ng nang-aasar na tingin na sinagot ko lang ng irap. Chismoso.

  When the door clicked shut ay nilapitan ko na sa higaan ko si Sarina. She's sitting comfortably in my bed, still holding her gift.

  "So let me guess, my brother knew about us na noh?"

  Mahina itong tumango. "Hindi ko naman talaga aaminin sa kanya, kaso lang alam mo naman 'yang si Mati."

  "Nah. Hayaan mo na 'yan. Anyway, I've heard you guys are having a really busy week dahil sa practice. Are you alright lang ba?" I asked as I sat down next to her.

  She handed me the gift muna at ibinaba ko ito sa tabi ko bago pinakinggan ang kanyang sagot. "Well, medyo nakakapressure kasi gusto talaga nila manalo dahil sa special prize kaya nuknukan ang practice namin."

  "Ohh. Mukha kang puyat oh," I told her, pointing at her side.

  She just sigh and lay down. "Stress lang sa Math. "

  I raised my brow at her. "That's not a normal Sarina thing to worry about. Are you alright?"

  She stayed silent so I figured she's not. Instead of asking for more, humiga ako sa tabi nito at inabot ang kamay niya. "You know you can tell me anything, okay? I'm not only the girl you like, I'm also your friend."