EVERYTHING ABOUT MY relationship with John has taken me like a storm. Who would have even thought that I’d become so attached to him even though we’ve just started to get to know each other? Our personalities are like two opposite poles; while he was outgoing and experimental, I was aloof and reserved. On paper, we shouldn’t be getting along so well like this. But I guess the saying, “opposite attracts,” is really true.
Magkaiba kami, pero iyon din ang dahilan kung bakit hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili kong mahila niya papalapit sa kanya. He was like a living magnetic field, he was constantly pulling me, and I didn’t have any plans of resisting. In fact, if we would stay this close for a longer time, I wouldn’t mind being completely sucked in.
And I was honestly terrified for myself because of it.
“Right now, you look like you were suppressing your excitement of seeing me again,” was what John said as he greeted me at the parking area of the Ciscal Group. He reached for me and I willingly took his hands. “It’s okay if you’ll greet me with a warm hug or a passionate kiss. I’m giving you my consent, Victoria.”
“Ang dami mo talagang alam,” sabi ko. “How about I welcome you with a warm and passionate punch? Would you give me your consent?”
Tumawa siya. “Is that how you convey your affection? Kung oo, puwede naman.”
“Look who just told me last time that he wasn’t a masochist.”
Nagbiruan pa kaming dalawa ni John hanggang sa magsimula na siyang mag-drive. Naging masigla na naman ang gabi ko dahil sa mga kuwento niya tungkol sa araw niya ngayon. He also played an unfamiliar song to his radio, and that added more to the liveliness of the mood. Normally, I would’ve been drained by his enormous energy, but strangely, we just get along so well I thought I might’ve recharged whilst consuming my energy.
I was always good at explaining, but I couldn’t really explain well how this man affects me.
“Sa’n tayo pupunta ngayon?” tanong ko.
“Hulaan mo.”
I looked outside the window and then tried to guess, “Sa restaurant mo?”
“Unfortunately, no. Baka pagsawaan mo agad kasi palagi na tayong kumakain do’n. So, para maiba naman, I’m taking you to some other place.”
“Where?”
“Do you like surprises, Victoria?”
“I hate surprises.”
“Shame,” he murmured. “But I like surprises so I’ll keep you guessing for now.”
I didn’t even notice how long the time had passed as we talked about random stuff while we drove through the busy streets of the city. While were both humming to some new songs he introduced me to, I noticed that the car was heading to the outskirts. Maraming tao sa kalsada na naglalakad, ang iba ay mga estudyante na galing pa sa eskuwelahan at ang iba ay nakatambay lang at nagkukuwentuhan. We stopped by the parking area of a lively pub. Kahit sa labas pa lang ay naririnig ko na ang tugtog ng mga instrumento at mga tawanan ng tao.
“Ever watched a live band before?” tanong ni John nang pagbuksan ako.
Ngumisi ako. “What do you take me for? Of course, oo na.”
Nagtaas siya ng kilay. “Kailan ˋyung huli?”
Napanis ang ngisi ko at napaisip nang malalim. “Ah—I think . . . when I was a freshman in college?”
“Tagal na!” malakas niyang sabi at kita ang tuwa sa mukha niya.
Seriously, natuwa agad siya dahil doon?
BINABASA MO ANG
By the Riverside
General FictionFelicia Victoria was a complete wreck after rejecting her three-year boyfriend's marriage proposal. Emotionally distraught and almost suicidal, could her already chaotic life become any more chaotic - especially when she unexpectedly had a one-night...
