18
"There! I found a strawberry taho!" I excitedly told Arthfael and held his hand. Hinigit ko s'ya patungo sa magtitinda ng taho na nakita ko.
I brought two cups of strawberry taho. Arthfael put his jacket on my shoulder. I smiled when I looked at him and held out the cup of strawberry taho.
"Pagod ka na?" Tanong niya habang sinisilip ang mukha ko. Gabi na at kanina pa kaming umaga gumagala rito sa Baguio.
It's already January 3. Kahapon kami nagpunta rito. I spent my Christmas as usual. Together with my family and Arthfael's, we had dinner. My parents have known Arthfael's mom and Arthessa since last year.
They already knew that Arthfael and I were official. They even thought that we'd been official since last year. Alam na rin ng mga kaibigan namin pero ang akala nila ay matagal ka kami ni Arthfael at hindi lang nagsasabi.
I was happy that my relationship with Arthfael was steady and healthy. In the people we knew, no one seemed to not like it. My grandparents and cousins already met Arthfael on my last year's birthday, and they seemed okay with him. My grandparents never opened their mouths while I was introducing Arthfael to them as my suitor last year. Wala naman silang sinabi tungkol kay Arthfael.
"No," I said in response to his questions, and I drew closer to him because it was very cold. "I actually enjoyed our day. I wanted to try the Baguio night market before we go home."
Arthfael plastered a smile on his lips. He put his hand on my shoulder and exchanged our positions. I saw a car passing us. Maliit na ngiti ang dumaan sa labi ko bago ko sinimulang ubusin ang taho na binili namin.
"This tastes really good. I want to buy another one, but manong has already left." I exclaimed.
"Meron pa naman 'yung saakin. Sa 'yo nalang," aniya.
"Sure ka?" Tanong ko.
Ngumiti lang s'ya saakin at tumango. Kinuha ko ang basong gamit niya at sa loob ko ay tumatalon na naman ang puso ko sa saya. I finished the taho while Arthfael and I were walking down the side walk until we reached where the Baguio Night Market is.
"Kumakain ka ng isaw?" Tanong n'ya saakin.
Umiling ako. I haven't tried it. Was it good? "
"Hmm," he said, his right hand resting on my back at ang isang kamay ay pumipili ng street food na gustong kainin.
Nagpaluto s'ya ng isaw at barbeque.
"Subukan mo," he mumbled.
Hawak niya ang isang isaw at itinapat sa bibig ko. Marahan niyong hinipan bago pakagatan saakin.
"Ano? Gusto mo?" Tanong niya pa, nakatitig lang saakin.
I slowly shook my head. Ngumiwi ako sa kanya. Humagikhik s'ya ng tawa at tinanguan niya ako.
"Hindi pasok sa panlasa mo?"
I nodded.
Ibinigay niya saakin iyong barbeque at s'ya ang umubos no'ng kinagatan kong isaw. I finished three sticks of barbeque. Arthfael brought strawberry flavored cold drinks for us.
After strolling around the area where the food is, Arthfael and I decided to stroll around the place where we could find souvenirs.
"Did you go here when you had your camp training?" I asked him.
He grasped my hand. "Yup, kumain lang kami nila Bryan. Tumakas lang rin kami no'n para makapunta rito tapos pagbalik namin napagalitan kami."
He was chuckling while reminiscing about what happened at their camp training. I smiled and watched him laugh.
