Sorry! This chapter was supposed to be updated yesterday but due to connection problems, di ko na-upload. So, TWO CHAPTERS ang in-upload ko today. YAY! Magdiwang.
DANIEL
"Magandang ngiti 'yan ah." Tatay Isko interrupted my thoughts. "Sino siya?"
I'm currently here in the garden - just taking in some fresh air before dozing off. When Tatay came out of nowhere. I was thinking of the time when I visited her room. Her face was priceless. I can't help but chuckle again.
"Tatay talaga. Wala. May naalala lang po ako."
"Uy! That was straight tagaleg! I can't believe it!" with accent pa ang pagbigkas ni Tatay niyan. Di ata makapaniwala sa improvement ko.
I just smiled, "Tatay talaga."
"Sure na talaga akong babae 'yan. Ganyang-ganyan yung ngiti ko nung makita ko yung kras ko." Pang-aasar pa sa akin ni Tatay.
"Nako, Tay. May girlfriend na ho ako. May nakilala lang ako ngayon."
"Siya ba nagturo sa'yo mag-tagalog?"
I remembered how her she laughed when I couldn't talk straight tagalog back at the coffee shop. She was too cute. I can't help but smile again. "Hindi naman po. Pero sinasabi niya sa akin that I should make sanay myself in speaking tagalog."
Tumawa na naman si Tatay, "Alam mo anak, iba yung ningning ng mga mata mo."
I wonder what Tatay meant by that. I just can't erase the smile on my face at the mere thought of her face. She's like a bundle of joy. When I was meeting the interior designer a while ago, I was already thinking of making it up to her. I was sure I saw a hint of disappointment in her eyes when I told her we were leaving the place. So, after talking with the interior designer, I went to find Hazel to ask the room number of Maris.
"She's just a friend, Tay."
MARIS
His smiling face greeted me.
"Hi Maris! Sorry sa kanina. I was - I mean -ang ibig ko sabihin -" pumipikit pa siya to get the word.
I cut him off , "Okay na. Naiintindihan ko na. Nahihirapan ka na magtagalog eh." I laughed at his face. Nahihirapan na kasi siyang magpaliwanag in tagalog.
"Maris sino ba 'yan?" singit ni Loisa na ngayon ay sumilip sa may pinto.
Bumalik ka na dun! Pinandilatan ko ng mata si Loisa. Mukhang nakuha naman niya ang mensahe at bumalik na sa loob.
"So ano ba 'yun? Naligaw ka ata?" tanong ko sa kanya.
Kinamot niya pa ang batok niya. He seemed anxious. I was just staring at him while still holding the doorknob. I don't why I was still holding onto it. Maybe to steady myself coz I might get knocked away by his smile. Totally corny, Maris!
"Gusto mo bang pumasok?" Aya ko sa kanya. Di pa rin kasi siya nagsasalita.
"Uh. No. I'm just going to give you something," then he handed out something to me.
It was a pink bracelet.
"Friendship bracelet. We're now friends, right?" nag-aalangan pa ata siya.
I smiled widely. Yung ngiti bang parang nanalo sa lotto. "Oo naman!"
He returned the smile, "Sana hindi mo ako makalimutan pag nasa Manila ka na."
"You have my number, right? You can always contact me."
Di ko na maipaliwanag ang pagtibok ng puso ko. Sobrang abnormal na eh. Diba lab-dab lab-dab lab-dab ang beat ng puso? Bakit akin lab-lab-lab lang? He makes my heart skip a beat. Delikado 'to. Ma-oospital ako ng wala sa oras.
