Wreaking Havoc

duo

Contrary to what I thought was a joke, Eli was actually true to his words because we really strolled everywhere to find a paresan. I was sure the ones on the road would get my ass thrown back at home dahil walang pepwestuhan 'yung mga bodyguards na nakasunod sa'min, and that much security detail would definitely get me posted on SNS. Not that I was protecting my mother's job, but it was the only way I could keep Elias safe.

"Dito kaya?" tanong ni Eli at saglit na tumingin sa'kin. The place looked cozy at wala ring tao kaya do'n na lang namin napiling kumain, and my stomach was already growling so we didn't have a choice na rin naman—I probably had too many desserts back at the party, but I was still hungry dahil hindi ko naman nakain nang maayos 'yung main course. Sometimes I'd think my fast metabolism was God's way of saying sorry for all the things I had to go through. I mean, sure it isn't enough, but still, I gotta give credit where the credit's due.

"How was the moving exam?" Eli asked pagkatapos niyang magbayad. 

Natawa ako, "Hindi ko alam. Pero feel ko naman papasa ako," I answered earning me a chuckle from him. It was our final moving exam for the first sem in second year so I really had to work hard for it dahil ayaw ko sa Parasitology, pero wala rin naman akong choice dahil pinili ko 'to. 

"Papasa ka niyan sigurado."

I frowned, "What if I don't pass?" I know I really reviewed for that moving exam but you really don't know the results unless it's right in front of you already. Ang hirap makampante. 

Eli laughed, "Ikaw pa ba?" Eli held my hand and intertwined our fingers and then smiled at me like I was the only person that exists in his universe. "You're going to pass that exam, Therese. Huwag mong pagdudahan 'yung sarili mo, okay?"

I sighed and smiled.

Pagkatapos naming kumain, hindi na rin kami nag-stay nang matagal dahil baka maipit din kami sa traffic.

"Love." Napalingon ako kay Eli nang bigla niya akong tawagin. "Do you want to go to Tagaytay?"

I blinked twice as I look at him, "Now?"

He laughed, "Of course not!"

"Akala ko naman ngayon! Bigla-bigla ka naman kasi!"

Tawa pa rin nang tawa si Eli habang nakatingin pa rin nang diretso sa kalsada. No'ng may stoplight na napatingin siya sa'kin saglit at ngumiti, "Gusto ko kasing mamasyal lang tayo sa bakasyon kahit sa Tagaytay muna."

I want to say yes so bad because I've always dreamt of going on a vacation with him... but I also know that he's saving up for Tito Jeremy's medication dahil na-diagnose ng diabetes last year at kailangan na siyang i-dialysis.  I wanted to help because I know how expensive treatments can be, but Elias told me na ayaw niya kaya nirerespeto ko naman 'yung gusto niya. I know I could help and support them, but I also didn't want to hurt Elias because of the money. Hindi man niya sabihin sa'kin, alam ko namang masakit din para sa kaniya kapag naririnig niya 'yung sinasabi nila na pera lang ang habol niya sa'kin.

Hay.

"Gusto mo ba?" malambing na tanong ni Eli. "Hindi naman kita pinipilit pero promise may extra ako at nabilhan ko na si tatay ng maintenance niya tsaka naka-separate na rin 'yung pan-dialysis niya. Kakasweldo ko naman sa firm kaya may extra ako. Matagal ko na talagang plano na mag-Tagaytay tayo kaso nag-ipon muna ako..."

I sighed.

"Okay."

"Okay?"

Natawa ako dahil pagtingin ko kay Eli ay napakurap siya na parang ayaw niyang maniwala na pumayag ako, "Oo nga," I uttered and held his hand to assure him that it was okay with me. Besides, bakasyon na rin naman namin. I'd probably put the spare time to good use and spend it with him. "The next time we're free, we'll go to Tagaytay. But promise me that if I want to share, you'll let me. We're partners, okay?"