‘It's your niece who I wanna court . . .’
I froze, as if my heart stops pumping blood, my veins and nerves stay still, and the clock seems to stop ticking. For Rico to actually say it to my aunt in a direct manner like there is no room for hesitation, I can say that he is so brave.
Dumako ang tingin sa akin ni Tiya Dahlia. Her eyes turn into a slit. I couldn't fathom the emotions on her eyes but compared to her glowing smile earlier, her expression dims, void of light. In front of me is Dawn Elara with her lips quirking up in silence.
Hilaw na ngumisi si Tiya Dahlia. “But hijo, Freesia doesn't seem to have plans for her future–”
“She can sort it out together with me.”
Natutop ang labi ng tiyahin ko. Pati ako. A pang in my chest almost reverberated through my bones. Matatalo ko si Tiya sa mga simpleng pagtatalo at asaran ngunit pagdating dito, dito sa mga plano ko sa buhay, para akong napuputulan ng dila o kaya ay nabubusalan ang bibig. My goals for college, work, and the life I want is still painted on blurry lines, almost invisible, almost unrecognizable. Heck, the strand I want to take for senior high is not even available in Collins High!
My bluish-grey irises meet Rico's dark brown ones. Habang ako'y halos mapigil ang hininga, siya'y parang wala lang. He even has the guts to lean back on his seat comfortably.
My aunt clears her throat afterwards. “Hijo, both of you are still young. Marami pa kayong bigas na kakainin. Hindi mo masasabi ang panahon.”
Dawn Elara wipes the corner of her mouth with a tissue gracefully, in a slow pace, reminding me of some elegant royal family members. Still wearing her menacing smirk that taints her innocent soft look, she faces her mother. “Mom, I think, the future's not ours to tell. Besides, I also see Mr. Alvarez as a kuya too.”
An awkward silence surfaces in the atmosphere of the dining room lit with a warm and fancy light coming from the chandelier. Aunt Dahlia's sharp glares turn to her daughter. Sumimsim ako ng tubig sa babasaging baso. Natapos ang pagsasalo na wala na ulit nagsalita. Walang kung ano-ano ay tumayo na si Rico. His vision is just directed at me.
“Masyado na pong lumalalim ang gabi. Ihahatid ko na po si Freesia pauwi.”
And with that, Rico stands up and pulls my wrist away from the Villamor's mansion. The swooshes of trees as they get swayed by the calm wind of the night tickle the skin behind my ears. Nang makalayo na kami, binawi ko ang palapulsuhang hawak niya. I also quicken my pace as I walk away from him.
“Eshang,” tawag niya.
Mas binilisan ko ang mga hakbang nang maramdamang humahabol siya. My bottled up emotions earlier explodes in my chest. “Huwag mo nga akong ma-Eshang Eshang!”
“What made you upset, then?”
Naningkit ang mga mata kong lumingon sa kaniya. May pagtantiya sa kaniyang mga matang nakatuon sa akin. “Wala!” sigaw ko.
His lips fold into a thin line, revealing a glimpse of his dimples. A heavy sigh comes out. Napatigil ako. He weakly smiles. “Sa paraan ng pagsigaw mo, meron. Unfortunately, I can't read that pretty mind of yours. Care to tell me, hmm?”
Tinalikuran ko na siya. I continue walking. Tinawag ulit niya ako sa aking palayaw nang ilang beses. Shuta, walang kuwenta ang pagpunta ko rito. I don't even know if there's still some public vehicles passing by to ride in. “Ang kulit din ng kaluluwa mo, e. Wala nga!”
“Then let's talk first,” his persuasive voice pleads. Naramdaman ko ang pagbalik ng kaniyang mainit na kamay sa palapulsuhan ko.
“Uuwi na ako!”
BINABASA MO ANG
The Seat We Sit On (HFS #1)
Teen FictionFreesia Mandeville has a habit of writing and doodling anywhere in Collins High School. May it be on the walls, chairs, and even on the comfort room's newly painted doors; even on the seat she's sitting on in their classroom as a silent rebellion ag...
