Catch Me When I Fall (SCS #2)

36.

I tried cheering Sarus up on the following days. Balik ako sa dating gawi na halos manirahan na sa bahay nila para maalagaan si Sarus. Whenever he wants to go to the bathroom, I'll help him but still, he isn't talking to me. Tahimik pa rin siya at talagang apektado sa narinig. Tito Victorious talked to him and I don't what they talked about.

"Kain ka na. Nagluto ako nito, tinulungan ako ni Tita Leisheen," sabi ko bago hinipan ang sinangag na may ulam na sisig. Inilapit ko 'yon sa kaniya pero, tiningnan niya lang ako.

"Bakit hindi ka pumasok?" tanong niya sa akin. Naibaba ko ang kutsara at bumuntonghininga.

"Nagpaalam ako. Aalagaan kita kaya hindi ako papasok," sagot ko bago ngumiti at muling inangat ang kutsara. "Kain na, masarap ito," sabi ko pero nanatiling nakatingin sa akin ang mga mata niya.

"The results came out, Lara. The board exam results came out. I saw the list of passers." With that, my hands immediately dropped the spoon and gladly it landed on the bowl I'm holding.

"T-talaga?" tanong ko. Sarus smiled a bit before nodding.

"Check it," sabi niya kaya hindi na ako nag-aksaya ng oras. Kinuha ko kaagad ang cellphone ko at sinilip ang listahan ng mga pasado. I waited for the site to load and I feel Sarus' hands on my back, caressing it. When the website opened, my trembling fingers scrolled down. Hindi pa ako nakakapag-scroll patungo sa A ay natigilan na ako kaagad.

The successful examinees who garnered the ten (10) highest places in the March 20** Licensure Examination for Teachers - Secondary are the following:

8. Novales, Lara May - Colegio De San Pedro - 91.00%

Napahawak ako sa bibig ko nang mabasa ang nasa screen. I tried blinking my eyes to see if it's real. Para pa rin akong nananaginip kaya pati pagsampal sa pisngi ko, ginawa ko na. Kung hindi ko pa mararamdaman ang kamay ni Sarus sa kamay ko at ang halik niya sa labi ko, hindi pa ako matatauhan.

"You're a licensed teacher now, love. You passed the board exam. I'm so proud of you," he whispered and kissed my hands while diretcly staring at my eyes. "I love you. You always makes me proud," he stated before pulling me in a soft and gentle kiss.

A tear escaped my eyes as I move closer to him. My arms immediately surrounded his neck as I pulled him closer. Leisarus' hands travelled down to my waist and slowly, I could feel the soft mattress in my back.

"My girlfriend is a licensed teacher now," he whispered before slightly pulling away. I caress his cheeks and kiss his lips again before pulling him. He buried his face on my neck.

"I'm a teacher now. I reached my dream," bulong ko. Narinig ko ang paghinga ni Sarus nang malalim bago siya tumango pero, hindi siya umimik. Mahigpit lang niya akong niyakap.

That night, when my parents got to know about me passing the board exam. They immediately went to Sarus' house. I was shocked to see them with foods and drinks as they enter the house. Tita Leisheen happily walked towards them.

"Nako, pasensya na at dito kami magse-celebrate sa bahay niyo," my mother said before glancing at me. "Alam ko kasi na gusto ni Lara na i-celebrate ito nang kasama si Sarus kaya kami na ang dumayo rito," my heart melted with my mother's words. I couldn't help but run towards them and pull them in a hug.

"Mama, Papa, teacher na po ako..." bulong ko sa kaniya. Naramdaman ko ang paghalik ni Papa sa buhok ko kaya napapikit ako.

Hindi maalis ang ngiti ko buong gabi. Masaya kaming nagsalo-salo sa garden ng bahay nila Sarus. Hindi matigil ang kwentuhan nina Mama at Tita. Minsan pa'y inaasar kami kaya hindi talaga napapawi ang ngiti ko. While Sarus is just silent, gently watching the scene in front of him. Kapag magtatama ang tingin namin ay ngingiti siya at hahalikan ang kamay kong nakahawak sa kamay niya.