Been Through (SCS #3)

20.

Can I see you on Saturday?

The moment I read the reply, I jumped out off my bed. Nagmadali ako sa pagtipa ng reply sa kaniya. I was slightly shaking because... I miss him. It's almost a week since I didn't see him. Ngayon lang siya nag-reply.

Ako: Sure, just tell me where.

His replies didn't take long. Sinabi niya ang lugar kung saan kami magkikita. I prepared to see him. Sakto at Sabado kaya walang pasok. I was actually excited to have a glimpse of Janus after days of not seeing him.

Those words from Unice made me overthink. Marahil, paraan niya 'yon para asarin lang ako pero... paano kung may kahulugan pala?

I sighed and shook my head.

Stop thinking negatively, Yara. Unice is just messing with you. 'Wag mo na siyang pansinin.

I prepared for the meet-up with Janus that morning. Sa unang pagkakataon, ginusto kong magpaganda para sa kaniya. I don't know why but, I want to look pretty in front of him.

My mother knocked an hour after I finished taking a bath.

"Anak? Busy ka yata," ani Mama Kali bago ngumiti sa akin. Pumasok siya at nakita ang ayos ko kaya unti-unting gumuhit ang ngiti niya. "May lakad ka, 'Nak?" tanong niya.

I haven't told my parents about Janus. Gusto ko sana kaso, hindi ko alam paano io-open up. I know, they're not strict when it comes to boys but, I'm shy.

"Opo..." I muttered. I cleared my throat and gathered my courage to ask my mother. "Mama..." tawag ko.

"Yes?"

"May lakad po ako ngayon..." panimula ko. My mother remained silent. "Kasama ko po 'yong kaklase kong lalaki. Si Janus po," sabi ko.

"Janus?" tanong ni Mama. I nodded, fidgeting my finger in nervousness.

"Opo. He asked me if he could see me today. Okay lang po-"

"Anak! Bakit hindi ka pa nagsasapatos? Baka hinihintay ka na ni Janus!" my mother exclaimed. I was stunned for a moment until my mother came to me and gave me the shoes.

I couldn't help but feel excited... by the thought of seeing him. Natawa na lang ako nang mapagtanto kung anong naging epekto ni Janus sa buhay ko.

I couldn't believe that I'll get to like a guy.

"Mag-iingat ka, Yara!" my mother kissed my cheeks as I was ready to go. Buhat niya si Kiel at nang ibaling ko ang tingin sa kapatid ko, nakita ko ang bahagyang nakasimangot na mukha niya.

"Why, baby?" I asked and approached my brother. I caressed his cheeks and his hair.

"Bakit malungkot ikaw, hmm?" tanong ko. My brother suddenly cried, making Mama Kali and I panicked. Agad siyang inalo ni Mama pero, ang kapatid ko ay pilit nagpapabuhat sa akin.

What's with my brother? He seems to always want to be with me. It's not that I don't like it. I'm worried because it's weird. Dati naman ay hindi umiiyak nang ganito si Kiel kapag aalis ako. Ayos lang sa kaniya na kasama si Mama kaya hindi ko alam kung anong problema ngayon.

"Yara, patutulugin ko na si Kiel. Sige na at lumakad ka na, baka hinihintay ka ni Janus," my mother took Kiel and started swaying him. She sung a lullaby and nodded at me, signalling me that she will handle my brother.

I mouthed 'bye' before I left the house. Nang makasakay ako ng tricycle, sinilip ko ang phone ko at nakitang walang kahit anong mensahe mula kay Janus. I let it be, thinking that maybe he's waiting and wants to talk in person instead on message.