Bring Me Home (Batangas Series)

IX

Everyday

"Edi ikaw na ang mahaba ang hair." sabay irap ni Ally sa akin.

Nagsimula na ulit ang pasukan and second semester na ng first year ko. Nagdaan ang sembreak and halos araw-araw bumibisita si Fifth sa karinderya. Noon namang nagPasko at New Year ay umuwi ako sa Mindoro at nagcelebrate kasama ng nanay ko. Si Fifth naman ay nagkaroon ng family vacation abroad. He never fail to text and call me every single day.

"Kamusta yung lalaking dinala mo dito noon? Kayo na ba?" tanong ng nanay ko noong nagNoche Buena kami.

I don't see Fifth that way. My feelings are all true kahit na hindi siya Alcaraz.

"Hindi po."

As usual, hindi pa rin nagpapakita ang tatay ko. Hindi na namin din siya inaasahan na makakasama sa pasko at new year dahil halos sanay na din kami na wala sya sa bahay.

Hawak hawak ko ang isang bouquet na inabot sa akin ni Fifth bago magstart ang klase ko kaninang umaga.

"Eh kayo nga ni Sebastian, nakakaramdam ako ng something." Sabay tukso ko kay Ally.

"Kilabutan ka nga sa sinasabi mo, Mona." Sabay hawak ni Ally sa mga braso na parang nandidiri.

"Narinig ko pangalan ko, binaback stab nyo ba ko?"

Bigla namang sumulpot si Sebastian sa likod ng bench. Natawa naman kami ni Ally.

I wish this would not end.

"Ano ba kasi nakasulat sa note? Dali basahin mo na!" 

May nakita akong nakaipit na note sa pagitan ng mga roses.

You are the prettiest, Mona. Can I take you out on a date today after class?

-Fifth

"Pasama naman sa date!" panunukso ni Seb. Binabasa din pala ni Seb at Ally ang note na binigay ko.

"Baby, are you ready?" halos mapatalon ako ng marinig ang boses ni Fifth.

Sabay-sabay kami lumingon sa likod and there he is. On his clean white polo, dark green slack pants and backpack on his right shoulder.

My face automatically lit up. Lord ano po ba ginawa ko to deserve this.

"Baby agad? Hindi ka pa sinasagot Fifth! Wag assuming, Alcaraz" pagtataray ni Ally.

Inakbayan naman siya ni Seb.

"Wag ka na mainggit Ally. I will take you out on a date!" sabay kindat nito kay Ally.

I felt Fifth by my side. He carefully picked my hands and intertwined it with his. Ever since I said yes to this courtship, I always feel excited to see Fifth. His presence for me is comfort. Him holding my hand is my happiness. And every single day was peace.

"Sebastian?" napatingin kami lahat sa babaeng tumawag kay Sebastian.

She was an older woman, maybe on her early twenties? She's wearing a black halter dress that is up until her knees. Her hair was wavy extending to her back. She looks so stunning on her light make-up. Matangkad din sya, halos malapit na sa height ni Fifth. Her features are just stunning and perfect. Straight from a magazine.

"Ate Kreza! What brings you here?" bati ni Sebastian sa babae.

Ate? Akala ko lalaki lang kapatid nya. Yung nasa LA.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Ally. Nagbikit balikat din sakin si Ally. I bet she also don't know her.

"They said meron daw alumni home coming. Where's your gymnasium? I need to find someone." Sabay irap nya kay Sebastian.