The Rank - Series II

Chapter 10

Gabi na kami nag-ikot ikot sa Calle Crisologo dito sa Vigan City. 

Para akong bumalik sa Spanish time. Bigla ko tuloy naalala ang kwento ni Mama Mara na Descendes Wish — This place is  preserved Spanish colonial and Asian architecture. Calle Crisologo dominates the Mestizo district, with its cobblestone streets, malecón, horse-drawn carriages and rustic mansions. Near the white baroque Vigan Cathedral are Plaza Salcedo, offering fountain light shows, and Plaza Burgos, known for its street-food stalls. 

Lakad kami ng lakad at pinagtitinginan ang mga kasama ko. Napaka gaganda naman kasi. 

"Let's take a picture." Pag-aaya ni Silvana samin. 

And we all smile. 

"3, 2— 1." Silvanna click the button. 

She show me the picture and i look fine. Pero syempre mas angat ang tatlong Rank girls. 

Nag-ikot sina Madison at Silvana, hinayaan muna namin silang dalawa. Me time kumbaga. Samantalang naupo kami ni Olivia para magpahinga. 

"Nakakapagod." Pabuntong hininga na sabi ni Olivia. "Ikaw ba?"

"Hindi naman." Umiling ako. "Kasama naman kita eh."

Olivia snaps and look at me. "What did you just said?"

It's too late for me to realize what i said. Kaya nagsabi nalang ako ng totoo — "Na kasama kita." Ngumiti ako sa kanya. "Kayo nina Madison at Silvana. Hindi ko naman kasi niexpect na makakapunta ako dito sa Vigan na kayo ang kasama ko."

"Kasi?" 

"The Rank girls kayo." Natawa ako. "Tapos ako eto." 

 "You know Clover, I really like everything about you aside from that." Olivia holds my hand. "You always think low of yourself." 

"I didn't mean to give you that impression." I told her honestly. "But i see myself in the mirror though. The braces, this thick eyeglasses —" 

"And so what?" Olivia countered me. "Why their opinion matters?"

I give Olivia a sad smile. "They bullied me at school Olivia." 

Hindi sya nakakibo agad. "I'm so sorry that you have to experience that." Pinisil nya ang palad ko. "Tell me Clover kapag may gusto kang ipasalvage sakin." 

I chuckle. "I will. "

At nagtitigan kaming dalawa. As if it's only me and her at the very moment. Only I see is Olivia. 

She's so beautiful. 

To my surprise, inalis ni Olivia ang eye glasses ko — biglang lumabo ang vision ko.  "Can you see me clearly?"

"You are only one foot away Olivia, so yeah I see you clear as skies." I answered. 

At lumayo pa sya konti sakin. "How about now?" 

"I still see you." 

Lumayo ulit. "Now?"

She's a bit far now. "Mm a little, it's blurry.

"Oh." At binalik na nya ang eye glasses sa mukha ko. "You are beautiful with and without eye glasses Clover, so never look down yourself."

As much as i want to believe her, I can't. Pero thankful naman ako sa sinabi nya — At least with Olivia, confident ako na she won't judge me. Na tanggap nya kung ano at sino ako. 

Pagkatapos maglakad nina Madison at Silvana ay kumain na kami sa isang restaurant — They offer a dinner buffet, set meals even beer. 

And since Spanish era ang Vigan ay pinagsamang Spanish at Filipino ang menu nila.