Tila Tala

XII

“Girl, siguraduhin mo muna ‘yang feelings mo.”

I scoffed. “How can I not be so sure? I have had this feeling ever since I saw him. And it really grew when we started talking five months ago. Am I delikado na ba?”

“Yes, you are.” She chuckled. “Well... if you really have the guts to confess, do it. You looked so sure and I am here to support you. I know, Isagani is not a bad guy... I’m kampante, at least.”

The day after my birthday, Isagani came and gave me a bouquet of sunflowers, fresh from Sunflower Farmville, and a pair of earrings. After what I felt that day with him, aminado na ako, sa wakas. I like Isagani.

“Hi, Gani!”

“Hi, Tal...” He smiled and waved a little. “Where... do you wanna go?” He suddenly asked.

“Night market, kagutom.”

Isagani nodded. “Night market, then.”

“Ano ‘to? Date?” Biro ko.

He shrugged and chuckled. “Call it what you want.”

Isagani drove calmly until we reached the market. I want street foods Isagani introduced to me. Ipinarada lang niya ang sasakyan bago kami bumaba at piniling maglakad na lang.

“Gani, do you have time for love?”

“Time for love?” He echoed. “I don’t think so...”

“But you have someone in your heart?” I asked. I gained a simple nod from him. Oh. So he has someone he loves but he doesn’t have time for it? Ako, may oras ako para sa kaniya. Wait, what?

We had our dinner at a simple turo-turo at ihaw-ihaw stalls. I really enjoyed eating with Isagani. It was like I have freedom to choose whatever I want, but of course, I have his guidance and consent with me.

“Bakasyon na sa susunod na linggo,” I started.

“You’ll go to Palawan for vacation, right?” I nodded to his question. “Then, enjoy your break, Tal.”

I pouted. Going to Palawan means not seeing him for weeks. I will miss Isagani, hindi pa man din ako nakakaalis. Nang maihatid niya ako ay nagmano lang siya kina Mommy at Daddy na nasa hardin bago nagpaalam na ring uuwi na dahil gumagabi na rin.

“Start packing your things na, Tal, it’ll be next week in a snap.” Mommy said.

I nodded. “Hindi po kayo sasama?”

“We’ll try to follow maybe five days or a week before you decided to go home here in Manila.” Daddy answered.

“Okay... I’ll stay there for a month po. So, sa week four, dapat ay naroon na kayo.” I smiled when they nodded. I kissed their cheeks before tucking myself into bed, feeling so tired and sleepy already.

Today is the next week we are talking about, we are here in just a snap, indeed. I already finished packing my things. I have one luggage, a backpack, and a sling bag with me. There is also a separate small box for things I couldn’t put in my bag. Para namang hindi na ako babalik sa dami kong dala.

I put my knitted cardigan on, under it is a black tank top partnered with maong wide length khaki jeans. I also put a ribbon at the back of my head to gather some strands of my hair. I wore my rubber shoes and sprayed some perfume before finally going out.

“Susunduin ka ng pinakiusapan ng Lolo mo na kapitbahay nila, ang dami mo kasing dala. Based on their description, kasing edad mo, matangkad, moreno, basta mukhang atleta...” Ipinagpatuloy nilang ilarawan ang lalaki.