Jump From the Air (Erudite Series #5)

Kapitulo 29

"Is five months enough to fall in love?" tinanong ko iyon kay Maki.

It was the following week after the event of my org. I usually stayed at home for this term break. Sometimes, I'd go to Kalon's house and spend my day there. Kalon also comes here to the house for dinner. Other than that, I chose to stay in the house since the next term would be heavier than the previous ones. Kailangan ko ng sapat na rest time.

"Maki, is it?" pangungulit ko sa aso ko.

Lumalayo siya sa akin, kaya paulit-ulit ko siyang inaabot para pumirmi sa tabi ko. Nasa couch ako ng living area ng bahay. Mommy was taking a nap in her room.

Alam ko naman kasing hindi lang crush ang nararamdaman ko kay Kalon. Pero, hindi ko masigurado kung pag-ibig na 'to. I've never really loved a guy before, I wasn't sure if this was it. Baka mamaya gustong-gusto ko lang talaga siya, tapos sasabihin kong mahal ko siya. I didn't want to lie.

Still, I felt like this was love. I mean, crushes only lasted a few months, right? That's what I know. Kaya nga, ang dami kong naging crush no'ng high school kasi napapalitan sila after a few months. Kalon was different. When it was different, wasn't that enough sign that I was in love with him?

"I need a sign," I told the air as I played with Maki's ears.

I listened to the song on my speaker and glanced at my iPad. The speaker was connected there. Binuksan ko 'yon at in-open ang Facebook app. I saw some posts from different people. Hulio changed his profile photo, it was him on a bridge in Spain. Hindi siya nakatingin sa camera, ngunit maganda pa rin ang kuha. He really did call me to tour me around Spain once, pero gabi na no'ng tumawag siya dahil busy raw siya ro'n.

There were other posts that I liked. Huminto ako sa pag-i-scroll nang madatnan ko ang post ng mama ni Kalon. It was a photo of their family, nag-celebrate sila ng birthday ng bunsong kapatid ni Kalon. I was actually invited on this event, pero nagpasama sa akin si Mommy no'ng araw na 'yon para pumuntang hospital. Nagbigay na lang ako ng gift ko no'ng pumunta ako ng bahay nila. Last week ito nangyari, but Tita just posted today.

Kalon was smiling as his arms were around his siblings. Ngumiti ako dahil wala siyang salamin dito, siguro sinabihan siya ni Tita na mag-contact lens for the event. He wasn't fond of using contact lens because he said his eyes get irritated if he wore them for too long. Pero ang ganda ng kulay ng lens niya, brown. Lalong nangibabaw ang mga mata niya. It was already attention-seeking because it was like a doe's.

Pinuntahan ko ang mga messages namin. Our last conversation was about sex ed. Ang huling pinanood kasi naming series together was Sex Education. We were both for it. Pareho naman kaming Kristiyano, pero hindi iyon naging rason para hindi suportahan ang sex ed.

I decided to send Kalon a message.

MJ Carreal: what time end ng class mo? you want to eat in vito?

Pinatay ko na ang iPad ko at nakipaglaro muli kay Maki. Lumabas kaming dalawa matapos kong itigil ang music ng speaker ko. Nilakad ko si Maki ng ilang metro at bumili na rin ako ng dog food sa vet na dinadalhan ko sa kaniya dahil naalala kong paubos na nga pala ang nasa bahay namin na dog food.

When we got home, I saw Kalon's reply. He told me he'd wait for me in the station of Vito. Nagbihis ako at nagdala ng pera. Mommy woke up just before I could leave. I told her I'd eat out with Kalon for dinner. Sinabihan niya akong mag-ingat at mag-text kung may mangyari man.

I traveled and arrived at Vito after 20 minutes. Kalon was wearing his home clothes when I saw him. Ngumiti siya sa akin, nanliit ang mga mata niya at umangat nang kaunti ang glasses niya. Giddy, I walked down the stairs and and held out my hand to him.