Forgotten Heartstrings

Chapter 9

I woke up with a smile on my face, the memories of last night still fresh in my mind.

Eris's message before bed had left me feeling warm and happy, and that feeling lingered as I stretched and climbed out of bed. Today was a new day, and I was determined to make the most of it.

Ganado kasi may good night. Lol. Eh kung araw arawin ni Eris pag good night sa akin, baka matapos ko sa isang minuto ang lahat ng gawain ko.

Joke lang. Ang yabang eh, porque may nag good night.

"Good morning, Kapitbahay!"

Bati ko sa mga kapitbahay nang buksan ko ang bintana ng aking kwarto. It was around 4:00 o'clock in the morning. Napa aga ako kasi ako ang magprepare ng breakfast namin.

Heading to the kitchen, I can't stop but smile. As I busied myself with the stove, humming a cheerful tune, I didn't notice my mom entering the kitchen until she spoke up.

"Good morning, nak," she said, her voice filled with curiosity. "Parang nasa good mood ka ata ah? Anong okasyon?"

Si mama talaga.

I turned to her, a blush creeping up my cheeks. "Good morning, Ma. No special occasion, just feeling good today," I replied, trying to sound casual.

Kilala ako ni mama kaya paniguradong hindi siya maniniwala sa akin. Wala naman talagang okasyon pero alam na alam ni mama na may dahilan pag ngisi ko.

Good influence talaga sa akin si Eris. Baka kami talaga ang para sa isa't isa. Sinasadya yata ng tadhana na pagtagpuin kami.

Imagine, from center to school. Shet, talaga naman! From strangers to lovers soon.

Mom raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Uh-huh. Are you sure it doesn't have something to do with that someone who has been making you smile a lot lately?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "Ma, there's no one special. Just enjoying life."

Palusot pa.

Eh ayaw ko namang sabihing si Eris ang nagpapatibok ng puso ko at siya dahilan ng pag ngisi kong ito. Una, hindi pa kami ni Eris, papunta pa lang. Joke!!

Pero seryoso, hindi kamini Eris kaya hindi ko masabi kina mama. At if ever man na maging kami, wala naman akong balak na itago ito kina mama.

"Sure ba 'yan?" Asar ni mama

"Sure na sure po!"

She chuckled, clearly unconvinced but willing to let it go for now. "Alright, if you say so. But whoever it is, they must be pretty special to put that smile on your face."

Yes, Ma. Subrang special. Sa subrang special niya, parang hindi kompleto araw ko kapag hindi ko siya nakikita, as cringy as that!

I finished preparing breakfast and setting the table for the three of us. Sumabay na rin si papa sa pag almusal nang magising ito. At, tulad ni mama, papa started teasing me as well.

Nagkampihan sila ni mama sa pang aasar sa akin kasi napapadalas na raw ang ngiti ko. Naku, kung alam lang nila!

Despite my denials, my thoughts kept drifting back to Eris, and I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement. Iniisip ko rin kung ano ba itatawag ko sa kanya, sabi niya kahit ano eh!