"I have an idea." Malakas yung ulan and nandito kami ni Aiah sa library para magpatila. Sinamantala ko na rin yung sitwasyon kasi marami kaming assignment and I'm super behind.
"Ano na naman yan?" Tanong ko.
"Ligo tayo sa ulan" Pag-aaya nya at mukha pa syang excited.
"Buang ka ba? Gusto mo ba magkasakit? Lakas tama mo ahh." Sabi ko. Minsan talaga hindi maintindihan kung ano tumatakbo sa isip niya.
"KJ mo naman. Tara na kasi!" Tumayo sya and kinuha ang aking kamay tapos hinila ako palabas ng library. Sinusubukan kong pumalag kaso grabe yung hawak nya pati paghatak nya.
"Aiah ano ba?!" Reklamo ko as soon as we hit the school ground and nasisimulan na kaming mabasa ng ulan.
"Uso bawasan ang pagiging nonchalant at masungit Colet. Tsaka live a little. When was the last time na naligo ka sa ulan?" She argued. I stared at her for a moment admiring the optimism and cheerfulness of this girl.
She's been my friend for 3 years now pero feel ko mas matagal pa dun. She's well-spoken person and always look on the bright side of every situation.
Aiah is a social butterfly. She's good with people, she's kind, beautiful, smart, and understanding. People admire her-- and so am I.
Sobrang magkaiba kami ng ugali at pagkatao ni Aiah kaya minsan nagtataka ako at ang mga tao sa paligid namin kung pano namin nagagawang tagalan ang isa't-isa.
"Pag tayo nagkasakit talaga." Dagdag reklamo ko. Tumawa lang sya at sabay tumakbo ng paikot. Pinapanood ko lang sya. How vibrant she looks while she's smiling. How exquisite she is running around like she's healing her inner child.
I can't help but to remember the first time we've met. It's unforgettable for me.
Flashback
Nandito ako sa school ground reading a book. I'm so into the story I'm reading not realising someone standing in front of me.
Tumingala ako and saw this beautiful woman looking at me while smiling. Ang ganda ng ngiti nya. Parang kahit na sobrang badtrip ng araw mo, sasaya ka at mapapangiti ka na lang talaga.
"Hi, I'm Aiah. I'm running around the campus kasi and I saw you so I decided to approach you." Sabi nya in a nice way.
"Ano naman sayo?"
"Sungit mo naman. I found you very pretty and just want to be friends with you." Grabe naman, hindi man lang sya nagdahilan. Sinabi nya talaga reason bakit nya ako nilapitan.
"Pano pag-ayaw ko?" Sabi ko.
"Gusto ko so you can't do anything about it. Kukulitin kita hanggang sa masanay ka."
End of flashback
And that's exactly what she did. Hindi nya ako tinantanan hanggang sa nagulat na lang ako at lagi ko syang hinihintay during lunch break. Tumatambay ako madalas sa bahay nila and ganun din sya sakin.
Kapag masaya sya, I'll celebrate with her. If she's sad, I'm there to cheer her up. She's been my number one in every situation I have.
But I'm not for her..
"Sinaktan ka na naman nyo?" I blurted out while watching her standing while looking up, feeling the raindrops touches her face.
Tumingin sya sakin ng malungkot pero nakangiti. "She didn't mean it. She said she didn't mean it."
Ramdam ko yung sakit sa boses nya. Nakikita ko kung pano nya pigilan yung luha na bumagsak mula sa mga mata nya.
"Hindi ka pa ba nagsasawa Aiah? Lagi na lang syang ganyan. Ever since na naging kayo, wala ka ng ginawa kundi umiiyak at ma- disappoint. Matalino kang tao pero pagdating sa pag-ibig, pagdating kay Jho-- tanga ka."
"Alam ko naman yun Colet..." Panimula nya. Tumaas na yung boses nya at umiiyak na rin sya. "I'm smart but I'm stupid with love. Despite the mess, the trouble, I still chose to be with her because she made me feel that I'm safe with her. She never hurt me physically---"
"But she hurt you emotionally and mentally over and over again! Damn it Aiah!" Pagputol ko. I'm frustrated dahil sa pagkamanhid nya. Lumakad sya papunta sakin. Dahan dahan syang lumapit at hinawakan ang mga kamay ko.
"She doesn't deserve you." Malumanay kong sabi. She caressed my face and softly stare at me.
"I really hope na ikaw na lang Colet. Kung pwede ko lang puwersahin yung puso ko na piliin ka, gagawin ko."
"You can learn to love me. Kaya kong maghintay Aiah. Kahit gano pa katagal. When I confessed my feelings for you last year, hanggang ngayon same pa rin. I can't bear na makita kang paulit ulit na nasasaktan."
"I'm really grateful for your love Colet pero I really can't reciprocate your feelings. Pasensya na at tanga yung kaibigan mo. I'm choosing the pain, the mess. I'm choosing Jhoana."
