"You mean it?"
Tears formed as I heard that question. I know he will trust every word or promise na binibitawan ko. I didn't say a word and just let those tears slide down my cheeks. I suddenly looked down while gently squeezing my eyes, letting all of my tears fall into the ground.
"Hey. Why are you crying all of a sudden? Spring, did I say anything bad?" Umiling lang ako nang umiling.
Niyakap niya lang ako nang marahan while caressing my back. Hindi niya man naiintindihan pero patuloy lang siyang bumibigay ng assurance na pakikinggan niya ako sa kung ano man ang nais kong sabihin.
Humiwalay rin agad ako sa yakap at pinunasan ang mga luha. He cupped my face and wiped my tears using his thumb.
"You got big hands, dude," I jokingly comment out of the blue. Tumawa rin naman siya.
"You good? I'm always here, okay?" Tumango lang ako bilang tugon. "I have a question."
"Do I have to feel nervous about it?"
"No. It's just. . . . . . ." I raised my eyebrows as a sign that I was waiting for whatever he was going to say. "Can I court you na ba? I mean, If you don't want a manliligaw pa, I can wait."
Sweats dampened on his neck as his eyes did some sort of strolling to whatever was in front of him. Haha.
"Look at me," I teased him.
"Hmm?"
"Ask me again."
"Hmmm. . . . . Spring, can I court y-"
I kissed his cheek for the second time tonight and nodded. His lips formed a sweet smile.
"I like it when you're smiling," saad ko habang nakatingin lang siya sa'kin.
"Mas like kita."
My night ended after Camden drove back to their house and chatted with me through video call before going to sleep. He insisted pa na bantayan ako pero nakinig din naman no'ng sinabi kong 'wag na.
Weeks have passed and Camden is just being consistent with panliligaw sa'kin. You know, hatid-sundo stuff and flowers at times. Just-because-kinda flowers. Alam na rin ng mga magulang at mga kapatid ko.
"Anak, know your limitations with Camden, ha. I mean, both of you. If ever man na sasagutin mo na, studies talaga uunahin kasi kung mahal ka, maiintindihan ka naman niyan," pagpapayo ng inay.
Nakikinig talaga ako kapag nanay ko na ang nagsasalita pagdating sa mga ganitong bagay. Maliban sa mas may alam siya, e, dapat lang naman kasing makinig sa mga magulang. Parang given naman na 'yon kasi 'di ba, hindi naman nila gustong mapapahamak 'yong mga anak nila, babae man o lalaki.
Nagliligpit na'ko ng mga gamit ko at nagpaalam na rin since kailangan ko ring magreview kasama sila Faith sa library. Next week na kasi finals, so, I have to give my all na rin.
"Good morning, my favorite girl. How's your sleep?" bati ni Camden na kararating lang din ng Bahay.
"Good morning. Sleep's good pero ako, kinakabahan na sa upcoming exams," tugon ko habang binibigay sa kaniya mga dala kong foods. "Luto ng nanay. Snacks mo raw."
"Wow. Thanks to you, Mrs. Fabroa. What are these ba?"
"Wrapped sweetened bananas and a banana shake."
"Oh, banana things. . ."
"Eme lang. Turon tsaka banana shake."
He squeezed my cheeks sabay ngiti. "You're sometimes a joker, aren't you?
BINABASA MO ANG
When Spring Returns
RandomSpring, as the name of the character implies symbolizes a fresh start, a blank canvas waiting to be painted with intriguing experiences. In the Philippines, however, there are only two seasons - dry and wet. The rainy season has bid farewell, giving...
