PGS05: In Fact, You Waited

IFYW10

Dare I hope?

Maganda ang hapon. Pababa na ang araw nang tinahak namin ang mahabang daan papunta sa dulong hilera ng mga puno ng buko. Parte pa rin 'to ng Villa Rama, mabuti na lang at patapos na sa trabaho ang mga trabahador na nakasalubong namin.

Nasa bandang dagat ang pahingahan ng mga trabahador pero medyo malayo sa sentro ay may lilim na maraming puno. It's not too picturesque but the peace permits.

Perfect for a simple hideout if you're with a bunch of schoolmates, not really much if you wanna bring the girl you wanna impress. Which is perfect for me.

Medyo 'di na maexplain ang karambula ng tyan ko dahil sa paghawak ng kamay namin kanina. There was nothing wrong with the food. It's just the feeling was too good.

I've been to a few dates before but those were quick and feels like a chore. Ibang-iba 'to.

I thought he was trying to bring me home when our direction went near my house on the way here, but I'm damn glad we just went over it. It's not that I was afraid to go home. If I could even call it a home. I'm just done with the notion of trying to be close with my siblings. Mas mabuti na rin siguro ang gano'n.

At least kung aalis man ako ay wala na kong pangamba na may makakamiss sa'kin mula sa lugar na 'to.

That was my initial thought.
Looking at the man beside me in a tarp we made as a makeshift picnic blanket, I am not too sure anymore. Nakakunot ang noo nito habang ina-arrange ang pinamili namin kanina.

Mula sa mga kakanin at samalamig ay binili niya nang may nadaanan kami. Iisipin ko sanang planado kung 'di lang ako nakikipagtitigan sa mukha ng kandidato ng inuupuan naming tarpaulin.

There are no flowers and baskets with luxurious chocolates. There was no charcuterie board in sight. He's not trying to woo me by playing an instrument. Yet, I prefer this over any other dates I've been on. It's maybe that or I just prefer this person beside me than any company.

Noong mukhang okay na sa kaniya ang pwesto ng pagkain ay inabutan niya 'ko ng kakaning nakabalot sa dahon ng saging. "Ito binallay. Subukan mo, masarap 'to." Nang lalagyan na niya ng sauce sa ibabaw ay pinigilan ko ang kamay niya.

"May buko ba 'to?" I don't want to sound ignorant, but I still have to ask

"Meron. Bakit?"medyo nag-aalangang sagot naman niya.

"Sa totoo niyan, allergic ako sa buko." I feel like I was ruining his efforts yet again. Inaasahan kong maaartehan siya sa sinabi ko. Kinuha nito sa kamay ko ang hawak ko at binusisi pa ang mga supot na iba niyang nabili kanina.

"Sandali lang, Morgan ha." Hinalughog nito at pinasok pabalik sa supot ang mga una niyang nilabas na pagkain.

Nang matapos siya ay may tatlo na lang na natitirang nakalagay sa paperplate. Nakikilala kong turon, maruya, at kwek-kwek na lang ang natira. "Ito wala 'tong kahit anong buko. Gusto ko sanang matikman mo ang binallay na walang buko pero baka 'di mo maenjoy." He looked at me apologetically.

This man. He didn't even ask me about the extent of my allergy.  He simply accepted it, moved on and moved any coconut-y food within my reach.

Prior experiences trained me about the questions someone might ask. 'Is it fatal?' 'Will I die with a single drop of coconut?' 'Will I simply not breathe if I happen to just inhale the scent of it?'Most of these questions were accompanied by ridicule if not outward patronizing.