Our Fleeting Glances

Chapter 3

Nagbabasa ako ng libro pero dahil sobrang ingay ni Rios, hindi ko na rin maintindihan ang binabasa ko. Kaya tinago ko na lang ang libro sa bag ko. Sa totoo lang, wala talaga akong balak kausapin siya noon, pero makulit si Rios. Lagi siyang may paraan para makuha ang atensyon ko. At ang nakakatuwa, parehas pala kami ng hobbies. Sa huli, nasanay na rin ako sa presensya niya, at sa totoo lang, hinahanap-hanap ko na siya.

"Ameera means princess," he said. I just nodded. Alam ko naman iyon, pero iba ang dating ng pagkasabi niya.

"If you're my princess, then I'll be your star," he added, with a confident grin that made my heart skip a beat. Hindi ko inaasahan ang mga salitang iyon.

"Then I'll call you... Little Star!" biro ko habang pinipigil ang pagtawa. He pouted, obviously offended by my nickname, which only made me laugh harder.

"Fine, My Meera it is," he said, lifting his pinky finger with a playful smile. I raised mine, and we made a pinky swear.

"I know someday, you'll be a great princess," he said, his tone serious for once. "And as your star, I'll be there to help you spread light and magic to everyone."

"Huh, ano ako, fairy? Tinkerbell?" I teased, raising an eyebrow.

He chuckled. "No, it's Princess Meera." He smiled, and his dimples showed, a smile that always made my heart flutter despite my best efforts not to show it. I took a long sip of my juice to hide the grin that threatened to escape my lips.

Rios never failed to make me feel special, as if I could be a real princess. Sanay naman akong mag-isa dahil sabi ni Mama, to survive in this cruel world, you have to be strong. Kaya nga hindi ako madalas ngumiti noon. Pero dahil kay Rios, natutunan ko ring tumawa at ngumiti.

Isang beses, sumali ako sa pageant. Noong una, biro lang sana iyon, pero si Rios, nilista ako nang hindi ko alam! At nang malaman kong hindi na pwedeng mag-backout, wala na akong choice. Siya pa itong nag-hire ng makeup artist at designer para sa damit ko. Mayaman nga talaga itong si Rios. Akala ko masasayang ang pera niya dahil sa gastos, pero hindi, siya pa itong pinaka-excited sa araw ng pageant, todo cheer, at parang mas kinakabahan pa kaysa sa akin.

Kinakabahan ako noong mismong araw ng pageant. Habang nakaupo sa gilid, pinagmamasdan ko ang ibang contestants. Ang gaganda nila. Mukha akong ordinaryo kumpara sa kanila.

Biglang humarang si Rios sa paningin ko, nakataas ang kilay niya. "Suko ka na?" tanong niya nang mahina at ngumisi, nangaasar ang gaga. Kitang kinakabahan ako e, I rolled my eyes.

Hinawakan niya ang pisngi ko, pinipilit akong tumingin sa kanya. "Ang ganda-ganda mo," he said, his eyes sincere. "Wag ka tumingin sa kanila. Be confident of your beauty, My Meera. Smile for me," he added, his voice gentle yet firm. Parang may kakaibang kirot sa mga mata niya habang nakatingin siya sa akin, and before I knew it, I was smiling.

"Ang ganda-ganda mo talaga," he said, and it felt like he meant every word.

At dahil doon, nakuha ko ang lakas ng loob na mag-perform ng buong puso. In the end, I won the pageant. We celebrated all night. He was so happy, and I couldn't stop grinning.

Buti na lang pinilit niyang mag-flats muna ako bago kami pumunta sa restaurant na kakainan namin dahil sobrang sakit na ng mga paa ko sa high heels! Habang naglalakad kami, he suddenly pulled me closer.

"Dito ka sa tabi ko, baka masagasaan ka diyan," he said, his tone protective. He gently guided me to the side where it was safer, putting himself between me and the busy street. Ngumiti ako nang lihim. Napaka-gentleman talaga ng best friend ko.

Habang naglalakad kami, hindi ko maiwasang mapatingin sa kanya. He was laughing, talking excitedly about our dinner plans as if the night belonged to us. And at that moment, I realized this was one of those memories I'd never want to forget.

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