Date With The Arrogant

Date With The Arrogant: Chapter 19

That Friday...

I stared at Finn while we walk through the drenched and slippery road due to the heavy rain earlier. He caught me looking at him and gave me a genuine smile.

“It’s really obvious that you like me.”

“Ang yabang mo talaga! Kapal!” These were the words I was supposed to say but instead, I just kept staring at him, not minding what he said.

The darkness was already on its immense form. Thank the lights on our way, I was able to see clearly. The rain had already stopped but here we are, standing half-soaked in the middle of a large patio.

Hindi ko alam kung anong uri ng kaluluwa ang sumapi dito kay Finn para dalhin ako sa ganitong lugar. Naiisip ko nga, sobra din tong si Finn. Sobra na talaga ung pagka bipolar ng taong to.

Moments ago, he sheltered me from the rain. Tapos magkasukob pa kami sa payong at hindi lang un, I was so near him in that span of time. His arm was wrapped around my shoulder. Now tell me guys, what’s this all about?

But knowing Finn, he’s too difficult to read. Aba ewan ko kung bakit ganito ang mood nya ngayon. Ibang klase talaga sya. Bigla bigla na lang gagawa ng mga bagay na ikakagulat mo talaga. Katulad na lang ngayon, nandito kami sa harap ng isang amusement park.

Enchanted Kingdom, the big signage says.

“Anong gagawin natin dito?” Nagtatakang tanong ko.

“Bulag ka ba? Malamang papasok tayo sa gate tapos kukuha tayo ng ticket na ride-all-you-can at malamang eh baka sumakay din tayo ng rides.” Sarkastiko nyang sabi.

“Alam mo Finnie, ang labo mo talaga noh? Ibig kong sabihin, bakit mo ko dinala dito?”

“Ewan.” Kibit-balikat nyang sagot.

“Bakit nga?” Tanong ko ulit sa kanya.

“Ewan nga.”

“Eh bakit ewan mo? Bakit ba kasi? Bakit? Bakit?”

“Ewan ko nga.” He then looked at me seriously with those almost-brown eyes that made my heart beat strangely. “Kasi kahit ako, hindi ko rin alam kung bakit ko ginagawa ito.”

Katahimikan ang bumalot sa amin pagkatapos. I felt my heart throbbed as I looked at him. The normal human heart rate ranges from 60 to 90 beats per minute, but right now, my heart seems like to pound a thousand times. Walang nag-salita sa aming dalawa. Nanatili lang kaming nakatayo dun sa harap ni Eldar, that famous wizard statue in EK.

Tiningnan ko ung wristwatch ko. “Gabi na oh. Lagot na naman ako nito kay Mama.” I said casually to break the silence engulfed between us.

“Akin na ung phone mo.” Sabi nya pagkaraa’y inilahad nya ung kamay nya sa harap ko.

“Huh? Bakit?” Nagtataka kong tanong.

“Wag ka na magtanong. Akin na.”

Kahit hindi ko alam kung ano ba kailangan nya sa cellphone ko, binigay ko pa din. Mapilit sya eh. Nakita kong may idinial sya. Sino naman kaya tatawagan nito? Wag nya sabihin sakin na wala syang load kaya nya hiniram ang phone ko para makitawag? Ahahah. No. Imposible namang mawalan ng load si Finn.

“Good evening Tita.” Maya-maya’y sabi nya dun sa kabilang linya. Sino naman kayang Tita tinatawag nito? “Si Finn po ito.” Tapos ay tiningnan nya ko. “Opo, kasama ko po sya. Is it okay if she’s going to be late going home? Don’t worry Tita, ako pong mag-hahatid sa kanya. Yes. Opo opo. Okay po, thank you.” Then he ended the call.

“Oh.” Sabi nya sabay abot sakin ng phone ko. “Okay na.”

“Is that my mom?” I asked just to make sure what I think is right.

“Obvious ba? Psychopath ka talaga, walang common sense.” Naiinis nyang sabi.

“Tss. Ang yabang mo talaga. Nagtatanong lang eh.”

“Wag ka na nga madaldal dyan. Tara na.” He said and to my surprise, he held my hand while he dragged me to the ticket booth. All the while we’re walking, I was just looking at our hands held with each other.

As soon as we got there in the ticket booth, he released my hand from his grasp and looked at me as if he has done something he didn’t mean to do. “H-hey! Before you think of something else, I’m saying this; I just did that to make you stop from babbling.”

“Huh? What did you do? You mean when you held my hand?” I grimaced from ear to ear.

He hissed at me. “Aish! Sabi ko na nga ba, ganyan ung iisipin mo eh. Walang malisya un! Just like what I said, ginawa ko un para tumahimik ka. Ang daldal mo kasi.”

“Okay.” Tumango-tango lang ako pagkatapos ay nginitian ko sya.

“Wala nga un. That’s nothing.” He said.

“Okay.”

“That’s really nothing, okay? As in nothing.” He said despite of what I said with what he’s pointing out. Ang kulit din nito. Pinagpipilitan nya pa din eh, ang gulo talaga nitong si Finn. Hahaha.

“Excuse me Sir, bibili po ba kayo ng tickets?” Tanong nung babae sa ticket booth.

“Ah oo, bibili kami.” Sabi ko, napansin kong may tao pala sa likod namin na parang naiinip na sa pila. Hindi na pala namin namalayan na para kaming ewan ni Finn na nakaharap lang sa ticket booth kanina pa. “Bigyan mo kami ng dalawa.” Nginitian ko ung babae.

“Eto po Ma’am.” She smiled at both of us. “Boyfriend nyo po?” Tukoy nya kay Finn. Aba, echosera tong si Ate. Hahah.

Nginitian ko sya tapos ay tiningnan ko si Finn. Blangko ang expression na nakita ko sa mga mata nya. “Mukha ba kaming magboyfriend?” Tanong ko kay Ate sa ticket booth.

“Oo Ma’am. Bagay nga po kayo eh. Parang Marian at Dingdong po.” Sabi nyang nakangiti. Napangiwi ako sa sinabi nya. Marian at Dingdong? Err. Hahah. Pasensya na, hindi nila ako fan eh. Pwede naman nyang sabihin na Ha Ji Won at Hyun Bin na lang diba? Ahahah. Mas bagay. Inabot nya na samin ung ticket. “800 pesos po.” Sabi nya.

Tiningnan ko si Finn. Nakita kong inabutan nya ang babae ng one thousand bill. “Keep the change.” Kaswal nyang sabi.

Wow. Hahah. Edi sya na generous. Naalala ko tuloy si Bessie nang ganun din ung ginawa nya nung bumili kami ng ice cream. Hindi ba sila nanghihinayang sa sukli? Sabagay, rich kids naman sila eh.

“Parehas kayo ni Bessie.” Pagkaraaa’y sabi ko nang nasa loob na kami nung theme park.

“Ano?” Tanong nya sakin nang hindi man lang ako tiningnan. He’s walking ahead of me.

“Kasi last time nung nag-ice cream kami ni Bessie, napagkamalan din kaming mag-boyfriend.” Napangiti ako nang maalala ko un. “Tapos nung sabi ni Manong na bagay kami, hindi na rin kinuha ni Bessie ung sukli nya. Tapos sabi pa ni Bessie, ‘Para po yan sa pagsasabi nyong bagay kami ng girlfriend ko.’ Hahah. Adik talaga si Bessie Ivan.” I chuckled. Naiisip ko tuloy mga kalokohan ni Bessie. Ahaha. “Oh… Teka? San ka pupunta?” Tanong ko nang makita ko si Finn na naglalakad pabalik sa ticket booth.

“Kukunin ko ung sukli ko.” Naiirita nyang sabi.

Ano daw? Minsan ang galing din magjoke nitong si Finn eh. Hahaha. Binigay na nya tapos babawiin pa nya. Oh diba? Parang may saltik lang.

Sinundan at hinabol ko sya para pigilan. “Hoy Finnie, bipolar ka talaga. Para kang sira.” Tapos ay tumawa ko sabay hila sa kanya. “Halika na nga!”

Una kaming sumakay sa Anchor’s Away, sumunod naman ay sa Flying Fiesta. Then napagtripan namin na sumakay sa Caroussel. Feeling ko nga para kaming si Cholo at Jodi sa Stairway To Heaven. Hahaha. Pero pinakafavorite ko sa lahat ang Jungle Log Jam. Especially kapag may tatalsik na tubig samin habang pababa ung log. And, to top it all, may isang camera dun na magtetake ng photo habang pababa kami, at iyon ang pinaka intense na moment dun dahil feeling ko naiwan lahat ng internal organs ko sa ere. I was laughing so hard when we got to see the photos. Pareho kaming nakapikit na parang ewan. Hahaha.

“We should’ve not claimed that photo. Para tayong ewan eh.” Naiinis nyang sabi pagkakuha namin dun sa picture.

Inaya nya kong sumakay sa Space Shuttle, that famous roller coaster and one of the main attractions here in EK, but I refused. Gusto ko pang mabuhay noh. Feeling ko last day ko na sa mundo once na sumakay ako dun.

Instead, I dragged him here in Rio Grande. Nung una, ayaw nya kasi baka daw mabasa kami, pero knowing my kakulitan, napilitan din syang sumakay dito. So the whole time we’re on the raft, tawa kami ng tawa habang sumasaboy ang tubig samin. Ang saya!

After hours of riding, we decided to eat. Kumain lang kami ng ice cream and hotdog sandwich while touring the whole theme park. We were just walking whilst looking at every attraction they have here.

Buti nga medyo konti lang ang tao eh. Knowing EK, dito palagi ang itinerary ng mga students tuwing Field Trip. Habang naglalakad kami, nakakita ako ng isang grupo ng mga koreano.

“Finn. Wanna bet?”

“What?” He asked.

“Kita mo ung mga Koreans na un?” Turo ko dun sa grupo ng koreans na nakaupo sa bench.

“Oo.” Sagot nya.

“Kapag pumayag sila na magpakuha ng picture kasama ko, panalo ko pero pag hindi, ikaw ang panalo.”

“What a silly bet. Psychopath ka talaga.” Naiiling nyang sabi.

“Sige na, pumayag ka na. Wag kang KJ.” Pangungulit ko sa kanya.

“Fine. What’s the prize?” Tanong nya.

“Hmm. Let me think.” Saglit akong nag-isip. “Well, just make it like this. Kapag nakaisip na tayo ng prize na gusto natin, edi un na lang din ung time para ifulfill ang gusto nung nanalo. Deal?”

“Deal.” Sang-ayon nya.

“Walang bawian ah? Promise?”

“Tss. Ang corny naman eh.” Reklamo nya.

“Eeehh sabihin mo na, promise.”

“Okay. Promise.”

“Yehey!” I smiled. Hahaha. Ano ba yan? Chicken! Alam na alam kong mananalo ko dito eh. Ang dali lang kaya nung pustahan. “Watch out Finnie.”

Nilapitan ko na ung mga Koreans. They were ten in the group. At may isang Korean guy dun, ang gwapo. Hahaha. Nagulat ata sila nung nilapitan ko sila pero nginitian ko lang sila. Ngumiti lang din sila sakin. They all seem nice and friendly.

“Anyonghaseyo!” Bati ko pagkatapos ay nag-bow ako sa kanila.

“Anyonghaseyo.” Balik nilang bati sakin at pati sila ay nag-bow din. O kitam. Wahaha. Ganito ung mga napapanuod ko sa Korean dramas eh.

“Dangshin-eun Hanguk-ibnida?” Tanong nung isang babae. She’s asking if I’m a Korean. Galing ko noh? Naintindihan ko. Well, I know few basic Korean words. Ewan, siguro resulta na din un ng addiction ko sa movies and dramas nila.

“Aniyo.” I said I’m not. Then I smiled. “Can I have a picture taken with you guys?” Tanong ko.

They all smiled and answer me without any hesitation, “Sure.”

Wahaha. Okay, I won in the deal. Nakita ko si Finn na nakatayo pa din dun sa pwestong kinatatayuan namin kanina. Binelatan ko sya at sinenyasan na panalo ako sa pustahan namin. I thought at first he’s going to grumble, but all I could see was that cute smile on his lips.

“Finn!” Tawag ko. Lumapit naman sya samin na nakahalukipkip ang mga kamay. “Kuhanan mo kami ng picture.”

“Ano ko camera man?” He hissed.

“Eh, bilis na. Naghihintay sila oh.”

“Aishh fine.”

“Use your phone. Lowbat ung akin eh.” Sabi kong nakangiti.

“Hay nako. Bakit ba kasi ko pumayag dito sa pustahan na to eh.” Narinig kong bulong nya. Pero nilabas pa din nya ung phone nya.

Pumwesto na ko. Tumabi ko dun sa Korean guy na gwapo. Hahaha. Nakangiti kaming lahat at naka-peace sign.

“Okay. 1… 2… 3… CLICK.”

“One more!!” Request ko kay Finn.

Mukang medyo naiinis na sya pero kinuhanan nya pa din kami ng picture. Pero ewan ko ba dito kung nananadya to o ano, kasi medyo tinagalan nya dun sa huling shot. Nangawit na nga ako sa pagngiti eh. After that, nag-thank you na ko dun sa mga Koreans. Buti ang babait nila kasi kung hindi, ipapadeport ko sila nang di oras. Hahaha.

“Patingin nga nung mga pictures.” Sabi ko.

“Oh.” Pinakita nya sakin ung pic habang hawak hawak nya pa din ung phone nya.

“Nasan pa ung isa?”

“Ha? W-wala eh. Di ko kasi nacapture ung last shot.”

“Aishh. So nasayang lang pala ung ngiti ko dun? Tagal tagal mo kaming pinagpose tapos wala naman pala?” Sarkasiko kong tanong.

“Wag ka nga mainis.”He grunted. “Sa Wheel of Fate tayo.” Maya-maya’y sabi nyang tinutukoy ang sikat na Ferris Wheel.

I nodded and said yes, and then we just found ourselves sitting in that famous ride. Tahimik lang kami while we’re there. We both appreciate the view, beneath and above: the beautiful lights of the city and the amazing panorama of the stars in the sky.
Usually, when I am daydreaming about me and Finn, I always become hyper and excited just imagining these thoughts to happen. But as far I as I know, this moment is not just a product of my bright imagination. Indeed, this is real.

However, why do I still feel like this is a just a dream? This just feels so surreal. At natatakot ako. Natatakot akong baka nga panaginip lang ang lahat ng ito.

Here goes the loud thud of my heart again. Naririnig ko na naman ang hindi pamilyar na ‘lub-dub’ na tunog sa puso ko. At malaki ang epekto nun sa akin. Pakiramdam ko, unti-unting kinokontrol ng tunog na un ang buo kong pagkatao.

“My mom and I used to go here when I was young.” He firmly said finally breaking the silence between the two of us. He was staring blankly at those stars sparkling right before our eyes. “I was 7 when she first brought me here.”

Hindi ako nagsalita. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya habang hinihintay syang ibuka muli ang kanyang bibig.

He suddenly smiled but his smile did not reach his eyes. “Funny it is, but I only realize this after six years since she left us.” He took out a deep breath. “The last time I went here was also exactly six years ago, during her last birthday spent with us.”

“And that is today. My mom’s birthday.”

Natigilan ako sa sinabi nya. He seemed to be full of sorrow and I clearly saw longing in his eyes. He misses his mom so much, that’s what his eyes are saying. He’s still wounded and scarred by her sudden loss. At nakikita ko ngayon ang ibang Finn. ‘Yung malungkot at mahinang si Finn.

At tila ba nararamdaman ko din ang lungkot na nararamdaman nya ngayon. Nasasaktan din ako habang nakikita syang ganito. The female heart approximately weighs 250 to 300 grams, but right at this moment, my heart seemed to weigh a ton seeing him like this. Sad and sorrowful.

Mukang mas nangungulila sya ngayon kaysa nung nakausap ko sya nung nasa ospital kami. That time, I felt sympathy towards him, but this time is real different. I can’t figure out what’s this heavy feeling that’s eating my heart --- no--- it’s not just my heart but also my whole being. My whole self.

Isa lang ang nararamdaman kong dapat kong gawin sa mga oras na ito. I sat beside him and without any doubts on my mind, I held him close and give him what I thought he needed the most at this moment, a hug.

He was a bit puzzled by what I did, but even so, he did not push me away. He just let me hugged him that moment. Hindi ko alam ang iniisip nya sa mga oras na ito, pero wala na akong pakialam pa dun, ang alam ko lang, yakap ko sya ngayon. Dito sa Wheel of Fate. At dito mismo sa mga bisig ko.

“Do you know that hugging is one of the basic essentials in life?” I asked as I held him closer. He did not speak and so I continued. “An embrace is a miracle drug so I hope this power hug will make you feel better.” I smiled as I released him from my hold.

And then again, an awkward silence followed. We were both silent as we gazed at those asterisk-like objects in the sky. The stars seemed to be happy too just like what I feel right now.

I felt really happy. It’s not because of my plans about getting involved in his life. I really wonder, I’ve been so obsessed with this kind of fantasies before and every time I’m imagining things like this, I feel that tingling emotion whenever I watch my favorite dramas and movies. But the happiness I feel right now is deeper and it’s beyond any other adjective synonymous to this word.

“Laine.”

I was puzzled after hearing my name. It was the first time he called me by my name. Strange as it seems, but it sounded like music to my ears. I know it’s really cheesy, but that was what I felt after I heard it coming from his mouth. I thought this was the most shocking thing I would ever hear this day, but I was wrong as he said those words that made my stomach to flutter, my knees to turn jelly, and my heart to beat faster than more-than-usual. Perhaps, I felt like I’m going to have a heart attack any moment.

“I know I was a bit harsh to you this afternoon for saying I’ll never like you. But… I’m taking all those words back. We’ll never know what possibilities are bound to happen. And one more thing, thank you. Thank you for being with me this day.”

---

Bigla kong naalala ang nangyari nang maulang hapon na iyon. ‘Yung araw na bigla na lang syang dumating na may dalang payong para sukuban ako mula sa tubig na nanggaling sa langit.

Biglang nag-flashback ang lahat sa akin. Kasama na rin dun ang naging pakiramdam ko nang mga oras na iyon. O kung tutuusin, mas higit pa dun.

Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay
Would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you

Here I am with Finn, singing in front of the crowded students. Natuloy din ang duet na hinihiling ni Mr. and Mrs. Thomson. Ang kaibahan lang, hindi namin kasama ang ChocoPaps. Kaming dalawa lang ni Finn ang nasa stage. Pero pakiramdam ko, kaming dalawa lang din ang tao sa hall sa mga oras na ito. Ako at si Finn lang, at ang kantang pumapailanlang na tila bumabalot sa aming dalawa.

Pakiramdam ko, matutunaw ako habang tinitingnan ko sya. Nakatayo ako habang sya ay nakaupo, seryosong tumutugtog ng piano. He managed to create a lovely rhythm and melody despite the wound he just had earlier. Donna was the one who treated the wound cause by the deafening blow he made against the mirror. I tried to help him but he refused, and it made me feel helpless.

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you

Who would’ve thought na ang Finn na kumakanta ngayon at ang Finn na bipolar na kilala ko ay iisa? Kanina, kitang kita ko ang galit sa mga mata nya, pero ngayon, kumakanta sya na parang walang ibang taong sa paligid. And seeing him like this gives me an overwhelming sensation.

No matter what figure of speech I use, it won’t define the emotions I have in myself right at this not-so-typical moment. Even the most colorful adjectives used by Shakespeare in his works wouldn’t be able to figure out this overwhelming feeling that seems to take over my heart, mind and soul.

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too

I hear the crowd cheering for us. I hear the music Elvis Presley had brought to mankind. I hear our voices singing those sweet lines. And above all, I hear my heart saying, well maybe the song itself explains it all.

For I can't help falling in love with you
For I can't help falling in love with you.