Saabreena
“I think I’ve already fallen for you.”
I closed my eyes and covered my face with a pillow before yelling. “Aaaaaahhhhh!!!!”
“You…” Jeric mumbled.
I turned back to him. Dahan dahan siyang ngumiti. He pulled my hand and enveloped me in his arms.
“Thank you.” He said.
I can feel his heart beat. Ang bilis. My heart was beating so fast as well. Para bang kilala na ng heart ko yung feeling na yun. It’s as if I felt it before.
“I love you Saab.” He said as he pushed me a little to see my face.
“Ms. Saab! Ms. Saab! Okay lang po ba kayo?!” sabi ng tarantang boses na katok ng katok sa pinto.
I heaved out a heavy sigh bago umupo ng maayos. I hit my forehead with my palm. Napalakas yata ang pag-sigaw ko.
Inayos ko ang buhok ko. I stood up and opened the door. “Okay lang ako manang.”
“Bakit ka ba sumisigaw kanina?” tanong niya. “Okay lang ba talaga?”
“Okay lang manang.” I said.
She sighed. “Akala ko naman kung ano na ang nangyari sayong bata ka.”
I gave her a faint smile. “Ayan na naman po kayo.”
Simula pa noong bata pa ako, ganito na sila sa akin. Lahat sila – from my parents down to our maids at Mang Jun. They are all worried about me – all the time. Okay lang naman eh. At least I know na mahalaga ako sa kanila. But the thing is, ayokong maging alagain nila. Isang sigaw ko lang, natataranta na sila. Isang iyak ko lang, hindi na nila alam ang gagawin nila. I hate it when I make them worry.
“Hindi niyo naman po mawawala yun sa akin.” She said with a hint of anxiousness. “Hindi dapat kami makampante.”
“Okay na ako manang.” I said. “Magaling na ako.”
She shook her head. “Sinabi na ng mga doktor diba. Huwag tayong maging kampante.”
I looked away. Pinaalala na naman niya. As usual, lahat sila pinapaalala sa akin ang pwedeng mangyari. I should be careful in every move I make, baka daw kung ano ang mangyari sa akin.
“May tiwala ako sa puso ni Annika.” I said. “I know she won’t let me down.”
I sighed. “Pinapa-alala ko lang sa’yo yung bilin ng doktor. Baka lang kasi nakakalimutan mo na.”
