Lumingon ako sa likod para malaman ko kung ako ba talaga ang kausap niya. Partly, ayoko lang mapahiya.
I looked at my friends to know if it is all just a prank but they're smiling at me.
Am I dreaming?
Is this really for real?
Did Clifford Monreal just ask me to be his what?
"I guess it's a yes." he said with a half smile.
Ha? Nawala na ako sa mundo ng katinuan. Gusto kong sumigaw nang
"Hoy! Hindi sa lahat applicable ang silence means yes!"
But I can't open my mouth.
I can't even breathe normally.
This is torture.
"Triple date, then." Marichu said teasingly
Naiwan akong nakanganga. I don't care how I look like. All I care is this guy in front of me!
It was not easy to process everything. My mind as well as my heart are still in a buffering state.
I found myself sitting in a table for six.
Triple date? Talaga?
I looked left at nakita ko Israel na sinusubuan si Marichu.
Tss. Love birds.
I looked at my right side and saw Niña yelling at Phillip again. Tss. Cats and dogs.
But wait? I can't hear anything but music in my head. Seems like my world is singing sweet melodies in an auto play mode. Ugh! Malala na 'tong sakit ko.
Tumingala ako sa aninong nasa harapan ko. I met his gaze again. He is holding a bouquet and gently handed it to me.
"For you." he said those words in a serious tone
I can't talk. Umurong ang dila at di ko mahanap ang tamang salita. I left with no choice but just to nod at him.
This is so awkward.
Seconds, minutes and hours had passed and all I know is that I'm happy- no beyond happy this very time.
We ate, we drunk, we laughed and threw jokes each other. Himdi ko napansin ilang oras na ang lumipas. Sa ground floor, dumadagundong pa rin ang music at hiyawan ng mga studyante. Nakakatawang isipin na sa halos 18 years nakihirit lang ako sa tawanan at katuwaan sa program every Valentine's Day. Pero ngayon? Even in my wildest dream I never thought I could be this happy.
Thanks to him.
Nang nahinto na ang ingay sa ground floor. Napansin ko rin na unti-unti nang nagsiuwian ang mga maiingay na studyante.
Tiningnan ko si Clifford nang akmang siyang tatayo.
So this is goodbye?
Ang bilis naman nang oras ah? He stood upright from leaning against the wall and put his hands on his pocket.
He looked at me straight in the eyes. I unconsciously put my right hand on my chest, I can feel my abnormal heart beating rapidly again.
"Thank you."
I manage to say those effin words. This is the shortest hours of my life. Gusto kong sabihin na masaya ako, na nag-enjoy ako, na hinding hindi ko malilimutan ang araw na 'to.
I don't know why, but I can't.
I smiled at him genuinely and he did the same. I looked at him as if trying to figure out what he is thinking. He seems like he has something to say or is it just me? Assuming pa naman ako minsan. Minsan. Just like today.
Umiling siya sa kawalan. Anong problema nang lalaking to?
"I have to go." he finally said
Okay. May magagawa pa ba ako?
"Okay." I retorted with an awkward smile
And with that tumalikod na siya at simulang naglakad paalis.
To my suprise, hinabol nina Marichu at Niña si Clifford.
Ano na namang trip nila?
Baka in behalf of me magtathankyou lang nang maayos.
Ganon ba ako ka obvious?
Hindi ko mapigilang di sumunod sa kanila. Eh kung anu-ano pa ang sabihin ng dalawang yon!
"Should I say thank you?"
Narinig kong sabi ni Marichu. Malamang! Baka gusto mong magwelcome? Tss. Ba't ang tanga nang babaeng 'to? Ewan ko lang at bakit nauto niya ang isa sa mga genius students sa campus.
"Thank you for making my friend so happy today."
She said before hugging Clifford. Parang tinulak ako ng mga paa kong lapitan sila. Aba! Sumusobra ka na Marichu ah! May Israel Martin Diaz ka na, ano ba?
Wow. Possessive? Kayo ba?
Parang napahinto ako sa litanya nang utak ko. Oo nga naman.
"I am your Student Council President of this campus, I don't think I have the right to reject this small favor."
And his words bring me back into reality.
I felt hot tears streaming down my face after hearing those words.
What do they mean?
Pinakiusapan lang nila si Clifford na gawin ang lahat ng ito?
Is this all for show?
Am I expecting too much?
Did I just fool myself?
I was running away from the reality. I don't want to hear anything. Masakit na, baka di ko na makayanan kung ano pa ang sasabihin niya.
I went home crying.
What a memorable day, indeed.
