PIECE #2 (PROMISE)
(Note: Part 2 of Piece #1; Italicized parts are flashbacks)
No one was speaking. They were just staring. They seemed stunned... But I can't really blame them. Even I can't get a word out myself. Hindi ko rin naman inasahan na gagawin niya 'to.
I stared at our hands. Our intertwined hands. I looked back at her calm, almost-smiling face. There's something in her eyes, a mischievous glint. This girl... Is she enjoying this?
I shook my head and I looked back at the people who were still staring at us with questioning looks. As what if what Ara said wasn't clear enough. Ngumiti na lang ako, still not sure kung anong dapat kong sabihin. Hindi ko alam kung anong plano nitong katabi ko.
"Together..." simula ni Sir Noel na nakakunot ang noo at mukhang nagtataka talaga. "What do you mean 'together'?"
Hmm. I am pretty sure they have an idea of what Ara means by what she just said: We're together po. Pero I guess they just want to make sure. It did come out of nowhere, to be fair. No one knew. As far as we know, no one even had a clue apart from our teammates and friends and family.
I looked at Ara and gave her a look, asking her if she was trying to say what I think she was trying to say and if it's okay for me to speak for the both of us. She just shrugged and I took that as a 'Yes' so hinarap ko ulit sila. "She's my girlfriend, Sir. Ara is my girlfriend," I clarified.
Automatically, humigpit 'yong hawak ko sa kamay niya and she did the same with me. I looked at her. She's almost at eye-level since I was one step below her. She smiled at me. I didn't expect the rush of relief and pride that came with that smile. I didn't even realize I was smiling na din until they, Sir Noel and the others, started smiling back at me.
"I can tell from her smile and yours that it is true," natatawang sabi ni Sir Noel. "Kailan pa?"
"Oh, mga 3 or 4 months pa lang naman po," she answered. I narrowed my eyes a little, but she didn't see naman. How can she not know exactly kung gaano na kami katagal? And here I am, alam na 103 days na from the day na sinagot niya ako.
"Wow. Medyo matagal na rin pala ha. Paanong ngayon ko lang 'to nalaman?" natatawang sabi ni Sir Noel.
"We really kept it to ourselves po," sabi ko. "We didn't want the unecessary attention that may come our way once we admit na we're together. You know how some people are, Sir."
Fortunately, tumango naman siya and he seemed to understand what we were trying to say. "Don't worry, Jeron..Ara. Quiet lang ako about this." He zipped his mouth. "'Di ba?" He looked at the others members of the staff na nakakita din sa amin. They nodded naman, some even raised their right hands na parang nanunumpa, agreeing na hindi makalalabas ang tungkol sa amin ni Ara.
"Thank you po. We appreciate it," sabi ni Ara and I smiled and just nodded.
"But let me just say this, Ara..Jeron. Kayong dalawa, you look good together. Hindi ako nambobola ha. Totoo 'yon."
I looked at Ara and she looked at me din kaya it made us laugh.
"Sabi sa'yo cute tayo tingnan e," nakangiting sabi ko sa kanya.
Siya naman she just looked at me and smiled her shy smile. She looked so adorable. Almost automatically I put an arm around her shoulders and squeezed her to my side, not really caring that there were about six people watching us. I closed my eyes and I savored that feeling in my chest. The feeling like it's going to burst. It's as if it cannot contain the love I have for her.
"You know I love you, right?" I murmured against her temple.
"I know. Mahal din kita," mahinang sagot niya, for my ears only.
