Sweet Beginnings

Fourth

JERON

I realized na magkalapit lang pala kami ng condo ni Mika.

When I arrived at their lobby, I notified the receptionist to phone her na nandito na ako.

Minutes after, I saw her coming out of the elevator with just one duffel bag in hand and a small backpack.

"Yan lang dala mo?", I asked.

"Bakit, diba overnight lang tayo?

Wag mong sabihing extended kundi ihahampas ko 'tong bag ko sayo.

This week lang talaga bakasyon ko, legit."

"Don't worry. Ngayon din lang naman ang leave ko."

I heard her breathe a sigh of relief.

Noon kasing inaya ko si Meg na mag-swimming, ang dami niyang dala. To think na day trip lang yun.

I guess it's not true na pare-pareho lang ang mga babae.

I took Mika's bag from her and we walked together to my car.

I started the engine and began to drive. We were both silent until Mika started to ask questions.

"Bakit ba kasi sinama-sama mo pa ako dito? Mamaya kung anong isipin nung nililigawan mo."

I looked at her for a second then turned my eyes back to the road.

"I couldn't think of any other punishment.

Kung ikaw lang ang papabilhin ko, mahirap na at baka pumalpak ka na naman.", I told her.

"Wow ah. Hindi lang ako nagsasalita ng flower language pero marunong naman akong magbasa. Bale alam ko meaning ng salitang strawberry, ube, jam at lengua. At kung di mo naitatanong, medyo familiar ako sa Baguio.", she said smugly.

"Really? How so?"

"Kasi doon nakatira grandparents ko. They own a house there. Dati, doon kami nagbabakasyon magpipinsan.", pagkkwento niya.

"That's nice. Bakit ngayon, hindi na ba?"

Mika shook her head.

"Graduation happened. Meaning, goodbye to long vacations. I focused on work. Ngayon nga lang ako nakapag-bakasyon ulit ng matagal eh.", she said sadly.

I can relate.

And to be honest, I felt kinda bad knowing that I stole her supposedly long weekend.

Pero ito talaga yung unang bagay na pumasok sa isip ko. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit, but something inside me pushed me to do this.

Ang sabihin mo, na-curious ka sa kanya. Because you actually find her beautiful.

Fine, I admit.

Pero hanggang doon lang.

Remember, you're courting Meg.

My mental monologue was interrupted when I heard soft snores.

I turned my gaze towards the shotgun seat and a sleeping Mika came into view.

Grabe 'to. Wala pa ngang isang oras kaming tumatakbo, tulog na agad.

She looks like an angel when asleep. But turns into a beast when awake. Ang sungit eh.