Falling for Mr. Chinito

Ika-anim na Kabanata: Secret Admirer

Another week, and we were here at the bench again. Nagulat na lang ako ng biglang i-announce ni Ara na may secret admirer ako.

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa sinabi nya? Ako? May secret admirer? Gusto kong tumawa. I actually laughed at the idea.

"Ano namang nakakatawa dun?" nakakunot-noong reaksyon ni Ara.

"Bakit naman ako magkaka secret admirer? Ako pa talaga? Baka ikaw naman yun, nagkamali ka lang ng dinig."

"Excuse me best, but have you looked at the mirror lately? Bakit naman napaka imposible sayo ng concept na may magkaka crush sayo?" she asked me with a raised eyebrow.

"I mean, look at you. You're pretty, you're smart, you're funny. And you have the sweetest smile that will melt a man's heart." pagpuri pa nya.

Yan naman ang gusto ko sa bff ko. Malaki ang tiwala sa kin. Ha ha ha!

"Wait, wait." seryosong singit ni Caleb.

"Don't tell me, ikaw ang secret admirer nitong si Kulit. Maka-describe ka, wagas! Ha ha ha! Di mo naman sinabi magpare pala tayo!" sabay tawa ni Caleb na labas ang ngala-ngala.

Ara and I both rolled our eyes. Minsan talaga hindi din namin alam kung bakit naging kaibigan namin tong si Caleb. Matino naman kami, bakit nahaluan kami ng may sapak?

"Shut up! Nalimutan ka na namang turukan ng Mama mo no?! Sumpong na naman ang sakit mo! Sakit sa utak!" singhal ni Ara.

I laughed at them. Halatang gigil na gigil ang best friend ko, nanlalaki talaga ang butas ng ilong. Si Calembang naman, mental talaga, ihit at halos gumulong na sa katatawa.

"Don't mind that moron. Palala na talaga ng palala ang psychosis nyan." inis pa din si Ara.

"As I was saying, I just dont know why you will not believe that a guy can possibly be attracted to you." Ara continued.

"Uhm I dunno. Maybe because I'm not like you. I don't fancy fussy and girly clothes. I don't wear accesories and make-up. I just wear what's comfortable and I don't care if it's fashionable or not. Kahit dugyot basta hindi ako nababanas, okay lang." I explained.

"Exactly! You're simple and so effortless. You have natural charm. And besides all you need to do is smile, bam! Boys will fall on your feet."

Napangiwi lang ako sa sinabi nya. I still could not believe that a guy could possibly like me without make-up and fancy dresses. I mean, it doesn't work that way, right?

Boys like girls who take care of themselves, who pamper themselves. Not that I don't care for myself, it's just that when I'm in the middle of a really good novel, I don't care if my face is oily or if I haven't combed my hair.

Mukhang naka recover na din si Caleb sa laughing fit nya, I noticed that he was intently listening to our conversation.

"You know what, Ara's right, Kulit. I also don't understand why you don't see yourself clearly. You're the type of girl who may not attract a guy's attention at first, but if he bothers to give a second glance, he will see what he clearly missed."

Wow, joint forces para bolahin ako.

"For the first time, you've talked some sense!" parang di makapaniwalang sabi ni Ara kay Calembang.

Caleb just grinned. "Kundi nga parang kapatid na kita, baka nagka crush na din ako sayo."

Sabay tawa ulit ng damuho. Nyeh! Ano daw? Eww!

" Kaya lang dork ka eh. Kaya hindi din. Ha ha ha!" sabay bawi nya.

Napairap ako bigla, kala mo naman hindi dork kung makapagsalita. Eh mas dork pa nga sya sa kin!