I Heard You

Chapter 1: Savanna

"Hi, ma!" Humalik ako agad sa pisngi ni Mommy pagkapasok ko sa kusina. Nag-luluto na siya ng dinner namin. Dad was nowhere in sight, nasa shooting nanaman siguro. It's been three years since he went back to showbiz, and he gained popularity as usual kahit gurang na siya.

"You look happy. Sinagot ka ba noong crush mo?" Mom asked. I'm very open with her so it's normal for her to know that I'd ask Lady Kiana today.

Umiling ako ngunit nakangiti pa din, "No. She rejected me. But there's this girl..."

"Nakahanap ka agad ng kapalit?" My mom raised her eyebrow. Ngumisi ako at umiling. Kinwento ko sa kanya ang naging encounter namin ni Sav kanina.

I laughed when I remembered how surprised she was when I told her we should go to prom together. Para siyang nag-hysterical na ewan. Damn, I love her reaction. Priceless.

"And you asked her out?"

"Yeah."

"Did she agree?"

"Well, not quite so," I scratched the back my head. "But I tried to convince her."

"I bet she's thinking you're weird and scary. Hinatid mo ba? It's raining kanina ah. And you didn't bring your car."

"Medyo natagalan po kami sa pag-antay ng tric. At dahil maulan nga, Mommy, sabay na kaming sumakay sa isang trike dahil baka abutin pa ng gabi ang isa sa amin. Hindi naman po siya nag-reklamo. At pinauna ko na din pong ihatid siya nung driver kahit mas madadaanan na po agad ang sa atin."

Tumikhim si Mommy saglit bago tumango na nangingiti. "That's good."

I grinned proudly saka uminom ng tubig. I hope I did not make Savanna feel uncomfortable. Medyo napaisip tuloy ako roon bago ko hanapin ang kapatid, "Where's Genieva?"

Genieva's my seven year old sister.

"Sleeping. Sa kwarto namin ng daddy mo. Don't wake her up. Pagod 'yan at nakipaglaro pa kay London."

Tumango ako at dumiretso sa kwarto nina Mommy. Genieva was there, sleeping peacefully with her belly on sight. Ngumiti ako at inayos ang t-shirt niya. Humalik ako sa noo niya saka dumiretso sa aking kwarto.

Matapos mag-bihis ay sinimulan kong gawin ang aking mga assignments. After doing my works, kinuha ko ang sketch pad ko at dinrawing ang isang babae at lalaki na may hawak na phone habang naghihintay sa waiting shed. Napangiti akong muli nang maalala si Savanna.

Nilingon ko ang phone ko nang tumunog ito. I saw a notification in FB.

Lady Kiana Visto accepted your friend request.

Even when she rejected my offer earlier, I can't deny the fact that I was happy to see that we're finally friends kahit sa Facebook lang. At kahit four years ago pa iyong friend request ko.

At least, she's finally aware of my existence. Kahit naman medyo sikat din ako sa school, mukhang hindi niya alam na may isang Cryd Constantine na humahanga sa kanya.

I searched for words na pwede kong sabihin sa kanya to start a conversation but I was distracted when I saw Sav's name. Naka-tag siya sa isang picture kasama si Reina, girlfriend ito ni Nico.

Reina Avila:
Always too shy. Hi, Savanna Esquivel! Finally, pumayag ka na din magkapicture tayo hahahaha

Tinitigan kong mabuti ang picture. Sav was wearing a plain white shirt tapos ay nakapusod ang kanyang buhok. Nakasalamin siya dito at may hawak na notebook. She looks startled. Parang inistolen lang ni Reina ang picture na ito.