Race Against Love (on-going)

Chapter 9

REESE

Next month, I'll be eighteen. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mararamdaman ko. Sabi ng iba, this is a milestone in a teenager's life. It's a first stage and a start of a new and exciting journey of becoming an adult. A stage where rights are extended and responsibilities become obligations . Others will throw a big party for this event. 'Yung iba naman, pinapayagan ng magkaroon ng boyfriends ng mga parents nila.

Pero sabi ni pinsan kong si Chloe, parang normal lang na araw ito para sa kanya. She spent her eighteenth birthday in school. At kahit ano'ng pilit ng Mommy at Daddy niya na mag-set up ng party, hindi nila napilit ito. Hindi ko alam kung bakit. Mukhang may pinagdadaanan ito.

Well, we're pretty much the same. Ako naman, ayoko ng magarbong handaan. But I'll be having a simple party at the orphanage. The traditional eighteen roses and candles will still be done, but minus the cotillion. The participants are the children from the orphanage. Wala akong classmates and friends na inivited sa party na 'yon. We'll be having a separate intimate dinner at home with close friends and relatives. No party, just food and drinks.

So kahit walang party, as early as today, we're preparing the invitations. 

"Kanina ka pa nakangiti dy'an, mukha ka ng tanga," puna ni Kai habang sinusulatan ang mga envelopes ng invitations.

I looked at her, still smiling.

Yes, we're back to our old selves.  Bati na kami. At paano nangyari ito? She caught me and Adler having lunch together. At hindi niya ako tinigilan.  So I told her everything. Like everything. Including the intimate details. Wala naman talaga akong balak sabihin sa kanya ang kumpletong detalye, but knowing her, wala akong lusot. At alam niya kung may nililihim ako.

Naloka siya nung una sa bilis ng mga nangyari. Hindi niya akalaing sa ilang araw na hindi kami nagpapansinan, napakarami ng ganap.  Masaya siya kasi 'yon naman ang gusto ko, ang mapalapit kay Adler. We aren't officially dating but we've been constantly having lunch together for weeks. And he asked me to go back to his Kyokushin evening class, which I did. And now, Lex is getting suspicious. Kaya siguro tumigil na ito sa pangungulit sa akin. Lalo na sa pag-aaya ng lunch o kaya sa pagsabay pauwi. Isa pa, I think he's hitting on that Loise girl. Kaya siguro medyo busy siya at nawala na ako eksena.

Good. At least I won't feel guilty about it. I was being to him. Naisip ko na baka mag-expect siya na mag-progress ang friendship namin. Well, technically, hindi naman siya nanliligaw. So I guess, we'll drop everything what we've started. Kung meron man.

" Ano? Care to share?" tanong ulit ni Kai.

Hindi ko siya sinagot kanina, kaya nangungulit siya. 

" Do you think, he will come?"balik-tanong ko sa kanya.

Napahinto siya sa ginagawa niya at ngumisi ito.

"Of course, kapag natuloy 'yong naudlot niyong - alam mo na, I'm sure he will come."

It takes few seconds for me to process her answer.  At binato ko siya ng isang envelope nang ma-realize ko ang ibig niyang sabihin. Mukhang umiral na naman ang pagiging green-minded nito.  

"Ang bad mo talaga. Ang corny mo pa. Last na 'yan," at inirapan ko siya,

This is what I got from trusting her my secret. Lagi niya akong inaasar at tinutukso. Walang araw na hindi niya inungkat ang naudlot naming steamy scenes ni Adler. Well, that what she calls it. Gaya ngayon. Hindi pa siya makapag-move on na hindi ito natuloy. Kaya kung may pagkakataon siya na maisisingit  ang tungkol dito, hindi niya ito pinapapalagpas.

Sabi niya, baka raw bakla si Adler. Dahil walang lalaking ganun. 'Yong iba raw, kapag nasa gano'ng sitwasyon, they can't stop. They won't stop. But Adler did.  And I'm sure he's not a gay. I saw the desire in his eyes and his struggle to stop what he's doing. And I wasn't sure where did he get the strength to control himself.