He wanted to see her. So the very next day, he waited patiently on the side of the school gate, hoping he could meet her there.
Nagulat pa nga ang mommy niya nang sabihin niyang maaga siyang papasok. His mom knows his schedule and nine a.m pa ang start ng klase niya. He just told her he has works to be done in school as an excuse. Minsan lang naman siyang magsinungaling sa mommy niya. Kaya hinatid siya nito bandang alas-siete ng umaga. Ayaw na nga sana niyang magpahatid at gustong mag-commute na lang dahil ayaw niyang makaabala pa sa mommy niya pero hindi ito pumayag. His mom's just concerned of his safety. He's the only son she had and the only guy left in her life.
Namataan niyang papalapit sa kinatatayuan niya ang kaibigang babae na si Roxanne.
"Hi, Raf!" bati nito.
"Hi, Rox." he greeted and smiled back.
"Sino'ng hinihintay mo?" tanong nito.
"Just someone," sagot niyang nakangiti.
She arched an eyebrow at him. "Akala ko ba ako ang hinihintay mo?" biro nito.
He slightly laughed. "Nope, Rox. Sorry."
She laughed along. "O, sige. I'll go ahead inside. See you."
Tinanguan niya ito saka nginitian. Sinundan niya ng tingin si Roxanne habang naglalakad palayo sa kanya hanggang sa lumiko ito sa hallway. Pareho sila ng kursong kinukuha at magkaklase rin sila sa ibang subject kaya doon sila nagkakilala. He used to have a crush on her. Maganda ito, ayos pumorma saka mabait. Madali kasi siyang magkagusto sa mababait na babae. But later on he realized that his feelings for her was just plain admiration. It didn't bloom into something more than it hanggang sa tuluyan na lang itong nawala. Now he just sees her as a friend.
Napatingin siya sa kanyang relo. Mag-aalas-otso na ng umaga pero hindi pa rin niya nakikita ang hinihintay niya. Hindi naman niya alam ang schedule nito at kung anong oras ito papasok pero nagbabakasakali siyang makita niya ito.
He didn't know why he's doing this. He felt like crazy. But he really wanted to see her and know her well and this was the only thing he has in mind. To approach her first. If he won't do the first move, he might just ended up watching her from a far distance. Ayaw niyang ganoon na lang ang mangyari. Although nagkausap na sila, nagpakilala at na-accept na siya nito sa facebook, gusto niyang mas makilala pa rin ito ng lubusan. Ganun siya kapag gusto niya ang isang tao. Interesado siyang alamin ang lahat ng bagay tungkol dito.
At pagkatapos nga ng mahabang paghihintay, sa wakas ay nakita na niya si Faith. Naglalakad ito kasama ang mataray nitong kaibigan. They were laughing and he just stood there staring at her happy face. Hindi niya napigilang mapangiti at agad siyang may naalala. She's really like her. Not physically but with the way they laugh. But then he huffed at the thought. He should not be comparing her to someone who already was a part of his past.
Nauna siyang napansin ng kaibigan nito. Nakita niyang siniko ito nang bahagya ng kaibigan kaya napatingin ito sa kanya. Their eyes locked in a gaze, enough to make his heartbeat to accelerate fast.
"Hi, Faith!" he greeted warmly. Tinanguan naman niya ang kaibigan nito.
"Olá!" nakangiting bati nito sa lenggwahe niya. Lumawak ang ngiti niya sa narinig.
"Aba, girl, kailan ka pa natutong mag-espanyol?" manghang tanong ng kaibigan nito.
"Portuguese 'yon, Pat." pagtatama nito sabay tingin sa kanya.
"Ay, ganun ba? Magkapareho, eh."
"Yup. Actually, they're a bit the same. Spanish is just a little harder," he explained. Tumango-tango ang mga ito.
