Hansel & Ingrid [JULNIEL]

Thirteen: Roses

       Pagkagising ni Hansel ay gan'on parin ang scenario ng flat. Tahimik. Apparently, ang ilang gamit na nagalaw sa flat nila ay mga gamit lang na hindi naayos ni Hansel, so he knew Ingrid haven't step foot inside the flat mula pa kahapon. The bouquet resting on the counter was left untouched, and he was sure if Ingrid didn't come home soon hindi na 'to kasing-ganda tulad ng kahapon. Nilagay niya ang bouquet sa isang pitchel ng tubig (wala silang vase) at inilapag ito sa sahig ng labas ng kwarto ni Ingrid.

       Ang huling naiwang mark ni Ingrid kay Hansel ay ang pagkanta niya ng Castle on the Hill, kaya ayan, na-stuck na sa utak ni Hansel yung kanta.

       "Running from the law to the backfields and getting drunk with my friends," Sinabayan ni Hansel ang track na nagpa-play sa kaniyang phone. The sofa was too soft for Hansel, he felt like floating in the air, totally unaware of everything else. "Had my first kiss on a Friday night, I don't reckon I did it right, I was younger then..."

       There was a rustle behind him, which was something his senses didn't catch. The front door swung open swiftly though it didn't make a sound, Hansel continued singing, uninterrupted, "I'm on my way, driving at ninety down those country lanes,"

       Ingrid stepped in, closing the door behind her, her eyes on the boy singing on the sofa.

       She chuckled, thinking to herself how this guy who hated people singing was singing right now. His voice was good and Ingrid decided she wanted to hear more, kaya nanatili lang siya sa kaniyang pwesto, leaning on the door while judging Hansel.

       Natapos ni Hansel ang chorus at doon lang natauhan si Ingrid, napansin niya ang bagay na nasa sahig, sa harap ng pinto niya, and it left her wondering how she missed the colorful bouquet of flowers staring right at her. "Oh my god," Hindi napigilan ni Ingrid ang mapa-oh my god kaya agad siyang napatingin kay Hansel na,

       "Ingrid!" Parang agila si Hansel na lumipad palayo sa sofa. Tinigil niya ang track sa kaniyang pagtayo, medyo sumagi ang tuhod sa mesa, before stuttering, "Kanina ka pa diyan?"

       Napakamot ng ulo si Ingrid, "Ah, me—medyo? Hehe," Tinuro niya ang bouquet, "Hindi ko sana balak abalahin ka sa pag kanta mo pero ano, nagulat lang kasi ako, sa, ayan."

       "Narinig mo akong kumanta?" Hansel was still caught up sa pagkakahuli ni Ingrid sakanya.

       "Hmmm, oo." Ingrid chuckled when Hansel rolled his eyes, "Bakit? Okay naman ang boses mo ah! Wag kang mag-alala, satin-satin lang 'yun, hm?"

       Kahit papaano ay kumalma na si Hansel sa reassurance ni Ingrid, ngayon lang nag sink in sakanya ang get up ng babae na nasa harap niya, she was wearing a floral dress, high heels, you know, something that doesn't scream casual. "Nakaayos ka... Saan yung lakad mo?"

       Ingrid was bending down to take the bouquet when Hansel asked that question, she halted and turned her head to him, "Oh, well," Ingrid smiled, "Wala lang, ano, kumain lang kasama ng ilang kaibigan! Overnight siya kaya wala ako magdamag. Anyway, para kanino 'tong flowers? Para sa'kin ba?"