Prologue
"Hey."
Napatingin ako sa batang lalaki na nasa harapan ko. He was holding a vanilla-flavored ice cream.
"Bakit?" I tried not to look at his ice cream. It was slightly melted.
"What are you doing here all alone? Where's your Mommy?" He asked and then licked the ice cream. I silently gasped.
"I don't know." I answered. He creased his forehead. "I'm lost."
"Is that so?" Aniya at tumango, "You should come with me then. Mommy and Daddy will help you find your Mommy."
I shook my head. "My Mommy said never go with strangers."
"Okay, " he said, he held out his hand, "I'm Typhoon."
I chuckled. "Typhoon?"
He pouted and licked the ice cream once again.
"I'm Jane." I said then we shook hands. He smiled, revealing his dimples.
"Now that you know my name. Come with me."
This time I nodded.
"Good!" He beamed. "Let's go? My Mom is probably waiting for me."
"What are you thinking?" I snapped back when Typhoon snapped his fingers.
"Wala." sagot ko at umiwas ng tingin.
"Arte much. Nagtatanong lang eh." aniya at ginulo ang buhok ko. I glared at him.
"Kapag ako ginulo buhok mo nagagalit ka. Dapat di mo din ginugulo buhok ko!" Asik ko kaya napahalakhak siya.
"Well, hair is life for us." he shrugged.
Hindi ko inakala na magiging magbest friends kami ni Typhoon. He was the opposite of me. He's playful, care-free, wild, independent. Habang ako ay tahimik lang sa gilid, hindi mahilig lumabas-labas, hindi magulo, at dependent. Siguro iyon ang rason kung bakit naging close din kami ni Ty. He's like a brother to me. Napakasweet, protective, caring. Ang problema lang ay masyadong mahilig sa babae. Lahat ata ng dumaan sa harap niya ay natitipuhan niya.
"Let's get you home. Maggagabi na." aniya at hinawakan ang kamay ko. I nodded.
"Saan ka nanaman pupunta? Clubbing again?" tanong ko nang makapasok kami sa kotse niya. He started the engine.
"Yeah." He answered without looking at me.
"Di ka ba nagsasawa?" I guietly asked. He looked at me intenly.
"No," he shook his head, "Ikaw ba? Hindi ka ba nagsasawang magtanong niyan?"
I forgot. Isa pa 'yan. He's so straight-forward samantalang ako ay maingat ang bawat pagsasalita ko. I am very careful with my words. Ayokong makasakit ng kapwa ko. Pero siya? Wala siyang pakealam kung may masaktan man siya sa pinagsasabi niya. Kung ano ang gusto niyang sabihin, sasabihin niya nang hindi finifilter ang kanyang bibig.
"Oh." I looked outside. I heard him sigh.
Namimiss ko si Mommy. Kahit hindi ko pa siya nakikita, sa pictures lang. She died giving birth to me. Next week is her death anniversary. I am still longing for a mother's love but Dad didn't fail on making me feel so much loved. Kung sana ay nakasama ko pa siya nang mas matagal. I've seen Dad's struggle, alam ko ding gabi-gabi siyang umiiyak habang tinitignan ang picture nila ni Mommy.
"We're here." Ani Typhoon. I nodded. Kinalas ko ang seatbelt at kinuha ang bag ko sa backseat.
"Hey," napatingin ako kay Typhoon na malambot ang ekspresyon. "You mad?"
Umiling ako. "No."
"Really? Cause I feel you are." aniya. I sighed then shook my head.
"Bye," sabi ko sakanya at bumaba ng kotse. Narinig ko ang pag sarado ng pinto.
"Jane, hey." aniya at hinawakan ako sa braso.
Tinignan ko siya. "Hmm? You need something?"
"Sorry." He said then hugged me tight.
"Bakit ka ba nagsosorry?" nagtatakang tanong ko. Kumalas siya sa pagkakayakap.
He pouted. "I just feel like saying sorry."
That's Typhoon Creed Sanchez alright. Who wouldn't love him? I don't know.
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