#UMAASA

#Kabanata14

"I'll be remembering that," sabi ko kay Maymay.

"Hey, Kisses! Why are you here?" Tanong ni Edward sa akin, "Oh, I see. You're with your friend. I'll be going then," at naglakad na sya papaalis.

"Sige na! Sumama ka na kay Edward, mangongopya pa ako ng assignment eh," at tinulak na ako ng slight ni Maymay.

"Edward, wait up!" At lumingon si Edward sa akin at tumigil sa paglalakad. "How's your day so far?"

"Hmm, good. But after you've walked with me it became better," Kinilig naman ako. "Expected ko pagblush mo," sinabi nya. Kahit mejo slang pa pananalita nya ang cute pakinggan!

"Don't say things like that kasi, you're making me feel kilig," sinabi ko sa kanya ng tapat.

"Why? You're special to me. You're my friend, I should treat you good."

"You're special to me too but we should get to know each other more."

"If that's what you want, I'll go treat you. Let's go to the cafeteria," at hinila na nya ako papunta dun.

Nang makarating kami bigla syang nagsalita, "I'm the kind of guy who loves meats and I really don't eat vegetables that much."

"Talaga? Well, any food can make me happy especially palabok or kare kare."

"Is that so? How about beverages? What beverages do you like?"

"Uhm, I'm fine with water, fruit juices and softdrinks. I love yoghurt by the way, how about you?"

"I love milk," pagkasabi nya non ay bigla syang kinausap ng canteener, "Anong sa inyo, ijo?"

"Uhm, can I have the Nestlé yoghurt ang Chuckie, please."

"Eto oh," at inabot ni Edward ang bayad at sabay sabi ko naman ng "Thank you for this!"

"No problem, you deserve it."

"Huh? Bakit ko naman deserve?"

"A pretty girl deserves a sweet treat," sabay kindat.

Hindi na ako nakaget-over pa sa mga pinagsasasabi sa akin ni Edward. Sobrang cheesy nya! Ako naman 'tong si kinikilig, hanggang sa kinabukasan niyaya niya ako pag picnic lunch!

"Bakit naman tayo magpipicnic? Tsaka saan?"

"Just wanna spend a little time with you. Hold my hand, I'll take you to where we are going," ni reach out nya ang kamay niya at hinawakan ka na ito.

Napapunta kami sa ilalam ng puno sa field. Hinanda na niya yung mga pagkain. And I smell.. I smell, "May dala kang Kare Kare?"

"So, you've guessed our ulam."

"Grabe! Di ko aakalain, ang effort mo naman. I'm really feeling guilty na," sagot ko sa kanya.

"I also bought dutchmill, you told me you like yoghurt diba?"

"How about you? What are you going to eat?"

"I'll try Kare Kare, I think I'll enjoy eating it." Binuksan na niya ang ulam at ang kanin, sinandukan na rin niya ako ng kanin.

"A for effort! Appreciated talaga," at hi-nug ko siya. I feel like a royalty. Para akong prinsesa. Eh kung wala pa nga kaming label ganito na siya, paano pa kaya kung kami na? Baka naman reyna na reyna na ako! Ayoko naman ng ganun. Isip na lang ako ng pambawi sa kanya.

"Kisses, can I have a favor?"

"Ano yun?" Favor? Maging sa'yo habang buhay? Charot.

"If you're free, can you teach me Tagalog? During your free time only ha," tatanggi pa ba ako? "Sure."

"That's great!"

Pagkatapos non ay kumain na kami, date na ba tawag dito? Oy, kupido! Panain mo na kami! Kami na ang magpapatunay ng forever.

"How long have you been friends with Marco?" Nasamid naman ako ng slight ng narinig ko ang pangalan na iyon. "Here's some water," at ininom ko.

"We've been friends last year but I've known him for years, why do you ask?"

"I've noticed your closeness when I came here but these past few days parang you're not interested in talking with each other. Did the two of you fight?"

"No, we didn't. It's just that.... uhm," shet wala akong maisip na palusot. Kisses, think!! "People change."

"What do you mean? Did he change?"

"I don't.. know?"

"C'mon, tell me. You can trust me."

"Affection can change people's relationship. It can lead to happy endings but some ends with goodbyes."

"Did the two of you got into a relationship?"

"We had no label. Just friends, bakit ba natin pinag-uusapan 'to. Let's just enjoy the cool breeze today." Ayokong ma-curious pa si Edward sa nangyari sa amin ni Marco. I just want to enjoy the present and forget the past.

"I'm sorry about that," at hinawakan nya ang labi ko. "You have amos on your lip," at natawa siya ng slight. Kinuha ko ang panyo ko at pinunasan ang amos.

Ang saya kumain ng Kare Kare ngayon, lalo na't may magandang lalaki kang kasabay. Kaso pinaalala niya yung mga pighati sa puso ko. "Hey Edward, who cooked this?" At sabay kuha ng alamang.

"My mom. I told her to cook it, oh, don't worry, she enjoyed cooking it," sabi nya sa akin. "Would you like to meet her?"

"Talaga? I'm fine with that."

"She'll be glad to hear that. Bakit ba you like Kare Kare?"

"Uhm, I just like the taste of the sabaw and it's perfect combination with alamang. Do you like the taste of it?" I explained and asked.

"Masarap siya but I still like Sinigang more," sinabi niya.

Nagkwentuhan na lamang kami hanggang sa nag-imis na kami ng pinagkainan namin nang hawakan niya ang kamay ko, "My day is perfect again. Thank you for spending lunch with me." Napangiti na lamang kaming dalawa.

Feeling ko pakipot lang talaga 'tong si Edward pero may gusto sa akin 'to. Syempre, joke lang yun. Ayoko umasa, kailanganin kong mag dahan dahan kasi baka masaktan na naman ako.