The Old Songs

Chapter 5: Ngiti mo't Alipin mo

Isen Leone

It's been two months when Elle walked out on me. It's been two months since I last talked to her. I see glimpses of her but everytime we bumped to each other, she'll turn back and go the other way.

Iniiwasan niya ako. That's what I keep on reminding myself. I know it's my fault. I am an asshole. Alam ko napahiya si Elle sa inasal ko doon sa cafeteria. I am so stupid for ignoring her bestfriend's confession on her behalf.

I'll admit. I was flattered. It may sound gay, pero kinilig ako. Natuwa ako. Kasi, we both feel the same way.

Yes. I have a crush on her. Hindi ko lang maamin.

Tandang tanda ko yung mga titig niya sa akin, and heck I can still remember how I felt when our eyes first met. That was the day I saw her sa office ni Mr. Cruz. 

Those beautiful black eyes of her. Yung mahaba at straight niyang buhok. Her cute little nose, and her rosy cheeks. And those lips.. I haven't kissed a girl yet pero I'm sure that her kisses will be as sweet as honey, and her lips will be soft like cotton.

I smiled. Kamukha niya kasi yung isa sa actress sa series na pinapanood ko. Si Sansa Stark.

Gustong gusto ko siyang lapitan nun. Magpakilala at kaibiganin siya kaso hindi ko alam paano. Nauunahan ako ng hiya.

I haven't gotten myself a girlfriend. Back when I was in America, all I did was study, party and do whatever dad wants me to do. Kami ng kapatid ko na si Kade ay nabuhay para i-please si dad. Not that dad's asking us to do so though. Masyado naming iniidolo ang tatay namin kaya lahat ng ikakasaya niya ay gagawin namin.

Nang makilala namin ni Damon sila James at Eric sa America, doon ako natutong mag-loosen up. I learned how to enjoy life. Dad wasn't mad at me, yun din daw kasi ang gusto niya, i-enjoy yung buhay namin, yung masaganang buhay na pinaghirapan niya para sa aming mga anak niya.

Ginawa ko lahat ng pwedeng gawin ng isang nagbibinatang gaya ko pero siyempre there are limitations. No drugs and no sex. And besides, sa isang school na exclusive for boys kami nag-aral kaya no chance na makipag date. Hence the reason why I have no girlfriend.

Sa aming apat, si James palang ang nagkaka girlfriend. She dated girls. Paano? Through social media. Tapos pag uwian inaabangan niya yung mga girls na nag-aaral sa kabilang school, katabi kasi ng school namin yung exclusive school for girls naman. Kaming tatlo naman wala deretso sa tambayan, well kami ni Damon ang nauuna dahil si Eric may lalakarin muna bago tumambay.

Ayun na nga, hindi pa ako nagkakagirlfriend and I haven't fallen in love yet. Kaya I don't know how to label the feelings I have for Elle. Damon would say it's crush. Baka nga crush talaga dahil ang bata pa namin to name it as love.

Pero the weird thing is, I can't get her off my mind. She's so pretty. Minsan nga gusto ko siyang tanungin ng 'Hindi ka ba napapagod? Kanina ka pa kasi tumatakbo sa isipan ko' Tsss. Corny. Wag na baka mabara lang ako.

Torpe. Yan ang tawag sa akin ni James. Kasi hanggang tingin lang daw ako.

I remember when I saw her sitting sa bench sa tapat ng classroom ng section 2. She was writing on her notebook and was muttering something. Kasama ko noon si James, may naiwan kasi ako sa classroom kaya bumalik kami at doon ko siya nakita. Nagtago kami sa may gilid dahil nahihiya akong makita niya ako.

"Bakit ba kasi tayo nagtatago? Magpakilala ka doon sa crush mo" asar ni James sa akin.

"No. Nahihiya ako"