Ilonggo Version
RJ whistles outside Menggay's dorm window.
She peeks and hollers, "Ten minutes."
It's a Saturday and they are going to Battle of the Bands in the Sunken Garden.
As the music of the concert blares, they sing along and have a few drinks.
After the show, they lie on the grass, her head on top of his tummy. She giggles when he undulates his stomach, her head rolling back and forth.
They watch in wonder as a series of shooting stars fall diagonally up above.
Suddenly, one star follows the same path, stops a full minute and zooms straight across the opposite direction.
"Woaaaaahhhhhhh," they both shout.
"Kita mo 'to?" they ask each other.
"What if UFO 'to?" she asks.
"Hala." RJ lowers his voice. "The abduction."
Menggay turns quiet.
"Basi ikaw lang ma abduct. Bilin mo na naman ako."
RJ runs his fingers through her hair.
"Indi ta ka pag ibilin, Meng. Updanay na ta liwat, subong pa ko mahalin?"
She sits up and leans on top of him.
He strokes her back.
"May pamangkot ko," RJ says.
"Ano?"
"Indi man gyapon puede hambalon ang L word in English and P word in Ilonggo?"
She shakes her head.
"Ari na lang." He gestures the Korean heart.
"Heart?" She asks.
He takes her hand to his chest.
"I heart you."
She smiles and places her forehead on his.
He kisses the tip of her nose.
She wrinkles it and stands up.
"Daw mangihi ko."
RJ chuckles. Breathing deep, he stands up and follows as she brisk walks back towards the dorm.
Filipino Version
RJ whistles outside Menggay's dorm window.
She peeks and hollers, "Ten minutes."
It's a Saturday and they are going to Battle of the Bands in the Sunken Garden.
As the music of the concert blares, they sing along and have a few drinks.
After the show, they lie on the grass, her head on top of his tummy. She giggles when he undulates his stomach, her head rolling back and forth.
They watch in wonder as a series of shooting stars fall diagonally up above.
Suddenly, one star follows the same path, stops a full minute and zooms straight across the opposite direction.
"Woaaaaahhhhhhh," they both shout.
"Kita mo?" they ask each other.
"What if UFO yun?" she asks.
"Hala." RJ lowers his voice. "The abduction."
Menggay turns quiet.
"Baka ikaw lang ang ma abduct. Iiwanan mo na naman ako."
RJ runs his fingers through her hair.
"Hindi kita iiwanan, Meng. Ngayon pa ba ako aalis e nagkita na nga tayo ulit?"
She sits up and leans on top of him.
He strokes her back.
"May tanong ako," RJ says.
"Ano?"
"Hindi pa rin ba puedeng sabihin yung L word in English and P word in Ilonggo?"
She shakes her head.
"Ito na lang." He gestures the Korean heart.
"Heart?" She asks.
He takes her hand to his chest.
"I heart you."
She smiles and places her forehead on his.
He kisses the tip of her nose.
She wrinkles it and stands up.
"Nawiwiwi ako."
RJ chuckles. Breathing deep, he stands up and follows as she brisk walks back towards the dorm.
YOU ARE READING
Love, Rameng (Completed)
FanfictionThe last time Menggay says "I Love You" is the day her mom dies. The only time RJ will say "I Love You" is if she says it first. Something happens over a bowl of ramen.
