Living Dystopia

XIX.

XIX.

"A surprise? Again?" Gaia playfully asked as she smiled sweetly while looking at Adrian. Tumango ang binata sa kanya kasabay ng paglabas nito ng isang panyo mula sa kaniyang bulsa.

“Seriously, what's that for?” Hindi mapigilang magtanong muli ng dalaga. Her curiosity arises as she stares intently to the handkerchief. 

"Let me cover your eyes first, Gaia. Don't be giddy just yet." Adrian teased her.

“I'm not.” Gaia retorted.

Hindi na lang umimik ang binata para hindi na humaba pa ang usapan. Habang itinatakip nito ang panyo sa mga mata ng dalaga ay hindi niya mapigilang mapangiti. Matagal niya nang hinihintay ang pagkakataong ito at hindi na niya ito palalagpasin pa. Last week, Gaia had been sick so he didn't get the chance to show what he'd prepared for her. Kaya naman ngayong okay na ang dalaga, hindi niya na sasayangin ang pagkakataon upang ipagtapat ang pagmamahal niya rito. Hindi niya mapigilang kabahan at kumabog ang dibdib dahil hindi niya alam ang magiging reaksyon ni Gaia. Matutuwa ba siya? Mahihiya? Magagalit? Kikiligin? Adrian shook his head and cleared his mind. Hindi niya dapat muna isipin ang mangyayari. It's not the right time to dwell on the negative side. Besides, kahit naman anong maging reaksiyon ni Gaia ay 'di siya titigil sa panunuyo rito. Ang pagmamahal niya sa dalaga ay hindi ganoon kababaw para sukuan ito kung sakali man. 

"Nasa loob ba tayo ng kotse?" Tanong ng dalaga dahil nararamdaman niya ang mabagal na paggalaw ng kotse.

"Yes. You, okay?" Adrian spotted uneasiness all over her face. Hindi siya komportable sa puwesto niya dahil nakatakip ang mga mata niya. Adrian thought about removing the handkerchief but Gaia refused. It won't be a surprise if she'll see where they were going.

Adrian's car stopped as they reached their destination. Naroon sila sa lumang gusaling minsan na nilang napuntahan.Iginiya ni Adrian si Gaia papunta sa likod ng gusali. This building is abandoned yet full of beautiful surprises, and memories. He feels nostalgic all of a sudden. Infront of them is an old, rusty, and beautiful ferris wheel. Nginitian ni Adrian ang matandang lalaking magpapatakbo ng sasakyan nilang ferries wheel. He has to make sure that it was safe for riding. Adrian even made a few repairs for this ride just for this moment. 

"We're here, Gaia."

"Can I remove the socks?" Gaia's voice cracked.

"Socks?"

"A-ah, I mean the h-handkerchief." Gaia said quickly. Adrian chuckled because Gaia can't find the right word. She's probably nervous, thinking about where they are.

"Relax. Sandali na lang." Adrian smiled as he gestured his hand to the old man. Napangiti rin ang matanda sa kanila kasabay ng pag-aayos nito ng ferris wheel na sasakyan ng dalawa.

Adrian carefully guided Gaia as she step her foot in the cab. Maingat siyang pinaupo ni Adrian habang isinasara nito ang munting pinto ng sinakyan nilang ferris wheel. Tumango si Adrian sa matanda, saying that the wheel can start moving.

"H-hala..." Gaia almost shouted as she held Adrian's shoulders. Napatawa ang binata sa reaksyon ng dalaga. 

"It's okay. We're safe, there's nothing to worry. I'll remove your blindfold in a bit. Trust me."

A weak smile formed in Gaia's face. Ilang sandaling pag-andar pa ng ferris wheel ay tumigil na ang pagtakbo nito nang marating nang dalawa ang pinakamataas na puwesto.

"Are we okay now?" Gaia asked. 

Adrian threw an okay sign to the old man before answering Gaia. "Yes. Sandali na lang, I'm preparing my surprise for you." sagot niya kasabay ng pagtingin niya sa rooftop ng gusaling nasa harap nila. Nang masigurado niyang ayos ang lahat ay bumaling siyang muli kay Gaia at napangiti. "Okay na. Tatanggalin ko na 'yong panyo, ha."

Gaia didn't answered so Adrian decided to start the countdown, "Okay, in three, two..." Adrian smiled when Gaia rested her arms on his shoulders. "One... surprise."

As he remove the handkerchief, Gaia's eyebrows crossed paths. She's got no reaction as she gaze on those balloons, tarpaulins, and tables for the both them. Adrian's heart pounded. 

"H-hindi mo ba nagustuhan?" he asked nervously. Mas lalong nagkasalubong ang kilay ni Gaia. 

"What? Remove the blindfold first, Adrian. Don't play tricks on me. "

Napakunot ang noo ni Adrian sa tinuran ng dalaga. He still managed to smile. "What? Nakatanggal naman na. ‘Wag ka ngang magbiro ng ganyan. Kinakabahan ako sayo eh."

Hindi agad nakasagot si Gaia at napatingin na lamang sa mga mata ni Adrian. She's biting her lips as if she was about to cry. Her eyes crystallized as it been filled by tears she was holding back. Her heart is clenching. 

"W-why?" tanong ni Adrian.

Gaia shakes her head as her hands touches Adrian's face. But there's something wrong about her touch. Parang may kakaiba, hindi niya hinahawakan ang mukha ni Adrian. Dinadampi niya ang mga ito as if caressing a lone memory.

"A-adrian..." Her tears started to fall. Agad siyang dinaluhan ni Adrian at kinuha ang panyong ginamit nila sa pagtakip ng kanyang mga mata upang punasan ang mga luha niya. Nababahala na ang binata. 

"Bakit ka umiiyak? Gaia? Please. Tell me what's wrong."

Gaia just continued crying while shaking her head. She was whispering something but Adrian can't hear it. Lumapit nang bahagya si Adrian kay Gaia at halos mabato siya nang marinig ang itinuturan ng dalaga.

"I-I can't see anything, Adrian. W-wala akong makita..."

“N-no.” He was petrified, aghast with the words Gaia stated. 

***