Meeting you was one thing but knowing you was another. My mom's so fond of you diba? I really think deep within her heart, she wanted a son.
Nang lumipat kami sa village niyo, mas lalong dumalas yung pagkikita natin. We often spend the weekends in your house or at times your family's coming over to ours. I've met your siblings then. They're twins!
Saoirse is delightful. She's very pretty and kindhearted. Her smile is very contagious. I like hanging out with her. Naomhan's masungit. Hindi mo siya kaugali. He's closed off but very handsome. He's polite and very intelligent. He somehow reminds me of myself. Nakakaintimidate siya kahit mas matanda ako sa kanya ng isang taon.
Everything's new to me. It's like we gain an extended family through yours. My mom's very happy. Yun naman ang mahalaga. So I tried so hard to be likable at least. Sobrang reserved at tahimik ko kasi noong bata pa tayo. Hindi ko nga alam kung paano niyo ko napagtiyagaang kausapin eh. I only answer you with one liners. Madalas iniiwasan pa kita. Because I hated being near you.
One particular memory of me being distant was when Auntie Glen invited us for a sleep over. Your Dad's away for a business trip and you had the house for yourselves. Tuwang tuwa si Mommy and without hesitation she agreed. We brought foods prepared by mom tapos nagprepare sila Auntie and Mom ng tent sa may garden. It was so memorable.
Hindi kita pinapansin even when you're making advances to talk to me. I pretended that you don't exist. I played with Saoirse and even talked with Naomhan! Kahit sobrang awkward tiniis ko. I even initiated the conversation. Your brother was observant though. He sees through people. Kaya nahalata niyang sinasadya kong hindi ka pansinin.
"You're avoiding, Kuya." It was a statement. Hindi niya man lang inangat yung tingin niya sa akin nang sabihin niya ito. He's busy reading a book. At the age of six, your brother is really something. With his cute glasses and tiger pajama, it's hard to take him seriously that time.
"I'm not." Of course, I will deny it.
"Suit yourself," He just shrugged. "You're bad at lying, Ate."
I really think Naomhan Timothy Saavedra is an adult trapped in a child's body. Feeling ko dati, siya si Detective Conan. I realized now na sobrang dami niyang insights. He's like that even today. Van's still the cold handsome guy that everybody's drawn to. Parang mas lumala ngayon dahil nagmature siya lalo.
Nung nagdedecide na para sa sleeping arrangement, bigla ka na lang nagdeclare na you want to sleep beside me. Our mothers laughed with that. So much for avoiding you huh?
"Let me sleep beside Ian, Auntie Cecil," You used your charming smile to bribe my mom.
I instantly disagree to that idea. Ayaw ko. Hindi ko nga gusto kapag nasa iisang lugar tayo tapos gusto mo pang tumabi sa akin? No way in hell. I saw Van's amused eyes.
"Sleep beside your sister, Skandar!" Namumula kong wika.
You have the guts to smirk at me tapos inakbayan mo pa ko. Feeling close ka din dati ano?
"Saoirse's sleeping beside Van, right?" Kitang kita ko yung pag-angat baba ng kilay mo para kumbinsihin ang kapatid mo. Saoirse pulled her twin immediately.
"So, it's settled! I'm your katabi for tonight," Then you pulled me inside the tent. It's big enough for all of us. Maluwag pa nga eh. Kaya agad akong nagharang ng unan between us. You were pouting because of that.
"What's wrong with you?" You asked. I can see the confusion in your eyes. Bakit nga naman diba? Nagagawa kong makipag interact sa lahat pwera sayo.
I know the answer now pero back then hindi ko pa maintindihan.
"Ian, I just want to be your friend," Dahan dahan mong hinawakan yung kamay ko. We're the only ones inside the tent. Nasa labas pa sila Mom noon. Hindi ko mapaliwanag yung nararamdaman ko kaya agad kong pinalis yung kamay mo.
You threw your hands up like surrendering. I never saw irritation in your eyes even though I was being hard on you. You chuckled and uttered the words that made my eyes grew big than its usual.
"You don't want to befriend me? Then...do you want more than that?"
Tangina. Pitong taong gulang nasasabi iyon? I know you're only teasing pero tangina talaga.
So I smacked you with a pillow straight in the face. You. Deserved. It.
"I'm kidding!" You prevented me with my attacks. "Loosen up, Ian."
"You're an idiot," I told you.
"I agree," You winked. "But I really want to be your friend."
"Whatever."
"Heaven's close to you! I'm kinda jealous," Umarte ka pang masakit ang puso mo. Heaven's your cousin. He's funny and I'm comfortable with him. Heaven's your best friend and he also became mine.
"I want that too," You look determined when you uttered that.
"What?"
"To be close to you."
"Like I will let that happen," I rolled my eyes.
"I'll wait."
I realized that it's one of your traits. You're patient. Kahit kailan hindi ka nainis dahil hindi kita ginagawaran ng attention samantalang nagagawa kong kausapin ang iba mong pinsan at mga kapatid. You were always nice. You waited. Hindi ka nainip hanggang sa naging komportable ako sayo.
You waited for my walls to crumble. You waited 'til my inhibitions were gone. You waited for me to cross the line. So we could be on the same boat. You waited for the day that I'm willing to become your friend. You never pressured me. You're just there. Always.
I should thank you for waiting for me
As you held out your hand patiently
I reached out my hand for you to take
As the start of the new memories we're gonna make
I'll remember
-T.A
A.N
Saoirse is pronounced as (Ser-sha)
Naomhan is pronounced as (Nee-van)
BINABASA MO ANG
I'll Remember
Teen Fiction"No one you love is ever truly lost." -Ernest Hemingway Troian Nevarez likes to keep her true feelings to herself. She doesn't like to open up to others. She built walls strong enough not to let people in. Life played with her and the world had lef...
