𝕱𝕮 802 𝖀4 2002: 𝘖𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘺

2 | A Date with J's

"YOU ARE A FUNNY PERSON."

"Even funnier ba Zef dahil sa mukhang 'to?"

"Hindi! You seem very serious in the book," he pointed out.

"Hmm," napa-isip ako "Kaya experts in dating say, hindi dapat masyadong nag-e-engage in texting or remote dating. Because we tend to make this image of a person na hindi naman totoo," paliwanag ko sa kan'ya.

Totoo naman. Medyo serious type ako sa libro at baka may mga expectations s'ya na akala n'ya ako, pero hindi pala. All because we don't engage in face to face communication. We don't really have the full picture of what we truly are outside the toneless and premeditated messages we're used to sending to each other.

"But I like this version of you more. Though, hindi mo naman kailangang magpatawa palagi."

"Hindi naman kita pinapatawa, natatawa ka lang siguro sa face ko." Seryoso s'yang umiling. "Okay, I need to be bubbly, don't you think? Mas maganda naman din kung may character ako."

"Trust me, you do."

"Mabuti, mabuti. At least binawi sa character."

"Grabe naman. You don't look bad yourself."

"Naku, naku po. Don't start flattering me, Zef. Mahirap akong bolahin."

"Naah, I'm not like that." I look at him dead in the eyes. "Ano?"

"Okay, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt."

"Your hair is cute."

"Ihagis mo 'to sa dagat at may isda kang makukuha."

We stop on our track. Kanina, nag-offer s'yang ihatid ako sa susunod kong klase. Nasa harap na kami ngayon ng silid. Everyone just has to be looking at him now, wondering why he has to be with me.

Oh, it's just prayers, honey, gusto ko sanang sabihin.

"So?"

"Anong so?"

"S'an tayo mamaya?" he asks.

"You mean, lunch?"

"Hm-hm, or after school if you're free."

Sooo, this is love. I mean, this is dating. I've read a few dating tips back then. What I learned is you really have to be intentional when it comes to it. Don't let the other person make plans for you all the time. There should be an intention to prosper the relationship.

Pero parang ang hirap pala kung nasa sitwasyon ka na, especially sa sitwasyon ko. I have limited resources: time, money, beauty? (kung meron, ano po?), so it holds me back as well.

Lumapit ako sa kan'ya at bumulong.
"Sa karenderya kasi ako kumakain sa labas ng school."

Mas mura kasi d'on.

"I'll join?"

"Seryoso ba? Kinakain mo, kinakain namin?"

"Parehas lang naman tayo ng bituka."

"May point." I agree. "See you, then, Mr. Boots."

"Titidit-tit, ti-Dora!"

"Vámonos!"

"You can lead the way!"

We burst into laughter. "Dino-dog show mo..."

Hindi ko na naituloy. It is for a brief moment, but the hug he gives me leaves me warm for the entire time I'm standing, looking at him with wonder.

"Really, really. Nice meeting you."

"Yesss. Finally. I appreciate your kindness," I reply.

"And you too."