Missy
It wasn't instant.
It's not as if we met and then we couldn't stop talking since. It was gradual. Starting with:
"Hello, Missy! This is Yuan. Would you mind meeting up sometime? My lola wants me to give you these fruits. Galing sa garden niya yan!"
Of course, I said yes. Nakakahiya naman sa lola niya eh. I was expecting mangoes or something similar in size but when I saw him, he was holding two giant papayas.
"Oops. Sorry. I forgot to tell you na magaling sa halaman si Inay," he said apologetically. After a quick coffee, we parted ways.
The following day, I sent a message to thank him. "Yummy yung papaya! Thank you! Sobrang nagustuhan ng pamangkin ko."
Over the course of the next few weeks, it was more of that. I had received papayas, mangoes, aratilis, sili, malunggay leaves from his lola. One time, Yuan arrived carrying... "Santan?"
He scratched his head. "Umm oo. Hindi pa daw kasi pwedeng pitasin yung macopa niya."
I chuckled. "Ang cute naman talaga ni Lola."
"Sorry ha. Kailangan ko sumunod eh. Nakakaabala na ba kami?"
"Hindi naman pero nagtataka ako bakit pinabibigay sa akin lahat?"
He blushed. "Hindi ba obvious? Bet ka kasi ng lola ko. Sagutin mo na."
I laughed out loud. "Nasabi mo na ba sa kanya yan?"
He nodded looking proud of himself. "Nakurot ka sa singit?"
"Hinde. Binato ng tsinelas."
I laughed again. "Ayan. Buti nga. Pero ang cute talaga ng lola mo."
Yuan cringed. "You think you'd still find her cute if..."
"If...?"
"If... malaman mong kasama ko siya ngayon?"
My eyes widened. "Ha? Here? Where?"
"Sa restaurant sa likod ko. Gusto niya siguraduhin na sayo ko binibigay yung mga fruits eh," he explained.
I laughed again. "O, tara. Let's have merienda or an early dinner with her?"
"Talaga?! Tara!"
*
It was a fun meal.
His grandmother regaled me with stories of Yuan as a young boy.
"Laking lola talaga yan. Pinapaiwan ko sa nanay niya para sa amin mag-summer tapos gagawin namin lahat ng gusto niya," Inay said.
"Oo, lahat," Yuan interrupted. "Kahit tumalon sa bakod. Ayan nasaktan tuloy ako."
Inay rolled her eyes. "Eh napakakulit mo eh. Buong summer na yun, wala ng sinabi kundi gustong tumalon dun... nung tiningnan ko at hindi naman siya mamamatay, o sige talon."
"Ayun, mali yung bagsak ko. Injured tuloy ako."
"Eh di nagtanda siya," said Inay fondly. "Mabait ito. Isang beses lang naging sooooobrang tanga pero mabait siya talaga."
"Po?" I asked.
"Inay naman..." Yuan protested. "I'll tell you sometime pero wag muna ngayon ha?"
I agreed.
Soon, we parted ways and I couldn't help but think: what secret are you keeping Juan dela Cruz?
—-
Note: Quick update! Sorry sa delay!!!! I got sick kasi but Will try to post more in the coming days. Also working on the ebook na talaga. Will publish it this weekend (please pray na walang hassles in life 😅) and will be having a mini-giveaway as well! Please stay tuned here or on my Twitter!
