Boy in Luv

It Started with a Kiss

Remembering when we first met was a very dear memory to me. Nung nagkita tayo sa gate, it felt like the first time all over again. I even forgot that Andrea was with me until you reminded me. Sa pagkagulat ay mali pa ang pagpapakilala ko sa pinsan ko sa'yo. "Siya pala si Andrea, girlfriend ko." Seriously Jin? Girlfriend? Ano nanaman labas mo kung nalaman niyang pinsan mo yan?

Kahit kailan talaga, whenever you're near, either I make wrong moves or I say wrong things.

Pagpasok sa loob ng bahay hindi matigil sa pagtawa si Andrea. "Stop laughing Andi." naiinis na saway ko sa kanya. Paano ko lulusutan yun? Hay! Kararating palang pumalpak na agad.

"You are one hell of a loser Jin." she said in between laughs. "So, i'm your girlfriend now? 'Bat di ko maalalang sinagot kita?" pagpapatuloy niya. Naiinis na nga ako sa sarili ko dahil sa kapalpakan ko, dumadagdag pa 'tong si Andi.

Narinig ni mommy ang walang humpay niyang tawa kaya naman dali dali siyang pumunta sa kinaroroonan namin.

"Baby! You're home." yinakap ako ni mom at yumakap ako sa kanya pabalik at saka yumakap siya kay Andi. "Andi, sweetie." bati niya.

"Tita! I missed you. We have a lot to talk about." tugon niya kay mommy. "And I need to know everything about the girl next door." nakangiting sabi pa niya.

"Stop Andrea Tristeza or God help me, sisipain kita pabalik ng Hawaii."

"Jin! Don't be rude to your cousin." pagsaway sa 'kin ni mommy. Ipinaakyat na ni mommy sa mga house helps ang mga gamit namin ni Andi sa mga kwarto namin at niyaya kami sa dining table.

"Where's dad, mom?" tanong ko ng mapansin na wala si dad sa bahay.

"He's in the office baby."

"But it's a sunday mom." Workaholic talaga si dad. Ever since ipinahandle na sa kanya ang 70% ng operations ng kumpanya noong bata ako ay lagi na siyang busy, lalo pa ngayon na siya na ang nagmamanage 100%.

"That's why you're finally here baby, to help dad." inabot ni mommy ang kamay 'kong nakapatong sa table at marahang pinisil ito kasabay ng kanyang pagngiti.

Lunch went well. After lunch, Andi and I went to our rooms to take a rest. Pagod kami sa byahe. Pareho kaming galing ng Hawaii. I went there for a 3 week vacation. Dapat next week pa ang uwi ko but Andi's parents had an emergency sa business nila kaya umuwi nalang ako ng maaga at nagpumilit siyang sumama. Hindi na kami nagpasundo sa airport and I just called mom when we're already in a taxi on the way home.

After taking a shower, I took a nap. Paggising ko, it's already three in the afternoon. Pagkabangon ko ay binuksan ko agad ang bintana ko. It felt weird to open the window again after a very long time. Pagkabukas ay napansin kong nakabukas din ang bintana mo.

Bumaba ako sa living room at naabutan kong tumatawa si Andi with mom and dad while looking at a photo album. It was our pictures when we were kids. Agad akong lumapit sa kanila at yumakap kay dad.

"How's your trip, son?" tanong ni dad at kinuha niya ang tasa ng kape sa center table at humigop dito.

"It's fun dad. We should all go together next time." sagot ko at tumango si dad. "Good idea, son."

"So she's the Pamela, huh?" biglang singit ni Andi. "It felt so good to finally put a face on the name. The reason why I suddenly became part of an incest relationship."  dagdag pa niya at tumawa ng malakas. Nakisabay naman sa tawa si mommy at napansin kung nakangiti din si dad.

"Shut up Andi, it's just a slip of the tongue." giit ko ngunit 'di siya nagpatinag at ikinwento niya ulit ang nangyare ng magkita kami ni Pamela kanina. Natahimik nalang ako dahil sa pagkahiya. Nagsuggest pa si mom na iinvite ka at ang mama mo na magdinner sa bahay. Great. I want to go back to Manila.

Dinner came and it really is kind of awkward for me. Dagdagan pa ng magkakunchabahang nanay ko at pinsan ko. Nung ipinakilala ni mom si Andi sa'yo at sa mama mo ay girlfriend ulit ang pagpapakilala nila at talagang siniseryoso ni Andi ang pagpapanggap. Andi acted sweet while I remained silent the whole time.

Over dinner, I only made one glance at you and I noticed the necklace you're wearing. It was my gift to you on your thirteenth birthday. Then I suddenly remembered.

Your birthday party was already over and I haven't given you my gift yet. Pinag-ipunan ko ang regalo ko sa'yo. I even begged mom na dagdagan ang pera ko dahil kulang ito noong nagpunta kami ng mall para bumili ng ireregalo. It was a white gold necklace with a small heart pendant. I was so excited to give you my gift. Mom and I were about to go home after the party but I asked her that I needed to stay since I haven't given you my gift. Mom went home and tita Mila was in the kitchen, cleaning out. We were in your living room. You were sitting on the sofa checking others gifts you recieved.

Lumapit ako at tumabi sa kinauupuan mo. You turned your head to look at me and I smiled nervously. I don't know why I was nervous that time. Giving you my gift was just a simple task but I bathe myself with my own cold sweat before I was able to hand it to you.

Excited mong tinanggap ang isang maliit na pahabang box na inabot ko sa'yo. You eagerly opened it and your megawatt smile beamed right in front of me. "Thank you Jin. It's so pretty." you said and kissed me on my right cheek. That night when I went home, I realized why I was always eager to be with you and why at times, i'm nervous when i'm around you. That was the night my craziness over you started. And it started with a kiss.