The Fire Ignites

8| A Promise

I closed my eyes and told myself to focus on how Julio's lips feel on mine. I felt his hands on my face before we seperated. Nanatili akong nakapikit as his forehead touched mine.

"Did you feel that?" bulong ni Julio. I can't help but nod. I felt the connection. There's no doubt that the connection is there. Julio feels.. perfect. Even though we just knew each other, Julio is like a puzzle piece that I am trying to find since then, and I can't help but feel bothered why it feels like that.

That's the problem. What are these doubts in my head? Why do I feel bothered? Bakit ako ganito? Why can't I just be thankful? Bakit kailangan ko pa kwestunin lahat?

I opened my eyes and my heart continues to beat loudly as I see Julio's eyes staring directly at me with smile in both is eyes and mouth.

"I didn't want to fight, Liana. It was my fault and didn't consider how you'd feel.. I promise to understand you better." Hinaplos niya ang pisngi ko and hindi ko mapigilan hindi idikit lalo ang pisngi ko sa palad niya. I closed my eyes and nodded.

"Okay.." I smiled and opened my eyes. Pumatak muli siya ng isa pang halik bago tuluyan kaming naghiwalay.

Hinatid ako ni Julio pagkatapos.

The next day, my mom can't stop gushing about Julio. She keeps complimenting Julio. How gentleman he is, how good looking he is and how he looks at me.

"The guy is head over heels for you!"

Julio introduced himself to my parents last night, and my mom can't get over how perfect he is in person.

"I've seen the way he looks at you! Diba, Ma?" baling ni mama kay lola na nananahimik sa gilid, nagga-gantsilyo. Hindi sumagot si lola. Napangiti ako.

Umirap si mama, "When are we meeting his whole family?" she continued to ask me excitedly.

I went to work after. Hinatid ako ni mama papasok, at pagkatapos ay tumuloy na rin sia sa sarili niyang work.

Nakakalokong mga ngiti ang sumaluubong saakin sa trabaho. I gave them weird glances. Even the people whom I don't know keep on glancing on me.. Kahit mga studyante. Kumunot ang noo ko pero nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad.

Three girls wearing the school uniform with blue neckties blocked my way. Mga grade 12 students?

"Good morning ma'am." nakangiting bati nilang tatlo, parang nahihiya.

"Good morning." I smiled, "What can I do for you?"

Nagtulakan at nagsikuhan pa yung tatlong estudyante bago mabilisang nagsalita ang isa sa kanila, "Ma'am, kayo na po ba ni Julio Raveche?"

Napataas ang kilay ko. So this is what its all about huh? I just smiled at the students and said, "Aren't you girls late for your classes?" sabay tingin sa aking wristwatch.

Nagtinginan naman silang tatlo bago mabilis na tumakbo papuntang kabilang building. Napatawa ako ng mahina at nagpatuloy papasok sa office.

Pagpasok ko ng office ay ilang asar ang natanggap ko galing sa mga kasamahan. Ang iba ay nagslow clap pa.

"Did'nt know you had it on you!" sabay high five. Nung una ay di ko pa nagets. Pero nang chinika na ako ng mga iba kong katrabaho, doon na ako nalinawagan kung bakit nila ako kinakantsawan.

Julio and I are on the news headlines! I can't believe it! For a moment, nakalimutan ko na sikat nga pala ang mga Raveche. I scrolled my timeline and saw several websites and articles that talks about the 'magical kiss under the bright moon' with pictures! Pinamulahan ako ng mukha.