It was raining hard that time when I first saw him. Nakaupo siya sa pinaka gilid ng waiting shed kung saan ako sumilong. His face was full of bruises. Puro pasa ang pisnge, putok pa ang labi.
Pero sa kabila ng mga pasa, nangingibabaw parin ang kagwapuhan niya.
I remembered how I flinched when he looked at me with his cold, piercing eyes. Kung iba siguro, baka natakot na sa tingin niya. Pero ako, imbes na matakot eh mas nakaramdam pa ako ng awa.
If you look deeper into his eyes, you'll see the pain he'd been concealing for a long time.
I was hesitant at first, pero dahil mas nangibabaw ang awa at lungkot na nararamdaman ko, mas pinili kong lapitan siya. His eyes shoot like daggers pero 'di ko pinansin iyon.
With all my courage, I lift both of my hands and placed it on his bruised cheeks.
"You'll be fine. I promise."
His reaction was priceless. He looked surprised and confused at the same time.
"What the hell are you talking about? Crazy girl" he said and looked away.
And that is how everything started.
I did everything to help him out. Kinulit ko siya ng kinulit hanggang sa nagsawa na siya sa pagtaboy sa akin at hinayaan nalang akong guluhin siya.
Dinala ko siya sa mga lugar na gusto kong puntahan. I was really happy na kasama niya ako sa iba niyang first! Tulad nalang ng first time niyang sumakay ng ferris wheel.
I'm happy. Kasi ngayon, nagagawa niya nang ngumiti. Alam kong ayaw niyang ipakita sakin pero minsan nahuhuli ko talaga siya.
"Reishi, are you free tomorrow?" biglang tanong niya.
"Hmm.. Oo. Bakit?"
"May surprise ako sayo bukas." sabi niya at nag-iwas ng tingin. Namumula pa ang pisnge. Ang cute!
"Ngii. Edi hindi na surprise yon? Sinabi mo na eh." sabi ko.
"Basta. Hintayin kita bukas sa rooftop ng condo ko. 5:30 ng hapon dapat nandun kana."
"Ang bossy naman. Pero sige na nga!" sagot ko. He looked at me with his serious eyes.
"Promise me that you'll be there tomorrow."
I knew he'd say that. I closed my eyes and when I opened it again, I just gave him a smile. He frowned, so I figured that he'll ask me again kaya agad akong nagsalita.
"Nikkolai, I want to eat ice-cream! Tara samahan mo ako." sabi ko sabay hila na sa kanya.
Pagkatapos namin kumain, hinatid niya agad ako pauwi. Nasa tapat na kami ng pintuan ng condo ko. Pansin ko na dala-dala niya parin yung paper bag na kinuha niya galing sa sasakyan. Inabot niya ito sakin. Na agad ko namang tinanggap.
"What is this? Early birthday gift?" pabiro kong sabi. He chuckled and shook his head.
"Hindi. I want you to wear everything na nasa loob ng bag na yan bukas. Understood?"
"Inuutusan mo ba ako? Oo na."
Then something hit me na agad nagpawala ng masigla kong ngiti.
"Nikkolai, sorry kung ngayon ko lang sasabihin....pwedeng i-cancel mo nalang muna yung surprise mo sakin tomorrow?" sabi ko. He looked confused and disappointed at the same time.
"B-Bakit? I thought you're free tomorrow?" naguguluhang tanong niya. I looked away.
"Ngayong ko lang naalala na may importante pala akong gagawin bukas. Re-sched nalang natin, okay lang ba?" he smiled, though it didn't reached his eyes.
"Oo naman. Just tell me kung kailan ka free." sabi niya.
"Ganito nalang.....punta ka sa bahay namin sa friday." nanlaki ang mata niya pagkatapos ko iyon sabihin.
"S-Sa bahay niyo..? Bakit?"
"Hay nako! Ang dami mo talagang tanong. Basta punta ka? I'll introduce you to my whole family." sabi ko. I saw how his eyes gleamed because of happiness. His happy face melts my heart.
"T-Talaga?! Reishi, I'm so happy! Excited na ako makilala sila." nakangiti niyang sabi.
"I know. Halata naman eh."
"Ipapakilala mo ako as what?" biglang tanong niya na naging dahilan kung bakit ako nasamid sa sarili kong laway.
"A-Ano.....secret na yun! Malalaman mo din." sabi ko. He pouted.
"Ay, ang daya!"
"Basta punta ka ha? We won't be seeing each other for the next days kasi......magiging busy ako. Basta sa friday, pumunta ka ha?" sabi ko. My voice was shaking at kung hindi palang pinunasan ni Nikkolai ang mukha ko, hindi ko mapapansin na umiiyak na pala ako.
He looked confused again kaya I smiled."Don't ask. Masyado lang akong masaya kasi nakikita na kitang ngumingiti. I'm glad that I'm part of it."
He chuckled. "Don't make me cry here, Reishi."
"I love you, Nikkolai."
I closed the door, leaving him dumbfounded. My tears poured after I closed the door. I let my heart cry everything out.
Atleast I was able to tell him that I love him. My first and last I love you for him.
