I'll Remember

Thirteenth Week

Hey Sky, I think I realized your best trait. Bata pa lang tayo, ganoon ka na eh. Hindi ko napapansin noon, but as I look back now, my heart felt so full because of the way you showed your love and care for me.

You are freeing, Sky.

When you taught me how to ride a bike, you let me fall. Nabangga pa nga ako sa puno. Hindi mo agad ako tinulungang tumayo.

"Can you stand up or do you want me to help you?" That's the first thing you said.

When I had a fight with a girl classmate back then, I can see the worried look on your face but I told you not to intervene.

I said I can handle it. And you let me.

When I was having a hard time in our lesson, you will always jokingly suggest that you'll let me copy your answers. And I would glare at you. Lalo mo pa kong iinisin, kaya ako mas nagiging competitive.

And in the end, I'd get the answers without your help.

There are times that you would tell me that you like me. But I never once felt the need to return it or say it back to you.

You never pressured me.

You let me deal with my problems on my own. Hindi ka kailanmang namilit. You are just there, always.

And I truly appreciate that.

Hindi mo ko tinuring na isang babasaging bagay. You let me be independent. Hinayaan mo ako.

I'm not a damsel in distress. I don't need the saving. I don't need someone to protect me.

And you know that too well.

So, you cared in a different way. You compromised for me. Kahit alam kong gustong gusto mo kong protektahan sa lahat ng nangyayari, hinayaan mo kong harapin ang lahat ng mag-isa.

You're just there on the sidelines waiting for me if ever I needed your help.

I am free when I'm with you.

"I'm here. How can I help?" Tanong mo sa akin nang nakita mo kami ni Magui kasama ang iba pa naming kaklase na namimigay ng badges, bookmarks at stickers for my campaign. Start na kasi ng week long campaign period.

I decided to run for presidency. Kasama ko pa nga kayo ni Heaven noong nagfile ako ng candidacy. I was an independent candidate.

"It's all good. Kahapon ka pa nakasama sa akin. Lagot na kayo sa kaklase mo."

Nagkamot pa ng ulo si Heaven. "Troian's right, bro. Kaklase natin ang kalaban niya. We need to stay low key. Pag nalaman niya, treachery 'yun!"

"He already knows that I won't vote for him." Kunot noong sabi mo.

"Tayo na lang dalawa! Why did you ask for their help?" Turo ni Heaven sa mga kaibigan niyo.

Namimigay si Takara ng stickers at wala man lang emosyong sinasambit ang "Vote Troian Nevarez for President."

Sloane is smiling and seems like she's enjoying her task. Sa sobrang friendly niya, pati yung mga nagtatanong ng number niya, binibigay niya din.

Sina Lelouch at Ravi ang tumutulong magkabit ng campaign posters. Tuwang tuwa naman ang mga kaklase kong babae, eh halos hindi sila gawaran ng kahit isang tingin ni Lelouch. Ravi, on the other hand keeps them entertained.

I was surprised when they came, tapos sinabi pang tutulong sila. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko. Si Takara pa ang nagsalita. Halatang napipilitan. Hindi ako nakasagot agad dahil ayaw ko naman silang utusan.

But Magui gladly accepted their help. Tuwang tuwa siya dahil sikat din ang mga kaibigan mo. Dagdag daw sa publicity kapag tumulong sila.

Huli kayong dumating ni Heaven, kaya naabutan niyo silang marami ng nagawa. During breaks lang naman puwedeng magcampaign. Kakatapos lang din ng miting de avance.

Marami ngang nakatingin sa gawi natin. Lalo na ang ibang mga kaklase niyo. Nag-init ang mukha ko dahil dito. Nakakahiya! Bakit ba kasi harap harapan kayong sumusuporta.

Lalo lang nagkagulo dahil dumating din ang mga pinsan at kapatid mo. Saoirse excitedly asked if she can help, bitbit niya ang kakambal na mukhang laging iritado. Kasama rin nila sina Castle at Yeshua.

"Troian, sayong sayo lang ang vote ko." Calin winked at me. He's still sporting his long locks. Nakasuot pa siya ng badge na may pangalan ko.

"Dude, senior high school ka na! Vote my ass." Pabiro siyang sinapak ni Sly. He's no longer chubby! But still tall and more handsome. "Nilakad na kita sa mga kaklase ko! Libre mo ko kapag nanalo ka ah!"

Hindi ko inaasahan ang ganito karaming tulong at suporta. I just feel overwhelmed. Hindi ko nga inaasahan na buong klase ko ang susuporta sa akin eh. Marami ka kasing babae doon! Akala ko galit pa rin sila sa akin.

"Thank you." Sabi ko agad sayo nang nakita kitang naghihintay sa labas ng classroom namin nang mag-uwian.

I know that you were behind the people who helped me in my campaign. Sinabi rin sa akin ni Magui na ang dami mong kinakausap sa mga lower year.

"For you, anything." You winked. Napasinghap ako.

Hinatid mo ako hanggang sa parking lot. Nakakatawa nga dahil lahat ng makasalubong natin ay sinasabihan mong iboto ako. Ang dami mo talagang kilala.

Kakasakay ko lang sa backseat ng kotse nang pinigilan mo ang pagsara ng pinto nito. You placed your hand in the car's door while stupidly grinning at me.

"Take care, Miss President."

I rolled my eyes at tinulak ka na ng marahan para masara na ang pinto. You chuckled. Kinatok mo pa ang bintana. I rolled the window down.

"Kita mo 'to?" Turo mo sa badge na nakakabit na uniform mo. It was placed in the left side of your chest.

"Of course, I have eyes."

"Talaga? Can you read what's written?"

"Ano bang gusto mong sabihin?" Sinungitan na kita. Pinaghihintay mo ang driver eh!

"Troian Allysandri Nevarez is here." Tinuro mo pa ang puso mo. "She belongs here."

I rolled the windows up immediately. Sinabihan ko agad si Kuya Olan na magdrive. Tumatawa rin siya.

Nang lingunin kita uli, kumakaway kaway ka pa.

Baliw talaga.

A small smile crept in my lips.

Sky, you always have your own way in showing your affection.

The reason why you will always have my admiration.

Thank you for loving me freely.

You told me it's the only way you know how to love, praying as you set me free

You can keep me and will always have me.

I'll remember

-T.A