Wanted: RYDER MONTEVERDE

12: Knight in Shining Benz

Bianca's

I was browsing my Facebook newsfeed nang makarinig ako ng malakas na kalabog sa may sala. I wonder if Ryder was already here since dadalaw siya sa akin at manliligaw formally. I was too excited that I forgot to curl my hair. Sayang! Mas pretty pa naman ako kapag medyo curly ang dulo ng hair ko.

I went downstairs only to find out 3 briefcases, Dad and Ryder. I can see on their faces na parang may pinagtatalunan sila..and ano ba yung laman ng briefcases na yan? Hmmm. Nung tinanong ko naman kung ano ang nangyayari, Ryder just dragged me out of our house and made me sit on his car.

'' Where are we going? Hey calm down!'' , mas bumibilis kasi ang pagpapatakbo ni Ryder ng kotse niya. Kinakabahan tuloy ako kung anong nangyari sa pag-uusap nila ni Daddy. I let out a heavy sigh and held his arm. '' Kumalma ka naman oh. Ano bang problema?"

"You love me, don't you?'' , tiningnan niya ako habang nagmamaneho.  I was taken aback that moment. Ryder, asking me if I love him! Ofcourse I do! In fact, noong una ko pa lang sya ng nakita it was love at first sight, I swear! But now, parang napipi ako. I just looked at him while he was driving. He was looking into my eyes every five seconds, checking if I was okay, if I already answered his question.

But I said nothing.

Ano bang nangyayari sa akin?!

Niliko niya sa isang park ang kotse at tinigil ito. He looked at me and held my hand tightly. Parang may nagkakarerang mga kabayo sa dibdib ko. Parang daig pa nito ang Melbourne Cup o kaya karera sa Sa Jose. Nakakainis! Hindi ko maipaliwanag nararamdaman ko.

'' If you ask me the same question, Bianca. I would say Yes. Yes, I love you. I am falling, don't you know that? From the moment I saw you, I knew you were different. Hindi na importante kung ano ang estado natin sa buhay, kung mas mayaman ka sa akin o hindi. Alam ko sa sarili ko na bubuhayin kita. Na handa akong ibigay ang lahat, isakripisyo ang oras at pagtingin ko para sa'yo.

I would even sacrifice my life for you.''

Tears were falling down my cheeks. Traydor na mga luha ito! Masaya akong naririnig ito mula kay Ryder but at the same time, natatakot ako. Natatakot ako na baka hanggang salita lang sya. Na baka sinasabi niya lang ito para makumbinse na totoo nga ang mga fairytales at telenovelas na pinapanood namin ni Mommy. Paano kung hanggang salita lang sya?

What if I told him I love him but it wasn't enough?

What if...

'' Just say yes and trust me, everything will be alright.''

I nodded. I just can't hide it. Ang hirap itago ang feelings mo para sa isang tao lalo na kung nagsusumigaw na ito.

His lips formed a smile and he his grip became tighter. Lumapit sya sa akin at dinampi sa noo ko ang mga labi niya at saka tumingin sa mga mata ko.

"Hindi ka magsisisi, Bianca Castillo. Simula ngayon, I will be your knight in shining Benz.''