Sunken Promises

Kabanata 6

"Doon oh!" I pointed at the artificial cherry blossom tree. "Picture-an mo'ko r'on! I'll post it on IG."

He chuckled, "Sure."

I giggled before running towards that artificial tree. May mga teenager pa sana na magpipicture din doon ngunit nauna na ako. Sumunod naman si Arius na hawak ang polaroid camera ko. I smiled at the camera and angled my face a bit.

"Smile, 'nak! Ipapadala ko 'to sa Papa mo," he joked.

"Hey!" I playfully pouted.

"Joke lang, smile na dali!" he said then I angled face before smiling.

He clicked the shutter button and a blank piece of film escaped the camera. Puti pa iyon n'ong una ngunit nang iwinagayway ko sa ere ay unti-unti nang lumitaw ang imahe. It was aesthetically pleasing to look at. He's such a good photographer.

Nang dumating siya kanina sa bahay ay sinabihan niya akong magpalit ng damit at may pupuntahan daw kami. Dahil doon ay isinalampak ko muna sa fridge ang mga pinamili ko saka nagpalit ng damit.

I changed into a fitted plain white shirt tucked in a beige knife-pleated skirt with a matching beige trench coat. I also paired it with my black knee-high boots. My long light brown hair fell on my shoulders since I didn't think I had the time to style it.

Kung papaano niya nalaman na gusto kong pumunta rito ay hindi ko alam. For now, all that's important to me is that there's someone who is willing to spend this special season with me. That there's him beside me.

"Ang ganda!" I commented. 

"That's just because you're beautiful," he tucked some of my hair beside my ear.

For a fleeting moment, I forgot about everything. I felt like tonight, was our night. Tonight, I'm in a safe haven that I created, with him. Tonight, I felt at peace.

"Tara, picture tayo d'on," I ignored what he said and dragged him towards the enormous white Christmas tree in the middle.

Pumwesto ako sa gilid n'on at sinenyasan siyang tumabi sa'kin. 

"Wait lang," he mouthed.

He talked to a girl a bit younger than me. Nginitian niya ito nang sumagot at ibinigay ang camera ko. He finally went beside me and the girl walked closer to us, holding my camera. I think he asked her to take photo of us. Well, what else could be the reason why he lent her my camera?

"One... Two... Three... Smile!"

I stiffened when he put his arm on my shoulders and pulled me closer to him. My smile didn't fade though, lumapad pa nga ito lalo dahil sa gulat!

Hinampas ko sa balikat si Arius pakatapos pindutin ng babae ang shutter button.  Tumawa lang siya ganoon na lang din ang ginawa ko. Somehow, nakakahawa ang ngiti niya. I just love the way his eyes almost closes as he reveals his perfect set of teeth.

"Thank you, Miss," aniya sa babae habang iwinawagayway ang polaroid film, hawak sa kabilang kamay ang camera ko.

"Wala po 'yun, Kuya. Ang cute niyo nga po ng girlfriend niyo e!" she giggled.

His what?!

""N-No, hindi niya-"

"Talaga?" he smirked and put the polaroid film in his pocket. He suddenly held my hand and pulled me closer to him. "Ang ganda niya 'no?"

Kinunutan ko siya ng noo ngunit hindi niya iyon pinansin. Sa halip ay bumaling siya ulit d'on sa babae.

"Oo nga po e. Sana all!" bumungisngis pa siya bago tinawag ngmga magulang niya.