Gone With The Wind ✔️

ten

Elizabeth

"Wow, you got us bikes?" I amusedly uttered as I scanned the two bikes-- coloured pink and skyblue-- in front of us. Wallace is crossing his arms having a jovial smile while looking at me.

"Where did you got these?" I queried as I gently touched the fake flowers attached on its basket. Pero sa akin lang naman ang may mga bulaklak. They're fake but they look real actually. Like your friends----just kidding.

"I rented it. For a day."

My mouth formed an 'o' as an expression of disbelief, before realizing something.

"You should've informed me your plan! How much should I pay you?" I stated as I start looking for my wallet inside the the bag I always bring. I cannot let him pay for the expenses that I should be the one paying. Though I am pretty clueless that he'll be getting us bikes today, but STILL, I should be the one paying for my expenses.

My hands stiffened, so as my whole body when Wallace held my hands, taking it out from the bag.

His head is shaking while having that small smile on his lips.

"You don't have to pay me. It's a surprise, Eli." His voice was so gentle as he said those words. So I can't help but to gulp and blink several times for I am feeling those again.

My eyes traveled down as I felt Wallace's warm palms on my wrist. I gently pulled it away as I tried to cover the tense in my inside by chuckling at him.

"Surprise? Bakit?" I asked and looked away from his eyes that's making me feel like I am being called to the another world where I and him only exist.

"I just want to."

I pursed as I start to bob my head.

"Alam mo tara na! We have to go since time is running." At konti na lang ang oras na meron ako. I cannot waste it.

I hyped and slapped his shoulders several times, hopped and laughed around the bike. Napatawa naman siya sa ginawa ko at napa-iling. Like me, he went on the blue bike he got for himself, and it's parked beside me.

I placed my bag inside the basket after I positioned myself, so it'll be comfortable riding the bike. I glanced at Wallace and he's doing the same. Napansin niya siguro na nakatingin ako sa kaniya kaya lumingon ito sa akin.

"Let's go?" I nodded and started pushing the pedals of the bike and fixed my balance.

I am glad I already knew how to ride a bike. Because actually, when I was still young, I am afraid riding a bike because I often see bike accidents in our t.v, so fear was planted on me.

I just learned how to ride bike when I was in fourth year. As those times reminisces in my head, specially the one who taught me how to do it, I can't help but to release a bitter smile.

Those old good times.

Pinilig ko na lang ang ulo ko at lumingon kay Red na nasa tabi ko lang. We just have the same speed and we're on the same lane. Mabuti din naman yon para walang maiiwan.

"Where are we going, by the way?" I asked as my eyes where shifting to Wallace and to the road.

"Park." My eyes glistened as my smile widened.

"Eli," he called again. Before I could ask why, bigla na lamang naging mabilis ang takbo niya kaya medyo nauuna na siya sa'kin.

"Let's have a race!" He continued. My mouth was half opened as disbelief and mirth draw in me. But even if that was the case, I started to push the pedals faster to catch him and play with his game.

I was just laughing all around with him while we're having our racing. It's still 8 in the morning so the shaft of the sunlight that I've felt on my skin isn't that tender. It's actually refreshing.

"Wallace slow down a bit! Baka ma-aksidente tayo!" I warned. I am almost near at his bike, and despite of the brisk push of the pedals that's making the ride a bit speedy, I am careful at the same time.

Napahiyaw ako ng biglang bumitaw si Wallace sa handlebar, giving me two thumbs up. From the distance we have, his laugh is so audible in my ears, like he isn't even bothered at all.

We haven't stopped laughing until we finally reached the park.

"You made me feel nervous!" Ani ko at nasapak siya sa kaniyang braso pagkatapos na'ming i-park ng maayos ang bike malapit sa isang malaking puno. Tawa ang iginanti niya sa'kin.

I looked at the park and there's already a lot of people with such picnic blankets, baskets for food, and other stuffs. There's a lot of kids too playing with bubbles, riding sways, climbing in the monkey bars.

The park is a bit spacious so it isn't that suffocating. Nabigla ako ng umakbay sa'kin si Wallace at hinila ako sa isang direksyon.

"How's my performance by the way?" I jest, pertaining on my bike skills. He laughed at me and ruffled my hair kaya na-tampal ko ang kamay niya.

"You always does that. Mukha ba akong bata?" I pouted and crossed my arms.

"Stop being cute, can't you?" My face turned into sordid as the corners of my lips lifted.

"Are you telling me I'm cute?" I teased. I saw how he's caught off guard with my words. I bit my lower to prevent the laugh that wants to release from my throat, as his ears turned red. But also, deep inside me, I can feel my organs shaking.

"I am telling you're a great biker. Who taught you to ride bike?" He covered and pulled his arms away from my shoulders. Unti-unting nawala ang malaking ngisi sa labi ko. It's then replaced by a faint smile.

"Dad."

Those were times we were still good. Happy and lovely. I can still feel their affection as parents. Mahal pa nila ako non.

Maybe he's pretty clueless about my background but it isn't necessary anyway. Present is where I should focus. Together with the lessons I've gained from the past.

We stopped near a set of swings were no one is riding. Our place is quite far from them but I can still clearly see them.

"Wait for me here. I'll be fast." Paalam niya.

"Where are you going?"

"May kukunin lang. Promise I'll be back." He gave me an assurance smile and somehow my heart felt secured. I mean something like certainty that he will never leave me.

While waiting for him, I got my phone and started capturing any things I find mesmerizing. As my camera landed on those families who's happily chattering with each other, it was unavoidable for me to release a bitter smile.

Even though I already accepted the whole damn truth that I no longer have a family, that they already resents me, there's still nights that I can't stop to wonder and question myself when will those happy times be back? Will they be? Is it still possible?

But I know, I am just thinking about implausible things.

Considering the fact that it will no longer happen, in between excruciating reality, and though I don't have enough time left, I've met someone who's incognizant that he's making the feels back.

Wallace, I've never knew him. But he is making me feel the happiness back I longed from my family. He made me feel once again how does it feel to have a home and to be loved.

But still, there's a side of me that's frightened. Frightened that one day all of these will be gone, and I'll be leaving him alone.