"Irish, saan mo gustong pumunta?" Nakangiting tanong sa'kin ni Craig. Naningkit lalo ang mata nya dahil sa naging pagngiti.
Wala na siguro talagang mas gaganda pa sa ngiti nya. I don't know how it happened, but I just woke up one day with his smile completing my day and becoming my world. Whenever I see his fair-skinned face glow with his happiness, it feels like I'm seeing light for the first time. Ganun kalakas ang impact nya sa'kin. He makes me forget the world whenever I'm with him that's why I'm savoring every moment we have together.
"Let's just go to the mall," sagot ko. Kasi kahit saan man kami magpunta basta kasama ko sya, alam kong uuwi akong masaya at kompleto ang araw ko.
"Then let's go," aya nya at hinuli ang aking kamay.
I looked at him because of what he did but he just stared at me and laughed at my reaction. Halos mawala ang mata nya dahil sa biglang pagtawa nya.
"Pwede ba?" natatawang tanong nya sabay taas sa mga kamay naming magkadaop.
Napairap na lang ako dahil hindi ko mapigilan ang kilig na aking nadarama. "Nagtanong ka pa kung kailan hawak mo na?"
Tinawanan nya na lang ako saka ginulo ang buhok ko.
It took us five minutes to arrive at the mall. Hindi rin naman kasi ito ganun kalayo mula sa aming bayan at hindi rin naman kailangan ng jeep para marating ito.
This is one of the three malls in our province and this one's the oldest. It has only two floors na kahit siguro sa loob lang ng kalahating oras ay matatapos mo na itong libutin.
Hindi ganun karami ang tao pagkadating namin. It's a weekday anyway. People must be in their jobs and school. I'm just lucky that my classes were suspended today. I got to have the chance to spend time with Craig.
Hawak pa rin nya ang kamay ko nang pumasok kami ng mall. I was being fidgety because of the warmth his hand sends to me. I can't explain this kind of feeling. I'm so happy I can explode anytime soon.
Hindi man kami ni Craig pero alam ko sa sarili ko na may nararamdaman kami para sa isa't-isa. We are just enjoying our moments as of now. And label is not yet our problem to begin with. I'm not against it anyway, because I knew to myself that my parents would disagree once they discover it.
"Gusto mong kumain?" He asked me, pointing at the food stalls in front of us.
Tumango na lang ako sa kanya.
I was about to pick a food when I felt his hand gripped mine tighter.
Napatingin ako sa kanya at napansin kong may tinitingnan sya sa isang department store. Wala naman akong makitang pamilyar na tao. Siguro ay nagagandahan sya sa mga damit. I should take note of that, it could be a good gift for him if ever.
"Balak mo bang bumili ng damit?" kuryoso kong tanong at sinipat ang tinitingnan nya dahil titig na titig kasi sya sa parteng 'yun.
I've seen a lady with two daughters walking out of the store with few paper bags on their hand. Napakunot na lang ako ng noo. Hindi ko sila kilala, 'yun ay sigurado ako pero para maagaw ang atensyon ni Craig nang ganito, they must be someone he knows.
Ngumiti lang sya sa'kin at hindi sinagot ang tanong ko.
He shifted his gaze from the store when the ladies were already out of sight to the menu of the food stall and started choosing his food.
Natahimik na lang ako matapos kong pumili ng pagkain. I'm still pondering about those ladies. Who are they? And what's their connection to Craig?
Halos sumasakit na ang ulo ko sa kakaisip nang dumating ang pagkain namin. Craig was still silent the whole time we're eating.
