Love in Bangketa

32

"Wow! I'm really nagtatampo na with you right now, Xynnah. You didn't even tell me about your suitor, my god!" Elisa ranted over the phone. I was on my break today when she called.

"I had plans to tell you naman, pero nakakalimutan ko. I'm sorry,"

"No, I'm nagtatampo na!" She acted like a child. I chuckled. Kahit ako actually, I didn't expect that Max... would like me back. Pero, alam ko naman na una pa lang... may chances na i-like back niya ako, I mean- who wouldn't be, right?

I am Xynnah.

But among all the factors that I had, I still this have one fear na maybe he wouldn't like me back. Hindi ko naman winiwish talaga na i-like niya ako pabalik. Yet, it has been a while... since I experienced this euphoria.

"I promise, Elisa, don't make tampo na! I am gonna tell you everything na! Kahit saan kami pumunta, alrighty?" I assured her.

She sighed. "Fine! We are friends, 'di ba? BFF! So, hindi ka rapat nagtatago sa'kin,"

"I won't na, okay? Last time na 'to!" We talked about other things pa until I hang up the call. I started to work now. I feel motivated, really really motivated.

"Hindi na ako pinapansin ni Maximo," I heard Ria mentioned his name. I grinned. Kahit na gusto ko siyang awayin ngayon, after that night... Max didn't stop assuring me that I was the only one he truly likes.

"Oh, ngiting-ngiti ka. Inspired ka ba?" Salubong ni Max nang sunduin niya ako. I just nodded while smiling from ear to ear.

He also smiled when he saw me smiling. "Dapat pala hindi ka na masiyado ngumingiti," Aniya at napakamot ng ulo. I immediately frowned. My brows furrowed.

Humalakhak siya. Seriously? Is he crazy? After niyang sabihin na I shouldn't smile? "Ang bilis mo namang sumimangot. Patapusin mo muna ako,"

I crossed my arms over my chest. "Then, what?"

He looked directly into my eyes. "Ayaw kong ngumingiti ka lagi kasi... mas lalo kang gumaganda. Mas nahuhulog ako,"

"So... should I frown? Should I keep a poker face lagi?"

He went near me, he held both of my elbows. "Ngiti ka lagi... Handa naman akong mahulog sa'yo nang sobra," He whispered. I smiled at his words. Fuck! He's so corny! But, enough to make my heart flutter.

"Do you think sasagutin kita?" I asked.

Mukhang nagulat siya sa biglaan kong tanong. I wanted to burst a laugh. He looked so cute, tho. "Bakit hindi? M-May mali ba sa'kin na... na turn off ka?"

"What if lang,"

"Kung hindi mo ako sasagutin... liligawan kita ulit. Paulit-ulit hanggang sa mapilit ka at makumbinsi," Humalakhak siya. He slowly let go of my elbows and patted my head.

"You don't need to court me a thousand times, Max. We just need time... to know if we will really work,"

Tumango siya. Nag thumbs up ito at ngumiti. "Handa naman ako maghintay sa'yo, Xynnah. Handa ako makinig sa'yo lagi. Basta, sabihin mo lang sa'kin kung may mali, ha?"

I held his face with both of my hands. We are in public now, but wala na akong pake kung sino pwedeng makakita sa'min. He gently closed his eyes as he felt my touch. "May mali pa ba sa'yo? You're too good to be true already, Max,"

He sighed. "Marami... hindi ako perpekto, Xynnah. Ako dapat ang nagsasabi niyan sa'yo,"

"We're good for each other na lang, sige. Ayaw mong magpatalo e," I laughed. He grinned. Silence enveloped us... nang ilahad nito ang kaniyang pinky finger.

I was confused at first. Why was he offering his pinky finger? Was this a pinky promise ba? Malaki na siya, pero naniniwala pa rin ba siya roon?

"Pinky promise tayo, Xynnah,"

Itinapat ko ang pinky finger ko sa kaniya. "Pinky promise... dahan-dahan nating bubuksan ang puso natin sa isa't isa. Ako, sa'yo, Xynnah. Huwag kang matakot na makita ko ang kahinaan mo. Pinky promise... lagi akong nandito para sa'yo,"

"Why should we seal it in a pinky promise pa? You could've told me that directly,"

"Parang bata ba? Feel ko kasi kapag nag pinky promise tayo, may mas malalim na tayong koneksyon, Xynnah,"

He was saying those words without stuttering, as if those really came from his heart. It was genuine. It was sincere. Kung naririnig niya lang ang isip ko, hindi niya na kailangan ng ganitong pakana.

After that night happened, I realized that Max's comfort was different. He was like an angel in disguise. Parang gusto ko na lang lagi na kinakantahan niya ako. Siguro, I wouldn't mind having problems... if Max's the only solution I see.

We sealed each other's pinky fingers as a promise that we will open our heart to each other... and I will always be here for him, as well.

Umuwi ako nang magaan ang pakiramdam ko. My usual work was tiring, pero iba 'to. Kasi ngayon... may Max ako.

I smiled at that thought.

I have Max beside me.

"Xynnah, bumabawi ka ba sa work mo ngayon?"

"Uh... Tito Gerard... I am trying my best po,"

Tumango siya. "Did you already know? About your mom?"

"Yes, Tito..."

Tumango ulit siya. "Now... you know that your mom has already a family, sana you will act your age na. Grow up, Xynnah. Do not mourn over the spilled milk,"

I badly wanted to shout at him. I should not mourn over the past? Bakit? Dahil ba may bago ng pamilya ang nanay ko, hindi niya na ako anak?

I hate how he says these words to me... as if he knows what happened in the past! Hindi niya alam kung anong naging effect sa'kin no'n. Hindi niya alam ang feeling na masira ang pamilya mo at ikaw, wala kang magawa.

Parang may bumara sa lalamunan ko. But, I managed to reply. "Y-Yes, Tito... I- I will fix my attitude,"

"Good. Ayaw kong narereklamo ka dahil lang sa pangit ang ugali mo. Hindi sa'yo umiikot ang buong mundo, Xynnah. Pakatandaan mo 'yan," After saying those, he left.

Hindi nga umiikot sa'kin ang mundo.

Dahil kahit kailan, hindi ko naman naranasan 'yon.