"Stop taking pictures!" I held her hand to stop her from taking pictures of me. Inayos ko ang pagkakahawak sa librong binabasa at pilit ibinalik ang pansin dito.
Click!
I turned sharply at her when I heard a flash, but she just giggled and went her own way. Tumayo siya at tumakbo palayo. I placed my back on the bench and chased after her.
Mabuti na lang at walang tao sa park dahil maaga pa naman kung hindi ay para kaming mga siraulong naghahabulan dito.
They say that time flies so fast when you are happy. Days passed like a blur because I was happy.
I was happy with her as affection blossoms into love.
Friendship makes us closer.
Trust strengthens our bond.
While love makes us whole.
"Pa, kumusta ka na diyan?" I softly asked as I placed fresh roses---his favorite flowers--- on his tomb.
Umupo ako sa harap ng kaniyang puntod at marahang pinaglandas ang aking palad sa pangalang nakaukit sa kaniyang lapida.
Ever since I ran away from home, I never got the chance to visit him again. Hindi dahil sa ayaw ko, kung hindi dahil gusto ko na sanang tanggapin at kalimutan ang nakaraan.
I felt something touched my hand. I looked up and saw Alex smiling at me with flowers on her hand.
Umihip ang malakas na hangin at tinangay nito ang iilang hibla ng buhok ko.
Pinisil niya ang kamay ko habang nilagay rin ng dalang bulaklak at saka siya umupo sa tabi ko at inayos ang pagkakatali ng buhok kong babagyang nagulo dahil sa hangin.
She then wrapped her hands around me as I leaned on her shoulder.
After a moment of silence, I felt her touch my hand and intertwined my fingers with her--- oalm to palm, thumb to thumb. Napatingin ako sa ginawa niyang iyon. But she just smiled and nodded at me.
Inayos niya ang pagkakaupo bago nag-umpisang magsalita.
"Hi, tito! I'm Alex at gusto ko lang po sanang sabihin na kami na po ni Gab," ramdam ko ang kanyang kaba habang itinataas ang magkahawak naming mga kamay.
"Wag po na po kayong mag-alala sa kaniya rito. Nandito lang ako para sa kaniya. Hindi ko po siya iiwan. Aalagan at mamahalin ko po siya. Marami man pong tutol sa amin, hindi ako aalis sa tabi niya. I'll hold on to her hands hntil the day I lose my strength."
Ramdam ko ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko.
Muli na namang umihip ang malamig na hangin. I flinched a bit when I felt the hair on my nape stood up in a full salute.
"Anong ibig sabihin niyan, tito? Is it a yes or a yes?" she joked as she slightly squeezed my hand with her.
Binitiwan ko ang mga kamay niya at iniharap siya sa akin. As I stared at her, I got lost in those wonderful eyes for a moment.
"Sigurado akong magugustuhan ka ni papa. He's a type of father who would do anything for his child's happiness. At ikaw 'yon," I smiled at her. "You made me believe that I am worthy of being loved again. Thank you so much."
I leaned forward to plant a kiss on her check.
"I'm sorry."
I was startled when all of a sudden, she broke into sobs.
"What for?" taka kong tanong sa kaniya.
"Sorry kasi hindi pa natin pwedeng sabihin kina mama."
I felt a sudden pang on my chest when her eyes started to glisten with tears.
"Okay lang naman sa akin. I totally understand," pang-aalo ko sa kaniya.
"When the right time comes, when you're ready, we'll tell them."
She's too soft, I dont want her crying. I hushed her as I began wiping her tears with my bare hands.
Kahit na nakatira kami sa isang bubong kasama ang mama at papa niya, wala silang alam tungkol sa aming dalawa.
May mga pagkakataong pakiramdam ko ay sinasaksak ko sila patalikod. Iniisip ko pa lang ang pagkabigo sa mga mukha nila, ramdam ko ang ibang uri ng bigat sa pakiramdam.
They were all nice to me.
Pero anong magagawa ko?
Nagmahal lang naman ako.
As much as I want to tell them, I know that I still can't.
Not everyone understands us.
Society forbids this kind of love that we have.
But is it really so wrong for us to follow our hearts? To love who we want to love?
"I love you," she mumbled.
"I love you too," kasabay ng paghapit ko sa kaniya at saka siya niyakap nang mahigpit. "I always will."
If this some kind of a dream, I beg of you, do not wake me up.
"Ate Cherry?"
But then of course, someone has to.
