One Great Love (COMPLETED)

45: Replay

ANDRES

From awkward seatmates to ferociously in love with each other. It's been a journey the moment Oliver step his foot in La Scholastica Academy. That moment when he made his way at the end of the line, to that seconds our eyes met for the first time.

Now, Oliver and I are in our eight months as a couple. We kept our relationship with both of us at first. Until we were caught making out in one inuman session with our high school friends. Inamin din namin sa kanila.

"Saan ka magka-college pagka-graduate natin?" Oliver asks.

We are seated under the shade of a talisay tree at the end of the campus during lunchbreak bordering the tall cement wall adjacent to the main road. Dahil hindi naman namin maaring iladlad ang aming relasyon sa madla, sa mga ganitong pagkakataon namin ninanakaw ang sandali. On lunch break, lahat ay nasa cafeteria.

"Matagal pa naman 'yon. Kasisimula pa lang ng school year natin."

Oliver stayed for another school year and wanted to graduate together with me. He reached for my back and hugged me. He rested his head on my shoulder. We stayed like that for a couple of minutes. Tahimik lang. Ninanamnam ang bawat sandali.

"Naalala mo no'ng first day ko dito? 'Yung tinanong tayo ni Sir Ibuna kung ano'ng pangarap natin?"

"Hmm..." I nodded. "Ano'ng mayroon?"

His fingers massages my side. "Tinanong niya tayo noon kung ano'ng pangarap natin. Wala akong nasagot noon. Hindi ko alam ang gusto ko sa buhay dati. Ang akala ko kasi noon ang pangarap para lang sa mga may ambisyon, sa mga umaasa sa imposible. Pero mali pala ako."

He rises and reached for my hand. Looked and it and have it intertwined with him. He turned back at me.

"Ngayon, alam ko na ang sagot. Ikaw na ang pangarap ko, Andres." Oliver expresses his assurance and affirmation to me. I was just starting at him not knowing to have a full smile on my face. "Sa tabi mo, sa mga oras na kailangan mo ko, kung maari, sa lahat ng pagkakataon pangarap ko na ako ang kasama mo."

I felt warm waters form in my eyes and freely slides down to my cheeks. What I only know is the love Oliver has given me. The care he has shown me. I haven't treated this way. Pakiramdam ko nakalutang ako sa alapaap. Ang suwerte-suwerte kong nakilala ko si Oliver.

It always tears me up when he expresses his love and affirmation at me. He knows his words and shows it. He isn't faking anything. And I am thoroughly grateful.

"Kung mayroon man akong hindi pagsisisihan sa buhay ko, iyon ay nang makilala kita, Oliver."

And those promises have only become words. Meaningless. Pointless.

"Kumusta?"

"Ano'ng ginagawa mo dito?" I tried to appear strong.

He made a few steps forward. "Hindi mo ba man lang muna ako kukumustahin? Ang tagal ko ding nawala, oh. Hindi mo ba ako namiss?"

"Oliver—"

"Why so tense, my princess?" He reached for my chin na madali kong iniwas. "Ikaw pa itong galit matapos no'ng ginawa mo sa akin?" Grin never left his face. He is full of sarcasm.

Madaming tao ang nadaan sa paligid namin ngunit tila naglaho silang lahat sa aking paningin.

"Bakit sa akin mo sinisisi ang mga bagay na ginawa mo? Kasalanan mo ang lahat ng iyon. At karapat-dapat lang na danasin mo 'yon."