After a long picture taking I spoke "Mom, lilibot lang kami saglit" paalam ko. "Why don't you invite your friend for a dinner?" suhestiyon niya "Have dinner with us, Asher." Aya ng aking ina na siya namang ikinatuwa ni Asher, pero dahil mukang nahihiya siya ay tumanggi ito. "H'wag ka ng mahiya. Hihintayin ko kayo sa bahay" sabi ni mama at wala na siyang nagawa.
"Pasesnya ka na, kung gusto mo ng umuwi walang problema" I said with my head bended "I'll come over for a dinner. Why? don't you want me to have dinner with your family?" he asks with disappointment. "Hey! tumanggi ka kanina!" nakakainis to, di ko alam kung pinag ti-tripan ako nito o hindi.
Ganun lamang kami habang naglalakad; nag ku-kwntuhan, nag aasaran hanggang may makita kaming tindahan na agad ko namang nilapitan. Ang gaganda ng mga tinda sambit ko sarili, hinawakan ko ang couple bracelet na simple nguinit napaka ganda sa aking paningin 'yun nga lang pang couple yun hahahaha. Kaya binili ko na lamang yung chocolate na letter S and A para naman hindi nakakahiya sa tindera, binigay ko kay Asher ang letter A na chocolate na siya namang ikinagulat niya.
"Just accept it. Alangan namang sarili ko lamang ang bilihan ko e kasama kita?" Bulong ko at agad na nilisan ang tindahan
"Thank you, Stell. Here." hingal na sabi niya dahil tumakbo ito. He gave me the same bracelet I held a while ago back at store
"Are you kidding me?" sabay tawa "It's a couple bracelet"
"Yeah...I know!" Ani Asher
"Alam mo naman pala e! Ba't mo binibigay sa 'kin 'yan?" tanong ko
"Just accept this. Think of it as a friend gift" he reached for my wrist at isinuot niya saakin ang bracelet na kapareho ng suot niya.
I let him do that for me which had me confused. Why does he make me happy, smile, and even frown? We just met a month or two and am no longer uncomfortable with him. It's impossible.
I lead the way to our house and we entered the door and the people inside the house are now taking their seats.
"Come in" ani Shaira
"We are not late, are we?" Sambit ko
"Nope...Lets eat!" pag aya ni Dad
We are happily eating without the uncomfortable feeling that surrounds me. Everyone's interrogating Asher and its quite funny "Dad, he is my friend" singit ko "I know...I heard you right" at tumawa na lamang ako. "Ate? Is he really your friend?" Shaina asks abruptly and that made me look at her with my eyes looking at her intently "Of course" I snorted.
"Really? You both are wearing something that should only be worn by couple." And that made everyone look at my wrist and his, I'm doomed. How should I explain? Thankfully, Asher explain to them (I'm relieve), ngunit umani naman kami ng tukso mula sa aking magulang, nakakabatang kapatid, at kaibigang si Fay. My brothers seem not okay with it (may aamuhin nanaman akong tigre mamaya) and Chance looks at me then averted his eyes as I look at him. Why? Jealous? I bet you're not.
"It's already 11:30." sambit ko
"It's okay I brought my car with me kaya na-late din ako kanina kasi na traffic ako papunta rito" paliwanag niya
"Uhm...Saan ka nag Park? Hatid na kita."
"Okay lang ba? Gabi na rin."
"Oo naman. Tara na"
"Sige may ibibigay din ako sa iyo"
"Ano?" tanong ko ngunit di niya ako sinagot hanggang makarating kami sa kotse niya. Wow! An expensive car. Inabot niya sa akin ang isang bouquet at paper bag na may kalakihan. "Why are you giving me this?" I ask him confuse "I know it's your birthday last month so this is for you and Happy Valentines din" and at that moment my heart beat faster and faster as minutes pass by; my cheeks becomes red; and I breath heavily "Y-you really don't have to do this, Asher. How did you know my birthday anyway?" pagbabago ko ng topic "Secret. So...goodnight. You have class tomorrow and I have work." Paalam niya bago pinaandar ang dalang sasakyan.
