Found You

117

"Do you necessarily need to join our date?" tanong ko sa dalawang kaibigang malawak ang ngiti sa'kin.

I just informed them that we're going to have a date in an amusement park, and then the next thing I knew they were ringing my unit's doorbell. Sinubukan ko pa silang itaboy bago kami sumakay sa kotse pero pinigilan ako ni Aki kaya naman ang dalawang bruha ay tuwang-tuwa.

"Stop sulking, Abi! 'Di naman kami manggugulo, we just want to sabay na pumunta roon..." Kaki said.

Pero mukhang hindi naman natupad 'yon. Aki bribe them to join us because we're just four why need to separate pa. While waiting in line for the rides, my two bestfriends were asking my boyfriend about him. I am so happy because Aki patiently answers their never-ending questions. 

"Sa dulo tayo," yaya ni Sofi nang nasa Anchors Away na kami at nauna nang umupo roon. Kaki followed her. 

Sa dulo si Aquiver na ako sana ang naroon kaso natatakot akong tumilapon o mahulog. Aquiver's holding my hand so tight. I looked at him and saw the sweat on his forehead. I wiped it using the back of my palm and smile.

"It's gonna be okay, baby. Are you scared?" tanong ko. He bit his lips before smirking. Aki didn't say anything but I think I know the answer when we finished.

He was pale as if he's going to pass out.I was nervous because of that and scolded him for not saying that he was scared of height. I also felt bad because I should know his fears. Kaya naman sa tuwing may involve sa mga height hindi na ako sumasama though Aquiver pushes me to join my bestfriends, but I refused.

When we lost interest in rides, naglakad-lakad na lang kami. May nadaanan kaming souvenir shop kaya naman hinatak ko sila papasok.

"Please for me?" I acted cute and make puppy eyes while holding the headband for Aki. Kaki and Sofi are wearing one so am I. Nakatingin lang ang dalawa samin. Kaki fake a reaction like she's puking, and I glared at her.

He sighed then kissed my forehead. A sign that it is okay for him to wear it. Malapad akong napangiti. Ilang oras kami naglagi sa amusement park bago umuwi.

"Just drop me off."

"Well... hmm?" napalingon ako sa kanya dahil may gusto ata siyang sabihin.

"Hmm?"

"I'm just thinking, do you want to go in Intramuros?" he looked at his wristwatch. "Maaga pa naman and I promised we will go home before 10-" Aki stop talking when I lean in and kissed his cheek.

We're holding each other's hand while walking. The light in the trees illuminated  under the dark night. We first decided to enter the dungeon of Baluarte de Santa Barbara, after that we go to Plaza Moriones. The benches are occupied by either a family or a couple.  Presidents' Gallery naman ang sinunod namin ng matapos.

My feet hurt a bit so I told Aki to let us rest first.

"Want me to massage it?" Aquiver asked. Pagod akong umiling at ngumiti.

"What's our problem, baby? Don't deny it. Alam kong meron pero hindi lang kita makausap kanina." Inayos niya ang buhok ko.

"Is that why you took me out? Kakausapin mo 'ko tungkol doon?" umiwas ako ng tingin at naalala ang sinabi ni Daddy.

I thought everything's okay, but I was wrong. I thought it was okay with Mommy but it wasn't, and some of our relatives got angry at me when they learn what's happening between us.

"Partly yes, but I really want us to date in this place."

"Aquiver about us..." hindi ko pa natutuloy ay mabilis niya ng hinawakan ang kamay ko. "They want us to break up. My mother she's not supporting me—us anymore. Alam na rin ni Daddy at ayaw niya. I don't want us to break up, Aki! Ayoko!" I can't help but to cry. He gathered me in his arms and repeatedly kiss my head.

"We won't. I will seek their approval, okay? Matatanggap nila tayo, but I know that it would take time. I'm here, okay?" hinagod niya ang likod ko.

"I'm scared, Aki. Paano kung may gawin sila? My aunts and uncles despise what's going on between us. Dad is mad. I don't if I can handle it..."

Hindi naman ako sanay na nagagalit sila sa'kin. 

"You have me. We can make through it. Alam kong maraming hadlang at alam ko ring kakayanin natin 'yon. As long as we trust, hold, and have fate with each other, okay? We'll figure out together the path we are taking in," Aki said with so much conviction in his voice.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanya. Right there and then I know na hindi niya ako papabayaan.

"Natatakot ako..." natatakot akong baka may kung anong gawin ang pamilya ko sa kanya at kung kakayanin ko ba 'yon.

Pero alam kong hindi ko siya kayang iwan ngayon at sa susunod na mga bukas. If I'm going to push my wants what's going to happen?

"If you're scared, I'm going to fight for us. But leaving and breaking up is not up for discussion, baby. Understand? Hmm?"

Ngumuso ako, hilam pa rin ang luha. Before I could answer, he gently pulled me to stand up. He places my hands on his shoulder while his arms are on my waist. Before hugging me so tight, Aki kisses me on the cheeks. He slowly rocked our bodies. My forehead creased when a music played, I don't know where it came from.  Aki's face nuzzled in my neck, making me feel ticklish, he's also rubbing my back whispering sweet words. I don't feel any embarrassment at all.  Dancing under the tree with lights gave me comfort and love. Dahil magkadikit kami ramdam namin ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ng bawat isa.

This moment with him is priceless. It is the moment I can't trade in this lifetime. Umalis siya sa pagkakabaon sa aking leeg. He then kiss my cheeks and forehead. Naadik na ang isang ito kakahalik sa mukha ko, ah!

"I love you."

Napahinto ako sa kanyang sinabi. Did I heard it right? Aki loves me?

"Mahal kita, Arayashana..."

Mahina ko siyang hinampas sa braso. "'Wag ka ngang nambibigla! Hindi ako ready! I love you too!"

It's our first time saying I love you's to each other. It's really different when you say it to the person. It is an overwhelming feeling.

"Ikaw lang ang mahal ko."