When the Sun Rises (Falling Series #1)

Chapter 7

 "Okay, class, a few weeks from now, ga-graduate na kayo ng Junior High School. I hope that you have already decided on what strand you'll be taking because your course on college depends on it. Good luck Maximillian's!" My favorite teacher said then he dismissed us.

I was walking in the hallway when I heard someone calling my name.

Tumingin-tingin ako sa paligid at wala naman akong nakita.

"The fuck?!" Gulat kong sabi nang sumulpot na naman si Mason sa harapan ko.

"Minus ten ka na sa langit!" Biro niya at sinabayan na ako sa lakad.

I walked uncomfortably because of what I'm feeling right now. 'Di ko alam kung tama pa ba na conscious ako 'pag nandyan siya o normal lang 'yon sa isang tulad kong minsan lang magkaroon ng kaibigan.

"Alam mo na kung ano ang nakakapagpasaya sayo?" Biglaan niyang tanong sa gitna ng katahimikan.

I shook my head, "I'm still confused."

"May gagawin ka bukas?"

It's Friday at wala naman masyadong assignments so I nodded. Pwede ko naman gawin 'yun sa linggo o di naman kaya'y pagkarating bukas. Wow, ang assuming ko! Akala mo naman talaga yayayain lumabas e tinanong ka lang naman, Haven!

"Tara, Intramuros."

"Sige..." I bit my lower lip to stop it from making a small smile.

He said that he's going to message me on Facebook, tomorrow. I slept early and woke up feeling productive the next day. I wore a white shorts partnered with a sky blue off-shoulder and then put on a minimalist heart shaped necklace. Since I'm extra productive this day, I put a little make-up on my face then sprayed a perfume on my neck. I looked at the mirror and fixed my messy bun before hopping down stairs.

Mason Villegas: Dito na 'ko labas.

Haven Celeste: wait for me ;)

Mason Villegas: Okay, I'll wait.

"Dalagang-dalaga na ang alaga ko! May nag-aantay sa'yo sa labas, Celeste. Manliligaw?" Bati sakin ni Yaya Elma. She's my yaya since I was 5 and I can say that I can't live without her. Dahil laging wala si Mommy at Daddy noon, parang siya na ang nagpalaki sakin at tumayong pangalawang magulang ko. She taught me so many things and I think those things helps me now.

Umiling ako sa sinabi niya, "Kaibigan lang po, ya."

May malisya niya akong tinignan, "Ang issue mo, ya! Sige na po, alis na po ako. Pasabi nalang po kay Mommy. Love u, bye!"

"Mag-ingat, ha, 'wag kang papagabi." Payo niya sakin.

Kumaway ako sa kanya pagkarating ko sa harapan ng sasakyan ni Mason. "Ibabalik ko po bago mag-dilim." Sabi ni Mason bago kami umalis.

Napansin ko na kami lang dalawa ang pupunta, kala ko may susunduin pa kami.

"Tayo lang?" Tanong ko sa kaniya.

Umiling siya at ngumisi, "Ayan oh si Kuya Fernan," Pilosopo niyang sabi niya sabay nguso sa driver.

I tried to compose myself bago pa ako pangunahan ng dila kong maratrat lalo na 'pag pini pilosopo.

"What I mean is that, wala ka bang susunduin? Friends? Girlfriends? Si Clark?" Mahinhin kong tanong.

"I'm fine with you. No need for another accompaniment."

I stiffened after that and I remained silent. Kung nakakabingi lang ang katahimikan, kanina pa 'ko nabingi.

Intramuros.

This looks ancient and very alluring. It captivated my heart as soon as I went outside the car.

"Ang ganda..." Tangi kong nasabi sa nakikita.

May mga batang nagtatakbuhan at ang iba nama'y kumukuha ng litrato. It's good for Instagram! Sa tinagal ko dito sa Maynila, ngayon pa lang ako nakapunta sa mga pasyalan na ganito, kadalasan kasi'y sa mall kami pumapasyal.

"Oo nga,e. Ang ganda," Napatingin naman ako kay Mason at naabutan ko siyang nakatingin din sa'kin. Nang nagtama ang mga mata namin, agad din naman siyang nag-iwas.

"Tara pasok tayo sa loob," Aya ni Mason.

I followed him as we went by, it got more alluring. The architecture was very detailed, the walls were standing gratefully. At sa bawat pag lakad namin, napansin ko na there's a lot of couples hanging out!

Nilingon ko si Mason. He's with his DSLR, capturing the beauty of the Intramuros and... Me.

He gave me a thumbs up to assure me that my photo was great. Lumapit ako sa kanya para tignan ang mga litratong kinuhanan niya. Habang papalakad ako sa kanya, he keep on taking pictures of me. Siguro mukha na akong tanga sa mga 'yon!

"Tingin," Mahina kong sabi sabay hawak sa DSLR niya. I was looking at my pics. Well, okay naman ang mga 'yon. Siguro nadala na rin sa anggulo ng pagkuha niya kaya 'di ako nag-mukhang tanga doon.

Habang tinitignan ko ang mga litrato ko, I lift my head and see the distance between Me and Mason. Ilang inches nalang at magkadikit na ang mga pisngi namin. Our eyes locked for a few seconds, then I handed his DSLR back.

I admired the Architecture of the place and took a lot of pictures with Mason. He likes taking pictures, huh. Pagkatapos namin libutin ang Intramuros ay niyaya niya ako sa isang Restaurant. It was an extravagant place. This is where couples go. Kanina pa 'ko napapaisip kung date ba 'to pero binalewala ko nalang 'yon at umupo sa upuan.

He ordered a beef steak while I ordered a salad. Malapit na ang prom at baka pagalitan pa 'ko ni Mommy kung hindi mag-fit ang gown ko.

"You think it's good to take Architecture?" I asked out of my mind.

He put down the fork and the knife he was holding then wiped his mouth with the tissue. His lips were very red. "Why not? Kung 'yun ang nakapagpapasaya sa'yo." He answered coolly.

"Thank you for this," I said, then I gave him a little smile.