Chapter 10 | Surprise

Katatapos lamang ng pamilya ni Xamuel magdiwang ng Noche Buena at ngayo'y nagbubukasan na ng mga regalo. Maraming natanggap na drawing materials si Xamuel at mayroon pang galing sa papa ni Yara.

"Grabe, nag-effort pa si Tito. Kailan po ba kayo ulit magkikita para makasama ako't makapag-thank you sa personal, Pa?" Xamuel said enthusiastically as he checked every material he got.

"Mama, where are we going for New Year?" Jiyan asked who was beside their mother.

His mother chuckled. "Hindi tayo maga-out of town para sa Bagong Taon ngayon dahil pupunta tayo sa birthday ni Ate Yara sa 28."

What his mother said caught his attention. Xamuel looked at his father who spoke next. "Ayon, tama. Sa 28 pupunta tayo sa mga Delisismo dahil inimbitahan nila tayo sa pribadong pagdiriwang ng birthday ni Yara. Pwedeng doon ka na magpasalamat kay Myles, Xamuel."

Jiyan jumped excitedly. "Yey! I'll see Ate Yara again!"

Xamuel smirked as he watched his brother dance in happiness. "You're really fond of Ate Yara, huh?"

Jiyan turned around and smiled at him. Jiyan's so cute because of his deep set of dimples. "She's so pretty, Kuya!"

"Yes, Ate Yara's beautiful. Why don't we buy her a gift tomorrow?" Xamuel's mom suggested.

"Yes, let's buy Ate Yara a present, Mom," Jiyan said and looked at Xamuel again. "Kuya, why don't you date Ate Yara?"

Mabuti na lang talaga at wala ng kinakain o iniinom si Xamuel kung hindi'y nabugahan niya ang kapatid. Malakas na natawa ang kanilang magulang sa sinabi ni Jiyan habang hindi pa rin maproseso ni Xamuel ang tanong ng kapatid.

Inaamin naman ni Xamuel na maganda si Yara pero kailanman ay hindi niya iyon sasabihin kahit kanino, lalo na kay Yara. Hindi maintindihan ni Xamuel kung bakit tinanong pa iyon ng kanyang kapatid.

"I have a girlfriend, Jiyan, and I can't see myself liking Yara even if I'm not in a relationship right now," Xamuel said.

"Oh, right. Si Ate Klassey, right?" Jiyan paused as if he was trying to remember Klassey. "I still think Ate Yara's better."

Magsasalita pa lang sana si Xamuel nang sumali sa usapan nila ang kanilang ina. "Jiyan, it's not good to compare someone to another person. They're both pretty, it's just a matter of preference and we have to respect that. Your Kuya Muel knows what he's doing, so let him be."

Parang may gusto pang sabihin ang nakababata niyang kapatid ngunit pinili na lang manahimik dahil sa sinabi ng kanila magulang. Guminhawa naman ang pakiramdam ni Xamuel dahil tama naman ang sinabi ng kanyang ina at maganda na ring maagang naturuan si Jiyan sa bagay na ito.

After countless picture-taking and games, Xamuel landed on his bed and slept until morning. Hindi na naman siya nakaabot sa almusal noong nagising dahil tanghali na siya lumabas ng kwarto. Wala ang magulang niya at nasabi ni Ate Ynah na pumunta silang mall para mamili ng regalo ni Yara.

Naisip din tuloy ni Xamuel na bumili kahit pa sinabihan na siya ni Yara na wala naman siyang gustong regalo bukod kay South. What if bigyan ko na lang siya ng poster ni South? Natawa si Xamuel sa sariling naisip pero wala na kasi siyang ibang gift ideas para kay Yara dahil hindi pa naman niya ito sobrang kilala.

Ang mga alam pa lang ni Xamuel tungkol sa kanya ay ang mga impormasyong binahagi ni Yara noong in-interview siya ni Xamuel. May mga natutunan din si Xamuel tungkol kay Yara noong dinner.

Interesado pala siyang maging architect at second option ang engineering. Kung tutuloy daw sa architecture si Yara, siya ang magiging kauna-unahang miyembro ng kanilang pamilya bilang architect.

Yara also shared with Xamuel that she had no other friends than Klassey and him.

"Even from your previous school?" Xamuel asked because it seemed impossible for someone not to have a friend during their teenage years.

Natatawang nailing si Yara. "I tried to befriend some people in the past, but nothing went right. Wala akong mahanap na same ang energy and compatible sa akin."

Hindi alam ni Xamuel ang dapat sabihin. "And you think you click with Klassey?"

A gentle smile appeared on Yara's face. "I think Klassey's a good person."

"She is," Xamuel seconded. "Naalala ko tuloy yung mga story na tulad sa sitwasyon mo. Yung mga loner sa umpisa tapos magg-glow up. Hindi na ako magugulat kung hidden daughter ka rin ng isang mafia boss."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Yara at natawa. "Nagbabasa ka sa Wattpad? I didn't expect this from you!"

Natauhan si Xamuel at natawa rin. "Hindi ako mahilig pero sinubukan kong magbasa ng iilan dahil ni-recommend ni Klassey noon!"

"Oh, okay! Bakit sobrang defensive? There's nothing wrong with reading fictional stories."

"Wala nga. Sabi mo kasi 'di mo inexpect na nagbabasa ako. I like reading books but choosy ako."

"What's your favorite?" Yara asked.

"Bakit sa akin na napunta ang interview?"

"Nandito naman na tayo sa topic na 'to at curious din ako!"

"Do you know Osamu Dazai?" Xamuel asked after a second of contemplation.

Most of the time, people were unfamiliar with him and his works. It was best to ask before he shared too much information about it.

Yara's eyes widened. "No Longer Human! Siya author non, right? Pati ng The Setting Sun?"

Xamuel was stunned. "O-Oo, siya nga. You know him?"

Umayos ng upo si Yara at mukhang mas ginanahan sa topic. "I love No Longer Human so much! It's dark and depressing but super ganda ng pagkakasulat. I can actually relate to some of its parts," Yara whispered the last sentence as if she was too shy to say it aloud.

Xamuel understood why Yara acted that way. No Longer Human is too painful and so very human. It graphically depicts the psychological process of depression. If you're not cautious while reading it, it may be distressing. It is why Xamuel won't easily recommend or share it with anyone. It's a book that only a few people can fully comprehend.

"What's your favorite line? Akin 'yong 'I never studied, even when I was well.'" Xamuel chuckled. "Joke lang, pero isa 'yan sa mga natatandaan ko. Masyadong maraming iconic lines sa No Longer Human na talagang sinubok utak ko."

Yara's expression softened. "True! I'm not good at memorizing lines pero may isang line na sobrang tumatak sa akin. Maybe because I also have the same thought."

"Ano 'yon?" Xamuel asked, genuinely interested.

"I wonder if I have actually been happy," Yara recited with eyes that seemed clouded with unknown, deep emotions.

Xamuel and Yara stared at each other for a while. Para silang nagtuturuan kung sino na ang dapat magsalita. Hindi alam ni Xamuel kung ano ang dapat niyang sabihin pagkatapos ng binahagi ni Yara. Xamuel wanted the conversation to continue, but he knew this wasn't the right time to talk deeply about their problems. Mabilis na pinalitan ni Xamuel ang topic noong umiwas ng tingin si Yara.

Marami pang nalaman si Xamuel tungkol kay Yara gaya ng mahilig din pala siyang maglaro ng online games, mas prefer niya ang movies kaysa sa mga libro, similar sila ng music taste, tapos pareho rin silang hindi mahilig sa gulay. Yara could also play the piano and violin. Green is her favorite color, same with Xamuel.

May mga similarities din naman si Yara kay South na napagtanto ni Xamuel kaya may pag-asa silang magkasundo. Hindi nga lang sigurado si Xamuel kung may pag-asa bang maging more than friends kapag nagkataon.

Now that Xamuel recalled the things they talked about during the interview, he couldn't help but have a little concern about Yara. He noticed Yara evaded to share personal stuff like her full name and dreams.

Kung hindi pa dahil sa dinner, hindi niya maaalala ang buong pangalan ng dalaga. Noon lang din sumagi sa isip ni Xamuel na natawag nga pala si Yara noon sa program ng school dahil may nakuhang award. Even if that happened, it never stayed in his mind. Xamuel could be forgetful sometimes, especially if he never paid attention to something.

Medyo nagtaka na si Xamuel doon pa lang sa sinabi ni Yara na wala siyang kaibigan, at mas nabahala pa siya sa sinabi ni Yara na paboritong linya galing sa No Longer Human.

Sometimes, people intentionally avoid sharing too much because they're hiding something, and Yara felt like that. It was as if her answers were rehearsed and scripted.

Hindi naman siya sinisisi ni Xamuel dahil naiintindihan niyang hindi nga sila close kaya gano'n ang turing sa kanya ni Yara, but something in Xamuel kind of wished that Yara said more.

If the time Yara would open up to South since she likes him comes, Xamuel wished he could be there. Xamuel, being true to himself, wanted to know Yara more. It felt weird, but Xamuel defended it only because he was intrigued.

Dumating ang December 28, ang kaarawan ni Yara. Hindi na bumili si Xamuel ng regalo at sakto lang dahil medyo marami ding nabili ang pamilya niya. Semi-formal ang dress code kaya naka-puting long sleeve polo at royal blue suit si Xamuel.

Hindi raw gaya ng karaniwang debut party ang concept ng celebration. Ayaw daw kasi ni Yara ng magarbong pagdiriwang at wala naman daw kasi siyang mga kaibigan para imbitahan.

Sa paglabas ni Xamuel kasama ang pamilya niya mula sa kanilang sasakyan, sumalubong ang magagandang Christmas lights na nakasabit sa itaas nila. Hindi inaasahan ni Xamuel na malaki ang bahay ng mga Delisismo at nasa loob pa ng isang mamahaling village. Medyo malayo pa ito sa kanilang paaralan kaya siguro hinahatid sundo si Yara.

"Myles, nandito na sila Arlo!" tawag ni Tita Caramel nang nakita silang papalapit.

Lumipat ang tingin ni Xamuel kay Engineer Myles na may hawak pang plato. Mukhang kukuha pa lang siya ng pagkain noong tinawag.

"Arlo, Eloise! Buti nakaabot pa kayo!" bati ni Engineer.

"Kaya nga, e! Pasensya na at nahuli kami ng halos dalawang oras. Hindi namin inasahang ma-traffic at malayo pala ang bahay niyo," Xamuel's mom, Eloise, said.

"It's okay, don't worry! Ang mahalaga'y nandito na kayo," Tita Caramel said.

"We have gifts po for Ate Yara," maligayang sabi ni Jiyan kaya sa kanila napunta ang atensyon.

"Really? For sure matutuwa si Yara nito. Wait lang, na saan ba si Yara?" Tita Caramel asked as if she only noticed Yara was not around us now.

"Hindi ba't kausap niya pa lang kanina ang kapatid mo, Mel?" Engineer Myles wondered. "Anyway, kung wala naman siya rito, it's either nag-CR or na sa likuran siya ng bahay."

Tita Caramel's eyes lightened up. "Oh, right! She's been waiting to hold her new piano!"

They looked clueless, so Caramel enlightened them she gave Yara a new white piano for her 18th birthday. Nakalagay iyon sa likuran ng bahay nila malapit sa garden dahil sinubukan nilang itago kay Yara bago ang birthday niya.

"Kanina niya lang nakita ang piano kaya 'di na siya mapakaling matugtog iyon," Tita Caramel said. "Oh siya, why don't you check her for us, Xamuel? Then Jiyan, gusto mo bang libutin din natin ang bahay to look for Ate Yara?"

Nabigla si Xamuel sa suggestion ni Caramel dahil siya ang inutusan niyang pumunta sa garden para tingnan kung nandoon si Yara.

"Saan po ang daan papuntang garden?" tanong ni Xamuel bago niya pa napag-isipan ang gagawin.

"Diretsuhin mo lang ang sala tapos mayroon doong malaking glass window na nabubuksan. Nandoon ang piano ni Yara at kung nandoon man siya, pakisabing nandito na kayo at sabay na rin kayong bumalik dito," sabi ni Engineer.

"Sige po, tingnan ko na lang po muna."

"Oh siya, mag-house tour muna tayo!" sabi ng ina nina Jiyan at Xamuel.

Nauna nang maglakad palayo si Xamuel. Pumasok siya sa sala at tulad ng kanyang inaasahan, mas malaki iyon sa sala nila. Manghang mangha si Xamuel sa ganda ng disenyo ng bahay at ng mga pamilyar na mamahaling materyales na ginamit para mabuo ito.

Hindi pa gaanong kabisado ni Xamuel ang iba't ibang mga materyales sa pagbuo ng bahay ngunit may alam naman siya dahil sa ama niyang architect.

Bumagal ang lakad ni Xamuel upang mas apresyahin ang mga nadadaanang bagay. Saka lang napagtanto ni Xamuel na nasa harap na siya ng glass window nang napansin ang magagandang halaman sa garden. May kanya-kanyang mga pailaw na nakasabit sa mga halaman kaya kumikinang ang mga ito na parang mga butuin sa langit.

May parihabang espasyo na pinagigitnaan ng dalawang malalaking glass windows. Kapag pumasok si Xamuel dito ay pwede na rin niyang mapuntahan ang garden sa kabilang banda. Natagpuan din ni Xamuel sa espasyong iyon ang eleganteng puting grand piano at ang tumutugtog nito.

Xamuel's jaw dropped when he realized how huge the piano was. He expected it to be just a normal-sized piano like the ones he saw on malls. He wasn't knowledgeable about instruments, but the piano's overall design and quality screamed expensive.

Even though a glass was the only barrier, the sound of the piano wasn't loud outside. Xamuel slowly slid the glass window to the left to enter inside. As he slid it, the better he heard the melody Yara was playing.

Yara's attire and presence completed the ambience. She was there, sitting in a white piano bench, wearing a white dress and her hair curled down. It was as if Xamuel was watching a musical play or a scene from a Disney film.

When Xamuel thought he had enough amusement for today, Yara astounded him when she started to sing. Yara always spoke in a calm and modest way, even when she seemed pissed off with Xamuel's jokes.

To hear Yara sing loudly and clearly was like a culture shock for Xamuel. Every note was hit perfectly, the piano was played accurately, and Yara delivered the lyrics wholeheartedly. Xamuel could see how much Yara loved the moment, so he remained silent to appreciate it as well.

"I never knew you could hold moonlight in your hands 'til the night I held you; you are my moonlight," Yara sang.

Xamuel heard this song once or twice so he was familiar, and it wasn't an easy song to hit! Yara's effortless performance was remarkable.

"I know you're here," Yara said after a couple of seconds she finished.

Xamuel remained leaning against the wall. Yara didn't turn around to look at him yet.

"Your parents thought you'd be here, so they sent me to check," Xamuel whispered just enough for her to hear. "Nice voice, by the way."

Yara chuckled. Her hands held the fallboard and pulled it down gently to cover the piano keys. "Nag-vocal training ako before because I needed to register in at least one of our school's extra activities. Matagal na 'yon pero nagustuhan ko kaya nagpatuloy pa ako."

"And you learned to play the piano there too?"

Xamuel saw Yara nod. "Yup, got fond of it the first time I saw one."

Yara finally turned around. Their eyes met but it only lasted for a second. She had light makeup that suited her face's features very well. Xamuel couldn't help but to stare at her as she neared him.

"Tara na?" Yara looked up and asked.

Xamuel blinked several times. "Sure, pero nagha-house tour pa sila."

Yara's eyebrows moved. "Gusto mo bang pakita ko rin muna sa 'yo ang garden namin? Marami kaming magaganda at imported na halaman because mom loves them. I like them too..."

"Sure," sabi ni Xamuel kahit pa kailanman ay hindi siya naging interesado sa mga halaman. "Kanina pa rin ako curious sa mga halaman ninyo, para kasing hindi pamilyar sa akin."

Yara immediately led the way and Xamuel followed beside her. She was about to open the glass window when Xamuel spoke, "Alam mo, ikaw ang may birthday pero ako ang patuloy na nasusurpresa ngayong araw."

Yara chuckled, which made Xamuel glance at her exposed shoulders. I hated how I was getting observant with Yara's movements!

"Bakit naman? Sobrang namangha ka ba sa pagkanta ko? Practice pa lang 'yon!" mayabang na sabi ni Yara.

"I didn't expect you to be so full of surprises, Yara," Xamuel said as he tried to meet her eyes again.

Yara caught his eyes, and they stayed in that position for a while. Yara broke the silence and whatever feeling was building up between them. "You think South will get surprised, too?"

Para bang may malaking batong tumama sa ulo ni Xamuel sa tanong na iyon. Nagising din si Xamuel sa katotohanan dahil sa sinabi ni Yara. Oo nga pala, si South ang gusto niya.

"I'm sure he will," sabi ni Xamuel ngunit tila ba labag sa loob niya iyon.

Yara smiled and finally opened the glass door. "E 'di may pag-asa nga ako sa kanya," masayang sabi ni Yara at napatalon pa sa tuwa.