Kabanata 10

Best and Worst Decision

Nakarating kami ng maayos sa Lingap Pangarap Home Institute, ang Orphanage na malapit sa aming eskwelahan.

"Hello! I am your ate Sapphire!" I smiled to the children. I didn't want to tell my last name baka isipin nilang ginagawa ko lang 'to dahil tatakbo si Papa bilang Mayor, although I'm not sure if Papa will.

"Ako naman si Ate Louisse!" Louisse smiled.

"I'm Ate Jessa!" Jessa gave her sweet smile.

"Ako naman ang pinakagwapo dito, Kuya Seus!" sabay smirk ni Seus na nagpangiti sa'kin.

"Hi! I'm Ate Rein..."

"Ako naman si Ate Sunny!" she waved her hand.

The children clapped their hands out with happiness.

We started to give them their merienda, "Hello andi, here's your food..."

Isa si Andi sa unang ipanikalala sa'min. Sinabi sa'min na bihira lang daw siya magsalita, dahil daw sa trauma, she was also often bullied about it.

"Amara, halika itali ko buhok mo, medyo mainit dito..." tawag sa'kin ni Seus.

"Maya na, okay lang ako," I smiled.

"One dot!" sabi n'ya.

"One dot!" sagot ko naman.

"Ikaw nalang, Sara, ayaw ni bebe, eh..." sabay tali ni Seus sa batang maliit.

"A-ate..." mahinhin na sabi ni Andrea, "b-boyfie mo p-po s'ya?"

Gulat akong napatingin.

"Bagay... po" bakat ang pagiging kabado ni Andrea.

I hesitantly nodded.

I didn't want to lie but she looked happy! 'tsaka first time n'yang magsalita muli!

"G-Good!" she gave me a thumbs up.

"Keep up the good work, Andeng!" I waved cutely. She just nodded.

"Hello, Ria, merienda..."

"Thank you po, Ate Sapphire!" bibong sagot niya.

"Welcome..."

"Ate, ano po 'yung one dot?" tanong n'ya. "Secret agents po ba ka'yo?"

"N-no..." I answered.

You lied kanina, why can't you lie again?

"Ay," she pouted.

"Don't worry, I know someone na isang secret agent! He's with us today!" I smiled.

Unti unti s'yang tumingin sa'kin. "Talaga po?!"

"Him!" I pointed Mang Roel.

"He has a secret mission, sikreto lang na'tin, ha?" I said.

"Opo!" she closed her mouth like a zipper. "Sshh..."

"Hi!" I said as I looked at the girl. Dali-dali kong naalala na s'ya 'yung maliit na bata sa aking birthday.

"Xyrielle?"

She windened her eyes, "Ate?!" she paused. "Sapphire!"

"Ikaw nga!" I smiled and hugged her.

"How are you? Here's your food..."

"Okay lang po! Thank you po ulit..." Xyrielle smiled.

"Gutom na gutom po kami n'on, sobrang Salamat po!" She hugged me.

I smiled genuinely. I would do anything and everything just for me to feel that way again.

I suddenly had the urge to ask her, "Asan pala si Boy? I haven't seen him around..." I said as I looked around. Seus thought I was looking for him, he then and there walked up to me and winked. He was smiling not until he saw Xyrielle's tears streaming down her face.

He kneeled down, at inilabas ang panyo n'ya at agaran n'yang pinunasan ito.

"Alam mo bang gustong-gusto ni Santa Claus ang mga batang malalakas?" He softly said.

She raised her eyes to Seus, "Talaga po?"

"Mhm..."

"So, hindi po dapat ako umiiyak?" She asked.

"Pwedeng pwede kang umiyak, basta't 'wag mong kakalimutan na magpakatatag..." hinagod ni Seus ang likod nito.

"Bakit ka nga ba umiiyak? Tignan natin kung may maitutulong ako."

"Kuya, na-adopt na si Boy, miss ko na s'ya..."

"Boy?" he confusedly said.

"Cheer up! I'll find him, okay?" I smiled, "promise!"

He stood up when he saw the smile in Xyrielle's face.

"May boyfriend na pala 'tong Xyrielle na 'to..." he whispered at me.

"Seus," I showed my 'fed up face' "They're siblings!"

He chuckled, "Sorry naman,"

"Balik na muna ako d'on..." He waved.

"Mamaya may palaro, okay?"

"Thank you ate!" she smiled. "Kapangalan mo din po pala 'yung na birthday dati..."

"Sapphire..." she added.

Pagkatapos nilang kumain ay naglaro kami ng iba't ibang palaro, sumasali din kami dito. The orphanage was full of happiness.

"Kuya Timothee, Sali ka na! kakagatin mo lang naman 'tong kutsarang may calamansi, tapos umikot ka sa upuang 'yun!" Louisse pointed at the plastic chair.

"Sure," He showed his lazy look.

"Mukhang masungit!" Louisse crossed her arms.

Pagkatapos nitong game ay ibibigay ko na ang napack naming mga gamit, there's food, money, clothes and toiletries. Ate Rein said that we should invite someone to entertain them, I thought of inviting Louisse but then alam kong aayaw 'to, so I invited Vivienne. She's gonna sing to the children here. Ate Rein invited another singer too, although I'm not sure kung sino 'yun.

"Vivenne!" I hugged her. "Thank you, sa pagpunta... I appreciate it!" I smiled.

"No problem, ate! Idinala ko din pala ang Ate ko..."

"Ate Charm!" tawag n'ya.

"Kuya Timothee! Anong tinitingin mo d'yan? pagpatuloy mo na! matatalo na ang Team A!" Sipat ni Louisse kay Kuya Timothee na tumitingin sa aming gawi.

"Kamusta, Sapphire?" bungad niya.

"I'm great, kayo?" I asked, "Do you want to eat?"

"Okay lang kami, 'tsaka kakain lang namin..." Vivienne smiled.

"If you need food, andu'n malapit kay, Louisse," I pointed at Louisse.

Charm nodded, "Salamat sa pagimbita..."

"Tara, papakilala kita," I smiled.

"This is Louisse, Jessa, my best friends..."

"Hi!" bati ni Vivienne.

"Magandang Hapon..." Charm waved.

"Taray! Ganda naman ng Tagalog mo!" Louisse complimented Charm's choice of words.

"Hello, I'm Jessa..." Jessa gave her hand.

"Nice to meet you!" Vivienne gave a big smile.

Iginaya ko naman sila kay Sunny at Ate Rein, at ipinakilala ang isa't isa, pagkatapos n'on ay ipinakilala ko sila kay Manong Ram at Manong Roel, nang mapansin kong medyo naiilang si Kuya Timothee.

"Ate Charm and Vivienne..." I smiled.

"Hello! Ako si Mang Roel..." ngiti n'ya.

"S'ya si Manong Nescafe..." turo naman ni Manong Roel kay Manong Ram.

Umiling si Manong Ram, "Manong Ram," pagtatama n'ya.

Tumango si Charm, "Okay..."

"This is Kuya Timothee..." I smiled.

"Timothee?" nagtaas ng kilay si Ate Charm.

Kuya Timothee's forehead creased, "Mhm... Timothee." He tilted his head to examine Ate Charm.

"You guys know each other?" I asked, "you can chit chat later, don't w-"

"No," Kuya Timothee said in a dismissive voice, naglakad s'ya papalayo.

"Don't worry, that's just the bare minimum, he's kind, but his intimidating presence is towering over it..." I smiled.

"Okay lang! Ano ka ba, Ate..." ngumiti si Vivienne.

"He probably needs fresh air..." Sabay naming sambit ni Ate Charm.

Pagkatapos ng ilang palaro ay napagpasiyahan na magumpisa na sa pagkanta.

I then walked up to Ate Rein, "Ate Rein, s'an na 'yung inimbita mo na isa pang singer?"

"I'm not sure... nag oo naman s'ya, but he's still not he-" naputol ang sinabi ni Ate Rein no'ng may pumasok na lalaki.

He's wearing a black shirt, gray trousers paired with his black boots. He is also wearing chains and gold jewelries which made him look edgy.

"Oh, Anong nangyari sa mukha mo?" Ate Rein worriedly asked.

I've just realized... Nueva Vizcaya is a good place to look for a good-looking person.

"I'm okay, may bandaid na." sabay turo sa bandaid sa kan'yang kanang pisngi.

"Ba't dala mo 'yang electric guitar mo? 'tsaka ba't ka naka black? Yellow ang sabi ko..."

"This is what I want to use." At lumapit kay Seus, mukhang magkakilala sila... well, it's nothing everyone is Seus' friend.

"What's his name?" I asked.

"Si Ezekiel, 'yan 'yung kumanta sa prom n'yo..."

"Really? He has a soothing voice..."

"Tama ka d'yan... but he doesn't like to sing especially if romantic and soft songs s'ya, actually, more on using his electric guitar s'ya, walang boses..." sambit ni Ate Rein.

"He covers songs by using his electric guitar sa Instagram n'ya, you should look it up..." Ate Rein smiled.

"Okay!"

"Let's call on Ate Vivienne, she's gonna sing for us..." Louisse' voice echoed throughout the place.

Umakyat si Ate Vivienne sa maliit na entablado. "Hi! Ako si Ate Vivienne, What song do you want me to sing?" Vivienne smiled with love.

"Wheels on the Bus!"

"Olivia Rodrigo!"

"Wheels on the Bus!" ulit ni Sara.

"Olivia Rodrigo!" ulit naman nung iba.

"Hoy, Olivia Rodrigo tayo 'di ba?" sipat nung isa kay Sara.

"Ay, Oo!" nagkamot ng ulo si Sara.

"Olivia Rodrigo nalang po!" nakangiting sambit nung mga bata.

Umakyat naman sa entablado si Ezekiel, his eyebrows were furrowing.

"Kuya... Anong kanta alam mo kay Olivia?" dahan-dahang tanong ni Vivienne.

"Just sing." He said in a dismissive voice.

"Oh! Sige I'll sing Olivia's Déjà vu..."

"Excuse me po..." Louisse walked to the other side of stage.

"Damn..." He whispered.

"Sabi ko sa'yo eh, ayaw n'ya talaga ang mga romantic songs..." Ate Rein commented.

Nagsimula nang kumanta si Vivienne nung biglang nag strum ng gitara si Kuya Ezekiel, I thought he's never gonna do it since mukhang ayaw n'ya nung umpisa.

"Ganda!"

"Ang galing!"

Vivienne's voice is really good, soothing at kayang kaya n'yang abutin ang mga high notes, her voice is unique in a way. On the other hand, Kuya Ezekiel, his strumming on his electric guitar made us fall in love in him. They are both good at it, very talented people...

"Do you get Déjà vu when she's with you..."

Nagpalakpakan kami ng matapos. Lumapit nang nakangiti si Seus sa'kin. My heart immediately jumped. "Mukhang na-enjoy mo, ah?"

"They're really good..." I smiled.

"Inom ka," sabay abot n'ya ng tumbler n'ya.

"That's your tumbler... I'm okay,"

"Hindi, okay lang, sa'yo na 'yan..." Ngumiti s'ya at binuksan ang tumbler n'ya.

"T-Thanks..." at uminom ako

"Halika, tali ko na buhok mo..." He carefully touched the strands of my hair.

It was quick and easy two braids.

"Thank you..." I blushed.

He held my hand at idinala sa kanyang pisngi para hawakan ko, "Ramdam mo 'yung init ng mukha ko?"

His skin was soft, and yes, it was hot. "Mhm..." I nodded.

"Lakas talaga ng epekto mo sa'kin, tignan mo, oh, nag blu-blush ako..." he then showed his beautiful smile.

I laughed.

"Ang ganda ng mga ngiti mo... Your smiles are my everything..." He unintentionally said.

Dali-dali akong tumingin sa gawi n'ya.

"Narinig mo ba 'yung sinabi ko?" takot na sambit ni Seus.

I nodded, smiling.

He touched his cheeks. "Pulang-pula na ba? Halata ba?" He asked.

"Hindi naman..." sambit ko.

"Ang galing mo talaga mag pakilig, Amara, sinusobrahan mo na ata..."

"Really? Napakilig kita?" I asked.

"Oo," he simply said.

Bumaba na ang dalawa sa entablado, it was obvious that the children loved their performance. Lumapit si Ezekiel kay Seus.

"Seus-" he was cutted off.

"Pre, d'on ka na, may bebe time pa kami ni Amara, oh..."

Ezekiel rolled his eyes.

"Louisse! Ganyan na ganyan type mo 'di ba?" malakas na untag ni Jessa kay Louisse.

"May gitara!" kinikilig na ani Jessa.

"Yieee!" sabay ni Ate Rein sa tukso.

"Oo nga 'no!" ngumingiting sambit ko. I realized they look good together.

"Hindi kaya!" Louisse denied.

"Tama! Bawal pa mag jow-" naputol si Seus.

"I-I like someone else..." Louisse kept her lips in a grim line.

"Ows!" sambit ni Seus.

I looked at Ezekiel, he looked unbothered by it.

"Keith 'no?" Humalukipkip si Jessa.

Umangat kami lahat ng tingin kay Jessa, even Ezekiel did.

Bago pa makasagot si Louisse ay umalis na si Ezekiel.

"Problema n'on?" Sunny bluntly said.

"Parehong-pareho sila nung kaibigan mo kanina, 'yung Timothee." Sunny added.

"Does he have a ride home?" I asked worriedly.

"We invited him here... I think he needs a ride home at least..." I added.

"Pabayaan mo 'yun, may motorsiklo s'ya..." Ate Rein informed me.

I felt relieved, "Okay..."

Natapos ang isang linggo, everything was fine, kahit stressed sa school I always looked at every bright side and this is the day, ang araw na aking inaabangan. I am now changing my outfit, ngayon na kasi ang family dinner ng pamilyang Vergara. Mama informed me that Seus was already downstairs at kausap si Papa.

I sprayed my signature perfume, and looked at my mirror, "You look so pretty, Sapphire..." I smiled.

Bumaba na ako, agad nag angat ng tingin sa'kin si Seus. He's wearing a black polo button down shirt na nakatupi hanggang sa kanyang siko. He's wearing a bright smile.

Lumapit s'ya sa'kin at ibinigay ang isang bouquet ng bulaklak, It was my favorite... "Ganda naman ni bibe ko..." He examined me.

"Isang ikot naman d'yan bibe!" he twirled me.

"No, but seriously, you look so beautiful..." Pumungay ang kanyang mga mata.

"Thank you..."

He then crouched para magkasing level na kami, "You're bewitching me again, Amara..." His deep voice made me melt.

I blushed.

"Tito, Tita... punta na po kami..." He waved. "Babalik ko din po agad ang prinsesa n'yo,"

"Have fun, anak..." My Papa gave me a flying kiss.

"Go, my baby!" Mama smiled.

He opened the car of the truck for me, "Thank you," I uttered.

"Welcome."

He stared at me with a smile on his face, he softly reached for the steering wheel and placed his head on it, mukhang walang planong umalis. "'Wag nalang kaya tayo pumunta?"

"Huh?"

"I could watch you... endlessly..." his voice was hoarse.

"Ganda mo talaga," He said as he reached for the gear of the truck.

We've driven smoothly hanggang makarating sa bahay nila Louisse. I immediately saw their guards and their helpers lined.

My heart then suddenly thumped out of nervousness.

He was about to go out when he looked at me, agad s'yang pumasok nang napansin ang kabado kong mukha.

"Saglit... May tubig ako..." he gave me his tumbler. The same trumbler na pinaginuman ko noon. The same tumbler na ibingay ko noong nag basketball s'ya.

I chugged out of it, "I-I'm really nervous..." pag amin ko.

"We can stay here for a while... makakaantay 'yang dinner, I want you to be comfortable."

"No, it's okay..." I smiled.

"Sure?" he asked me in a worried tone.

I nodded, It's just a family dinner.

He blinked for a couple times before opening the car door. Hinawakan n'ya ang aking kamay.

Their guards and helpers immediately bowed.

"Good evening po..." I waved at them.

As soon as I entered Louisse' house my eyes immediately travelled, their house has a touch of royalty and antique. It was beautiful, alam mo talagang mayaman ang nakatira.

Seus opened the door leading to their dining area, kaya mas nauna akong pumasok.

"Good eve, po..." I smiled with elegance. The Vergara's were all present, causing me to tremble.

I looked at Louisse' parents, tumaas ang kilay nila. I then directed my attention to Tita Chandra and Tito Zeus, they immediately smiled as soon as they saw my presence.

"Sapphire!" Ate Alielle stood up and hugged me.

"Tita, Tito, Mom, Dad, Kuya,this is Sapphire..." Sambit ni Ate Alielle, lumambot ang mukha ni Tita Alex.

Iginaya ako ni Seus sa aking upuan, katabi ko ngayon si Louisse na sinusundot sindot ang tagiliran ko, katapat ko naman si Seus.

"She's the girl?" Tita Alex coldly said.

"Yes po, Tita..." Seus smiled.

"How about you, Alielle? Don't you have someone?"

"Wala po, busy pa po sa Internship..." Alielle smiled cutely.

"Okay..." tumikhim si Tita Alex,

Tita Alex clapped twice at nagulat ako nang pumasok ang mga chef na may dala dalang iba't ibang putahe. Mukhang masasarap ang mga ito!

"So... how's everyone?" Tito Louis asked.

Nagpatuloy ang paguusap nila nang mapunta sa'kin ang ilaw ng lente.

"It's the first time Seus brought a girl over a family dinner..." sambit ni Tita Alex.

Gulat naman akong napatingin, Really?

"I thought he's going to bring Hazel, but nonetheless I'm okay with it..."

I smiled, "Thank you po..."

"How's your father's business?" tanong ni Tito Zeus sa'kin.

"Okay naman po..."

"That's good... I heard he got the project sa Barcelona?" He asked me.

I tilted my head, "I'm not sure about that po, I haven't heard my father mention anything..."

"Ang alam ko lang po ay ang pagpunta n'ya sa Spain weeks ago..." I added.

"That's good, I thought were going to get that project but it's okay, your father deserves it,"

I smiled, "Tama po kayo d'yan..."

"How about you Aeacus?" Tito Louis asked Aeacus.

"What about me?" He fixed his eyeglasses.

"How's 4th year of college?"

"It's okay." His voice was again dismissive.

They talked about their business, personal life, things new about them. It was really fun to get to know them, even if I was intimidated by their presence.

Out of the blue, Seus spoke, "Ma, am I allowed to have a girlfriend?"

"Hoy! Boba! nagkar'on ka na kaya n'on!" Ate Alielle laughed. Seus rolled his eyes in return.

"But this time..." He wiped the napkin in his soft pinkish lips. "I'm serious."

Ate Alielle was supposed to utter another funny line of hers when Tita Chandra spoke, "Of course, anak, you can have one..."

Seus, smiled while looking at me. All of them then took a glance at me.

Pagkatapos ng dinner ay hinablot ako ni Tita Chandra papalapit sa kanilang fountain.

"Sapphire, I didn't know na ikaw ang idadala ni Seus, but I'm glad he did, boto ako sa'yo, eh!" ngiti n'ya.

I smiled back.

"I want to say thank you," she uttered with sincerity.

"for what po?"

"Seus, my baby, he's changed..." teary-eyed Tita Chandra said.

"I barely see any girl sa bahay... Nakakapanibago, he said he's gonna focus on his 'girl' he said."

"Really po?"

"Yes, I saw him once making an art of a girl, it looked like you..." Tita Chandra stopped.

"Well I don't think it looked like you, 'cause I know it's you."

She gathered a breath. "You know, he stopped making an art when his lola passed away?"

"P-po?" I stammered.

"It's not a secret of ours but it's something we barely talk about."

"His arts were always for his Lola... every drawing was for his Lola... and now I'm happy he returned again..."

I was amazed and sad at the same time, he did that for me?

"I gave him his monthly allowance once and was surprised when he got home dala-dala ang maraming hair clips, headbands 'tsaka mga art materials. Usually, he'd always brought girls home but it was different, so normally... I asked him what it's for, he said it's for his crush... I was happy he's making some efforts, but was happier when I found out it was a loving and caring girl..."

I blushed. "Salamat po..."

"Pinagpractice-an n'ya pa nga ang mga buhok namin nila Louisse at Alielle, he told me he wants to learn to tie a girl's hair... I guess it's for you..."

"Woah..." I sighed out of amazement.

Kaya pala sobrang bilis n'ya na ito gawin dahil gamay na s'ya rito. Maganda at presentable din ang mga hairstyles na gawa ni Seus sa'kin.

"He also skipped his review for his quiz bees, magagalit na sana ako... kaya lang nag explain s'ya, he said something happened to you..."

"I'm sorry for that po, Tita... I didn't know na pupunta pala s'ya no'n," I uttered.

He caressed my back, "No, it's okay... I love how he's treating girls better now," Tita Chandra stopped.

"Kapag may ginawang masama si Seus sa'yo andito lang ako, ha? Louisse, Alielle and I will always be there for you no matter what," she smiled at me genuinely.

"Wala naman po s'yang ginagawang masama, Tita... but thank you. I really appreciate it po," I smiled with sincerity.

Natapos ang usapan namin ni Tita, Hinigit kaagad ako ni Ate Alielle at Louisse, they immediately asked questions.

Louisse then uttered something with a hint of joke. "Kayo na ba nung pangit kong mukhang unggoy na parang napulot lang sa daan na-" Ate Alielle stopped Louisse.

"Joke lang naman, eh!" Ate Alielle was serious but Louisse was not.

"No..." I answered.

"Mabuti 'yan!" Louisse smiled. "'Wag mo patulan 'yan, Sapphire, ako na nagsasabi sa'yo..."

"Panira ka talaga, Louisse," Irap ni Ate Alielle.

"Anong panira?" angal ni Louisse, "I'm just stating what I know," English ni Louisse.

Tumawa si Ate Alielle, "English pa nga,"

Hinawakan ni Ate Alielle kamay ko, "Ganda no'ng napili ng Seus ko, ah... Galing pumili! Bet ko!"

I smiled, and blushed a little.

"Hiramin ko muna si Amara..." Seus said hoarsely.

"Yiee!" Louisse shouted.

"Yie mo mukha mo!" rinig kong angal ni Ate Alielle kay Louisse.

"'Di joke lang! hehe,"

"Alagaan mo 'yang best friend ko!" Sambit ni Louisse.

"Opo, cute kong pinsan..." sagot naman ni Seus.

Hinigit n'ya ako papunt sa kanilang kusina, it was clean and organized.

"Amara, upo ka muna d'yan," sabay turo sa kanilang counter table.

Medyo mataas ang kanilang counter table kaya 'di ako kaagad nakaakyat, nagulat na lamang ako nang hawakan n'ya ang aking baywang at itinaas na parang bata.

"Can I have water?" parang batang asik ko.

"Mhmm..." nagsalin s'ya nang tubig at ibinigay sa'kin.

Ipinatong n'ya sa counter ang kanyang kamay at tumingin sa'kin, "Gusto kong matuto magluto...turuan mo 'ko..."

I chuckled, "For what?" I then drank my water.

"May liligawan sana akong babae," Pumungay ang kanyang mga mata.

Agad akong nabilaukan, "W-what?"

"I don't know how to court a girl, kaya tinanong ko kay mama, she said paglutuan ko daw..." He said directly, our eyes locked together.

Itinago ko ang sarili ko sa basong maliit, "Y-Yeah... I'll h-help you,"

"Good," he smiled and opened their cabinets to check for the ingredients.

"Gusto kong iluto 'yung paboritong ulam nung bebe ko," He chuckled.

"But... how are you so sure na pwede mo s'yang ligawan?" I raised my eyebrow.

"Hindi ba gano'n?" He asked, confused.

"No, you need permission first..." I pouted.

"Permission?" He walked up to me.

Napaisip-isip pa s'ya, "Really?" he whispered to himself.

"Yep..." I nodded.

"Saglit, d'yan ka lang," Tumakbo s'ya papalabas ng kanilang kusina, I think he went upstairs. Maybe in his room?

Napaisip ako, is that his indirect confession to me?

"Hmmm..." I gathered a breath. "Probably not, probably yes..." I said.

"Huh?" Seus asked.

"Bilis mo naman..." asik ko.

"Ako kasi si flash," He chuckled.

I laughed, "You don't look like him though." I smiled.

"Tulips..." he said as he gave me another bouquet of flowers.

"You gave me two today..." I smiled at the thought.

"Kung pwede nga lahat nang tulips sa mundo ibibigay ko, eh." He licked his lips.

He reached for his pocket, "Nag research ako, sabi d'on bibigyan daw ang babae ng kuwintas..."

"Purple 'yung box, favorite color mo..." he said as he gave me a box.

Excitement overflowed in me, "Can I open his now?" I asked, glitters in my eyes.

Before he could even say One dot, I said it, "One dot!"

He chuckled, "Okay, okay. Pwede mo nang buksan..."

I opened it and saw my birthstone, Sapphire.

"Birthstone mo..." He smiled.

"Thank you!" I hugged him.

"Meron pa," he smiled.

"Really? Okay na 'to... Don't worry..."

"Tickets..." sabay pakita n'ya nung tickets nang isang concert.

Nakita n'ya ang kyuryoso kong mata kaya agad s'yang nagsalita, "Last week, Nakita ko na masaya ka sa performance ni Ezekiel at Vivienne, naisipan kong baka gusto mo manood nang concert..."

"Drive-in 'yan, maganda," he smiled.

"'Tsaka 2 weeks from now pa 'yan, makakapaghanda ka pa..." he uttered once again.

My heart was filled with awe, "I don't know how to say thank you. I don't think I have given you any gift and I am not even sure about the date you were born..."

"Wala akong hinihinging kapalit, Amara. It's enough to see you smile..." He sighed. "Your smile means everything to me," His deep voice said.

He paused, "I'm born the same day my Lola died, it's November 5th," He licked his lips.

"I'm sorry..." I caressed his back.

"'Wag ka mag sorry, you did nothing wrong..." He smiled.

After a long silence, "Iuuwi na kita, Pinangako ko sa Papa at Mama mo na iiuwi kita pag alas nuwebe na..."

Hinawakan n'ya muli ako sa baywang at ibinaba, "Ang cute mo," He smiled.

Nagpaalam ako kina Tita at Tito, Louisse and Alielle also waved their goodbyes.

Binuksan n'ya ang pintuan nang kanyang sasakyan, agad akong sumakay.

"Seus, is this your indirect confession to me?" I asked.

"You like me, huh?" I smiled uncontrollably.

"Oo, gusto kita, Sapphire..." He directly said.

"Y-You said my name!" I said directing my attention.

He likes, you, Sapphire, he likes you.

"Should I say thank you, to you?" I asked.

"I don't want an answer immediately, Amara, you can think about it..." he smiled as he shifted his gear.

"Ganda na nga ng pangalan at ugali, ganda pa ng mukha," He whisphered.

"I heard what you said..." I gave a ghost smile.

"'Wag mo muna ako tignan," he chuckled, "Pumupula na ata mukha ko," he licked his lips.

I smiled.

"Ano pala paborito ang mong ulam?"

"Sinigang," I immediately said.

"Ganda ng taste," ngiti n'ya

It was exactly at 10 o'clock when he dropped me home, pumasok pa s'ya ng bahay at kinausap sila Nanay, Papa at Mama, He gave my mom a necklace as well, birthstone din n'ya. He didn't mention the permission about courting me though, which i was looking forward to the most.

"How was it, anak?" tanong ni Mama.

"Okay lang naman, Ma... " I smiled. "Tulog na po sila Kuya Timothee, Manong at Manang?" I asked. Changing the topic.

"Oo, maagang natulog, 'di lang namin alam kay Timothee, mukhang busy..." sagot ni Mama.

"Mukhang ginisa ang anak natin d'on, ah, pulang pula 'yung mukha," Papa laughed.

My eyes widened, "My face is red?"

"Yes, anak..." Mom answered.

Agad ko itong hinawakan at nadama ko kaagad ang init, "Uhm..."

"She's blushing, Donato," my mom grinned, she then placed her head sa chest ni Papa.

"Yiee! Kinilig ang prinsesa ko, ah..." Papa said while grinning.

"Pa," I pouted.

Umakyat ako sa aking kwarto at nagpalit, I did my usual routine nung biglang kumatok si Papa sa'king kwarto.

"Anak, gising ka pa?"

"Yes, pa," I said as I cleansed my face.

He opened the door and sat on my bed.

"Dalaga na anak ko, ah." He smiled.

I stopped and looked at Papa, "I'll always be your princess, Pa..."

"Alam mo anak na kahit sinasabi ko sa'yong mag boyfriend ka, na-inejoy mo ang 'yong teenage life, I actually don't want that..." Papa sighed. Gulat naman akong napataingin sa gawi ni Papa.

"Gusto ko ako lang ang lalaki sa buhay mo."

"Palagi kong sinasabi kay Mang Roel na tignan kung sino ang umaaligid sa'yo at kakausapin ko ng masinsinan, all of the people I've talked to, failed. Seus was the only one I liked, he's pure, but I just don't want to let you go to someone who will hurt you," diretsong sambit ni Papa.

I stood up at tumabi kay Papa.

"Pa, Seus will not hurt me, 'tsaka I haven't agreed kung pwede n'ya ba akong ligawan..." I smiled.

"I like Seus for you, 'nak," he said seriously.

I smiled from what he said.

"I saw how you smile whenever you are with him."

"Mahal na mahal kita, anak..." He hugged me tightly.

"I love you more, Pa," I smiled, barely breathing.

Dahil last year na namin sa Senior High School, everything was a lot easier than my first year, though every subject was still hard. Kahit na we do our lectures 2 hours per subject, I am still learning to love every subject especially Math. Time Management is what you really need when taking STEM. Sabay-sabay na research, Scientific projects, Reportings, Short films and a lot more. We also do a lot of speeches lalo na su huli ng 1st sem. Nakakastress but worth it.

"May pupuntahan tayo," Seus smiled.

"Where are you guys going?" Jessa lifted her eyebrows.

It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, Louisse' face looked different from the weather.

"Louisse are you okay?" I asked.

"Oo..."

Louisse has been really different these days. Jessa and I know na she's going out with someone. We've heard her talking to this boy on her phone multiple times, and minsan hindi na siya sumisipot sa mga hangouts namin. We don't know this boy, kaya every time na may makikita kami ng lalaking type n'ya agad naming shi-ni-ship sila. She's happy with him and we know it. I'm sure he deserves Louisse, but I don't know if he deserves Louisse. We agreed to tell her that we knew about it pag sinabi na n'ya, pero hanggang ngayon hindi n'ya pa din sinasabi. It's over a year now, and parang may away sila that's been going for weeks. We wanted to confront her about It but we wanted to talk about it when it's only us.

"Sama ka nalang sa'min, Louisse, kung gusto mo," Seus' face looked worried.

"Okay lang ako," she said firmly.

Tinawagan ni Seus si Kuya Aeacus para sunduin si Louisse. Kuya Aeacus came and It was quick, we bid goodbye to Louisse and Jessa.

I immediately smelled Seus' signature perfume throughout his truck.

"Paano pala 'yung work natin sa Cafe?" I asked.

"Ki-nover na 'yun ni Damien at ni Caly, don't worry..." He smiled. 

"Sa'n tayo pupunta?" I asked again.

"Secret," He chuckled.

"Hmm..." I wanted to asked him again pero naisip kong mas mainam kung itikom ko nalang ang aking bibig.

We drove for 20 minutes and we came by this small animal shelter.

"What are we doing here?" I asked.

"Mag a-adopt tayo..." sabay tawa n'ya.

"You're joking, right?" I asked.

He looked at me, "Ayaw mo?"

"No, of course not!"

"Well... then, let's go..." Hinawakan n'ya ang aking kamay at pumasok na sa loob.

Tinignan naming lahat ng naroon and I liked every animal, In fact I even want to adopt them all.

"Ang gaganda lahat 'no?" he said.

"Yeah..." I looked around when I saw this Askal na sobrang cute at maliit. It's colored white and black. Looks very much like my baby panda.

I kneeled down and the puppy instantly licked my hands.

"Kamukha nung panda mo..." He smiled.

"I know..." I smiled.

An hour came by and Seus told me he has been planning this. He submitted an online application for adopting an animal. He got through an interview with one of the shelter's counselors and even met some of the rescued animals. While Seus was paying for an adoption fee I was already playing with the puppy. Then I realized it has a dog tag with a heart shaped locket on it.

"Seus, may locket si Oreo..." asik ko kay Seus.

"Oreo?" He smiled at the name I've thought.

"Hmmm... Let's open that later," pumungay ang kan'yang mga mata.

Binuksan ni Seus 'yung pintuan ng sasakyan at pumasok ako agad. Oreo liked the scent of Seus' truck.

He waged his tail while playing on my lap.

"Buksan na natin 'yung locket..." 

"Yay!" parang bata kong sambit.

I opened the locket and saw the picture of Seus and I. I then looked at the other one and widened my eyes. It says "Can I court you, Sapphire?"

I looked at Seus and instantly hugged him.

I stopped when I realized I've hugged him for too long.

He raised his eyebrow, he then smiled genuinely.

"Yes, you can court me..." I smiled as I uttered it.

Oreo barked so happily as if it was one of the best decision I've made.

〰〰〰〰『𖤣𖥧𖡼..✎ ..𖡼𖥧𖤣』〰〰〰〰

sofiagii

Lovelots♡