Nox Castillo

I frowned the next day when my mom, Elsa, called my name. Not called, yelled, actually. I rubbed my eyes and saw that it's only eight in the morning.

"John-John!" I grimaced as I hated being called like that. "Magsisimba pa tayo! Bumangon ka na diyan!"

"Opo!" I yelled back and willed myself to sit up. I yawned and stretched my arms before I grabbed my towel to shower.

It took me only fifteen minutes before I changed into a blue shirt and a pair of denims. I slid into my white sneakers. I checked my wallet to see if I still have enough money saved if ever I want to buy something after and then placed it in my back jeans' pockets.

Having a curtain haircut, I didn't bother to fix it and just let my hand did the work. I got out of my room and saw my parents, Elsa and Jack, together with my older brother, Yexel, at the dining room.

"Mabuti naman at gising ka na." Kuya Yexel remarked and rolled his eyes at me.

"Halika na, anak, at anong oras na." I obliged when Mom urged me to sit down beside Kuya.

We said our prayers and began eating. Like the usual, they asked us how school was and Kuya, being the graduating student, became the topic of the conversation.

Hindi naman ako tutol doon. I am actually free in doing what I want as long as I am a good student.

They treat us equally and thankful ako sa atensyong binibigay nila sa amin ni Kuya.

"Let's go. It's already nine thirty." Dad said after Kuya Yexel has washed and cleared the plates. Siya kasi ang nakatoka ngayon. Rotation kami sa gawaing-bahay every weekend.

As we went outside, so did Ces and her parents. I saw her laughing with Tita Sol and her dad, Tito Romy.

"Uy, mare! Magandang umaga!" Tita Sol exclaimed and my mom grinned automatically as if they haven't seen each other for a long time.

"Pare!" My dad gave Tito Romy a brotherly hug before he opened the car door for us.

"Good morning po, Ninang Elsa and Tito Jack." Ces greeted them with a kiss on the cheek and acknowledged Kuya Yexel first and then her brown eyes rested on me. "Nox."

"Hala! Malelate na tayo sa misa nila Father Gerry!" Tita Sol exclaimed and we scurried to our cars as if nothing happened.

Me and Kuya Yexel took the back seat and Mom at the front while Dad started the engine. I glanced outside the window and saw their Nissan NX2000 did the same thing.

We arrived at the Church fifteen minutes before the mass begun and we immediately found a place at the middle. Like the usual, both her parents took the aisle seat with her dad at the center, then Tita sol and her. Having seven-seater pew, me and Ces are at the center as Kuya Yexel either serves at the mass or he prefers to sit between Mom and Dad.

"With confidence, let us join hands as we sing The Lords Prayer." Father Gerry Eustacio said and at that moment, hindi ko alam pero sa oras na maghawak ang kamay namin ni Ces, ang bilis-bilis ng tibok ng puso ko.

The church-goers and us started to sing and at that instant, I can feel the softness of her hand.

Alam kong mali ang mag-isip ng kahit ano sa tuwing magmimisa dahil para lamang ito sa Panginoon. We are here to give thanks, say our innermost intentions and above all, worship God. But my attention is somewhere else.

"Forgive me, Father. Nalilito lang po ako." I mumbled under my breath.

"Ha?" Ces asked beside me and my eyes widened.

"Haa?" I asked her back.

"Yung kamay ko, Nox." She whispered. I looked around and realized na tapos na pala ang Our Father and Father Gerry has proceeded to the next part. I pulled my hand back and placed it inside my jeans' pocket. "Ano ba nangyayari sayo? Malayo na naman isip mo."

"Bianca." Tita Sol hissed beside her and she sat up straight. "Quit talking.  Nasa loob ka ng simbahan."

It took some time before the mass ended and Father Gerry gave us his final blessing.

At simula noon ay hindi na ako tinantanan ni Ces sa nangyari kanina.

"Nox! Anong nangyari kanina? Ayos ka lang ba?" She asked me when we were outside the Church. Our parents are planning where to have lunch together and Ces has pulled me away from them to talk.

"Kalimutan mo na yun, Ces." I said and smiled at her.

"Pwede ba yun! Eh halos matulala ka kanina sa simbahan nong naghawak-kamay tayo!" She laughed and I shook my head.

"Wala nga yun. Inantok— oo, inantok lang ako nun! Akala ko nananaginip ako." I lied at her.

Sorry po talaga, Lord. Hindi po ako handa na harapin itong mga kakaibang nararamdaman ko sa kanya.

"Nox! Ces! Tara na at babiyahe pa tayo!" That was Tita Sol's voice calling us.

We both turned to look at them and nodded. As we approached them, Kuya Yexel was giving me a knowing look.

Ganito na ba ako kahalata sa nararamdaman ko?

Bakit ganito makatingin sa akin si Kuya?

When we got inside the car, he playfully punched me on my right arm and said, "ganda niya no? Bakit kasi ayaw mo pang umamin?"

"H-ha? Ano, Kuya?" I stammered and chuckled lightly.

"Sus! Baka kapag hiniling niya na mag-Amusement Park kayo, wala pang limang segundo, andon na kayo!" He joked and winked at me.

"Siyempre, kuya! Paborito ko rin kaya ang mga amusement park!" Pagdedepensa ko na lalong ikinatawa niya.

"Hindi ko alam kung sino sa inyo ang manhid. Kung siya ba o ikaw." He commented and sighed. "Mga bata pa nga kayo."

Just like that, hindi ko alam pero pinapatugtog na pala ang kanta ng Backstreet Boys na Anywhere For You sa radio.

I'd go anywhere for you
Anywhere you asked me to
I'd do anything for you
Anything you want me to
Your love as far as I can see

Sa puntong iyon, wala akong nakikitang dahilan para hindi samahan si Ces sa mga gusto niyang puntahan.

Oo, we are best friends. She knows me from head to foot. And so am I with her.

And, at that certain part of the song, alam ko sa sarili ko na walang ibang gusto akong kasama kung hindi siya lang.

Si Ces lang ang gusto kong makasama.

Hanggang sa pagtanda naming dalawa.

💞💞💞

A/N:

Please play the Youtube video for better reading experience. 😊

All photos credits to their respectful owners.