Entry 10

Nanay told me that she almost had heart attack when she found me gone in my room. Mabuti na lang at wala siyang pinagsabihan na nawawala ako pero hinanap niya rin ako kung saan-saang parte ng hacienda. Naabutan niya na lang ako na pumapasok sa entrance ng mansion at bakas sa mukha niya ang pag-aalala kaya naman sinabi ko sa kaniya ang totoo kung saan ako galing.

"Delikado iyang ginagawa mo, Tri. Kahit gusto kong nakikitang masaya ka at ginagawa ang mga normal na bagay, alam mo kung anong magiging reaksiyon ng mga magulang mo kapag nalaman nila ito." Paalala niya sa'kin habang sinusuklay ang mahaba kong buhok.

Ngumuso ako at tinignan ang sariling repleksiyon sa salamin. Alam ko naman kung anong consequences ng mga actions ko... but I want to risk it even just for once. O kung mapagbibigyan man muli ako, uulitin ko. Alam kong magagalit ang mga magulang ko sa ginagawa ko pero mali ba iyon? Mali bang pakinggan ang sarili ko kahit minsan?

"Kung ako ang tatanungin ay hahayaan kitang sumama kay Dax dahil siya ang unang kaibigan mo sa labas ng mansion. At base sa mga kwento mo, masaya ka. Ang akin lang ay wala akong karapatan na pahintulutan ka. Ang kaya ko lamang ay pagtakpan ka."

A smile slowly crept in my lips with her last words. Kahit may pakiramdam ako na mahirap sa kaniyang pagtakpan ang lahat ng ginagawa kong labag sa utos ng aking mga magulang, kahit kailan ay hindi niya ako binigo na iparamdam na suportado niya ako.

"It was fun," I said as I tried to recall what happened earlier. "To go out with him and experience a bit of what normal life is."

Nakita ko ang pagdaan ng pinaghalong awa at tuwa sa mga mata ni Nanay. I know what she's thinking. I'm a sucker of knowing what it feels to live like the other normal kids. Hinaplos niya ang aking buhok at hindi nagsalita. And when the tomorrow becomes today, I have to face my reality again.

I saw Dax again with his family when we went to church. Napansin kong marami silang kakilala dahil bago kami lumabas ay nakita ko siyang nakikipagtawanan sa iilang mga nakakatanda. Gano'n rin ang kapatid niya na kinakausap ang mga kaedad niya. I just had to look away because I know the envious will only start growing inside of me if I kept looking at them.

I want that kind of family. Am I selfish if I would ask God to make my parents like Dax's parents?

"You'll get straight to your room when you get inside the mansion. Change your clothes quickly." Mom reminds me before I entered the car.

Fiesta ngayon sa barangay namin kaya naman nagpahanda sina Daddy ng buffet na nakasanayan na dahil madalas bumibisita ang mga tiga-sa'min upang bisitahin ang aming mansion. Kahit gaano pa kaganda ang intensiyon ng mga magulang ko sa mata ng ibang tao, alam kong ginagawa lamang nila iyon upang magpabango sa mga tao.

Pagkalabas ko ng sasakyan ay nakita ko na agad ang iilang mga taong pumapasok sa entrada ng mansion. Nang makita nila ako ay binigyan nila ako ng espasyo sa gitna upang makadaan ako. I was beating myself if I will smile or greet them when I heard my parents' car arrived at doon natuon ang atensiyon ng lahat.

Mabilis akong dumiretso sa'king kwarto at agad akong dinaluhan ni Nanay dahil siya ang madalas nag-aayos ng aking mga gamit at susuotin.

"Sinabi sa'kin ng Mommy mo na ito ang isuot mo." She showed me a new dress she got out from a new unsealed box of Prada.

Kumunot ang aking noo at ginala ang tingin sa malaki kong walk in closet.

"Is that new?" I asked kahit may hula na akong bago nga iyon.

"Oo. Dumating ang mga bagong damit na inorder ng Mommy mo kaninang umaga."

Mom likes to choose my clothes and she has this obsession on buying new designer dresses for me every week. At base sa mga paper bags and boxes na nakatambak sa gilid ng closet ko, she ordered more than what I need. How easy the money for them to throw at these kinds of brands like it's nothing.

To born with things most of the people can't get in one blink of an eye, I must be grateful. Alam kong hindi kasalanan ng mga magulang ko na pinili nilang magsumikap upang makuha at maibigay ang mga ganitong bagay para sa'kin, pero napapaisip ako kung deserve ko ba ang mga ito. Not that I'm thinking this isn't enough. Ang akin lang ay parang bawal. Lalo na sa tuwing nakikita ko ang mga batang tinuturuan ko na nakikiusap na makahingi ng kahit ilang centavos sa ibang tao.

I feel like I don't belong here. I feel like I belong somewhere else. I feel like this isn't the life I'm supposed to live. Dahil sa tuwing ipipikit ko ang aking mga mata, nakikita ko ang aking sarili na naglalakbay sa mapuputik na daan na napapalibutan ng mga berdeng kapunuan. Tatawiring mga ilog at ang destinasyon ay ang mga taong hindi napagtutuonan ng pansin ng mundo. Somewhere in the hills where children can be reached of their deserved education rights. I belong there.

"Tri," nanay called me that terminated me from thinking things.

Hinarap ko ulit siya at tinanggap ang damit na nilalahad niya sa'kin. I have no other choice but to wear the blue floral mock dress with puff sleeves. She gave my hair a few brushes before I finally went downstairs.

Hindi na ako nagulat nang mas lalong dumami ang tao kumpara kanina nang pagdating ko. Mom saw me and ordered me to stay beside her while greeting the people. Bumisita ang Mayora ng bayan namin at bored na bored ako habang pinapakinggan silang nagpapalitan ng mga mabulaklaking salita. I don't know with these people and their fake personas.

"Tri!"

I turned around to face the person who called me because I know that voice. Malapad na nakangisi si Allison nang harapin ko siya. Lumapit siya sa'kin at nakita ko ang Mama niya na sumunod sa kaniya.

"Buti nakita kita." She grins at me. "Last year nandito rin ako, remember? Kaso 'di kita nabati kasi nakasunod ka lagi sa mga magulang mo. Kumusta pala review for midterms? Ang hirap ng Income Taxation 'no? Mag-drop out na lang kaya tayo?" She laughs.

"Charot." Habol niya.

"Allison!" Saway sa kaniya ng Mama niya— hula ko lamang dahil magkamukha sila— nang mapansin na kinakausap ako ng anak niya.

"Pasensiya ka na, Madam-" hindi natapos ang sasabihin ng Mama niya nang bigla akong akbayan ni Allison.

"Ano ba, 'ma, magkaibigan kami ni Tri." Ani Allison.

At hindi ko alam kung bakit sa halip na mainis sa sinabi niya ay nanatili lamang akong pinagmamasdan siya habang pinagyayabang niya sa kaniyang magulang na magkaibigan kami. I know I never told her that we're friends, but she's been assuming that we are since the day she introduced herself to me. Bukod kay Dax, she consider me her friend with no questions. Pero hindi ko pa rin siya matanggap sa buhay ko dahil hanggang ngayon ay wala akong tiwala sa kaniya. She's surrounded with people who likes too much attention, girls who like fighting with each other, and if she's one of them, I don't want that kind of friendship with her.

"Excuse me, Allison." I withdraw myself from her hold on my shoulder and politely bow at her mother before I blend in with the crowd again.

Naglakbay ang mga mata ko sa dagat ng mga tao— trying to look for someone I'm not sure if will be here. Huminto ako sa gitna, ilang metro ang distansiya mula sa entrada at ilang minutong naghintay sa pamilyar na mukhang papasok. And when I saw him entering with his family, I feel like everything froze. Cliché it may sound but that's how I felt. And weird because it's... unusual. Goodness, I don't know if I make any sense.

His eyes automatically found mine as if they are meant to only see me even with this kind of crowd. Ngumiti siya at habang naglalakad ay kinindatan niya ako. I frowned at him because I almost believed that he was like that prince charming I've seen in films.

Wait, what?

"Kap!"

Halos marindi ako nang marinig ang pekeng tuwa sa boses ni Daddy nang salubungin ang pamilya nila Dax. Nakipagkamayan siya kay Kapitan Dom, ang Papa ni Dax, at gano'n din ang ginawa niya sa Mama ni Dax. Mom went beside him and greeted them.

They are so simple and normal. Nakasuot ng kulay abong tshirt si Kapitan Dom habang naka-bestidang pula ang asawa niya. Dax's sister is wearing a printed shirt and jeans.

"We're glad you came with your family. Noong isang taon ay balita ko naghanda rin kayo para sa mga tao." I heard my father said as I walk to join them.

Tumabi ako kay Mommy at nasa harap ko ngayon ang kapatid ni Dax. She has the same features as her brother. She really does look like the girl version of him. Maybe she's around sixteen or seventeen based on her height. She looked at me and shot her brow up. Iniwas ko ang tingin sa kaniya at nilipat iyon sa kapatid niya na sa'kin nakatuon ang mga mata.

I feel like the horses inside my chest went wild that I have to swallow hard to calm my breathing.

"Mukhang walang dadayo sa bahay namin dahil narito ang lahat kaya hindi na rin kami naghanda." Tumawa si Kapitan Dom na sinabayan ni Daddy pero alam kong peke iyon.

"Paniguradong matutuwa ang mga tao na makita kayong narito." Mother said and followed by, "May plano ba kayo ulit na tumakbo sa susunod na taon?"

"Ay, nako, wala na. Nakadalawang termino na ako at kahit gustuhin kong manatili sa pwesto para sa mga tao ay hindi na kakayanin ng edad ko. Hinihiling ko na lang na sana ang susunod na papalit sa upuan ay kayang ipagpatuloy ang aking nasimulan o 'di kaya ay mas makaisip pa siya ng mas ikabubuti para sa mga tao sa'ming barangay."

Tumango si Mommy at hindi sumagot. I know she can't answer that. That's not how she sees politics. Mom sees it as work to earn money, Kapitan Dom sees it as his calling and serves the people.

"We have a buffet, Kap. Help yourselves and feel at home at our humble mansion." Dad said to end the conversation.

I want to roll my eyes at what he said but I kept my composure. Sumunod ako sa kanila at hindi na muling sinulyapan si Dax. My parents didn't even bother to know their children.

"Sumama lang naman ako dito para kumain ng lumpia. Si Mama kasi 'di nagluto." Dinig kong sabi ng kapatid ni Dax habang papalayo kami.

"Lagi ka nang naka-lumpia, Denisse." Someone said, prolly their mother.

"Paggising mo bukas lumpia ka na." It was Dax's voice.

I bit my lower lip to conceal a smile. Lalo ko lang pinilit na mag-straight face nang balingan ako ni Daddy.

"Do you know their son?" He probed out of the blue.

"Her daughter's wearing a crop top and a tight jean. It's too revealing for her age. How old is she? Sixteen?" Ani naman ni Mommy, tinutukoy ang kapatid ni Dax, pero hindi iyon pinansin ni Daddy.

"Trishastrea, I'm asking you." Ulit ni Daddy.

"W-Who?" I asked carefully kahit may hula na 'ko kung sino ang tinutukoy niya.

"Ang panganay na anak ni Kapitan Dom." Malamig niyang sagot at tinuon ang mga mata sa daan.

My heart beat doubled and I can feel the sweat in my forehead starting to drip. I shook my head as an answer.

"No." I lied.

Alam ko na ayaw ng aking mga magulang na nakikipagkaibigan ako sa ibang tao na hindi namin ka-level. Kahit ilang beses pang sabihin ni Mommy na kailangan kong umaktong mabait sa harap ng ibang tao upang makuha ang loob nila, sinigurado rin nila sa'kin na dapat lamang akong makipagkaibigan sa mga ka-edad kong kilala rin ang pamilya. And that's one of the many reasons why I hate them.

Yes. I'm finally admitting it. I hate them. Kahit magulang ko sila, naiinis ako kung paano nila tignan ang ibang tao na para bang nasa paanan at sila ang nasa rukrukan. Umaastang hari at reyna, pilit inaangkin ang bayan na kahit kailan ay hindi naman para sa kanila. Kilala man ang pamilya namin, marami man kaming negosyo, hindi iyon kailanman magiging sapat na dahilan upang maliitin at manipulahin nila ang ibang tao. Not to mention that they always go to church but their intentions are evil. How will I actually learn to look up on them and consider them my role model when I can clearly see their wrongdoings? I can never be like them. Or maybe I already am, but I won't stay this way. I can't be like them. That's not what I want.

"You're schoolmates."

My eyes widened but I had to keep my composure calm. I swallowed the lump in my throat. I didn't know he knew that. He never cared about other people.

"I... don't know him." Tangi kong sagot.

Nabalot kaming tatlo sa katahimikan hanggang sa muling naming nakasalubong si Mayora at nag-usap ulit sila. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag dahil ayokong intrigahin pa ako ni Daddy tungkol kay Dax. Hindi niya naman siguro iisipin na magkakilala kami dahil alam nilang walang lumalapit sa'kin sa school upang makipagkaibigan. And they know how people in our town painted me as the snob and arrogant daughter who doesn't make friends with poor people.

"My daughter knows how to play the piano. Would you like to hear it?"

Nagising ako sa mga iniisip ko nang marinig kong i-mention ni Mommy ang aking pangalan. She's looking at me, smiling and nodding. My brows creased because I don't get it.

"Can you play the piano for us?" Nakangiti pa ring tanong ni Mommy sa'kin.

Tumango ako agad at pumunta sa grand piano namin dahil alam kong pagagalitan niya ako mamaya kung hindi ko siya agad susundin. Umupo ako at tinitigan ang mga keys. I learned to play the piano when I was five, and though, I was also introduced to the violin, I play it poorly. They made me learn this kind of instrument because my mother always wants to show off. I still remember how she forced me to play in a private ball held by one of her business partners when I was ten.

I took a deep breath and started playing a classical piano piece. Hinayaan ko ang sarili na mag-focus sa pagtugtog at hindi tinignan ang mga matang nakatuon sa'kin.

Nang matapos ko ang magkasunod na pieces na tinugtog ay dinig ko ang malakas na palakpak ni Mommy na alam kong ginawa niya lamang upang hindi ako maging kahiya-hiya. I know people here hates me, no one will clap.

I lifted my gaze and found the eyes of the only person who I know will scream my name only if my parents aren't here. Dax's staring at me, expression is almost unfathomable. Then, slowly, a smile appeared on his lips, making the emotions change in his eyes. I saw mesmerization. He lifted his left hand and showed me his thumbs up. And insane because my heart only started beating wild when I finally ended my immediate performance.

We didn't talked that day, and it's not like I expected too. Pagkatapos kong tumayo mula sa grand piano ay hindi ko na siya muling nakita hanggang sa matapos ang araw. Ang sunod naming pagkikita ay noong lunes, pagkatapos kong mag-take ng test sa apat na subjects ko. He asked me to go out with him after this midterm week. Hindi ako sigurado noong una ngunit hindi iyon naalis sa'king isipan.

My father asked me if I did well on my midterm exams that I just answered him with words he wants to hear. I don't doubt myself, and I know I can ace the exams, but there is something this week that made me do something that I know my parents will never like.

Consciously, I found myself answering the questions incorrectly. Alam ko ang sagot sa lahat ng tanong at sigurado akong tama ang mga iyon ngunit nagdesisyon ako na maliin ang ilan. I just want to know how it feels to fail. Naaalala ko pa rin ang galit ni Mommy sa'kin noong hindi ako maging top one noong junior high school, pero iba ngayon. I want to find the answer on my own. I want to know if it's only okay if I will fail.

"Date ba 'yan?"

Mula sa loob ng closet ko ay sinilip ko si Nanay sa pintuan at mabilis na umiling.

"We're just going to an amusement park together." Sagot ko dahil inakala niya na magdi-date kami ni Dax.

And yes, I agreed to go out with him today. Nang makuntento si Daddy sa sagot kong ginalingan ko sa midterm exams ko ay naging maluwag siya sa'kin ngayong weekend. When I asked him if I can go to Mall ay pinayagan niya ako. Sinabi ko kay nanay ang plano ko ngayong araw at handa naman siyang pagtakpan ako kung sakali. Gano'n din si Kuya Joey.

"Date ng magkaibigan?" Nakangising dagdag na tanong ni nanay.

Napaisip ako. Well, that can be. "Siguro?" Wala sa sarili kong sagot dahil abala ako sa pagpili ng susuotin.

In the end, I chose a sweater tucked in my under-knee skirt and paired it with white socks and sneakers. I also wear a headband as the only accessory on my head.

"Do I look fine?" Tanong ko kay nanay at lumabas dala ang cross body bag ko.

"Para kang prinsesa na first time gagala sa amusement park." Pagbibiro niya.

I smiled. "It's not really my first time pero ilang taon na rin ang nakalipas nang huli kong punta sa amusement park."

Pinasadahan ko ng isa pang tingin ang ayos ko sa salamin bago lumabas. I feel like this is the simplest clothes I ever wear in my entire life.

"Mag-iingat, hija!" Habol ni nanay habang kumakaway ako sa kaniya mula sa loob ng sasakyan.

The car went out of our large gate at hindi ko alam kung bakit kinakabahan ako. Dax messaged me saying that he's already in SkyRanch and he's just waiting for me. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko ina-accept ang message request niya dahil baka makita ni Daddy ang mga mensahe niya. Sometimes, out of nowhere, Dad opens my phone and I can't risk him finding about Dax.

"Kuya Joey, 'yung usapan natin, ha?" Marahan kong sabi sa kaniya nang huminto ang sasakyan sa harap ng entrance.

"Opo, Ma'am. Hindi ko po sasabihin na nakipag-date ka sa boyfriend mo."

Namilog ang aking mga mata dahil sa sinabi niya. "He's not my boyfriend!"

Napakamot siya sa ulo at hilaw na ngumisi. "Ay, hindi po ba? Sorry po, Ma'am."

I let out a breath through my nostrils before exiting the car. I looked around to search for him when I realized how out of place my look is. Everyone is wearing almost the same style of clothes. Some girls are wearing shirts and jeans, others are crop tops and short shorts, and I also see people wearing spaghetti strap tank tops paired with short skirts. At nang mamataan ko si Dax na papalapit kung nasaan ako ay mas lalo akong nahiya. He's wearing a polo shirt and faded jeans. He's so simple... and normal.

I feel so disappointed of myself. Akala ko at ito na ang pinaka-simple kong suot pero hindi pala dahil nakikita ko ang ibang tao na tinitignan ako na para bang nagtataka kung bakit ganito ang suot ko sa amusement park.

"Ganda mo, ah!" Malakas niyang sambit na narinig ng ibang tao sa paligid namin.

And here goes the weird thumping in my heart again. I squared my shoulder to look unbothered for what he just said kahit ang totoo ay pinagaan no'n ang pakiramdam ko. He doesn't make me feel out of place. He never did.

"Ako na bahala sa amo mo, Sir!" Aniya at sumaludo pa siya sa'king driver.

"Sige, Sir! Alagaan mo si Ma'am!" Ganti naman ni Kuya Joey na hindi ko alam kung sinasakyan ang biro ni Dax o ano.

Umiling na lang ako at nagsimulang maglakad. Agad naman siyang sumunod sa'kin at marahan akong tinulak palayo sa kalsada.

"Alam kong nababasa mo messages ko kahit hindi ka nagrereply." Sambit niya habang pumipila kami para bumili ng ticket.

I lifted my eyes to him. His hair is a bit messy because of the wind.

"I can't accept it... mababasa ni Daddy ang mga message mo." Amin ko at nag-iwas ng tingin.

"Okay lang. Ang importante nababasa mo."

I bit my lower lip to suppress a smile. Kahit hindi ko siya nakikita ay ramdam kong abot tainga na naman ang mga ngiti niya.

Nang makapasok kami ay panay ang kuha niya ng litrato naming dalawa kahit hindi ko naman siya pinapayagan.

"Smile! 'Yung ngiting tapos na mag-midterm exam." Inakbayan niya ako at kinurot ang pisngi ko upang pilitin akong ngumiti.

I glare at him the reason why he instantly stepped forward. "Last na. Promise." He added and took a photo of us even when we were inches apart.

I didn't smile, though I know for sure that I look so ready in salvaging him in the picture. He grabbed me by my wrist as he guided me towards the spot where we can have a clearer view of Taal Volcano.

"It's my first time here." Amin ko sa kaniya habang pinagmamasdan ang bulkang pinalilibutan ng tubig.

"My parents don't allow me to go to this kind of place. My last was when I was in elementary. Field trip namin."

He didn't speak and it was weird. Lagi ay siya ang may kwento sa'ming dalawa pero ngayon ay parang wala siyang sinasabi. Hinawakan ko ang aking buhok na marahas na sinasayaw ng hangin at sinulyapan si Dax sa'king tabi. He's staring deeply at the sight in front of us.

Pumungay ang aking mga mata. I just realized that I'm lucky to know him— he comfortably opens up his life to me. He didn't even hesitate on telling me everything. He trusted me.

"I..." I trailed off that made him look at me.

Nakakunot ang kaniyang noo dahil sa mataas na sikat ng araw na tumatama sa pwesto namin.

"I don't think I perfect my exams." Tuloy ko.

He looked at me as if he were trying to search for my soul. He, then, gave me the brightest smile of his.

"You sad about it?" Tanong niya at pinatong ang dalawang siko sa railings sa harapan namin.

Yumuko siya ng kaunti dahilan upang mag-lebel ang mga mata namin. I clenched both of my fists when I started to hear the weird loud thumping in my heart. It makes my chest tighten for I don't know reason.

"Hindi ko alam." Sagot ko, iyon ang totoo.

"You're beautiful, you know." Aniya.

I frowned at him. Hindi naman iyon ang inaasahan kong isasagot niya. He chuckled hoarsely when he saw my reaction and pinched my cheek. Marahan kong hinawakan ang kaniyang palapulsuhan at tinanggal ang kamay niya sa'king pisngi.

"Dax," banta ko sa kaniya dahil tinatawanan niya pa rin ako kahit walang nakakatawa.

Tinikom niya ang kaniyang bibig at sumeryoso. The emotions in his eyes changed quickly.

"I asked you before if you're happy. I wasn't specific because I don't know you that much. Pero..." he looks in front of us. "Masaya ka ba na nag-aaral ka? Are you happy acing the exams? Winning every debate and quiz bees?"

I was taken aback by his sudden question again. Pero hindi katulad noong una niya akong tinanong, sigurado ako sa sagot ko ngayon. I'm not happy.

"This is what my parents want. I need to be perfect." Nabasag ang boses ko pero agad akong nag-iwas ng tingin upang ayusin ang sarili.

"They want me to top my class." I added.

"Is that what you want?"

"Do I have a choice?" Balik ko.

Sa gilid ng aking mga mata ay nakita ko ang pagtuwid niya ng pagtayo at hinarap ako. I remain my eyes fixated to what's in front of us.

"I know you don't still trust me kahit sinabi mo nang magkaibigan tayo. But you have to know that you always have your choices in this life."

I gritted my teeth and didn't utter a word. He's wrong. I trust him more than I trust myself. Dahil alam ko na kung ano mang lalabas sa bibig niya ngayon... papakinggan ko. Maniniwala ako.

"I never cared about my grades. Wala akong pakialam kung mababa sila o mataas. Sinusunod ko lang ang gusto nila para sa buhay ko. I grew up believing that they are always right. Their choices for me are what are best for me."

I took a quick glance at him before settling my eyes again on the view. I don't know why I can't look at him while I'm trying to open up a little of my life to him.

"Pero ang totoo... gustong-gusto kong gawin ang mga bagay na ginagawa n'yo. That's why I'm very thankful that you made me experienced what normal life is." I finally looked at him.

He's listening to me intently as if he doesn't want to miss a single detail of my words. It makes me happy knowing that there is someone who is very willing to listen to my dull boring narratives.

"I'm not going to say that you'll disrespect your parents but you're at legal age already. And you have your own mind, Tri. Choose for yourself. Decide what you think is best for you. Ikaw ang dapat kumukontrol sa buhay mo at hindi ang mga magulang mo."

It's not that easy...

or I'm just thinking that way.

Maybe, it's possible to decide for myself.

"Your life is yours."

A simple common phrase but it gravely hit me. It's my life. I should be living this life on my own accord.

"Whatever will be your decision, it is the right thing. Naniniwala ako sa'yo."

Something warm inside holds my heart with that. Pumikit ako at paulit-ulit nag-echo sa isip ko ang mga salita niya. Naniniwala siya sa'kin. How can someone like him trust someone like me?

I opened my eyes and found him watching me. "Can you accompany me to the Mall? Bibilhan ko lang ang mga bata ng mga bagong papel at lapis."

Because this day is supposed to spend with memories I'll treasure for the rest of my life. This day should be typical. I don't want to think of my life inside the mansion for a while, I want to think that this day is meant for the normal me.

He brought his father's car which made it convenient for us to go to the nearest Mall. We spend the rest of the afternoon at the bookstores trying to buy educational books and other stuff for the kids. And it's heartwarming seeing Dax genuinely invested in choosing children's books.

Bumalik kami sa SkyRanch at naabutan si Kuya Joey na naka-park na. I went out of his car and quickly bid my goodbye. Magdidilim na at ayaw kong maunahan ako nila Daddy na umuwi at tanungin pa nila ako kung bakit ginabi ako sa Mall.

Kinuha ni Kuya Joey ang mga paper bag at sinabi ko sa kaniyang dalhin ang mga iyon bukas sa mga bata.

"Tri,"

I was about to enter the car when Dax's voice resonated behind me. I turned around to face him. Hindi ko napansin na lumabas pala siya ng sasakyan niya. Our distance makes it a bit hard for me to hear him properly but his words were brought by the blow of the wind towards me that made it clearer to my ears.

"Payagan mo akong ligawan ka."

My eyes widened in surprised. Katulad noong pumunta siya sa mansion, tila tumigil ang mundo sa pag-ikot at kaming dalawa lamang ang mga tao sa lugar na ito. Even when I'm well aware of the loud sounds coming from the amusement park, it still feels like we're alone together. Staring deeply into each other's eyes even when the dark is almost eating up the remaining daylight.

"Gusto kitang ligawan, Tri." He rephrased.

Para akong nabingi sa malakas na pagkalabog ng puso ko. I'm now sure of that this feels weird because I never felt this before. This is something I'm still about to find out.