Kabanata 6
Kabanata 6
I was so fucking embarrassed.
"Come on, Madame—okay na, kakainin na namin, oh." I heard Earn saying, trying his best to stay serious pero nabasag lang ang boses at napapiyok.
Pasimple akong sumilip at nakita kong pinapalibutan ako ng apat, lagat sila'y nagpipigil ng tawa, si Locket at seryoso rin pero nakita ko ang pagkagat niya ng ibabang labi at pagtungo, natatawa pa rin.
"T-tinatawanan niyo naman ako, eh." I said in a small voice at kita ko ang sabay-sabay nilang pag-ayos ng upo.
I even saw Locket's eyes widen as he smacked Adam beside him.
"What the fuck are you laughing?!" he hissed seriously and I saw how Adam's eyes widen, hindi nakapagsalita sa gulat.
"Hala ka, Lt., ikaw din naman!" Brent burst out laughing but froze when Locket glared at him.
Nawala ang ngisi niya at ang tawa'y bigla naging tikhim at ubo.
"Grabe, parang may bumara sa lalamunan ko." Brent muttered and laughed awkwardly, umiiwas ng tingin sa kanya at bumaling sa akin. "H-hindi ako tumatawa, Madame. Si Ernesto 'yon."
I saw how Earn froze and smacked his head, "gago ka! Hindi ako tumatawa, ah—" I saw how he bit his lip because his smile almost escaped again.
"Just—just go laugh." I said in a soft, sad voice. "Baka mautot pa kayo."
And I didn't know what to feel, dapat ba akong magalit o anon ang pagkasabi ko no'n ay sabay-sabay silang natawa. Locket remained serious at first but then, tumikhim siya at napapangiti na naman.
"Lt., ilabas mo n-na 'yan." Earn encouraged and I almost closed my eyes when Locket laughed with them, napapailing na.
"F-fuck, I'm sorry...I'm just..." Locket started but then he glanced at my specialty again on his desk, I saw how his shoulders moved when he started laughing hard like them.
Will I be amazed he laughed that way or be embarrassed for what the fuck I've done?
I was pouting at them, kunot ang noo at halos mag-tantrums na. Nakikita ko ang pamumula ni Brent doon sa sobrang tawa, si Adam ay napapahawak na sa tiyan at si Earn ay napabuga pa ng hangin kaya parang tunog pa ng utot ang lumabas sa bibig niya.
I was glaring at them dahil nasobrahan na sila sa tawa hindi makamove-on. My eyes caught Locket's who was stunned again and closed his mouth, bahagyang namumula.
"That's..." he tried to be serious but his voice broke. "T-that's enough." He said with a ghost of smile on his lips.
"P-pancit canton...sheyt!" natahimik na si Locket, Brent at Adam pero si Earn ay 'di pa rin ata makamove-on at humahagalpak pa rin.
Nanliit ang mata ko sa kanya, nakita kong nahuli iyon ni Adam kaya mabilis niyang binatukan si Earn.
"Ernesto!" he hissed and I heard Earn coughed a bit in laughter but then realized it. Natigilan siya, biglang nanlaki ang mata at umayos ng upo.
"M-madame, sorry..." he cleared his throat and smiled a bit at me. "S-sorry, hindi na."
Humaba lang ang nguso ko roon at humalukipkip sa harapan nilang apat.
"Veronica—"
"A-ayaw niyo ba?" I asked and I saw them all froze on the spot. "Ano...uhm, kunin ko na lang, bilhan ko na lang kayong ibang pagkain—"
"No!" they all exclaimed, stopping me. Nagulat ako nang kunin nila ang paper bag at si Locket ay mabilis na kinuha ang Tupperware na nasa desk niya at halos yakapin na.
"We'll eat this." Mabilis niyang sabi kaya napakurap ako.
"Why?" I asked. "I-I understand, okay lang naman. P'wede naman ako lumabas tapos bilhan ko na lang kayo—" my mouth parted when he took the fork and ate the pancit canton while staring at me.
"B-bakit mo tinikman! Baka pangit ang lasa!" I gasped. "Iluwa mo!"
"It's delicious." He said seriously bago tumikim ulit. "Asked them." Aniya at tinuro ang tatlo na kinukuha na rin ang tupperware sa paper bag.
"You don't have to..." I said but they didn't listen, nakita kong binuksan nila ang lagayan bago kinuha ang tinidor at tumikim.
"Masarap, Madame!" ani Earn na nag-thumbs-up sa akin kaya nakagat ko ang labi.
"Inuuto niyo lang ako, eh." I said.
"Hindi, totoo nga! Delicioso!" Brent said, itinaas pa ang okay sign sa kamay at humalik pa ng bahagya sa daliri para ipakita ang reaksyon.
My cheeks flushed, embarrassed.
"H'wag na lang...tama na 'yan! H-hindi ko rin naman natikman pagkatapos kong lutuin." Inabot ko ang kamay ng pasubong si Adam. "A-ano, nakakahiya, bilhan ko na lang kayo ng ibang pagkain—"
"It's good." Ani Locket sa akin kaya natigilan na ako.
"It's okay," I sighed, bagsak na ang balikat. "I understand kung hindi niyo kakainin—"
"Here," Locket said, nagulat ako nang maglagay siya ng pancit canton sa tinidor niya at lumapit sa akin. "Taste it." He offered me his food.
I hesitated, shy at first.
"Come on, take a taste." He said kaya suminghap ako pero bahagyang lumapit at kinain ang inilalahad niya.
The mix of sweet and spicy flavor coat my mouth, nginuya ko 'yon at nakita kong nakatitig lang sa akin ang apat.
"What do you think?" Locket tilted his head and I slowly nodded while tasting it.
"Okay lang..." I said.
"Well, it tasted great for me." Locket said nonchalantly and shrugged, muling tumikm ng pancit canton, "right?" siniko niya si Earn na mabilis na tumango.
"Masarap, Madame. Swear." He said at nang sumulyap ako sa kanilang apat ay magana naman silang kumakain.
"Really?" I asked.
"Yup! Bagong favorite ko na 'to." Adam smiled at me.
"It's my favorite." Locket suddenly hissed kaya natahimik si Adam.
"Oh? Luh, pabago-bago. Akala ko ba pansit ang paborito mo?" he asked him.
"Any pansit would do." He said and glanced a bit at me and when he saw me looking, he looked away and focused his eyes on the food. "I like Pâncit dè Cantón more."
My cheeks flushed, nakita kong natatawa na naman ang tatlo at si Locket ay nangingiti rin pero tumikhim at bumaling muli sa akin.
"Is that how you pronounce it?" he asked me kaya ngumuso ako.
"Medyo ano...artehan mo. Like this." I cleared my throat. "Pâncit dè Cantón." Turo ko sa kanila.
"Pâncit dè Cantón." The three boys imitated me pero umiling ako at umayos ng upo.
"No, babies, it's Pâncit dè Cantón." Itinaas ko ang daliri ko para may arte. "Like that, sige, kayo nga."
Siniko ni Earn si Locket kaya napatikhim na ito at nakisabay din sa kanilang tatlo, "Pâncit dè Cantón." They said in unison, making me clap my hands.
"Excellent!" I cheered happily. "Good pronunciation! Brilliant!" I said proudly.
I watched them eat, nakagat ko ang labi ko at kaagad na nagsalita.
"Uy...baka niloloko niyo lang akong masarap, ah?" I muttered. "Sorry, well, I tried doing that regular pansit na kinakain niyo but I...you know? I failed. I saw that it was the easiest to cook and it says on the label that it's also pancit so..."
"Masarap nga, Madame." Ani Earn sa akin. "Sorry for laughing, we're just shocked and amazed. Nakakatawa rin kasi ang tawag mo."
"Well, I bought that one in France kaya dapat may touch of French." I said at nanlaki ang mata ko nang halos mabulunan na si Locket sa narinig.
"Oh my...are you okay?!" I asked, panicking.
He nodded and coughed a bit.
"Y-yeah..." he cleared his throat, "but what? You...you bought this from?"
"France." I smiled proudly and I saw how the boy's eyes widen at that.
"Just last night?" Locket's forehead creased. "I told you not to spend much—"
"Chill lang," I smiled. "That's over a month ago. We have a few extra stocks lang I saw from the kitchen so I cooked it. But don't worry, based sa twin ko, that tasted the same as the pancit canton we have here in the Philippines."
"Wow, feeling ko tuloy isa akong foreigner at native na ang dila ko." Adam said and laughed.
"Merci beaucoup!" Brent said and covered his mouth. "Fuck, marunong na ako bigla mag-French?!" he exclaimed, making us laugh.
"Medyo kalasa nga siya no'ng local, Madame pero mas masarap, may maliliit siyang veggies." Earn said, "naku, kung aaraw-arawin ko 'to baka vegetarian ako nito!"
"Oh? You like ba na araw-araw?" I asked and I saw how they almost choke kaya bumilog ang bibig ko.
"Oh my God, that's rude of me! I forgot giving you drinks!" I gasped and stood, mabilis akong pumunta sa pantry para kumuha ng glass of water for the boys.
While I was refilling the glasses, I can't help but smile. I know my cooking isn't perfect since it's my first time doing that kind of pancit canton but still, natawa man sila, they still chose to ate it.
It warmed my heart, so much. I felt like what I did was appreciated kaya nakangiti pa ako ng bumalik.
"Here, oh. Sorry, ah?" I said and gave each of them a glass of water.
"Thanks," Locket said after drinking, nakita kong ubos na niya ang pancit canton niya kaya nagpigil ako ng ngiti.
"Is it...okay?" I asked him again and he nodded, licking his lower lip.
"It's delicious, this is my new favorite now." He said and my heart almost jump.
I saw the teasing stares from the boys for Locket and I saw how Locket's forehead creased and almost smacked the boys kaya nag-ngisian ang huli at nag-iwas.
"Uh...thank you." I smiled gently at him and he stared at me for a while, I saw how his gray eyes scanned my face and I felt like I'm flying over the moon.
I had never felt this to someone before so my heart...my heart's new to this and it's overwhelming.
"Madame, ano flavor nito? May nabibili bang ganito rito?" Brent asked me kaya napaiwas ako ng tingin kay Locket at bumaling sa kanya.
"Well, as far as I know wala, eh." I smiled. "The flavor's chilimansi, calamansi and kay Locket is sweet and spicy."
"Ay, wow, special!" Earn teased and I saw how Locket froze but then cleared his throat, glancing my way and when he caught me staring and smiling at him, he licked his lower lip and looked down on his feet.
"Bakit naman sweet and spicy, Mama Crest ang para kay Papa Locket?" Brent raised his brow.
"Anong Papa?" Locket glanced at him and frowned. "Gago ka ba? Why don't you ready your resignation—"
"Arte mo, Pareng Padlock!" Adam hissed, "Mama nga namin si Madame Crest, kung ayaw mo, ako na lang ang Papa." He said and winked at me kaya natawa na ako.
Adam smiled back at me but then I saw how his smile fell and he suddenly frowned.
"O-ouch! Aray ko, pareng—"
"Sino ba nagsabing ayaw ko?" Locket asked him grimly.
"Sabi mo kasi—"
"Ako ang Papa!" I was shocked when Locket hissed at him.
"Pero sabi—"
"I said I'll be the father, you understand me?" he said coldly at napaigik lang lalo si Adam and I saw how Locket is gripping his arm.
"O-oo na! Oo na, ikaw na!" Adam exclaimed and he gasped when Locket let him go.
Parang wala lang na umayos ng upo si Locket at bumaling sa akin, "I'll be the father." He told me at wala sa sariling napatango ako, kasabay ng napapantastikuhang tingin din no'ng tatlo sa kanya.
It's overwhelming to see how Locket is slowly loosening up, no'ng nakaraan ay madalas lang siyang tahimik at susulyap-sulyap pero ngayon ay nakikita ko na ng paunti-unti at ngiti at tawa niya.
Like I keep on saying before, he's handsome but whenever he smiles, he looks extra. Extra bright, extra lighter and extra beautiful to my eyes.
Dahil pumasok naman si Ate Minda ay wala akong ginawa ngayon sa presinto kung hindi ang manggulo and I am happy how patient the boys are with me. Hindi naman ako nanggugulo pero s'yempre...nakakatuwa na hindi nila ako ginagawang hangin lang.
I went to the restroom and fixed my hair first, I smiled at myself in the mirror and noticed something off.
This...isn't just my style. I prefer colorful, glittering clothes. I love furs, I love colors, I love showing my skin because I am taking care of it and I always want my look to be grand so everyone would look at me and I will feel appreciated.
I glanced at my long dress and began thinking what I should wear tomorrow. Wala naman na akong masyadong pang-dalagang Filipina na damit.
"Maybe I should shop?" I asked myself, remembering I haven't been using my credit cards for a while now which is really new.
Kadalasan kasi ay nasa mall ako or ibang lugar, nililibang ang sarili sa beaches, bars at boutiques pero simula no'ng maglagi ako rito sa presinto ay hindi ko na masyadong nagagawa 'yong mga dating gawi ko.
I brushed my hair a bit and put on a light pink lipstick, I really looked like an angel right now, still beautiful but looking so innocent. Akala mo talaga, eh, ano?
I laughed at myself.
Atleast...I am slowly becoming Locket's ideal girl? And he said he likes my specialty! That made me so happy! I really really like him.
"It's okay to look innocent, pretty pa rin naman." I told myself and tapped my cheek. "You're really maganda, Crest Veronica."
I love praising myself, I love to appreciate my face, kahit ang mukha lang. Kasi...I believe if I don't praise myself, who else would?
Lumabas ako kaagad ng banyo pagkatapos pero parang kinapos naman ako ng hangin nang makita kung sino ang nasa labas ng banyo.
Lorcan Keith is resting his back on the wall in front of the restroom, still wearing his usual blue uniform. I always loved how his uniform hugged his toned body so well, nakatitig siya sa paahan niya at nakahalukipkip.
I cleared my throat and I saw how he stood straight when he saw me.
"Uh, hi." I smiled at him, slowly placing my hair behind my ear. "Napadaan ka?"
"Just..." he cleared his throat. "I just came out from the restroom, napadaan lang. Nag-CR ka pala?" he stared at me with the nakakanginig gray eyes.
"Uh, oo..." ngiti ko pero napaisip, "pero 'di ba, ang CR ng boys nasa may kabila?" I asked and his forehead creased but then nodded.
"Well...then, the restroom for boys used to be here too." He pointed at the flat wall near me, "nasanay lang."
"Ohh..." I smirked at that, "really? Eh, bakit nakasandal ka lang diyan? Are you waiting for me?" I asked.
"What?" he looks taken aback at that, "I am not waiting for you, Ver." He explained pero ngumuso na ako para pigilan ang ngiti.
"Don't be shy, Locket. Alam ko namang crush mo rin ako." I smiled sweetly at him.
"The fuck?" he almost whispered and I laughed, napailing siya sa akin. "Whatever, I'm just confused where the restroom is." He said, turning his back at me pero mabilis akong tumakbo at ikinapit ang braso ko sa kanya.
He was stunned for a while as he looked at me unbelievably kaya matamis ko lang siyang nginitian.
"Type mo na ba ako niyan, Papa Locket?" I said and he stared at me briefly before looking away, smirking.
"No, I still don't like bratty girls." He said and I just rolled my eyes, hindi na naniniwala, sabay kaming bumalik sa may opisina nila at nakita ko kaagad ang nang-aasar na tingin ng tatlo sa amin.
"Nice one, Lt. Padlock!" Brent teased at isang tingin lang sa kanya ni Locket ay umakto na siyang sini-zipper ang bibig at lumulubog na sa upuan.
I was really excited when the boys announced we're not eating in our usual karinderya this lunch, nag-aya si Earn sa bagong bukas na kainan five-minute drive lang mula rito sa station at pumayag naman si Locket kaya gumora na kami.
Some of the policemen were left in the station in case of emergency, tapos na rin naman sila at naunang mag-lunch kaysa kina Locket na ngayon pa lang.
"I brought my car!" Adam smiled, "sino sasabay sa akin?"
"Ako!" sabay-sabay kaming nagtaas ng kamay nina Earn.
"Oh, tara." He smiled at akmang papunta na ako sa sasakyan niya ay natigilan ako nang maramdaman akong humawag sa pulsuhan ko.
I was stunned when I felt a soft pull from behind me, may naramdaman akong palad sa baywang ko at parang tumigil na ang puso ko nang marinig ang boses ni Locket.
"Sa'kin ka sasakay." He said coldly kaya nanlaki ang mata ko.
I glanced at him in awe and covered my mouth.
"Grabe ka..." I muttered softly like a shy girl and his forehead creased, glancing at me.
"What?" he asked, confused.
"S-sasakyan na kita kaagad, eh, hindi pa nga tayo." I said. "Ikaw, huh? Wild ka pala." Mahinhin kong hinampas ang dibdib niya.
I saw how his mouth parted, "fuck? No! I didn't mean—"
"Sorry, mga alaga ko! Kay Papa Locket muna ako sasabay!" I exclaimed and I saw how the three glanced my way, mukhang hindi man lang nagulat doon at ngumisi lang.
When the boys left, napasulyap ako kay Locket na nakanganga pa rin sa akin. Ang unfair lang na mukha siyang sabog pero gwapo pa rin!
"Ang bibig natin nakanganga, Lieutenant." I smiled and slowly moved my hand on his chin to close his slightly parted lips.
"I didn't mean it like that, I was just telling you about riding my car." He explained but I have my very own explanation in mind kaya hinawi ko lang ang buhok ko at kinuha ang pulsuhan niya.
"Whatever, tara muna, bili tayo no'ng palamig! Kanina pa ako nagke-crave!" I exclaimed happily and pulled him towards the vendor near the streets.
Mukhang gulat pa rin siya pero wala naman na siyang sinabi nang kausapin ko na ang vendor doon, "hello po, Kuya. Good noon, dalawang palamig po." I smiled.
"Anong flavor, hija?" he asked me kaya ngumuso ako at tinuro ang isa roon.
"Isang pandan po sa'kin," I said and glanced at Locket who's been staring at me. "Ikaw? What's yours?" I asked but he remained staring at me.
"Locket? Haler?" I said and snapped my fingers and his forehead creased, tumikhim siya at bumaling sa mga inumin.
"Just like yours," he said kaya ngumiti na ako bago tumango at sinabi 'yon kay Kuya.
"Sampung piso, hija." He said after giving me the palamigs at kukunin ko n asana ang wallet ko nang nakita kong kumuha si Locket sa bulsa niya.
"Here—"
"No," I told him, tinutulak ang kanyang kamay pabalik. Nakita kong nagtaka siya sa akto ko kaya ngumiti ako at umiling. "This is my treat for you."
"Do you have coins? May barya ako." Aniya kaya ngumisi lang ako.
I proudly showed him my wallet and I saw how his brow raised at that.
"Well, that's new. You have coins now, huh?" he smirked and it made me smile, nodding a bit at him.
"Ako pa!" I smiled proudly before paying our palamig, kaagad akong kumapit sa braso niya at naglakad papunta sa sasakyan niya. "Isinapuso ko 'yong sabi mo no'ng nakaraan, you see. Hindi na ako masyadong gumagastos!"
"Hanggang kailan kaya? I wonder." He said and opened his car door for me, "hop in."
"Ay..." I pouted, kunwari disappointed and glanced at him teasingly. "Bakit dito sasakay? Akala ko ba sa'yo?"
I saw how his gray eyes stared at me unbelievably, "are you serious..." he muttered and I just chuckled, tiptoeing and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Joke lang, Lieutenant." I smiled and I saw how stunned he was. "Pero kung gusto mo..."
"Lalaki ka ba?" he asked kaya natawa na ako at sumimsim lang ng palamig, nagpapa-cute. Mukha siyang stressed na sa akin kaya nginitian ko na ng matamis at nakita kong napapikit siya ng mariin bago nagmulat, napabuntonghininga at umiling.
"Do I have to drag you inside?" he raised his brow at me kaya napatawa na ako at napailing sa kanya, mabilis na sumakay sa sasakyan.
When I got inside his car, I am excited. Ka-text ko pa si Dad na mukhang masaya kaya natawa ako.
From: Dad
Is it true you're working, princess?
To: Dad
Wow, ang bilis ng news, Dad pero hehe! Training pa lang naman po.
From: Dad
😲😲😲
It made me laugh, napailing ako at nagtipa.
To: Dad
Seriously, Atty. Sandejas? Who taught you to use emojis? 😭
From: Dad
Zeij. I feel like I'm a teenager now, isn't it cute? I feel like you can see my face right now, princess. I'm like this '😱' when I heard it from your twin.
To: Dad
Tsimoso talaga si Chiel. 'Di ko pa nga pinagkakaalat, eh. Huhu!
From: Dad
Haha! It's okay tho, I will talk to you when we get back to Manila. I have some important case going on as of now, I'm with your Mom. Talk to you soon, princess. Take care. I love you. 😘
To: Dad
I love you too! Please don't forget my pasalubong!
"Who's that?" nawala ang pansin ko sa phone nang may tumikhim at nagsalita. Sumulyap ako kay Locket at nakitang seryoso ang tingin niya sa daan, kunot ang noo.
"Hmm?"
"Who's that? Why are you laughing?" he asked me and my brow raised, kinagat ko ang labi ko at humalukipkip, pinagmamasdan siya.
"And...why would I tell you?" I smiled. "Selos ka? Crush mo rin kasi talaga 'ko, amin na."
"Tss..." he tsk-ed instead of answering me, nakita kong seryoso siya at mariin ang tingin sa daan.
It made my lip twitched, behind the cold persona of his...he stills find it hard to hide the warmth inside him at times. Just like now, seryoso siya at malamig pero kita ang kung ano sa mata niya.
"That's just my father." I said, "he asked me if I really have something to work on right now. He's just curious."
Hindi man siya nagsalita, nakita ko kung paano mag-relax ang braso niyang nakahawak sa steering wheel and it made my smile wider.
"Okay na? Hindi ka na suplado niyan?" I asked and his jaw clenched.
"I'm not asking," aniya na parang wala lang kaya napatawa na lang ako sa kanya at napailing.
"Wow, as if I didn't hear you ask just now, huh?"
"That's just your imagination." Aniya na niliko ang sasakyan papuntang parking kaya napailing na lang ako, natatawa sa kanya.
Pinagbuksan niya ako ng sasakyan pababa, sabay kaming naglalakad papasok ng kainan na sinasabi no'ng tatlo at habang naglalakad papasok ay napansin ko ang height naming dalawa.
I'm tall but he's taller than me, hindi ko dama ang tangkad niya sa akin noon pero ngayong naka-sneakers lang ako ay damang-dama ko.
Maybe I was amazed and staring at him so much that I almost bumped to some customer walking, mabuti na lang ay nahagip ako ni Locket, mabilis na inabot at hinila palapit sa katawan niya para hindi mabangga.
"Careful." He said and I nodded, smiling happily.
We saw the boys at the counter and they waved at us, "tagal niyo, ah?"
"We bought palamig pa." I smiled at them and they nodded at us.
"May nireserve na kaming upuan sa may veranda, Madame! Punta na kayo ni Lt., kami na muna bahala sa foods, ano ba gusto niyo?"
"Anything delicious would be fine," I smiled at them and they nodded.
"Ikaw, Pareng Padlock?" I heard Earn asked.
"Whatever her food is, 'yon na lang din." Aniya sa mga lalaki.
My heart jumped, I immediately notice the suspicious and teasing stares from the boys and I heard Locket clearing his throat, "I gotta go first." He said, walang pasabing iniwan kami.
Nang tignan na ako ng mga lalaki ay napatakip ako sa bibig, I almost screamed in so much kilig at natawa sa akin si Brent at Adam.
"Feeling ko...hindi na 'yan si Lt." ani Brent kaya nangunot ang noo namin. "Medyo palasalita na siya! Alien na 'yan!"
"Kapag narinig na ni Lt. Padlock, yari ka na naman, Brent!" Adam hissed at kaagad akong binalingan ni Earn at inabot.
"Naku, Madame. Iba na 'yan. Sunggaban mo na!" ani Earn kaya nag-init ang pisngi ko at pinalo na ang braso niya.
"Ano ba 'yan, Ernesto! Dalagang Filipina nga ako!" I exclaimed but then bit my lower lip. "Pero...pero shege." I said kaya napatawa na sila ng malakas.
I excused myself from the boys and went out of the veranda and immediately saw Locket, nandoon siya sa may barricade sa tabi lang ng table na kakainan namin. Mukhang malalim ang iniisip.
I saw him leaning a bit while staring at nowhere, maybe the trees around the area. I gulped a bit, inayos ko ang buhok ko at marahang naglakad patungo sa kanya.
"Ang sarap ng hangin 'no?" I asked the moment I reached him, kaagad kong sinandal ang braso ko sa barricade bago marahang sulyapan siya. "Lalim ng iniisip, ah?"
"I feel like I'm being crazy," he said, stopping me.
"Huh? Crazy? Ikaw?" my forehead creased. "Saan banda?"
He licked his lower lip, inangat niya ang kamay para suklayin ang buhok na medyo nagulo ng hangin.
"Nothing, just...I'm not usually like this," he said.
"Huh? Saang part ba? Sa pagiging masungit? 'Di ka ba masyadong masungit talaga?" I asked.
"Nah," I saw the side of his lips lifted. "That's my usual me, I really don't talk this much like this...why am I even talking to you?" he asked me kaya ngumisi na ako.
"Well, maybe because you find me comfortable?" I told him. "Nasabi rin nga sa akin ng tatlo na medyo palasalita ka na ngayon. Honestly, smiling and laughing suits you well. Some changes are good, you see and I like that you're starting to loosen up a bit. Masaya ako, miski na rin sina Earn na makita kang masaya."
"Do I even deserve to be happy?" he chuckled blankly kaya nagtaka na ako.
"Why not?" I asked him. "Everyone deserves to be happy, ikaw...ako, lahat tayo may karapatang maging masaya. Happiness is a choice, Locket, and if you are slowly learning to be happy then embrace it because you deserved it. That change is good for you, mas naging crush nga kita no'ng palangiti ka na."
"You really know paano masisingit, ano?" he asked me, ang gilid ng labi niya ay tumaas at parang gusto kong sumigaw nang ngumiti na siya, may aliw sa mga mata.
"Well, it's Crest Veronica you're talking to and I believe, kung anong gusto mo, gawin mo at gusto kita, kaya papangitiin kita." I smiled cutely at him.
Napatitig siya sa akin at ganon din ako sa kanya, I saw how the wind blew a bit of his hair, ang liwanag ay tumama sa mukha niya at habang nakatitig sa mga mukha niya ay medyo nag-iba ang kulay ng mga mata niya.
My heart pounded, humigpit ang hawak ko sa barricade at halos manginig na ang tuhod nang makita ang titig niya sa mga mata ko.
"A-anyway..." hindi ko na kinaya at napatikhim na ako. "What do you think of my outfit?" I smiled to hide my nervousness and twirled a bit to let him see my outfit for today.
I saw how his eyes scanned me from head to toe, tilting his head and glanced at me.
"It's new to me, what happened to your signature sparkling, colorful dresses?" he asked while staring at me.
"Uh...ayaw mo ba 'to?" I asked, nagtatakang wala siyang reaksyon masyado. I showed him my dress again. "Don't you find this...prettier? Kaysa sa damit ko no'ng nakaraan?"
"It's okay," he nodded. "Hindi ko lang in-expect na magsusuot ka ng ganyan. Not that I am saying you can't, I'm just surprised. Mas nasanay lang akong na ang suotan mo para kang pupunta sa ibang bansa."
I gasped. Nang nakita kong unti-unting sumilay ang ngisi sa labi niya ay sinamaan ko na siya ng tingin at hinampas. He chuckled, napanguso naman ako at humalukipkip.
"You're so mean! You know ba na I dressed up like this to impress you?" I said and I saw confusion on his eyes.
"Me? Why?" he raised his brow.
"Because you liked conservative, mahinhin girls!" I explained. "That's why I dressed like this!"
"You what?" unti-unting nawala ang ngisi niya na ipinagtaka. "You dressed up like that just to impress me?"
I slowly nodded and sighed, "oo, because they said you like dalagang Filipina girls. Na it's your type, sabi mo rin kasi sa'kin...na you don't like bratty girls and...well, I think I'm still a brat but I'm doing my best to be a good girl naman na. You know, I don't spend much like before." Daldal ko pero nabitin ang sasabihin nang makita siyang nakatitig sa akin.
My heart pounded again, lumakas ang hangin at napasinghap ako nang sumabog ang buhok ko.
Ang dalagang Filipina curls ko!
I almost panicked, pilit kong sinasakop ang buhok ko pero natigilan nang makitang may hawak na panyo si Locket. My forehead creased, lalo na nang hawakan niya ang balikat ko at marahan akong pinatalikod sa kanya.
"Locket—"
"Let me," he said and I didn't know how to react exactly nang maramdaman ko ang marahang pagsuklay ng daliri niya sa buhok ko at mayamaya'y sinakop iyon at itinali gamit ang panyo niya.
"Do you really have to change yourself for someone?" he asked after a while, stunning me.
Napaisip ako roon bigla.
"Well...maybe to fit in?" I answered him, "to...please someone?"
Nang mawala ang kamay niya sa buhok ko ay nilingon ko siya at nakita kong nakalagay na ulit ang braso niya sa barricade at nakasulyap sa akin. Umayos ako ng tayo at gumaya sa kanya.
"For what? What's the point?" he asked me seriously at talagang napaisip ako roon.
"For acceptance siguro." I said and sighed, "when the world turned its back on you, maybe some people do their best to catch up with it again. To be accepted, to be a part of what they lost again?"
Hindi siya umimik at nanatiling nakatitig sa akin kaya nagsalita ako, "'tsaka ano...am I trying hard? I mean...I heard you liked pansit so I cooked you one, tho, alam kong hindi naman masyadong masarap. You liked conservative and mahinhin girls and based on my observation, some dressed like this so I did it too. Ayaw mo ba?"
"Does that make you happy?" he asked me instead.
"Uh, gusto mo naman kaya—"
"No, I'm asking you. Does doing that makes you happy?" he asked kaya natahimik ako saglit at napasulyap sa damit ko.
"No..." I shook my head. "I liked my outfits before despite how overreacting it may seem. I don't know, I don't like it when I dress simple. I felt so...bare."
"Then don't." He said nonchalantly kaya gulat akong napasulyap sa kanya. "Dress like how you always dress, whatever makes you comfortable."
"Pero..." I bit my lower lip. "Pero 'di ba, gusto mo ng ganito?"
"Being not bratty is not about the dress, Crest." He said kaya natigilan na ako. "It's the attitude, the character. Your dress would never dictate and indicate what is your character inside."
Kumalabog ang puso ko nang ang buhok kong kumawala sa panyo niyang ipinantali sa buhok ko ay inabot niya at nilagay sa likod ng tainga ko.
"You can always be evil and dress like an angel and you can always be naked with your genuine and kind heart inside." He said and stared at me deeply. "We...you... I don't think we should change ourselves to fit in the society, Crest."
"Won't they mock you because you're...different?" I asked him curiously and the side of his lips lifted at that and shook his head.
"No, they're just jealous because you're different and they're all just the same." He smiled at me. "Sometimes, being different is not bad at all. It makes you...you."
I smiled and nodded, "so...you don't like this dress?" I asked and he tilted his head and stared me.
"It's not the dress I like, Crest. It's you." He said and imagine how my eyes widen at that.
"D-did you..." my heart almost went out of my chest. Nakita kong kumunot ang noo niya at biglang nagseryoso.
"No, I didn't say that." He said timidly but my smile is now so bright.
"You liked me too now!" I exclaimed happily and his jaw clenched, "come on, Locket! Just tell me face-to-face!"
"No." He said and tried moving away pero mabilis ko siyang hinarang.
"Don't be so torpe, come on. Man up, Mr. Policeman." I smiled and tapped his chest kaya napatingin siya sa akin at kumunot ang noo.
"Ayoko sa makulit, Crest." He pointed out again and tried moving away pero hinarang ko siya at mabilis na sinapo ang mukha niya kaya nagtatakang napatingin siya sa akin.
"Okay, I get it na you're shy to just confess you like me too pero why call me Crest? Kanina ka pa, ah?" I pouted. "I thought I am Veronica?!"
"Crest—"
"No, tawag mo sa'kin Veronica tapos biglang ngayon..." I sighed and pouted, nag-iinarte. "Kinikilig ako pero ayaw ko na, tatampo na ako..."
His mouth slightly parted at that, "it's not—"
"Hmp! Hindi na kita like! Ninety-eight percent na lang! Minus two ka na sa heart ko!" I hissed and I saw how his eyes widen, umirap ako sa kanya bago siya bitawan at tumalikod.
"Crest..." he called kaya umikot ako papunta sa kabilang side ng lamesa para doon maupo pero may naramdaman akong kamay sa pulsuhan ko.
I froze when I felt his grip, "look at me." He said and my heart fluttered. I felt like my stomach will churn when I felt his thumb caressing my palm a bit while holding it.
I hesitated at first but my heart felt like it'll burst kaya marahan ko na siyang nilingon at nakita ang seryosong mga abo niyang mata.
"You called me Veronica," I muttered. 'Tapos ngayon...ayaw mo na." I sighed.
"Your first name suits you more." He said.
"But I'm Veronica too, that's my second name and it's special to me kasi...ikaw lang ang tumatawag sa aking gano'n..."
"I will call you Crest and it's still special," he said seriously, staring at my eyes, nagitla ako nang marahang hawakan niya pa ang pulsuhan ko at mas hinila ako palapit sa kanya.
I felt his manly scent reached my nose, our faces inches apart from each other.
"I like Crest more now." He stared at me deeply. "It's more...you."
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