Epilogue 1/3

"Psyche, get up son. We're having lunch at your tito's house."

I groaned.

"Anak, sige na anong oras na."

"Mommy when are we going back to Manila?" I asked, eyes still closed.

"We've talked about this Psyche. You are going to spend your summer here with us. Sige na bumagon ka na diyan, nakakahiya sa tito mo kapag na late tayo. Aren't you excited to see Isla?" She asked.

I didn't responded.

"Psyche Iverson Montero, get up now."

I sighed and got up. I walked towards my bathroom grumpily. Ever since we came here in Cebu parati nalang akong wala sa mood. I wanted to stay in Manila so I could play ball with my friends and spend my summer with them. Pero mommy insisted na dapat sumama daw ako dito and experience how eventful summer is here in Cebu.

Obviously, it's not eventful for me. It's been a week but I never went outside the ancestral house of my grandparents. Wala akong kakilala dito except for Isla. Mommy kept on pushing me to hangout with her pero parati akong tumatanggi. Isla is the daughter of my moms second cousin but we never really talked that much since we only saw each other seldomly. Ang awkward naman kung makikipag hangout ako bigla sa kanya. I'm sure she's busy with her friends kaya ayokong maging sabit sa mga lakad niya.

I'm not exactly a shy type, but I'm also not an extrovert. I usually hangout with people I'm comfortable with like my friends in Manila. Hindi rin malaki ang circle of friends ko because I'm not really fond of making friends. Timothy was the one who befriended me tapos parang kinupkop na ako ng barkada niya.

"Stop being grumpy Psyche. Show your tito that you're at least happy to be here." Mommy reminded me as we walked towards the main door of tito's house. "And smile, please anak."

I sighed and smiled without showing my teeth. Lunch lang naman eh siguro after I'll just make an excuse para maka uwi ng maaga. Katabing bahay lang naman.

"Psyche Iverson, look at how tall you are." Tito said and give me a manly hug. "Alam mo noon kinakarga pa kita kapag bumibisita kami sa Manila tapos ngayon mas matangkad ka na sa mommy mo."

Here we are again with the compliments and opinions of our relatives that sounded so awkward for us. I only nodded whenever he does that.

"Why don't we go inside? Nakahanda na ang mga pagkain."

"Yes we should. Sobrang na miss ko ang luto ni Ishna." Mommy said pertaining to tito's wife.

Pumasok na kami sa loob ng bahay. Nasa likod lang nila ako, sumusunod kung saan sila pupunta. Their house is big actually, but not as big as Lola's ancestral house. Siguro this is about 2000sqm and I all I could say is that it has a good architecture. I'm sure they had a hand on planning and designing this house because it's like custom made for them.

"Psyche, you could still remember your cousin Isla right?" Mommy asked.

"Yeah" I said.

"Hi Psyche, it's good to see you again." Isla said with enthusiasm.

I nodded. Natahimik sila. They're all looking at me like I'm missing something. What? Should I say the same thing? It was so awkward because they're staring at me. I was about to ask them what's wrong when a someone broke the silence.

"Hello everyone– Ow I'm sorry, I didn't know you have visitors."

I should thank whoever that is because their gazes adverted on her. Though I didn't looked at her because my gaze remained on the plates on the table.

"Astherielle! it's good that you're here. Everyone, this is Astherielle, a good friend of Isla." Tita Ishna said.

"Hello po" The girl said full of energy.

Really, what's with people of Cebu? Bakit ang dami nilang energy?

"This is Eve, my cousin and Iverson, her husband." Tito said. "And that is Psyche, their son."

"Hello po, nice to meet you." She said. Humakbang pa siya palapit kila mommy para kamayan sila.

She lowered her gaze at me at pinantayan ang mukha ko na naka harap sa mga plato.

"Hi, I'm Asther." She said habang kinakaway ang ang kamay niya palapit sa mukha ko.

I sighed and looked at her. She smiled upon my expression less face. I blinked twice, she looked... she looked like my future girlfriend. I shooked my head and looked away. What was that Psyche? Okay, that was a slip of the tongue.

"Pasensya ka na iha, medyo kulang sa tulog si Psyche eh." Mommy reasoned out.

"Okay lang po. Uhm aalis na muna po ako tito, babalik nalang ako mamaya." She said.

"What? No. We're about to eat lunch, join us iha." Tita Ishna said.

Nagpumilit pa siya na aalis nalang muna siya pero kahit sila mommy pinigilan siya kaya umupo na rin siya katabi ni Isla, infront of me.

The lunch was okay. Panay lang ang usap nila mommy tungkol sa business. Tita also shared some funny moments she had in the hospital; she's a doctor. Habang sila Isla may sariling mundo. Ako naman, nagsasalita lang kapag tinatanong nila ako. Busy kasi ako kakatitig kay Astherielle.

Hindi ko alam kung wala ba talaga siyang pake'alam sa paligid niya dahil parang hindi naman siya apektado sa pantitig ko sa kanya. She's just talking about a certain cafe and this guy whom she called Miru. Who's that? Boyfriend niya ba? Bakit parang ang saya saya naman niya habang kinu-kwento ang tungkol sa lalaking yun.

After lunch, nagpaalam silang dalawa na pupunta daw sa newly opened cafe. They even forced me to go with them. I acted as if it was against my will but truth was, I was eager to go with them. Maybe then I'll meet this Miru na gusto kong suntukin dahil bukambibig siya ni Astherielle.

I don't know why but I suddenly wanted to be with Astherielle. Ngayon ko lang siya nakilala pero iba na ang epekto niya sa akin. She's pretty, kind and respectful, matalino rin siya. Apart from that, she smiles a lot even on people na nadadaanan namin. She's that friendly huh?

"Astherielle!"

We heard someone called her. I was about to turn my back to find who it was when Astherielle approached a woman who's the same age as my mom based on her physical appearance.

"Tita Lucy!" She said and hugged the woman. "Your cafe opening is a blast. I didn't expect that– oh hi Miru!"

"Hello Asther"

And then a guy came towards them and give Astherielle a side hug. My forehead creases as they talked casually.

"Uhm Psyche, tara order na tayo." Isla said.

"We won't wait for As...asth–" I don't want to call her that.

Isla's forehead creases, confused of why I suddenly can't utter her best friends name.

"Oh Asther, ay naku matatagalan pa yan. Tignan mo naman, ka chika pa niya si Miru at medyo madaldal ang mommy ni Miru kaya mamaya pa niyan lulubayan si Asther." She said.

I nodded and went towards the counter. Sinabi na namin ang order namin at saka umupo sa pinakamalapit na upuan. I kept on glancing at her as she laughed at what that Miru said. Seriously, ano ba talaga sila? Ganun ba sila ka close para hindi niya mapansin na iniwan na niya kami ni Isla dito?

Napansin ni Isla ang pagbabago ng mood ko habang tinititigan ang kaibigan niya. So she told me that Astherielle is really friendly and sociable. Kaya siguro halos lahat ng nadadaanan namin kanina kilala siya. I asked her about Miru and she told me na magkaibigan lang ang dalawa at medyo close siya sa mommy nito.

As I stared at Astherielle and that Miru, I decided to stay in Cebu. She's pretty and really really kind. That guy might have mistaken her kindness at baka isipin nito na may gusto sa kanya si Astherielle at baka ligawan pa niya ito. No, hindi pwede. This is the first time that I felt something to someone na kakakilala ko lang. I don't know what to call this but what I'm certain is that, I don't want anyone to look at her with admiration in their eyes.

Later that afternoon, I told mommy my plans on staying in Cebu. Of course she's against it and even asked kung bakit. And so I told her the truth that I wanted to be friends with Isla's best friend. She's shocked because it's the first time na ako ang gagawa ng first move, daddy on the other hand was happy and agreed on what I want basta daw magpakabait ako dito. Mommy then agreed on me staying in Cebu but in one condition, dapat daw sa isang all boys school ako mag-aaral. Of course I declined, gusto ko parehas kami ng paaralan ni Rielle. But mommy insisted and said na hindi niya ako papayagang manatili dito kung hindi ko susundin ang gusto niya. Kaya I had no choice but to follow her.

Yes, I call her Rielle because I hate to call her names like Asther and Astherielle kasi lahat ng nakakakilala sa kaniya yun ang tawag. Yung Miru Asther din ang tawag kaya ayoko. Gusto ko naiiba ako.

We became friends and we hangout almost everyday. Naging close kami at pumapayag din siya na lumabas kami kahit kami lang dalawa. I thought she understood why I did those things kaya naman I asked permission to court her after months of hanging out. But she declined saying na ayaw niyang pumasok sa isang relasyon.

But that didn't stoped me. This is the first time that I liked someone kaya no one can stop me, not even her. I followed her to wherever she goes. Parati rin akong sumasabit sa lakad nila Isla. Nalaman ko rin kasi na gusto niya ng mga bulaklak kaya araw-araw ko rin siyang binibigyan nito. Pero she hated color red kaya red ang binibigay ko sa kanya. I did not meant to annoy her but to make her understand that she could still appreciate things na ayaw niya.

Katulad ko. Ayaw niya sa akin but that doesn't mean she shouldn't appreciate me. Maybe she just needs to look outside her hatred to see that her antagonism could change otherwise.

I was so eager to do everything just so she'd allow me to court her but when she told me her reasons why she doesn't wanted to get involve in a relationship, nagbago ang isip ko. It's not that ayaw niya pero natatakot siya. I could see and feel that kaya hinayaan ko nalang muna. Birthday ko pa naman noon pero ni reject niya ako. But I understand, her parents' history made her guard herself to the extent na ayaw na niyang may taong mapapalapit sa kanya kasi iniisip niya na iiwan din naman siya ng tao na yun.

And so I went to Manila and studied there. But most of the time I wanted to go back to Cebu and chase her again. Good thing my friends stopped me. Kung hindi baka sa Cebu ko nanaman tatapusin ang pag-aaral ko.

"Apat na taon na ah, wala ka pa ring balak balikan siya?" Timothy asked.

I sighed. "Hindi naman naging kami." I said

"Paano magiging kayo eh iniwan mo pagkatapos ng graduation niyo noon." He said.

Yes they knew about Rielle. Una na shock nga sila kasi nag open up ako tungkol sa isang babae. It was rare for me to share my opinions and perceptions but after I met Rielle, nagbago lahat ng yun. Nasanay kasi ako na sabihin yung opinyon ko noong nasa Cebu pa ako kasi she was alwsys encouraging me to voice out my opinions so people would understand my point of view. Naging madaldal din ako dahil sa kanya. Nahawa siguro ako.

"You know my reasons." I said.

"Yeah we know. But does Rielle know?" He asked.

I glared at him but he only chuckled upon seeing my reaction. Alam naman niyang ayaw kong may ibang tumatawag na Rielle kay Rielle eh.

"Could you just call her Asther? Future boyfriend ka ba para tawagin siyang Rielle?!" I snapped out at him.

Tumawa lang siya. "Okay fine! Asther! Hahaha para kang bata!"

"But seriously Psyche, ultimate crush mo yun diba? Hahayaan mo nalang bang mauwi sa lahat ang halos isang taong pagsunod mo sa kanya noon?" Ash asked.

"She's my crush, up until now but... alam niyo yun... she's way to high, sobrang unreachable." I said.

"She's your cousins best friend. And you were friends before. You were able to talk to her and hangout with her... if you'll chat her now, I'm sure she'll reply. That puts her within your reach." Ash said.

I sighed and reflected on what Ashton said. Between him and Timothy, mas matinong kausap tong tao na 'to. Si Tim kasi parang gago, minsan gusto niya puntahan ko si Rielle, minsan naman ayaw niya. Kaya siguro hiniwalayan ni Sandy kasi pabago bago ang gusto.

"Am I not four years late?" I asked.

"Well obviously you are. But as what you said, hindi naman naging kayo at malinaw naman ang lahat sa inyo bago ka umalis noon. Siguro just explain why you left and then ask permission to court her again. Malay mo this time pumayag na siya." Ash said.

"And if nagkita kayo tapos may iba na pala siya edi bumalik ka dito tapos mag inuman nalang tayo! Hahahaha" Tim said.

"Gusto mo lang ng kadamay eh paano ba naman kasi may Sandy ka na naghanap ka pa ng iba."

"Hey that's not true! Hindi ako naghanap ng iba!" Tim defended himself.

"Ay oo nga pala, hindi ka nga naghanap ng iba... Na inlove ka lang sa iba habang may girlfriend ka." Ash said saka binatukan si Tim. "Anong pagkaka'iba nun?! Nagloko ka pa rin! Gago!"

At naghabulan na sila. Really these guys, graduating na kami pero parang mga bata pa rin.

___

Sinunod ko ang sinabi ni Ashton. I went to Cebu to check on Rielle. I even posted on instagram a picture of our ancestral house with a caption; I miss you. I didn't missed the house of course, what I miss is the lifesize teddy bear Rielle gave me during my first Christmas in Cebu. Basically, I missed her, a lot. Kitang kita kasi sa floor to ceiling glass window si teddy kahit nasa labas ka ng bahay. Why lifesize teddy? Kasi parati kong sinasabi sa kanya noon na miss ko na sila mommy kaya yun ang regalo niya sa akin para daw pag na miss ko ulit sila mommy, yayakapin ko nalang ang teddy at isiping si mommy yun.

Nililigawan ko pa lang siya noon pero sobrang sweet na niya. Nung una nga akala ko sa akin lang siya ganon, in turns out na sweet pala talaga siya sa mga kaibigan niya.

After that I went to her school and saw her sitting on the bench, wearing a yellow dress. She looked so pretty in that dress. Buti nalang hindi siya naka red kahit pa Valentine's day, at least sure ako na wala pa siyang boyfriend. I was about to approach her when my phone rung, it was mommy kaya sinagot ko agad.

She got mad kasi hindi ako nagpa-alam na uuwi akong Cebu but of course my charm would always work kaya hinayaan nalang ako ni mommy. When I looked back at Rielle wala na siya sa inuupuan niya. I thought she went home na kaya pumunta ako sa bahay nila. It was her lola ang sumalubong sa akin saying na hindi pa nakaka-uwi si Rielle. Maggagabi na noong naisip ko na baka nasa cafe siya. So I went there as fast as I could.

Pero pagdating ko doon, wala din siya. Nakita ko pa si Miru na may kasamang babae which I assumed na girlfriend niya. I wanted to approach him and asked if nagawi ba si Rielle dito pero naunahan ako ng hiya. I mean, hindi naman kami magkaibigan ni Miru and I still loathed him because he onced told me that he likes Rielle. It pissed me off big time. Turns out hindi pala siya seryoso dun. Napansin lang daw niya na iba yung tingin ko kay Rielle kaya ininis niya ako para ma confirm ang hinala niya. Napaka gago talaga.

But my hatred towards him slowly melted when he's all smile while listening to whatever that girl infront of him is saying. Man, he's inlove. I know because that kind of smile is the same smile that is plastered on my face whenever I looked or even think of Rielle. Buti nalang, at least wala nang sagabal sa panliligaw ko ulit kay Rielle. The coast is clear so this is the perfect time to try and ask her again, maybe this time she'll let me. Maybe this time, it'll turned out differently.

***

:)