VI.

Tantan opens his eyes. It's still blurry but he saw that it's raining roses. Nasa langit na ba siya? Hahawakan niya ang noo at susubukang tumayo. He saw people staring at him. Then he felt two large arms gently pick him up from his back. Pagharap niya. He saw a man wearing a blue polo na naka-tuck in sa itim na pantalon.

''Okay ka lang 'nak?''

He's still dizzy. ''Pasensya na, hindi kita napansin.'' The man checks his body if he got any injury pero wala naman itong nakita. ''Gusto mo bang dalhin kita sa ospital?''

He said no and looks around him. About a hundred roses are scattered on the ground. ''Hindi na po. Okay lang ako. Libero po ako sa volleyball sanay akong bumagsak. Sa inyo po yang mga yan?'' he points out to the mess. The man nods.

''Sigurado ka? Pwede kitang dalhin sa ospital'' ''Okay lang po promise'' He then saw his friends running towards them. When they reached him, the man explained what happened and Tantan kinda figured out na kasalanan niya ito dahil naka-tingala siya habang naglalakad.

''Sorry po sir kasi itong friend ko mahilig tumingala talaga lalo na pag na-aaning'' Justine said.

The man, Paloma and Aki laughs. Paloma offers to help the man clean the mess and in a matter of one minute ay gathered na nilang magka-kaibigan ang mga rosas, carefully placing them on the huge basket.

They also helped him carry it papunta sa gazebo kung saan ilalagak ang mga rosas.

''Salamat. Donation ko kasi tong mga 'to dito sa circle'' the man said to them. ''Sorry ulit sir, nasira tuloy yung iba'' Tantan rubs his pants, feeling sorry for what happened. ''Hindi yan. Okay lang. May farm ako ng bulaklak sa Tarlac. Madami pa 'dun. Oh tig-iisa kayo'' He gave them each a piece of rose and they all gladly accept. Tapos kinuha nito ang wallet at nag-abot ng 500 pesos. ''Merry Christmas''

Aghast, Tantan keeps his hands tight inside his pockets ''Sir okay lang po wag na. Nakakahiya'' pero mapilit ang lalaki. Iiling siyang muli pero Justine showcased his hands and the money slides onto his palm. ''Ako na po tatanggap sir. Garampingat kasi tong friend namin''. The man gave a warm smile. ''Papasko ko na sa inyo. Mababago niyang 500 ang mga buhay ninyo'' he kids.

Shortly afterwards they bid the man goodbye. Upon looking at their phones they realized na it's already 11 pm. Kailangan na nilang umuwi lalo na si Aki na tumakas lang. Since hindi nila mahahati ang pera sa oras na'yun. They decided na sa isang tao na lang mapupunta ang pera through a dare game they will play next year. Aki is the one who proposed this so that he has more reasons to bond with them.

They took a group photo using Aki's ipad at nagtatakbo na din siya paalis.

As Aki disappears in the middle of the crowd Tantan saw that there are two flowers stuck on his sling bag. He's pretty sure the other one belongs to Aki.

He receives a confirmation text from the boy. ''Thanks for today Tantan. Sa'yo na yung rose ko since you're very special to me. I'll see you all after the Christmas break.''

Tantan touches his heart area. It's beating faster than it's supposed to.