Chapter 6

My Tuesday went well. Bumisita ako sa bahay namin and we bond together like it's been forever since we last saw each other. Dad was so happy to see me, mom too, kahit na medyo hindi ito showy sa feelings niya, I know that she's happy to see me.

Sa bahay na din ako natulog, hindi naman ako pinagbawalan ng mga magulang ko dahil every Tuesdays and Thursdays ay araw ko sa bahay.

Patulog na sana ako but a text message stop my eyes from falling.

From Samuel:

'Check out the stars today, if you aren't sleeping.'

I did what he told me and replied 'I will.'

Stars really do shine so bright! I like how they looked so stunning in that dark sky. It looked so elegant and peaceful!

I am peeping in my window admiring the stars when I saw Dad entering his car. My forehead creased. Napatingin ako sa malaking wall clock na nasa kwarto ko, it says that it's 10:36 pm.

Work? Yes. Dad's a very busy person. Workaholic nga.

Nagtipa ako ng mensahe para dito.

Ako:

'Dad are you going to work? Take care and be strong. Love you.'

As soon as I sent the text tinakpan ko na ng kurtina ang bintana at tumalon sa kama. Before I close my eyes I saw Israel's face on my freaking imagination. Luh?

Ganito na ba ang epekto ng ka-ggss'san no'n? Pati sa imagination sumusulpot? Sana dayuhan ng mga bubuyog mukha niya. tignan natin kung sinong gwapo! Aha!

Noong nagising ako dumiretso ako sa banyo at naligo. Pagbaba ko sa may dining ay naka-upo na roon sina Mom at Dad. I kissed both of their cheeks.

"How's work po kagabi?" I asked Dad. I didn't know if Dad was shock by my sudden question o baka guniguni ko lang iyon. Napa-sulyap sa kanya si mom dahil medyo matagal bago ito makasagot.

He cleared his throat and forced a smile on his lips. "Yes. It's an emergency."

"Liar." Dinig kong bulong ni mom pero hindi ko na ito pinagtuunan ng pansin. Did they fight?

I'm in the middle of eating when I received a lot of messages from Israel!

-Good morning!

-A day with your handsome prince. Finally!

-You're so lucky to be my date today. (^_-)

I chuckled when I saw his text with an emoji.

Ako:

ಥ_ಥ

I replied using an emoji. That's what I'm feeling. Naiiyak ako sa sobrang hangin niya.

"See you again in Thursday." Mom said as she place a kiss at the top of my head. Hinatid nila akong dalawa sa university and I'm such a happy child!

"Tell me anything okay?" Si dad naman ito na kakalabas lamang sa kotse. Tumango ako at ngumiti.

I wave my hands until they're car is out of my sight.

Naisip ko tuloy ang ugali nila. Mom's a mysterious type of person, she's not cold, she has this innocent look in her face, she's kind, sweet and caring, but she's not that showy when it comes to her true feelings.

Not showy is not a problem. Nararamdaman ko naman.

Dad's a mysterious type of person too, has this cold, powerful, and authoritative aura. He's a jolly person when it comes to his family, he's sweet and caring. Unlike mom, Dad is a showy person.

Ako naman? I got my attitude from them, I think, mix?

I started walking through the hallway, halos tili ng mga babae ang naririnig ko, I wonder why?

"Are you lost?" I heard Israel's voice. I'm not planning to face him and plan to continue walking when his hand held my wrist and it made me stop. Walang gana akong napalingon sa kanya. "What?" I didn't voiced it out, I just did it with my lips.

Bumitaw na ito sa paghawak sa aking palapulsuhan, at napahalukipkip.

"I'm asking if you're lost?" Pag-ulit nito at bahagyang itinaas ang kilay. "I'm not." Sagot ko. He heaved a deep sigh and look straight into my eyes.

"Sungit mo. Halikan kita diyan e." I heard a lot of squeals from the students who's been listening to us. Umirap ako kay Israel.

"Hindi ako masungit, sadyang nakakairita ka lang." His face suddenly becomes sad, napano to? Nasaktan ko ba feelings niya? na-guilty tuloy ako. Unconsciously ngumiti ako.

"Joke lang." As soon as he heard it his playful yet stunning smile make its appearance.

"Ang landi." Si Julius ito. Agad akong napalingon sa gawi niya. He wave his hands on me as his smile grew wider. Nakita kong nasa likod niya sina Samuel, Gavien at Elon.

Lahat sila ay naglakad papalapit sa amin. Sumulyap ako kay Israel at hindi maipinta ang mukha nito.

"OMG! THE SUITORS AND THE HEROINE! MAGKAKASAMA SILA! OH MY GEEEEEE!!!!!!!!"

What's the big deal? I mean, hindi ko makuha kung bakit napaka-big deal nito sa kanila. Casual lang naman kaming naglalakad.

Naghiwa-hiwalay din kami kinalaunan. Si Israel ang naghatid sa akin patungo sa isang room. As expected may mga napatayo at napatili noong nakita kam-si Israel.

"See you later." He said and as soon as he flash his smile all the girls squealed. Girls.

"Who would you choose among your suitors?" It was a random second year college girl asking me as soon as Israel left. Kunot noo akong lumingon dito, she's seating across me, she's slightly brushing her pen unto her hair while her gaze's fixed to me.

"Wala. Wala pa." Sagot ko. I don't want to be a snob, I'm not really into making friends right now, it's not that she wants to befriend with me, it's just that I've had enough from the past. I looked away and pretended to be busy, it's a trick for her to stop asking.

She then stopped asking. Mabuti naman.

Saglit pa akong gumawa ng kung ano sa likod ng notebook ko hanggang sa dumating na ang Prof. namin, and the nakakalitong lesson began.

My phone vibrates in the middle of studying, napasulyap ako kay Prof. na busy sa pagsusulat ng kung ano sa whiteboard.

From Israel:

'3 more minutes and you're mine.'

In that simple sentence napataas ang balahibo ko. Kung pwede lang i-skip ang Wednesday ginawa ko na. Hindi na ako nagbalak pang mag reply at tinuon ng muli ang atensyon sa unahan.

The bell rang and I'm happy!

But my happiness didn't last long.

Of course. He would be here.

Isang tangkay ng pulang rosas and hawak nito , ang bilis niya naman dumating halos nag bell lang 30 seconds ago, ni-hindi pa nga nakalabas ang prof namin.

Dahil sa mga tilian ay napalingon si prof sa gawi niya. Nakangiti itong lumapit sa kay Israel. "I see, you're one of the suitors." He confirmed his own thoughts. Bahagyang ngumisi si Israel.

"Yes I am. But....Actually in the first place ako na ang panalo." Si prof ang kausap nito pero sa akin naka-focus ang mga mata niya. Umirap ako dahil sa frustration. Gosh.

They talked for a while hanggang sa nagpaalam na si prof at tinapik pa nito ang balikat niya bago umalis. Nakangiti niya namang sinundan ng tingin ito, when prof's far away from his sight his gaze shifted into me. Nakangiti pa rin ito.

In the mean time, may natuklasan ako sa kanya, He's also a smiley person din pala? I have to take note of that.

"You look so stunned by my handsome appearance." He's smiling while saying that, he then take a light walk towards me, when he's near he halt and gave me the red rose.

Syempre kinuha ko, I'm not rude. I'm the heroine and I should accept what they have to give me. Accepting is not always good but rejecting? It's rude but sometimes it's alright. Whatever.

Mula sa tilian ng kung sino sa tuwing napapadaan si Israel, finally we have reached our destination! Akala ko sa restaurant din kami kakain but he stopped the car at a peaceful place.

Yes peaceful, tahimik at payapa.

Syempre.

Sementeryo e.

"Hoy! Anong trip mo?" Gulantang tanong ko rito. Ano nga ba ang trip nito at sa sementergo ako dinala? Hayop to. Nananahimik na nga sila gagambalain pa namin. He didn't budge. "Israel!" Pabulong na sigaw ko mula sa kanyang likod. Tumigil ito at lumingon.

"Scared?" Nanunuyang tanong nito habang tinataas ang isang kilay, he kept both of his hands on his pockets. We're still wearing our uniform. As we walked silently at the long way of the cemetery.

Unconsciously tumingala ako sa langit, the sky's showing it's stunning color, a mix of yellow, orange and black color. Gagabi na pero heto kami sa sementeryo. Nagd-date?! Aba.

I sharply looked into his eyes.

"Why are we here Israel?" Ma-awtoridad na tanong ko rito. Napataas ang kanyang balikat ipinapakita na wala siyang alam. He started walking again, sumunod ako kahit na napipikon na ako.

"Ayaw mo nun? If we're married, after that we'll die, mas mabuti ng makahanap na tayo ng pwesto kung saan ba ilalatag ang kabaong natin."

My jaw dropped at what he said.

Aba. What to do about this guy? He talked like he's so sure about the future! of course we'll die! But, I'm not yet ready and not even thinking about it.