Chapter 3
aiah
"It's really easy to love you, Aiah. That's why all these people like you. That's why all these people find you appealing. I, myself, included; I won't deny that"
"It's because it's hard NOT to love you"
It's hard not to love you too, Loi. You should know that. But you seem passionate pa eh, I'll let you get that out first.
"So you bashing yourself for not having redeeming qualities or not having good characteristics isn't something that a lot of us are going to stand by" she huffs, her eyebrows brought together and her cheeks blown.
Ang cute naman nito. Alam na alam mo kung paano ako kukunin, Loi!!!
"'cause you do. You DO have way more so-called 'redeeming' qualities, Arceta. And everyone in this campus, and possibly outside of it, sees them except you" pagsabi niya habang nakakunot ang noo niya.
Hindi niya na rin siguro namalayan na ang higpit na ng hawak niya sa kubyertos.
"You seem mad" I say as softly as I can while pouting. I touch her fists, she notices and loosens her grip.
"I'm not mad, just tired of your brain finding ways to bring you down, that's all" she says as she tries to calm herself down and starts eating her food again.
"Well, if it makes you feel any better, Maloi, it's hard not to love you too" I confess. Her eyes went wide and started coughing, hands covering her mouth.
What a cutie, this girl.
"And you've probably been too obsessed with me to realize that people have been gawking over you too" I noticed the hints of pink that color her cheeks.
"HUY, ang assumera naman" pabulong niyang sinabi.
"Mali ba ako?" she shakes her head in response.
"Sa 'obsessed' part, I can't say you're wrong. But, sa 'people gawking over me' part, I know you're wrong" she says confidently, though looking quite deeply at her food.
"I'll make you eat your words, Loi. Can I continue?" she nods.
"Maybe the reason why I'm thinking like this is because I always have you by my side" tumingin ulit siya sa akin na parang nanghihingi siya ng explanation.
"I'm always with such a beautiful girl that automatically brings a smile to anyone's face. Your radiant aura so quickly influences other people na kahit dumaan ka lang sa kanila, parang naging ok na ang lahat" she's now staring at me.
"I've heard what they think of you and maybe I, too, was too engrossed in what their plans were to win you over that I was oblivious of what they think of me" I admit.
The urge to cover my face to hide was definitely strong but I tried my hardest to keep it in for her. She needs to know I'm serious.
"But since we're sharing what our hearts scream" I pause, trying to find the courage to tell her this. She has to know, Aiah. So tell her.
"I don't really care about what they think of me at all" I shyly look back at my food, pushing the rice around.
"I just wanted to know what you think cuz your words are what I hold as the truth. Plus, you always find the right words that comfort and calm me down" she held my hand, making me look at her.
She had the softest smile that made me smile right back.
"And to be completely honest, gusto kong malaman kung anong nasa isip mo kasi hindi kita mabasa" sinabi ko at natawa.
"In all seriousness though, I've always admired you from afar, even if we're always so close. I didn't want to take the risk but, after 3 years, di na ata kaya ng puso ko eh" umiwas ako ng tingin at hinawakan ko na rin ang kamay niya.
"Bawat segundo na magkasama tayo, parang sasabog na siya sa kaba at kilig"
I find the courage to look into her eyes, "I guess what my heart and I are trying to say is that I love you too, Maloi. And if you'd let me, I will try my best to show and make you feel how much I love you" I confess.
"Like I said, I've heard the plans of your silent suitors. At kung magiging totoo lang ako, feeling ko lang mas maganda mga plano ko" I boast with a smirk. Natawa naman siya.
"Ang biased mo naman. Sigurado ka ba sa mga sinasabi mo?" I nod enthusiastically.
"At paano kung hindi ko nagustuhan?" napasimangot naman ako. Oo nga 'no, paano nga kung ganon?
Nakakahiya naman. Would that mean I don't know her enough to know what she wants? Naramdaman kong pinindot niya yung nakakunot kong noo.
"Ang lalim naman ng iniisip ng Aiah ko"
AIAH KO?!?!?! WALA NA RICALDE, PANAGUTAN MO ITONG KILIG KO.
"Balik ka na sa akin, joke lang naman na hindi ko magugustuhan mga plinano mo" sabi niya nang pa-baby talk.
"Ok ok pero if umabot sa point na ayaw mo, wag mong kimkimin ah? Sabihin mo sa akin para di ka uncomfortable, hm?" she nodded to that.
"Alrighttt kain ka na, matatapos na break natin, di mo pa ubos pagkain mo" sabi niya sa akin.
Sinunod ko naman agad at nang matapos na ang aming lunch break, magkahawak kamay kaming naglakad papuntang classroom.
Kahit na parati naman kaming magkahawak ng kamay habang naglalakad, ngayon, parang iba na sa pakiramdam. Parhung may spark.
Haaaayyy Mary Loi Yves Ricalde, oh how you've got my heart. Don't you worry, I'll always be here to catch you, whatever happens.