Ultimate Chapter

"Sige na pre, malay mo 'yong makaka-pair up mo rito, siya pala ang makakatuluyan mo."

Tumatawa si Gavrie habang hinihila ako papunta sa harap. Kanina ko pa sinasabi na ayaw ko pero mapilit ang kumag, isama pa 'tong ibang kasama namin. Maglalaro raw kami. Debut no'ng kapatid ni Pean, tropa at kaklase.

Tinulak din ako ni Pean bago kinuha ang mikropono at nagsimulang ipaliwanag 'yong laro. Napa-iling ako at napatawa na lang nang magbiro 'yong kasama namin.

"Pwede bang ilagay sa brief?" Tanong niya habang hawak 'yong isang libo.

"Axev," tawag ni Gavrie.

Lilingunin ko pa lang sana siya nang makita kung sinong hinihila papunta sa harapan. Napatitig ako sandali sa kabuuan niya. Kung hindi ko lang talaga siya kilala, iisipin kong ka-edad ko 'tong batang 'to.

"Kaklase niya yata 'yong debutant." Narinig kong sinabi ni Gavrie nang makita ang tinititigan ko.

Nilingon ko siya. "Tinatanong ko ba?"

Tumawa siya at tinaas-baba ang kilay. Tumikhim ako at nang muling nilingon si Dea ay nagtama ang paningin namin. Her eyes blinked then she smiled a little and looked away. Parang nahiya sa akin.

Hindi ba ang hiling ko, sana'y huwag nang magbangga ang mundo namin? Kaya ano itong ginagawa ko ngayon?

Bakit ako nakikipagpalit ng pwesto kay Gavrie? Bakit ako nakatayo sa harap ni Dea ngayon imbes na sa katabi niyang babae?

Nakatitig ako sa mukha niyang naka-blindfold. Her thin rose lips were parted a little like she's waiting for something.

Napapikit ako ng mariin nang dumapo ang kamay niya sa tiyan ko pataas sa aking leeg. Binawi niya ang kaniyang kamay na parang nagsisi siya sa ginawa.

Hindi pa ako nakakabawi do'n nang tumama ang kamay niya sa belt ko at nahawakan niya ang harap ng slacks ko.

Tangina, Dea Siennen!

Kitang kita ko ang gulat sa mukha niya nang bawiin niya ang kamay. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa harap ng slacks ko. Pumikit ako ng mariin nang may maramdamang kakaiba.

"Ang likot ng kamay mo." Matigas ang tono ko.

"Axev?!" Suminghap siya. "What... akala ko bas i Gavrie... what the hell?"

Ano? Napatitig ako sa mukha niyang gulat na gulat. Gusto kong pitikin 'yong noo niya. Asa namang hahayaan ko si Gavrie sayo.

"We're not supposed to tell." Tugon ko nang nagpumilit siyang sabihin ko kung nasaan 'yong isang libo.

Kitang kita ko ang naasar niyang mukha. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nagugustuhan ko 'to.

"What? Malay ko ba kung nilagay mo sa brief mo!"

Gusto mo rin?

Natawa ako. Parang no'ng nakaraang buwan lang badtrip ako sa batang 'to? Ngayon, nag-e-enjoy na akong panoorin ang naasar niyang mukha.

"Axev! I don't want to be punished! Pwede bang sabihin mo na lang kung nasaan?" Pilit niya.

Mas gusto ko yata 'yon. Ang matatalo rito ay magsa-sayaw ng sweet dance. Pumikit ako ng mariin dahil hindi ako makapag-isip ng mabuti habang pinagmamasdan siyang magmaktol sa harap ko.

I said I couldn't tell her. She looks so frustrated while trying to force me to tell her where I put the money. Kung saan saan na dumapo ang kamay niya, kaunti na lang yakapin niya ako.

"Axev! I swear, iu-uncrush talaga kita kapag na-punished ako rito!"

Umawang ang labi ko sa sinabi niya. Is she bullshitting me? Umigting ang panga ko nang maalala ang usapan naming no'n. Sabi ko ayaw ko nang makipaglaro sa apoy na dala niya pero...

"In my left shoes, Dea." I said... defeated.

Pinanood ko siyang bumalik sa lamesa nila. Pumikit ako ng mariin at tinalikuran ang mga kasama ko.

Nauto na naman yata ako ng batang 'yon.

Ia-uncrush niya raw ako? Bakit pa ako umasa? Napa-iling ako at pinilit ang sarili huwag na siyang pansinin hanggang matapos ang party. Pero paanong hindi ko mapapansin kung nasa harap siya at sumasayaw?

"Axev, 'yong bata mo." Siniko ako ni Gavrie.

Ang daming sumisigaw para sa kaniya. Idagdag pa 'yong mga lalaking kasama namin. Hindi ko matanggal ang tingin sa kaniya.

She looks so carefree. Like nothing is bothering her. She's so confident. And I know that a lot is fascinated by her. I can't blame them.

As I stood there, watching her dance like she's the only person in the room, the way her hips sway synchronously with the beat, the way her eyes lit and her rosy lips stretch for a cheery smile... I could watch her all day.

At 'yong kinakatakutan ko, nangyari na nga. Sabi ko na nga ba, kapag magbabangga na naman ang mundo namin, tuloy tuloy na 'yon.

"Yes, Ma'am. May inaasikaso po kasi si Mama." Tugon ko sa guro ni Ely.

Bahagya ko nilingon si Dea halatang gulat habang nakatingin sa akin at sa kapatid ko. Hindi ko alam kung bakit narito siya pero hindi naman ako nagre-reklamo. Ngayon ko lang ulit siya nakita, e.

Kinausap ko ang kapatid bago tiningnan si Dea. Hindi ko alam kung bakit gulat na gulat siya. Umuulan ng malakas at mukhang wala yata siyang dalang payong.

"Malakas ang ulan. May payong ka ba?" Tanong ko.

Umiling siya. Huminga ako ng malalim dahil hindi pa man siya sumasagot ay may tumatakbo na sa isip ko. Sabi ko sumabay na siya sa amin kaso tumanggi siya. She was worried that we might not fit in the shade of the umbrella. I'm more than worried about her catching a cold.

Ayaw ko naman siyang pilitin kaso mas lalong lumakas ang ulan at alam kong mahihirapan siyang maghintay ng masasakyan. Iyon lang kung magpapasundo siya.

"Ano? Sasabay ka o hindi na?" Subok ko ulit.

She pursed her lips and nodded after a few seconds. Binuhat ko si Ely habang siya iyong humawak ng payong. We walked towards the gate. Buhat ko si Ely na naglalaro ng Spiderman.

"You didn't tell me you have a sibling." Aniya.

Tiningnan ko siya. "You never asked."

Binuksan niya ang payong nang nasa gate na kami pero kung minamalas ka nga naman, nakasalubong ko na naman ang mga kumag. Hindi pa man sila nagsasalita alam ko nang katarantaduhan na naman ang lalabas sa bibig nila.

"Ilang taon na 'yang anak niyo, bro?" Walang kwentang tanong ni Brett.

Ayaw kong nagbibiro sila sa harap ni Dea, dahil alam kong pasmado ang mga bibig nila. I don't want her to be uncomfortable with their jokes. But she seems cool about it. As much as I can, I want her to be comfortable when she's with me, even though we're not that close. But the problem is...

The more time I spend with her, the more I get to know her. The more I get to know her, the more I want to get closer. However, I didn't want to be transparent because there's a very little chance that we're on the same page.

I'm not even sure if she has a boyfriend. If there is a guy in her life right now. Pero ang hirap pigilan ang nararamdaman kung palaging nagtatagpo ang mundo namin. Either it's an accident or fate, our universe seems to meet at some point.

I was right when I assumed that she had foreign blood. She was half Latina. Her beauty cannot be denied. She doesn't even need to wear make up to highlight her features, it was all-natural.

Mahaba ang medyo maalon niyang buhok. Kasing itim ito ng kaniyang kilay. Ang mga pilik mata'y mahaba rin at maarko. Katamtaman ang kaniyang puti, hindi 'yong tipong namumula kapag natatapat sa araw. Manipis ang kulay rosas niyang mga labi. Ang ngiti ng binibini'y parang nangbibighani.

Indeed, a goddess in human form.

Sa dumadalas na pagtatagpo ng mundo namin, hindi ko alam kung bakit nagulat pa ako nang makita siya sa sports complex. Naka-upo sa damuhan, yakap yakap ang mga tuhod, naka-tingin siya sa kalangitan gamit ang nangangarap na mga mata.

She was sweating and her hair is in a ponytail. Her unzipped jacket revealed a bit of her tube and her running shorts revealed those firm legs that were always hideous in her uniforms.

Huminga ako ng malalim habang pinapanood si Gavrie na tumatakbo palayo sa amin. He excused himself to get our things but I know that inside his head, he's already teasing me. When I averted my eyes back to the goddess in front of me, my breathing hitched.

"He'll come back." Tipid na tugon ko nang tanungin niya kung hindi ba ako susunod kay Gavrie.

I sat beside her but made sure to keep her arm-length. Kahit gano'n, hindi nakatakas ang bango niya sa pang-amoy ko. Tinuko ko ang kamay sa damuhan. Kumuyom ang panga ko dahil ramdam ang titig niya sa akin. Ayaw kong tinititigan niya ako ng gano'n, iba 'yong dating sa akin.

She looked away when I told her to stop staring. The flushing of her cheeks made no justice to what I was already feeling. She was nibbling her lower lip and it was obvious that she was trying hard to avoid looking back at me. I wonder... does she really still have a crush on me?

"Is that really your dream? To be an architect?" She asked.

For a minute, I was in awe. Only a few people asked me if Architecture was really my dream. I have always given them a direct answer but with her, I wanted to share my passion. That yes, Architecture is my dream.

Bata pa lang nang matuto na akong gumuhit. Bata pa lang, ginuguhit ko na ang pangarap ko.

Isang lalaki, nakatayo at nakaharap sa isang matayog na gusali, hinahangaan ang sariling gawa... iyon ang pangarap ko.

It's really getting crazy as I realize changes I haven't encountered within myself before. But before I could tell her everything, I restrained myself. There was no point in telling her that. What for? To impress her? That is certainly something I wouldn't do.

She may be a goddess, but I am a man trying to stay away from her charms.

"Yes."

"Pwede bang magpa-design ng bahay, Architect?" She smiled sensually.

Umigitng ang panga ko at nagsalubong ang kilay ko. No matter how I try to understand or know what's going in that pretty head of hers, I can't go through.

"Tell that to me when I already have a license."

"Ilang taon na lang naman ang bibilangin. Dapat ako ang unang kliyente mo ha, Architect Manzanar." She teased but more like a warning.

It made me smile inwardly but it was laced with a fatal warning that once again, I should be wheeling away from the goddess' wicked charms.

This isn't the first time she made me feel that she believes in me. How could she do that? How could she make me feel like I'm too good?

I didn't want the feeling. Ayaw kong gano'n ang pinaparamdam niya dahil mas lalo nanghihina ang pagpipigil ko.

"Stop believing in me so much. I still have a long way to go."

"Syempre, may tiwala ako sa taong gusto ko."

Dumiin ang titig ko sa kaniya. Her face flushed once again. Nanigas ang kamao ko habang hinahanap ang pagbibiro sa kaniyang mga mata. Kaya lang, gulat ang nakita ko. Para bang nagulat din siya sa sarili niyang mga salita.

I told her to repeat what she said but Gavrie came. She used it to get away and I let her. I didn't want to pull her into a position she's trying to avoid. I didn't want to make it uncomfortable for her.

Kahit gustong gusto kong komprontahin, hinayaan ko siya. May oras ka rin sa akin at kung sakaling naglalaro ka lang, hindi ko na alam kung anong gagawin ko sayo.

My eyes narrowed when I saw her again the next Saturday at the sports complex. She saw us but she looked away. My brows furrowed and my lips twitched. Is this coincidence or...

"Uy, Sien!" Malaki ang ngising bati ni Brett.

Gavrie and Brett talked to her while I stood behind them trying to catch her gaze. She was avoiding my eyes while talking to my friends. Nakita ko ang pagsiko ni Gavrie sa braso ni Brett at alam ko kaagad kung anong nasa utak niya. Kumuyom ang panga ko nang pareho silang tumakbo palayo.

"Are you sure you want to run with me?" I asked coldly.

"Yes..." halos bulong iyong sagot niya.

I nodded and we started running. But the goddess seems to always want to distract me with her glances. Pumikit ako ng mariin at pinuna 'yon. She blushed and looked away.

Ang suplado ko raw, sabi niya. According to her, I am cold and serious. It was just towards her. While I'm serious about other things and around people, I know that I am different towards her.

I am putting a façade to at least spare myself from harboring deeper feelings that won't be reciprocated. That was it.

Pero sino bang niloloko ko rito? Ayaw kong mas lumalim pa ang nararamdaman? Paano mangyayari 'yon kung hinahayaan ko ang sarili sa kaniya? Kung hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili sa pakikipag-usap sa kaniya?

Bakit ba pakiramdam ko may tulay na nagdudugtong sa aming dalawa pero walang may gustong tumawid?

"Will you be here next Saturday?" She asked when we're about to go home.

Tinitigan ko siya. "Yes. And you?"

"Yes." Madali niyang tugon na nagpakunot ng noo ko.

Damn, Dea Siennen. Hindi ko alam kung paano na ako kapag nahulog ako ng tuluyan at hindi mo ako masasalo. Seriously, you are being unfair.

The reason for her hatred towards her name was a surprise to me. It was given by her father. She hates her father so she doesn't want people calling her that. For the first time, I saw the emptiness in her eyes when she was telling me that.

Palagi siyang nakangiti. Palagi siyang masaya. Palagi'y parang walang problema at ang mga mata'y nangangarap. Kaya ang makitang halos wala itong emosyon ay nakakapanibago. Gusto ko mang malaman kung bakit gano'n na lamang ang galit niya sa ama, alam kong hindi 'yon nararapat.

"Do you want me to stop calling you that?" I asked seriously.

"Hmm. Crush naman kita, so okay lang."

And she always tries to look like she's fine like she's not a mess inside when I can certainly feel she is.

She is very complicated. Someone difficult to handle... but I'm willing to. I'm willing to understand this very complicated being. I want to try.

"Crushes are for kids, Dea." I said.

"Wala kang bang crush, Kuya? Kahit kalian hindi ka nagka-crush?" Nagtaas siya ng kilay sa akin.

"I don't do crushes." I said seriously.

"I'm not a kid but I do have a crush on you." She said quickly.

I don't want her crushing over me. I've been through that stage before but I don't want that now.

I like her. Very much. I won't deny that.

And crushes just don't sit right with me. I want something deep because with her, I feel like she could play me around the tip of her fingers. Is it cowardice? I believe it's more of self-preservation.

I'm not afraid of what I feel for her, I am afraid that I might be the only one feeling this way.

"I told you, I don't do crushes. But I do have my eyes on someone right now." Huminga ako ng malalim.

Get that, little girl? Come on, stop crushing on me. We're on a completely different page but I can wait. I can wait until you reach my chapter.

When next Saturday came and it was only the two of us, that's when I felt that maybe, my hopes are not for nothing. Maybe, she was on her way to my chapter. There's this connection between us I could not explain but I could only feel.

"Now, I can't take my eyes off you." I said when we're standing too close to each other.

The bridge is still there, and if she doesn't want to cross it first, I will.

Dea Siennen is of a careless girl. Pagkatapos naming mag-asap sa learning hall ay umuwi na siya dahil nariyan na ang sundo niya. She left her ID and even when I tried to run after her, she already left. Napapa-iling na lamang ako habang pinagmamasdan 'yon sa kamay ko.

Axev Manzanar:

You left your ID. Nasa akin.

Sien Almagro:

Hindi ko napansin :(( Thank you! Kunin ko bukas, anong oras pasok mo?

Tumaas ang kilay ko. That simple conversation went further. She really knows how to play it.

Axev Manzanar:

It's alright. I also need to do something in the library. Do you always forget your ID?

Sien Almagro:

Hindi. Di ko lang siguro napansin kanina. If you want, sayo na 'yan.

I smirked at her message. What if I want the owner and not the ID?

The conversation went on and there she goes again with her declaration of her feelings. Crush. Crush. Crush. I hate it.

Just tell me you like me and I'm going to cross this damn bridge between us.

"Kanina lang mukhang puyat na puyat ka, ngayon parang nakatulog ka ng ilang araw, ah? Nakakakilabot 'yang ngiti mo, ah!" And of course, there's always a damn blasted guy who'd ruin the moment.

Sinulyapan ko si Brett na naka-ngisi sa akin, sabay sulyap sa ID na nasa kamay ko. Mas lalong lumawak ang nakakalokong ngisi niya. I gave him a wry look. At kung wala lang kaming klase, alam kong hindi titigil ang mga banat niya.

"Anong oras ka dumating?" Tanong ni Dea, nang muli kaming magkita isang Sabado.

We agreed to meet. This is what I mean when I said that there is something between us but we both don't want to name it. Nobody wants to cross the bridge first but like what I said, I am willing, it's just that I am waiting for a signal. An assurance, perhaps.

"Fifteen minutes earlier. Akala ko tutulugan mo ako." I replied.

"I never slept on you kaya!" She glared.

I stared at her, trying to stop myself from grinning. I swallowed hard and clenched my fist. I am really doomed. This is the first time I feel this much around a girl. Sa mas bata pa sa akin.

"Kung gusto mong palagi akong nakangiti, palagi ka ring magpakita sa akin." Ani ko nang sinabi niyang palagi raw akong ngumiti.

She looks taken aback as she bit her lower lip. She returned my burning gaze and unable to say anything. Her mouth worked but her lips only managed to open. Mas lumapit pa ako na mas lalong nagpamula sa kaniya.

"Ano? Crush pa rin ba?" I challenged.

Bumagsak ang mga mata ko sa naka-awang niyang mga labi. Umatras ako nang may dumaan sa isip ko. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga nang makita siyang tumango.

"I'll wait Dea, because I don't really do crushes." I said seriously.

Nagkasundo ulit kaming magkita sa susunod na Sabado. Ang sabi ko, maghihintay akong lumalim pa ang nararamdaman niya pero mukhang hindi ko na kayang magpigil pa. I am on the edge of admitting what I feel.

My jaw clenched when I saw Ember walking towards me. I was on my way to the accounting and I accidentally saw her at the Friendship Park. Her cold eyes narrowed when she saw me.

"Sabi mo raw kay coach babalik ka, pero hindi naman!" Tinuro niya ako.

Nagkamot ako ng kilay nang humarang siya sa daraanan ko. She's wearing there uniform. May naalala tuloy ako sa uniporme niya. Isang tao rin na nangangarap maging Medtech.

"Binagsakan kami ng quiz no'ng nakaraan," I reasoned out. "I was busy."

It was true. Bumisita na ako sa training center no'ng nakaraang buwan at nangako akong babalik ako pero minsan hindi ko na nahaharap dahil sa dami ng gawain.

Umarko ang kilay niya. Her usually cold eyes looked at me sarcastically then her lips twitched for a taunting smile.

"Akala mo hindi ko alam? May pinopormahan ka raw na Senior High! Palagi raw kayo sa sports complex. Ano 'yon, ha? Date?" Nang-aakusa ang tono niya.

Kumuyom ang panga ko at halos mapahilot sa sentido. Hindi ko na kailangang tanungin kung sino ang nagsabi sa kaniya.

"Hindi ko siya pinopormahan," bahagya akong umiwas ng tingin.

Unti-unti siyang ngumisi sa akin. "Soar High, Senior High ba, Axelis?"

Tumawa ako sa sinabi niya. Ginulo niya ang buhok ko at agad kong hinuli ang kaniyang kamay. Nagtaas siya ng kilay, nakangisi pa rin.

"May nakatalo na ba sa Taekwondo d'yan sa puso mo?" Nagpatuloy siya sa pang-asar.

Kinukulit niya akong bumisita ulit sa training center. Hindi