The rain is pouring really hard. I stay at the shed as I wait for Dashielle to come and pick me up. I'm just listening to music just like how I used to do when I'm waiting for Dashielle.
Thirty minuted had past at wala pa rin si Dashielle. Medyo naiinip na din ako kaya minubuti kong i-message na siya.
'Dash, where are u? I'm waiting. Pick me up asap :('
Lalong lumakas ang ulan. Wala pa naman akong payong! Ilang sandali lang ay naka-tanggap na ako ng reply.
'Luna, diba nag-sabe ako sayo kanina na mauuna na ako? I have to pick up Ingrid kase may date kami, remember? ;)'
Yeah right, how can I forgot. Bago nga pala pumasok ay sinabe na niya na hindi niya ako maihahatid sa bahay dahil may date sila ni Ingrid. I'm such a fool. Waiting for nothing...
'Don't worry, I'll call Manong Philip na lang, papasundo kita. Heavy rains, don't you dare walk in the rain Amora Luna.'
He threatened me, as if I'm scared.
'No, it's fine. Tinext ko na driver namin. He'll be here in a bit." I replied.
Liar. You're such a liar Amora. Kasama ng parents mo ang driver ninyo.
Napailing ako sa sarili kong kasinungalingan.
"U sure? Ok, take care. Update kita sa nangyari sa date namin after. hahaha'
I didn't bother to reply. Why would I? It'll just hurt. Bago pa mag-buhos ang mga luha ko ay minabuti ko na lumusong sa ulan. Malapit lang naman ang bus stop kaya tatakbohin ko na lang.
***
*coughs*
"Kainis!" How unlucky I can be. Naligo naman ako pagka-uwi, pero tinamaan pa rin ako ng sakit.
I can feel my body burning hot. Nanginginig ako sa lamig pero mainit ang katawan ko. Panay din ang ubo ko.
"RA, kumain ka na sabe ng mommy mo."
Hinarap ko si manang habang nakahiga.
"Yes po, mayamaya." then I cough again. Siguro ay nag taka na siya dahil balot na balot ako ng kumot. Lumapit si Manang Ofelia sa akin at kinapa ang aking noo.
"Susmariosep kang bata ka! ang taas ng lagnat mo, sabe na wag kang mag babasa sa ulan." Alalang sabe niya sa akin.
"It's fine manang. Mawawala din ito."
"Oh siya, sasabihin ko na lang na hindi ka makakababa. Iaakyat ko na lang ang pagkain at gamot." I smiled at her. I'm so thankful to have her. She's caring and I know she loves me truly.
"Thank you manang..."
"Sige na at mabilis lang ito, aakyat ulit ako dito." I nodded as a respond.
'U home already?'
It's from Dash. Ngayon ko lang nabasa.
'Yep.' I replied shortly, nag iinit ang mata ko kapag nabababad sa screen.
'Cold. Btw, the date was fun! we had fun! :) She's so adorable... Pumunta din kami sa arcades, then we play. Got her a teddy. Sobra siyang natuwa!'
My face automatically dropped. And so what if you had fun. Mas masaya ba siya kasama, Dash? Is she more entertaining than my company?
I started to get irritated. I can feel the heat on my face. I should stop, mas lalo lang lalala ang sakit ko.
'It must be fun. Good for you.' I rolled my eyes. He can probably smell the sarcasm in my text. Whatever, as if I care.
I drop my phone on the other side of the bed. Wala namang mabuting madudulot kung makipag-text ako sa kaniya. I'll just gain a broken heart. Enough for today.
***
Hindi din ako nakapasok ngayon dahil may lagnat pa rin ako. I just stayed in my bed. Taking a rest 'cause I'm not feeling well. My parents are probably on their way to the company they're working with. It's only me and manang in the house.
'Sabe ng mommy mo may lagnat ka daw.'
I received a text from Dash.
'Yeah, kaya di ako pumasok.' Honestly, I don't have enough energy to text.
'Why lie, Luna? Sinabe kong ipapasundo kita kay Manong Philip ayaw mo. Nag-kasakit ka tuloy. Sinabe ng mommy mo na sumulong ka sa ulan. You're so stubborn, alam mo ng malakas ang ulan eh.' I can hear his voice scolding me. I rolled my eyes.
Stop playing concern to me Dashielle. You probably enjoying Ingrid's company lalo't wala ako sa school ngayon. I ignored his last message and decided to take a nap.
Before I could even take a nap, my phone rings. I immediately accept the call.
"what?" I said timidly.
"You didn't reply so I call."
"I'm going to take a rest. Bakit ka pa tumawag?" I sigh
"Of course I'm worried." he stated as a matter of fact. My heart can't help but to jump.
"I'll visit you okay? Ano gusto mong pagkain?" tanong niya sa akin. Damn, Dashielle. Wag naman ganyan ang boses, nakakatunaw.
"Ikaw bahala." Syempre hindi ko sasabihin sa kaniya na inaabangan ko siya. Ipaparamdam kong wala akong interes.
"Ok, alam ko na. I know your likes so ako na bahala!" tumawa pa siya sa kabilang linya. He's so proud that he knows me so well.
"Sige bye..." That's the only word I can say! I can't come up with a respond.
"Okay bye bye Luna."
***
Nagising ako ng makaramdam ng may dumadampi sa akin noo. Iminulat ko ang mata ko at nadatnan si Dashielle na dinadampian ng basang bimpo ang noo ko. He stop right away.
"Sorry, tulog ka na ulit..." he cooed me like a kid. Pero nawala na ang antok ko dahil sa malamig na tubig. I sitted on my bed.
"Anong oras na?" I asked
"8:00 pm, have you eaten your dinner?" he asked me softly.
I shook my head, he immediately glare at me.
"Kumain ka, andito yung dinala ko." He unpacked the food he'd bought for me.
"Mainit init pa rin, kainin mo na habang di pa lumalamig." He place a spoonful of soup in front of my mouth.
"Ako na..." bago ko pa makuha ang kitsara ay ginawi niya na ito sa ibang direksyon.
"Ako na..." then he fed me. I don't have the energy to argue so I let him.
Ilang minuto lang ng katahimikan. Pinapakain niya lang din ako.
"Nga pala, tutal nandito na din ako. I'll tell you kung anong nangyari sa date namin." he giggled like a teenage girl.
I raised an eyebrow on him.
"So we ate sa resto nila tito, tapos niyaya ko siya mag arcade sa mall. Natawa ako kase triny niya mag basketball kaso walang nag-shoot! She's so cute nung nakita ko yung frustrated niyang mukha. Ugh, she's so adorable." Habang nag ku-kuwento siya ay napapangiti pa siya. Minsan ay humahagikgik.
I bitterly smiled at him.
"Ayoko na, I'm full." I shifted again so I can lie on my bed.
"Di ka naman nakinig!" he pouted like a kid.
"All right, liligpitin ko lang to tapos uwi na din ako. Baka hinahanap na din ako nila mommy."
I just nodded. Ang malas naman, may sakit na nga... broken pa. How unfortunate I can be. I close my eyes but I'm not yet sleepy. Nararamdaman ko pa rin ang galaw niya sa kwarto, pati na din ang tunog ng pagliligpit.
"Sleep well Amora Luna..." then I feel the warmth of his lips on the top of my forehead.
He turned off the lights and storm away.
The last thing I remember before I sleep, is the tear that escapes my eye.
Why her Dash?
Why not me?