I saw Ligaya in the gymnasium earlier, we were having our practice for the upcoming tournament. She's in her P.E uniform, when they had their break, she started reading a book while most of her classmates are watching us play. Sometimes I wonder, is she a lesbian? She isn't attracted to anyone. She prefers books over boys, and that's what makes her even more beautiful. Marco, one of my teammates notice me staring at Ligaya.
"Do you like her?" He caught me off guard.
"Who?"
"The one you're staring at for seems like forever. Don't you ever lie to me."
"No. Why would I even like her? It seems like she doesn't have interest on guys, look at her, she's drowning herself in her book." Am I even good at lying? Hope so.
"Good because I oath to her parents to protect her at all cost." I was intrigue by his statement.
"Are you some superhero who are responsible for protecting other people?" I laughed as hard as I could, I almost choke from my own saliva. He gripped my jersey shirt so tight. "Don't joke on serious moments like this, you won't like it when I'm mad."
I went home that day feeling curious about that mysterious girl. I wanted to know her more. I wanted to befriend Marco so that he would tell me more about her.
* * *
Dearest Rahim,
Sorry I was not able to greet you on your special day. I heard you're already in seniorhigh and that you transfered from a university. How was it? Are you doing fine? Is life okay? Son, I have a surprise for you, and I know you'll be more than happy to hear it. I'll be coming in the Philippines this Christmas. I can't wait to finally see you. We'll go to places that you'd like and we'll savor each day like it's our last. I'm looking forward to that day. Take good care of your self, I love you.
I don't know what to react, I know I'm looking forward to this day to finally come but there's still a void inside of me. If he will come to see me, then what will change? I want dad and mom to be back again, like they used to, before mom came back to the Philippines but I knew it wasn't fair. Tito Ellie loves my mom so much, he had her at her wost. He stayed by her side, he even accepted me as her own, and how selfish I am to ask my mom to be back with my biological father again who didn't keep his promise to us.
"Darling, let's have dinner outside, what do you think?"
"You mean, a date? Just the two of us?"
"Hahaha . . . we're not eighteen anymore Sabrina, we already have children, so we will be going out with them." I went out to my bedroom and saw Tito embracing my mom from behind. He was the sweetest. I'm happy for my mom, she found a man that will love her and accept her for who she was.
"Who's going out for dinner tonight?" I headed towards my girls.
"We are!", the tres marias shouted in the couch. I am contented with this family. I belong here.
* * *
The next morning I woke up feeling motivated. I participated in the class discussions and I can't wait for the bell to ring. During break times, I always check the library to see if Ligaya has come or not. I saw her in the glass outside, she was hiding in the cubicle, focusing on the new book she's reading. I came in.
"Hi", I said shyly. I sit in the cubicle next to her. I know I have to wait for a chapter break for her to reply. "So it's you again." I was shocked she reply instantly. Her voice was flat. "Yes, it's me. I'm glad you had finally notice me." I smiled widely. My eyes almost disappear. "Why are you following me? Do you like the books I'm reading?" She already stop reading now. We are finally conversing.
"Uhmmm . . . Yes, I would like to read them too."
"Really, huh?"
I was speechless, I don't know what to say anymore.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
"Do you feel uncomfortable?"
"No. Yes . . . No."
"Sorry."
"You have to pay for that."
"For what?"
"For staring at me, I don't like it, I'm melting."
"Sure, what do you want?" I know she will demand for new released books or some International best seller books. I'm afraid I can't afford.
"I want you to be here at 7pm, no buts." She gave me the address, it was written in a pink sticky note. Before I can ask her details, she already left. What if I got killed tonight, what if there are gangsters waiting for me in this location, what if I was being frame up by Marco? Shoud I go? Maybe she really want to get rid of me, that's why she's doing this.
* * *
"Honey?" Mom knocked the door thrice.
"Coming." I can't decide whether to go to the address she'd given me or not. I want to go but I don't want to die, I still love to see my father. "Come out now, dinner is ready." We have fried rice, grilled meat and vegetable soup for dinner. "Mom, would you mind if I go out tonight?" Everyone stops eating. All eyes glued on me. My sisters are teasing me. Before they could say anything, I told them I'll just be out for a walk in the neighborhood, which is so unusual of me.
"Bring, bravo with you." She's referring to our rottweiler which tito Ellie owns. "No, I'll be okay mom." What would Ligaya say if she saw me with that tall powerful tan short-haired dog. Maybe she would laugh because I have a guard dog with me.
After dinner, I walk to the given address. It's not that far from our house. Our village was big, so you can really get lost if you're not familiar with the place. We're in Block 2 and I'll be walking for 6 more blocks to be in the address she'd given me. While walking, there are so many thoughts running in my mind. Is she inviting me to her house? If that so, I'm glad we're living in the same village. I wouldn't mind if I have to walk this far just to be with her. After 15 minutes of walking and half-running, I finally saw the the post sign that states Block 8. I look at my watch, it reads 7:20 pm. Sweat were dripping in my face, I gasped for air. I'm afraid I am late. The houses here are well lit, I continue walking, I look like I'm a gate crasher. I heard some noise not far from where I am standing. I followed the noise and as I am nearing, the music becomes louder and louder and there I saw her in the front porch in one of the houses. She has a poker face and I could tell she was mad because I am late.
* * *
"Hi, sorry I'm late."
"It's okay. Listen, we'll pretend that we're on. We have a family party, my mom and dad was afraid I am not normal because I am not infatuated to someone. They always said that in my age, teenagers has already crushes and I am here inlove but with my books." I just can't believe what I heard. I can feel my cheeks blushing. I am speechless, stuck in that moment so I just nod. She dragged me to their veranda near the pool. There were not so many people but they were enjoying. I saw Marco in the grilling station with some boys our age.
"Just act normal. "
"Where are we going?"
"I will introduce you to my mom and dad, I know they will be shock. They will interrogate you, just answer pleasantly."
Her mom and dad was conversing with some old men and women in the long table facing the pool. I think that was her grandparents on both sides. My heart was racing as we were nearing their direction.
"Mom, Dad, Lola and lola, meet Rajim, my boyfriend." She really thought my name was Rajim, I forgot to tell her, it's Rahim. Anyways, I can say from her parents reaction that they were more than shock. I know they can't believe it. However, her grandparents just smiled.
"Is this true Gay? You have a boyfriend?", her mom asked with a grinning face. So her nickname was gay, it's cute.
"Yes mom, we both love books, we met in NBS and we are in the same school. We spend most of our break times in the library and I believe our similarities lead us to each other's arm." I can't believe that she talks a lot, I was contented in her minimal talks in each chapter break. Before her family could judge me that maybe I'm mute because I'm not talking, I butt in.
"It was nice meeting you all. Ligaya always told me that she can't wait to finally introduce me to her family because she knows, you'd all be surprise."
"We are all happy, we can't believe it! We thought nothing interests her but books. You look good together, please take good care of our daughter, she has a fragile heart, Rajim." Now her dad calls me Rajim and the whole family knows me as Rajim.
"I will sir. She's my precious gem."
"Our baby is now a lady", her grandfather said, they all embrace her.
"Enjoy the party, Gay, introduce him to your cousins."
"Yes dad."
They hosts the family party because her dad was promoted in the hospital he was working. Both her parents were doctors and she planned to be one too. She introduce me to her cousins and some other relatives as her boyfriend, Marco is her first cousin, he can't believe that I and Ligaya were in a relationship. When it's already late, I bid goodbye to her family and she ask permission to her parents if she can ferry me to Block2. Her parents agreed. We went to the garage to get a car. There are 3 cars and 3 mountain bikes inside. I could say that they were really rich. She drives the car as if she was a pro. I'm a man but I don't know how to drive a car, because we don't own one.
* * *
"Thank you for tonight."
"I'm still on cloud nine. I still can't believe it, likeI I was just dreaming of being friends with you and now, you are introducing me to your family as your boyfriend. What an achievement!". She step on the brake and I jump on my sit. I look at her, I know she was mad. Again.
"What the!?" I shout and I regret I did.
"There's a dog crossing in the driveway,I didn't mean to scare you." I know she was lying because my eyes was on the road and I didn't see anything.
We were silent for the next few minutes until we reach my house. As I was about to get out of the car, she break from silence.
"I want to be friends with you, for real. We can share books if you like and we can be library buddies at school."
"But you just talk to me in minimal ways at school. I'm just your chapter break."
"Chapter break?"
"You only talk to me when you're done with a chapter." She smiled and I can say that was her sweetest gesture.
"How did you notice it?"
"I just knew."