Faith's Point of View
"My dad offered me a vacation in France. I'll be there for three weeks."
I glance at Samuel who's looking directly at the skyscrapers near from the University. He suddenly texted me earlier to come here, in the rooftop. I clearly understand, he's stuck in what he should and what he want to do in life. He came from a family of lawyers so I feel the pressure he's been carrying for a long time.
"How about your studies?"
Mapait s'yang ngumiti at napatingin sa sahig. "I'll try to talk with Selin, and if she says yes, I'll pursue arts," he answers with a deep sigh, assuming he will be hopeless.
"Selin loves you, hindi malabong umayaw s'ya sa kung anong sinisigaw ng puso mo."
"After all I did to her when she died? That's imposible. How can you love someone who did wrong to you after all?"
"If it's your belief, then it's not love," I say and my phone rings. It's a text from Lara; "unnie, tih, cb." I automatically roll my eyes, TIH means Teacher Is Here while CB means comeback. I don't know why she dislike typing so much, to the point that we have our own language. Sheez.
"I'll miss you, Samuel. Ingat ka, I have to go." Then I turn back to the exit while waving at him.
"I love you."
I am a bit startled when he said those words, but I quickly move on. I face him and my lips form a smile, "Take care!". Those are the last words that came from my mouth and directly went to the classroom.
---
"Here! I didn't saw you last time, where had you been? I bought books for you!" Coleen says while holding a paper bag which contains a new book from her.
"Why do you like giving me gifts? It's really far from my birthday. Tell me, are you requesting something?" Nakapaemaywang na tanong ni Stay.
We're here in the parking lot, hinabol lang kami ni Coleen with her short pencil skirt. Medyo haggard pero nagawa pa ring mag make up ng makita si Stay. There are days that I saw her smiling, nakatitig sa kawalan at parang kinikilig. She's been checking her phone from time to time, kaya minsan naaabala ang lectures.
Nahihiyang tumawa si Coleen, si Stay naman ay ngumiti na rin at sinulyapan ang nasa loob ng paper bag. "Thanks, I owe you a lot." Then he holds my hand and opens the car.
Nang maiwan si Coleen sa labas, I can't help but to be shy and timid. She looked shock pero bigla rin namang nakabawi nang magpaalam si Stay na aalis na kaming dalawa. Dumungaw ako sa bintana nang makaalis kami sa parking lot.
"Where do you wanna eat?"
I face him. "Sa bahay na, bumili ako ng--"
"We should eat somewhere. It's what couples do specially now."
"Sa highschool lovers lang 'yon, hwag na tayo makiuso."
"Psh, why are you thinking as if you're already 30 years old? Dapat hindi na lang ako umamin sa'yo." He says seriously but later on he burst into laughter.
I roll my eyes to him. "Dapat hindi na lang din kita sinagot!"
"Lol, as if I--"
"Wala na! Break na tayo!"
He roll his eyes. "Psh. C'mon where do you wanna eat?"
"Fine. Turn left."
---
The waves of the drinks whenever it is carry high on the tray, voice of cashiers, sound of utensils, laughter of the people. It is all heaven.
"Bakit ba favorite mo dito sa Jollibee?" He asks disgustingly. Mayroong birthday party sa kabilang room ng fast food resto, and there we saw Jollibee, dancing with the kids. Nakakainggit, sana kasama na rin ako dun sa party.
I look at Stay who's now eating burger steak, with fries and soup. "Cause nothing taste like Jollibee," I answer and then wink.
"Really? You sure?"
I nod. "Why?"
His lips form a smirk, lumagkit ang mga tingin n'ya. "Wanna taste me?"
I automatically shot him with a glare. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa tinidor, gustong gusto ko s'yang saksakin! "Kadiri ka!" And shows my middle finger to him, but he just burst into laughter.
"Juicylicious din ako!" pagkukumpara n'ya sa chicken joy na kinakain ko.
"What the -- Juicylicious your face!"
"Nope."
"What?!"
"It's down there," then he looks down -- towards to his… uhm, nevermind. Stay's so gross!
"F*ck you!" Asar kong sabi sa kan'ya.
But then he laughs so hard, which makes my heart melt. The best achievements that will happen in my life, is to see someone laughing, with a tears of joy. But it's the bestest if that someone is him… Stay.
"Stay," I call him in the middle of eating.
"Hmm?"
"About doon sa diary mo…" I deeply sigh. "…about the girl who's the reason why you want to be a pilot, am I that girl?" Call me assuming or what, but it bothers me from the day I saw it.
"Psh, secret."
"C'mon, wag ka ng mahiya!"
"Ang corny naman kasi," he answers with a disgusted face. Then he sigh, "Yeah, you're the one I'm mentioning there. All right? H'wag ka ng magtanong, puro cliche naman 'yon." He said, cringing. Pfft.
---
"C'mon, let me try this one! This is the first time I'll cook for you, okay?" Stay says, wearing my apron while holding his phone. He will try to cook the dish he's been longing to learn -- Sinigang. Maybe I'm the unlucky taster of his dishes forever.
"Okay, let me gui--"
He raise his pointing finger. "No need. Just sit there, watch TV and relax." Winks and a soft laugh of Stay make me just sit on the couch. Maybe I should give him a try, kung Sisig nga nagawa n'ya, Sinigang pa kaya?
No worries. I sit on the couch, watch a movie while hugging a small pillow. Habang nanonood, napako ang mata ko sa paper bag na nakalagay sa small glass table, nasa harapan ko ito. I glace at Stay who's busily preparing for the ingredients, and turn back staring at the paper bag that Coleen gave him.
Kinuha ko 'yon pati ang librong regalo sa kan'ya.
The Mist Long Ago
A novel of Aeimond
Ito nga ang librong nakita ko sa desk ni Coleen. A thick blue cover, skies and an angel in the middle of it. Simple yet great details, pages have an addicting fragrance, high quality papers and a bookmark with a picture similar to the book cover.
I can't read this novel. Wala na akong pakielam kung magusot man ang bawat pahina, hinanap ko ang parteng may nakasingit na note. And here, hindi ako nagkakamali. A yellow paper exist, nasa bandang dulo ito ng libro at nakatupi sa dalawa.
How long is it been? I've been giving you books with notes but it seems you're still innocent about what I feel.
Stay, this book is similar to our story, isn't? Matagal na tayong magkakilala tulad ni Lupie at Shan na bida ng storyang ito. You've been my friend since you transferred here in Manila. We read a lot of books since then. But why I can't say my feelings for you personally?
I hope there's a chance for us. I love you, for almost seven years, Stay. We almost reached our dreams and now, I'm excited to open a new page, new chapter for us. Maybe if you read this, my feelings will be more deeper than you thought, haha. I love you<3.
Your friend,
Coleen
I want to crumple the small note I've been holding. Will I let Stay know Coleen's feelings for her? Don't laugh at me, Faith. Love is not about being selfish.