"Good Morning Jillian!" Bati ko sa aking kapatid.
"Good Morning ate."
"Halika baba na tayo, naamoy ko na, 'yung niluluto ni mama." Aya ko sakaniya.
Inaantok pa si Jillian pero tumayo din naman agad siya kaya bumaba na kami, nakita kong nasusunog na ang niluluto ni mama.
"Ma! Balak mo bang sunugin bahay natin? Asan ka ba?" I yelled.
Pinatay ko ang kalan sa takot na masunog ang bahay namin.
"Kc! Ang lola mo!" Sigaw ni mama.
Agad naman akong nataranta at kinakabahang nagtungo sa kwarto ni lola. Nakita ko si lolang nahihirapan nanamang huminga. Agad na gumapang ang takot sa buong pagkatao ko.
"Ma paabot nung inhaler ni lola." I said while panicking.
Agad kong binigay kay lola ang inhaler niya para matulungang guminhawa ang pakiramdam niya. Kinuhanan ko siya ng tubig upang makainom si lola.
"La ayos ka na ba?" I asked worriedly.
"Nahirapan lang akong huminga apo, pero umaayos naman na at bumabalik na sa dati ang aking paghinga."
"Halika na la, kain muna tayo."
Inalalayan ko namang tumayo si lola at inakay papunta sa hapag.
Kumain na kami at pagkatapos naligo na 'ko para mag handang pumasok sa school.
"La? Ayos ka na po ba? Pag nahirapan kang huminga patunugin mo lang 'tong bell mo ah? Para marinig ka ni mama o kaya ni Jillian. Alis na po ako I love you la." I hugged and kissed her hand before I left.
Pagkalabas ko ng bahay nagulat nanaman ako sa presensiya ni Rigel.
"Anak ng tinapa naman Rigel, lagi mo nalang akong ginugulat kada umaga!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it." He kissed me on my cheek.
"Bakit 'di ka pumasok sa loob?"
"I just arrived a while ago, let's go?" Pag aya niya sa 'kin.
"Kumain ka na ba? Tara muna sa loob."
"I've already eaten, let's go. I have important meeting today." He seriously said.
"May meeting ka pala sinundo mo pa 'ko, makakapasok naman ako sa school kahit 'di mo ko sunduin!" Pagbibiro ko sakaniya.
"I want to see you." He casually said.
"Halika na nga." Aya ko sakaniya.
Sumakay na kami sa kotse at nag maneho na siya papuntang school.
"Bye Rigel." I gave him a soft kiss then I get out of his car.
Maglalakad na sana 'ko papasok ng school ng may maisip akong kalokohan, nakalimutan ko baon ko. Bumalik ako sa kotse niya at kinatok ang bintana sa driver seat.
"Allowance dad." Nilahad ko ang aking kamay.
"Here." Abot niya sa tissue.
Nang i-crumpled ko ang papel ay biglang may lumabas.
"Rigel letse ka, napakabagra mo may sipon pa 'to tapos ibibigay mo sa 'kin?" I rolled my eyes.
Hinagis ko pabalik sa kotse niya 'yung tissue na may sipon.
"Bye Cass I love you." He chuckles.
"I love you, your face!" I rolled my eyes again.
Pumasok na 'ko sa loob ng school at nag tungong bathroom para maghugas ng kamay.
"Grrrr Rigel!" I said to myself.
Matapos kong maghugas ng kamay, pumunta na 'ko sa classroom. Panibagong araw, panibagong bakbakan nanaman. 4th year na 'ko kaya pahirap ng pahirap ang subjects namin. Pero walang mahirap sa taong may pangarap.
"Pst Mica! Wala kang chika? Himala tahimik ka." I teased her.
"Actually sis meron nga, hahaha madami." She chuckles.
Magkikwento na dapat si Mica kaso biglang dumating ang prof namin sa Steel and Timber design.
Nagdiscuss lang saglit si sir pagkatapos ay pinagawa kami ng tall timber building dahil 3 hours ang subject niya.
Nung vacant time namin pumunta muna kami ni Mica sa Cafeteria para kumain. Pagkatapos ay dumiretso na kami sa next class namin.
Nagdiscuss lang si sir about Building Technology Alternative.
"Bored pile, also called drilled shaft, is a type of reinforced-concrete foundation that supports structures with heavy vertical loads. A bored pile is a cast-in-place concrete pile, meaning the pile is cast on the construction site. Bored piling is cast by using bored piling machine which has specially designed drilling tools, buckets and grabs, it's used to remove the soil and rock." He explained.
"So what are the advantages? We already discuss that. Give me one Fernandez." He glanced at me.
"Ito na nga ba ang sinasabi ko, laging may pa surprise si Sir ampucha." I said to myself before I stand up.
"One advantage is piles of variable can be extended through soft compressible or swelling soils, into suitable bearing material and Piles can be extended to depths below frost penetration, and seasonal moisture variation." I proudly said.
"Very well said Fernandez." He smiled at me.
Nagpatuloy lang ang discussion namin hanggang sa maubos ang oras. Pagkatapos ng klase ay dumiretso ako sa music hall kasama si Mica.
"Hi guys! Kamusta kayo?" Bati ko sakanila.
"Ayos lang kami, mamimiss ka lang namin. Sayang 'di namin kayo makakasabay gumraduate." Malungkot na sabi ni Dax.
"Try naming pumunta sa graduation niyo, lalo na pag hindi busy." I smiled at them.
"What are we going to do here?" Mica asked.
"Ano pa nga ba? Edi siyempre magbabonding tayo bago kami umalis sa school na 'to." Migs said.
"Mamimiss ko 'tong music hall." Dax sadly said.
"Guys ano ba? kahit gumraduate kayo, hindi magwawatak-watak ang banda! Dapat 'di tayo mawalan ng oras para sa grupong pinaghirapan natin lalo na ngayong kilala na ang Harmonious Band. Madami ng sumusuporta sa 'tin kahit na minsan nalang tayo tumugtog sa XG." I reminded them.
Nagbonding lang kami, sinulit namin ang oras na magkakasama kami. Sa totoo lang mamimiss ko silang makasalubong dito sa school campus. Sila lang 'yung mga naging malapit kong kaibigan ngayong nag college ako, kaya ang hirap nilang pakawalan. Kaya sana kahit na graduate na sila buo pa din ang banda.
Matapos naming magbonding ay mayroong tumawag sa 'kin sa phone akala ko kung sino si Rigel pala.
"Hello?" My brows furrowed.
"Hello Cass go outside, I'm here." Rigel said.
"Wait lang, palabas na." I rolled my eyes, then I ended the call.
Nakita ko agad siyang nakasandal sa kotse niya at nakapamulsa, ang gwapo niya kapag nakasuot siya ng formal attire. Magti-three years na kami pero in love na in love pa din kami sa isa't-isa, walang nagbago sa 'min kahit naging busy kaming pareho.
I walk towards him, I crossed my arms then I raised my brow.
"What?" Masungit kong tanong.
"Get in, let's go on a date." He chuckles.
"Ayoko nga!" I rolled my eyes.
"You're still mad?" He asked.
"No, I'm just pissed." I rolled my eyes again.
"I'm sorry Cass." He held my waist then he hugged me from my back and kiss me on my cheeks.
Sinubukan kong itulak siya pero 'di ko magawa dahil nanglalambot ako. Binuksan niya na ang shotgun door at pinaupo ako sa loob. Nagsimula na siyang magmaneho.
"How's school? How are you? Did you eat?" Sunod-sunod niyang tanong.
"Okay naman, nakakapagod pero laban lang! Kumain na kami kanina kasama ko band mates ko." I casually said.
"Just sleep for a while I'll wake you up when we get there."
Natulog muna 'ko dahil kulang ang tulog ko kagabi. Nang magising ako ay nakapark na ang kotse niya. Agad akong lumabas ng kotse at hinampas siya kahit nakatalikod pa.
"Sabi mo gigisingin mo 'ko?" I frown.
"I don't want to wake you up, you look really tired, so let's go?" He held my hand then we walk towards the sunflower field.
Nag enjoy ako dahil napakaganda ng lugar parang isang paraiso. Kinuhanan niya ko ng maraming picture at nagpapicture din kaming dalawa. Hinatak niya ko hanggang sa makarating kami sa gitna.
My eyes widened when he suddenly kiss me, passionate yet polite. We stared at each other with the same intensity then he pulled me closer to hugged me.
Matapos naming mamasyal ay kumain muna kami sa restaurant at hinatid niya na 'ko pauwi.
Lumipas ang isang linggo na parehas kaming busy, ako sa pag aaral at siya naman sa pagtatrabaho. We stayed focused on our main priorities. Bihira man naming makita ang isa't-isa pero 'di nababawasan ang pagmamahal namin. Araw-araw niyang pinaparamdam sa 'kin na mahalaga at espesiyal ako para sakaniya kahit hindi kami mag kita.
From Rigel:
Have you eaten? I have a good news! I'm finally promoted as Marketing Director.
To Rigel:
Woahhh really? I'm so proud of you Rigel. Congrats! We need to celebrate that.
From Rigel:
Yes we will celebrate it later. Tonight at my condo.
Matapos ang klase namin ay agad akong nag tungo sa palengke para bumili ng mga kakailanganin ko sa pagluluto ng paborito ni Rigel. Pagkatapos kong mamalengke ay dumiretso na ko sa condo niya.
Habang wala pa siya, nagluto na 'ko para pag dating niya ay handa na ang lahat.
"Cass is that my favorite?" Excited niyang tanong.
"Oo pinagluto kita, Congrats Rigel!" I walk towards him to gave him a warm embrace.
Sobrang natutuwa 'ko dahil lahat ng hirap at pagod niya sa trabaho ay nasusuklian.
Nag handa na 'ko ng pagkain at kumain kaming dalawa. Kapag ako talaga nagluluto ng pagkain andami niyang nakakain.
"Cass I'm planning to build our own house. Can you do a lay out and design for it?" He seriously asked.
"What?" I was so shocked.
"Can you make a house plan for our future house?"
"Seryoso ka ba Rigel?" My brows furrowed.
"Yes, I'm sure about it because I'm sure that you will be my future wife."
"Anlakas mo!" I whispered to myself.
"Okay, I'll do it." I wink at him.
"Cass I'm going to U.S this week, mommy needs treatment. So I need to accompany her."
"What happened to your mom?" I curiously asked.
"She was diagnosed with cancer and we need the best doctor and advance technology enable to treat her." I can sense the sadness in his voice.
"Your mom will be fine." I patted his back to console him.
Weeks passed by, Rigel and her mom already flown to U.S.
To Rigel:
How are and your mom? Take care always, don't forget to eat.
From Rigel:
Mom's having a chemo therapy right now. I'm fine don't worry about me. I missed you already Cassiopeia.
To Rigel:
I miss you too and I love you. Aren't you going home for our 3rd Anniversary?
From Rigel:
I can't Cass I'm sorry, I'll make it up to you when I got home.
To Rigel:
It's okay your mom needs you the most, I'm fine don't worry about me.
Weeks passed then our Anniversary came. I went to Rigel's condo, hoping that he would go home even though, I know he's still in US right now. We had a video chat earlier this morning that's why it's impossible.
So I was surprised when I saw him standing in front of the door.
"Am I delusional?" I asked.
"No Cass you're not." He run towards me to hugged me then he gave me a soft kiss."
"Happy 3rd Anniversary Rigel! Nakakainis ka naman! Akala ko 'di ka talaga makakauwi eh." I pouted my lips.
He kissed me then I gave him the house plan that I draw for our future house. He also gave me an Enchanted Rose flower lamp from US.
"It's just a prank Cass, you're my home. No matter where I go, I always knew my way back to you because you're my compass star Cassiopeia. Happy 3rd Anniversary thank you for another 365 beautiful days with you. One more year with you is another gift from God and I'm so thankful for that. You taught me so many things in life, you help me grow and you taught me to appreciate everything. Thank you for being the best buddy. I'm so happy when I annoyed you but believe me Cass I love you and you're the greatest blessing in my life." Rigel said sincerely while looking in my eyes.
__________________________________