LOVER 1 | Papers and Golds

1

Love is undecorated,

You'll tremble once you face your fated,

It will sometimes be complicated,

But it'll pass, just stay dedicated.

Adi's POV

The December breeze is wrapping me up with its cold embrace as I head for the rooftop of our Senior High School building. I can feel my heavy breath because of wandering in every nook and cranny of the school to find him. Sticky sweats are dripping in my face ruining the goddess-like image they built to define me but none of those matters right now, all I need is to find him.

What the hell?! Where did he hide himself this time? I already checked the library because he might be sleeping in the corner again but he's not in his usual spot. I also looked at the tree where we always hangout but he's not sitting on his favorite branch. It won't even be an exaggeration to say that I ran around the school this afternoon even though it's cold.

Last na 'to, kapag wala pa rin siya sa rooftop ewan ko na lang. Maniniwala na talaga ako sa sinabi ni Talliah na umuwi na siya. I just wanted to give him something but it's like he's hiding from-

"I like you."

"..."

"Uhm, mula pa nung junior high school. I really like the way you speak, how you present yourself in front of all our classmates. You always seem unbothered with your surrounding and just move in your own pace, I really admire you Gio."

What was that?! Another girl is confessing on him? Again? Pang-ilan na ba 'to ngayong buwan? The girl even sounds familiar! Sino na naman kayang nabiktima niya sa classroom?

I'll just go then; baka maka-istorbo pa ako and the girl would feel awkward too. I know that feeling, so maybe I'll just give this to him tomorrow?

I looked at the pink origami on my hand. A ring-shaped origami.

Sa sobrang focus ko sa papel na hawak ko hindi ko napansin yung lata ng pintura sa last step ng hagdan. I made a loud noise upon accidentally kicking the empty can. Sino ba kasi ang naglagay nito dito?

"Ehem!"

I slowly turned to look at the door atop these stairs and saw him. The man I've been looking for.

"Is it fun to spy on others' misery?" Misery mo mukha mo! I just looked at his baby face. It really looked so smooth and bouncy like tofu.

"Are you thinking of pinching my face?" He said with an arched brow.

"You really knew me well." I smiled sheepishly at him.

"Of course, Sa'yo lang ako nakatingin sa loob ng halos pitong taon." He's murmuring again. Pakiramdam ko minsan pinagmumura na ako ng baby tofu na 'to eh.

"I also know you're searching for me kaya bakit aalis ka? Kung hindi ko pa narinig yung lata, tatakbuhan mo pa ako." Dissatisfaction was written all over his cute face. He's frowning! I could see a real-life frowning tofu now.

"Ano hindi ka ba aakyat? Nangangawit akong humawak dito sa pinto."

"But..." with just one word, he knew what I meant. He looked back at the girl with him before hearing me.

Lumapit na ko sa kan'ya and tried to elongate my neck para makita yung babaeng kasama niya kanina pero hinaharangan niya ko. How could he be this tall? Mas matanda ako sa kan'ya!

"Who's that?" I asked out of curiosity when the girl started running down the stairs.

"Since when did you pay attention to these girls?" he asked while grinning.

"I'm just curious."

"Are you sad kasi hindi ko kinukwento sa'yo? You didn't ask so I thought..." I looked at his troubled face. Bouncy tofu!

"Hey! Feelingero ka na pala ngayon. Why are you making that face? Hindi mo naman obligation na ipaliwanag ang lahat sa akin." I wanted to brighten up his mood but he looked more troubled when I glance at him.

"Ehem! As you may have guessed a while ago, I came here to show you something." Come on; bite the bait so I don't need to coax you later.

"Hmm?" he answered me while looking at the field below us. Saan na naman 'to nakatingin nandito lang naman ako sa tabi niya.

"Give me your hand." He raised a brow at me but still gave me his hand.

"Here. I made this paper ring. Pres, taught me how so I made something that would fit on your ring finger." I anxiously looked at his face and found him grinning.

"So, nasaan yung para sa'yo?" he said with a smile in his handsome face.

"Why would I make one for myself? Nakakapagod kaya magtupi ng papel." Totoo naman kasi. Nakailang ulit pa ako bago ako ma-satisfied sa outcome. Thank goodness I gave it to him kung hindi sayang pagod ko kasi itatapon ko lang rin 'to.

"Then how will I seal my promise? Dapat dalawa ginawa mo."

"Anong promise pinagsasabi mo? Saka paghirapan mo kung may gusto ka 'wag yung hinihingi mo lang sakin."

"Hindi ko naman hiningi 'to, kusa mong binigay. Kailan ako nanghingi sa'yo?"

"Kahapon nanghingi ka ng ¼ paper sakin."

"Aba't sumbatan na ba ngayon? Ako nga gumagawa ng assignment mo sa math."

"Ang kapal ng mukha mo. Pinagluluto nga kita kapag pumupunta ka sa bahay."

"Maalat naman luto mo. Tinitiis ko lang talaga."

"Hoy, Huwag ka nang pupunta sa bahay ah. Hindi ko na gagawin notes mo."

"Sige, wala na rin Math mo. Bahala ka na diyan."

"Teka! Magluluto akong kaldereta mamaya. Favorite mo 'yun diba? Bati na tayo." I can't risk my math subject, siya personal calculator ko.

"Hindi ako makakapunta mamaya."

"Bakit may date kayo nung babae kanina?" he glance back at me after what I said.

"Huwag mong kakalimutan pangako mo."

"Alin? Ano ba yun?" Instead of answering my question, he just hugged me tight and muttered.

"You already gave me a paper ring. Now wait for me until I come back, I'll ask for your hand and give yours."