Not Me

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

I thought he'd take me to the mall for the nth time. Turns out, I also have certain expectations from him.

For once, I did not question anything. I trust him so much that I let him bring me somewhere even without me knowing where he will lead me.

Buti na lang at handa siya. He brought me jacket dahil nakakapaso daw ng balat kung sasabak kami sa byahe nang sobrang araw. And for whatever reason, handa rin siya sa helmet because he gave me his spare one.

I thought we were just exploring Manila until suddenly, it felt nostalgic. I felt closer to home.

"Parang Ilocos." I softly told him. Hindi ko alam kung narinig niya ba ako dahil masyadong maingay pala kapag nakasakay sa motor but I think he did dahil bumagal na ang andar niya.

I think this is what he really wanted to show me.

Sobrang ganda. It felt historical dahil sa hitsura ng lugar but I can't help but to feel mixed emotions dahil para niya akong dinala sa Ilocos and it made me miss our place even more.

"Ang tagal na kitang gustong yayain dito. Hindi ko lang alam paano tayo pupunta kaya ngayon lang." He uttered. Nilakasan niya ang boses niya para masigurong marinig ko ang sinabi niyang 'yon.

Sobrang lawak ng lugar na inikot namin and I can't help but to be amazed na may ganitong lugar pala sa Maynila. Akala ko, our university is already the most historical place in Manila but this place can compete. I think, even more historical than our university.

"So, saan mo gustong pumunta?" He stopped driving to ask me that. I think nalibot na namin lahat ng kayang puntahan kaya pinapapili niya na ako ngayon kung saan ko gustong magpunta.

Sa sobrang tagal naming umikot sa lugar, inabot na kami ng tanghali and I think kailangan na naming kumain talaga.

"Sa kainan." I don't know if he heard it too but I felt sadness in my voice when I said that. Para akong batang hindi pinakain kaya natawa na lang ako.

"Okay. I think kainan naman 'tong Ilustrado." He answered. Muli ay pinaandar niya ang motor. Malapit na lang naman iyon kaya't nakarating kami agad sa lugar.

And again, it felt like home. I saw a familiar dish that made me feel at home already.

"Grabe. Alam na alam mo yata 'tong lugar. Nakarating ka na rito?" I asked. Hindi ako makapaniwalang nalibot niya ako nang ganoon.

"Hindi pa. First time ko rin." He answered which surprised me even more.

"Ang galing! To think na random gala lang 'to, ha?" I added.

"Alam ko naman kasing magugustuhan mo rito kaya nagsearch na ako dati kung saan kita pwedeng dalhin na matutuwa ka." He explained and I was touched. Hindi ko inasahang ganoon na ka-importante sa kanya 'yong happiness ko to a point na napasearch pa pala siya kung saan ako dadalhin. Not to say na hindi pa namin pinlano 'tong lakad na 'to.

"Thank you, Val. I appreciate it."