ROMEO AND ROMEO (Montana Series 1 | BXB)

25: Fresh Lilac

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Staying at Camp Hennery was a vortex of new discoveries and feelings. I discovered many things not only about myself, but also about the people around me. Naintindihan ko na kung ano talaga ang layunin ni Mr. Torres sa camp na iyon, ang bigyan kami ng pagkakataon na makilala ang aming mga sarili.

"Sorry, I'm late," I said, catching my breath.

"Akala ko ay hindi ka na sisipot," sambit ni Andres habang nakatayo kami sa waiting shed. It's weekend so he asked me out for a date. Our first official date.

"Saan ba tayo pupunta?"

"Sa San Sebastian," nakangiti niyang sagot.

My eyes widened in an instant. "Are you serious?"

"Yes," he smiled confidently.

I was about to respond, but a bus stopped in front of us. Andres quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me inside the bus like an excited kid.

"Huy? Seryoso ka ba?" muli kong tanong nang makaupo na kami.

He drew a wide smile. "I told you, I'm not here to play some games."

"Pero ang layo ng San Sebastian. Isa pa ay hapon na. It will take us 12 hours to reach it."

"That's the point, Elio. Hindi ba't ayaw mong ipaalam sa iba ang relasyon natin? Kaya naisipan kong idala ka na lang sa malayo para makapag-date tayo ng maayos. Sa lugar kung saan walang nakakakilala sa'tin."

I wanted to argue, but his excited face obstructed me. This trip meant so much to him, I could tell. The bus bumped along the country road, heading south to San Sebastian. That city called as the capital of romance. It's a perfect place for a couple to spend time for a date.

"Are you excited?" he asked.

"Yeah. But I'm thinking what would I tell to Dad. Magugulat 'yon pag sinabi kong hindi ako uuwi ngayong gabi."

"You don't need to bother yourself about that. Nakapagpaalam na ako sa kanya."

Napakunot ako ng noo. "Pinaalam mo ako kay Dad na pumunta sa malayo at pumayag siya?"

"Yes. Alam mo, Elio. Kahit hindi natin sabihin kay Tito Peter ang tungkol sa'tin, alam kong boto siya sa'kin bilang son in law niya."

I felt my cheeks reddened for what he said. "Son in law?" I giggled a little. "I didn't know you have a futuristic thinking."

He brought his face close to mine. "Why? Ayaw mo ba akong pakasalan balang araw?"

"Hindi natin alam ang pwedeng mangyari sa hinaharap, Adee."

"Yes, but I'll do my best to make it happen."

Sasagot na sana ako ngunit mabilis niya akong hinalikan. It lasted for three seconds. I looked around, hoping no one saw it. Mabuti na lamang ay tulog na ang ibang pasahero ng bus.

"Matulog ka na," nakangiti nitong sabi. "Babantayan kita. I'll wake you up when we get there."

I was still in shock when he kissed me, so I just gave him a smile and turned my head to the window. I still couldn't help but feel surprised with Andres' actions. We used to argue over small things, and having him as my partner was a massive irony of our lives.

Makalipas ang ilang oras ay ginising na ako ni Andres. "We're here," he said with all smiles.

Nang bumaba kami sa bus ay bumungad sa'min ang magandang lugar ng San Sebastian. The city glistened in the morning light. Tall buildings with Roman architectural designs reached for the sky as far as my eyes could see. Shops opened their doors, and the aroma of fresh bread and coffee spilling out onto the sidewalks.