She Found A Girl

Seven

Author's Note:

Support the Green Archers and the Lady Spikers! Let's send them messages of encouragement and affirmation when we can, G? ^^ Thank you!

ARA

Hindi ako nakakibo sa sinabi niya. How should I react to that? I just gained a friend in Thomas. At kahit aminin ko pa na kinikilig ako sa mga bagay na ginagawa niya, wala pa ako sa position to entertain him or any suitor for that matter. I'm not even sure about myself right now.

I suddenly felt him poke my shoulder, making me turn towards his direction.

"Mommy ko lang 'yon. Wag kang mag-alala, di ako umaasa ngayon.", he said. A genuine smile was painted on his face, making me smile in relief.

"Birthday ko ba?", bigla niyang sabi.

"Huh?"

"Napangiti kita eh. Hay, kung alam ko lang na ganito pala yung rewards, matagal na akong nag-aral ng Tagalog."

"Sira.", I chuckled and gently pushed him by the shoulder.

"Mas lalo kang gumaganda kapag nakangiti. I feel blessed to have finally witnessed it.", Thomas said as he held his gaze on me.

"OA nito.", sabi ko lang.

"Totoo nga.", he insisted.

I smiled and just nodded my head.

"Salamat... Thomas."

--

Nagdesisyon kaming umuwi pagkatapos naming maubos yung ice cream. On the drive back, tinanong ni Thomas kung anong gagawin ko sakaling nasa bahay pa rin si Papa. I told him na susubukan ko siyang kausapin. He patted my head with one hand after hearing my response, his other hand remained on the steering wheel.

We reached our house in no time at bumaba agad si Thomas para pagbuksan ako ng pinto.

"Ok lang bang sumama ako sayo sandali? Magpapakilala lang ako. Aalis din ako agad.", he asked and I nodded willingly. To be honest, I'm thankful for his presence because that would give me enough time to warm up bago ko kausapin ang mga magulang ko nang kami lang.

Pumasok kami sa loob at naabutan sina Papa na nakaupo sa dining area. The table was set for four. Naunang lumapit si Thomas at nagmano siya sa mga magulang ko. I couldn't help but smile at the gesture.

"Ah, Sir, Ma'am. Ako po pala si Thomas Torres.", he introduced himself. "Pasensya na po kung bigla po kaming umalis ni Ara kanina. Sinamahan ko lang po siyang mag-agahan sa plaza.", he narrated.

"Kaano-ano ka ng anak ko?", tanong ni Papa.

"Kaibigan po, Sir.", sagot niya.

"Ah Thomas. Salamat at sinamahan mo si Ara ha. Maupo na kayo at dito ka na mag-lunch.", aya sa kanya ni Mama.

"Ay salamat na lang po. Busog pa rin naman po ako sa kinain namin. Tutuloy na po ako.", he said, bowing his head.

"Hatid ko lang po siya sa labas.", sabi ko.

"Mag-ingat ka, iho.", pahabol ni Papa noong nakatalikod na kami. Thomas turned back and nodded at my father. Pagharap niya ay napansin kong nagpipigil siya ng ngiti.