Salem's Eyes (COMPLETED)

29 Salem

It was Caius' graduation today. Maaga akong nagising dahil nagboluntaryo akong ihahatid ko sila sa school. I'd be using Amara's car. Hindi na nga n'ya 'yon ginagamit dahil si Eli na ang sumusundo at naghahatid sa kanya. My mom couldn't come because of work but she bought him a gift. Besides, I was sure he'd spend the summer break in my house often.

I was wearing a simple maroon spaghetti strap plaid dress and my ankle boots. I checked myself in the mirror once more. Kinuha ko ang paper bags na nakapatong sa kama ko atsaka na bumaba.

My mother got him backpack and black shoes for college. I got him a new headphone for his online games. Sometimes, I couldn't help it but spoil him.

Mabilis akong nakarating sakanila. Noong makapasok ako sa bahay nila ay nag-aaway pa ang mag-ina dahil sa necktie ni Caius.

"Tita," I called. Nawala ang pagkakakunot ng noo n'ya noong makita n'ya ako.

"Salem, ikaw na nga ang maglagay nito at hindi ko alam kung paano." aniya.

She was wearing a pink dress. Bagay din n'ya ang light make-up n'ya. Her hair was up in a neat bun.

I wonder if Caius' sisters would be here later. Hindi naman din ganoon ka-engrande ang handaan. Sa pagkakaalam ko, lunch ang inihanda nila para sa iilang bisita. The kitchen was busy. Naroon sina aling Ros at iilang kapitbahay para tumulong.

I went to Caius while his mother went to the huge mirror to check herself.

He was wearing a black longsleeve shirt. Nakatuck-in 'yon ay may suot s'yang bagong belt. His hair was brushed up and he looked very handsome.

Inabot ko ang tie na nakasabit na sa leeg n'ya. "Don't frown." malambing kong sabi.

He looked peeved. Siguro ay pinagalitan s'ya ni tita.

After I fixed his tie, I clung my arms around his neck. I tiptoe and stole a quick kiss, not minding if tita saw us. Napatitig ako sa mukha n'ya noong may tumakas na maliit na ngiti sa labi n'ya. I had the urge to kiss him again but I stopped myself. Nakakahiya na.

"I'm so proud of you." I whispered. Mas lalong lumaki ang ngiti n'ya.

I could still remember how we made up the next day when we fought. It wasn't dramatic as I thought it would be. Noong umuwi ako ng gabing 'yon ay hindi kami nagkatext or nagtawagan katulad ng nakasanayan namin. Of course, I wanted to call him but he said he needed time to think. Hindi ako nakatulog kakaisip nung nangyari. Hinimay ko lahat ng pinag-usapan namin. I found out that he got a point.

The next day, he showed up in my house early in the morning just after my mom left for work. We didn't even say anything to each other. Nagtitigan lang kami na parang naiintindihan na namin ang isa't isa. Nagyakapan kami. He told me how much he loves me and that was enough, more than enough even.

"Talaga?" he asked, his eyes were twinkling.

Napatitig muli ako sa mukha n'ya. I hope the delight and happiness in his eyes would never change. Sana ay hindi mawala ang ngiti n'yang isa sa maraming dahilan kung bakit nahulog ako sa kanya.

"Always."

Katabi ko si tita dahil kaming dalawa lang ang sumama sa graduation. She told me that her daughters and grandchildren would come later at lunch. Hindi ko pa sila nami-meet dahil madalang lang silang umuwi gawa na rin ng malayo sila mula dito. Caius said they knew me. His siblings even added me on facebook.

"Salamat dahil nandyan ka para tulungan s'ya." ani tita habang pinapanood namin si Caius na maglakad patungo sa stage.

"Magaling po si Caius. I just simply gave him encouragement."