Every Step Away

ESA44

ESA44

She's love.

At a young age, I already know how to describe what I feel every time I look at her.

We met when we were young at our piano class. Siya iyong hindi nakikipag-usap sa mga kasama namin at nasa gilid lang kaya siya ang nilapitan ko. A pretty kid in her cute pink dress.

Ang sungit nung una. Mukhang wala talagang hilig sa pakikipagkaibigan. But the more that I tried to annoy her every time we meet, the more I see something special. Doon kami nag umpisa sa walang katapusang pag-aasaran at pag-aaway.

Ang aga ko siyang nagtagpuan. Ngunit ang aga niya ding nasira ng mundo. I was there when the world crumble down on her little feet as she cries. Nakakapanibago. Yung mataray, matapang, at palaging kong kaaway, umiiyak na para bang hindi siya iyong nakilala ko noon.

That moment, I feel the urge and want to stay by her side and protect her.

Unknowingly, I vowed to belong only to her...

"Heze!"

Agad akong lumingon dahil sa boses niyang narinig ko. Bakit siya nandito? It's weekend! Tuwing weekend ay naroon siya sa kanyang tatay sa Cavite.

"Oh? Bakit ka nandito?" tanong ko, kahit sa totoo lang, masaya akong makita ko siya dito.

Nasa isang subdivision lang kami at madalas talaga siya dito sa bahay namin. I know she just doesn't like to stay on her mother's house.

"Wala si Daddy. Out-of-town vacation ata..." she answered as she sat beside me and immediately hug the throw pillow.

This girl really loves fluffy things.

"Bakit hindi ka sumama?" tanong ko sa kanya.

Sumimangot siya. She still looks cute, though.

"Mapapanis lang laway ko don!"

"Bakit kasi ayaw mong makipagkaibigan..."

That's half-hearted. I wanted her to enjoy her life and have a lot of friends. But at the same time, I feel a little selfish of her... I don't want her attention to someone else.

I'll be anything for you, Chrysanthe.

"Duh? Hindi ko kailangan non. I have Iris, Theo, Rash, Six, and you! Actually, kahit ikaw nga lang, ayos na ako eh!" she looks proud and dreamily as she gazed at the blank space.

Sinamantala ko ang pagkatulala niya upang matitigan siya.

Ang natural na bagsak niyang itim na buhok ay nagiging kayumanggi kapag nasisikatan ng araw. Her lovely deep set of eyes, high cheekbones, and pointed nose. Ang labi niyang palaging mamula-mula. She looks very mature even if we're just 14. But on my mind, she's still that pretty little girl in her pink dress who caught my eyes the first time I saw her.

Kaibigan.

I'm her best friend.

But I can see her more than that.

Ilang beses kong sinubukan siya. Malaki ang tiwala ko saaking sarili. Buong buhay ko, hindi ko kailanman kinatakutang harapin ang mga bagay na gusto ko. Pero pagdating sa kanya, nawawalan ako ng kumpyansa at lakas ng loob.

Kaya palagi kong iniipon ang tapang ko. I want more from her... but I guess, my role in her life is just a best friend.

"Syempre... possible talagang mangyari 'yon. Pwede naman ah..." puno ng malisya kong saad habang nananatyang nakatingin sa kanya.