Thorns of Roses

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

The night life in Indonesia is very promising. Kararating lang namin dito noong isang araw. Ako, si Ate, si Karl at si Papa. We're in it for a summer vacation, habang si Ate ay may business such things. I don't know what to do in Jakarta except to stroll. Bukas, didiretso kami sa Bali.

"Ang ganda ng painting mo, Karl." I commented nang bumalik ako sa loob ng hotel room after some fine sight-seeing on the terrace.

Ngumiti lamang si Karl si akin. She is already decided in pursuing architecture, pero hindi sa Pilipinas. Dahil hindi papayag si Papa na walang Engr. sa harap ng pangalan namin. I think she's getting an Architectural Engineering degree sa ibang bansa.

It's pretty hard. Ate JC wated to pursue psychology pero wala siyang ibang choice dahil utos ni Papa ang pagiging engineer. Habang ako, gusto kong magsundalo pero mukhang malabo.

I feel like it's an unspoken rule to us; be an engineer first so you could live your life the way you want it. I'm not regretful tho.

You just can't have everything in life.

Nagngising aso ako at mas lalong lumapit sa kanyang painting. It's a girl, with a red hair. Maayos ang hulma ng labi, ilong at korte ng mukha nito. Ngunit may sumisibol na bulaklak sa kanyang mata.

"What will you name it?"

"Blossom." Sagot niya at tinulak ang mukha ko palayo sa painting.

"Wow. Gawan mo ng series; si Blossom, Bubbles tsaka si Buttercup."

Umiling lamang siya sa akin. What? It's good! Si Blossom ito dahil pink and mga flowers na nilagay niya. Tapos kay Bubbles naman ay blue tapos kay Buttercup green. It's a great idea! Pero hindi ko siya pipilitin.

Lahat na lang ata ng sinasabi ko biro sa kanila. 'Tampo na ako.

Suddenly, my phone beeped and I run into it.

Crushie:

Good evening. I miss you.

It's been months noong umamin ako and I know something's changed. Noong mismong gabing hinain ko sa kanya ang aking nararamdaman, he didn't answer. He just hugged me.

Someone filmed it and uploaded the video on the internet at nagviral pa iyon. Kalauna'y humupa na rin, maliban na lamang sa 5 malakas mang-asar sa akin. May iilan siyempreng negatibo ang pananaw; that I am a girl and I should respect myself, hindi iyong binibigay ko nang buo ang aking sarili.

Girl my ass. I don't need such gender to pursue someone. If I like him, I like him. End of the story. Double standards lang kayo e.

But in a way, Sir was more attentive to me. Madalas niya rin akong hinahatid sundo mula LSU at condo. We would dine out sometimes and I am happier than ever. First sem noong unang beses kaming nagkita sa classroom, at second sem noong umamin ako. Hindi naman mabilis.

Masaya nga talaga siguro kapag walang label.

I smiled at the text and replied. Mabilis ding lumipas ang mga oras at kalauna'y nasa Bali na kami.

I waved at Karl na nakaupo mag-isa sa isang sun lounger sa ilalim ng na maliit hut. She's pretty much enjoying the view, pakiramdam ko'y next week may painting na kami nito.

I clicked the camera at my bared feet. Ang pinong buhangin ng Bali ay hindi kasing pino ng sa Boracay. But it's still fascinating as ever. The blistering morning sun is very warm but the cool air can still be felt.

Hindi lamang beach and naroon, sa mga susunod na araw pupunta kami sa iba pang sights.

I am wearing a brown high waisted bikini and its pair of top in a crochet material. My dark complexion paired it so much. Kakaonti lang din ang tao kaya mataas pa ang aking confidence.