To Have and To Hold

Chapter 2: Baby Steps

Carrie.

First Day of High School. Yep, turning Grade 7 na ako and so as Chris. After I met him in the playground, we were inseparable. I guess he's a man of words, after all. Nung sinabi niya talaga na he'll be right here with me forever, hanggang ngayon nasa tabi ko pa din siya. 

Years ago, after playing with Chris, pinakilala ko agad siya kay Mommy. Mommy, on the other hand was so happy na finally, magkaka-social life na daw ang only child niya. I saw how happy she was when I got a new friend. Chris, meanwhile promised to my mom na sasamahan niya ako hanggang sa lumaki kami. I was surprised about what he promised to my mom. Hindi agad ako naniwala sa kanya because maybe he's just like my dad, he promised that he'll be there for me all throughout, but iniwan din pala ako sa ere.

But I know my dad was there, just right by my side. Di ko lang kita yun. 

I was busy tying my hair to ponytail when I heard a honk sa labas. And now, someone's knocking the door. 

"Mom, is that you? Wait lang, tatapusin ko muna to!" I shouted.

"Hoy, pagong! Bilis, dali na! Malalate tayo! Alam mo naman gaano ka traffic dito sa Cagayan De Oro!" Chris replied. 

I was shocked. Ihahatid niya ako? 

Binuksan ko ang pintuan and I saw him wearing a sky blue polo, partnered with denim pants and white sneakers. Parang pinaghandaan, ha?

"Ihahatid mo ko, unggoy?" I curiously asked. 

"Of course! Masyado ng traffic sa uptown, dadagdagan mo pa ng isang sasakyan. And besides, baka mapagod lang si Tita. Diba, Tita?" Chris jokingly replied.

My mom laughed and replied. "Yes, Carrie anak! Sumabay ka na kay Chris. You two, go to school and have fun today, okay?"

My brows furrowed. Is she fangirling me and Chris? Nako, ito talaga si Mommy oh! Sobrang cheesy. 

Kinuha agad ni Chris and bag ko at hinila na niya ako patungong sasakyan. We should leave now, kasi kung hindi, panigurado late na kami. Masyado pa namang traffic ang Uptown kada umaga, pati na rin uwian. 

Chris' driver dropped us off to our school, Xavier University Junior High School. Dream school namin to ni Chris ever since elementary. Di din naman kami doon nag Grade School, but we promised each other to stay together pagka High School. And here we are, finally reaching the stepping stones of our achievement. High School na kami agad. 

"Hey Carrie, let's go inside?" Chris offered. 

Tumango ako at we went inside. Marami palang tao dito, no? I suddenly felt shy and naka tingin lang ako sa sahig, not when Chris held my hand. 

"Don't be scared. Andito lang ako, classmates naman tayo eh. Tabi tayo para di ka mahiya, okay?" he encouraged. I was too hesitant to reply to him. I just looked up and smile. 

Yes, andyan naman si Chris, Carrie eh. Breathe in, breathe out. Inhale, Exhale. 

Pumunta agad kami sa classroom namin sa second floor. Huminga ako ng malalim at pumasok sa assigned room namin ni Chris. Because we are both S-- Sanchez and Solomon, magkatabi kami ng upuan. Nasa may bintana ako, tapos si Chris naman is on my right.

I guess we are over 30 students in this section? Magiging kaibigan ko ba silang lahat? Can I please everyone?

"Good Morning Class," My teacher showed up to class today. 

"Good Morning, Ma'am!" Everybody answered. 

"Please take a seat. We'll just have time to introduce ourselves today. I'm Thea Bautista, you can call me Teacher Thea, or Ma'am Thea. If you need me, don't hesitate to approach me. Is it okay, class?"