With All Might

Kabanata 21

Future

"Paano ang pasok mo? It's not yet semestral break." tanong ko nang nasa high-way na kami at di alam saan ang pagdadalhan niya sa'kin.

"I'm only staying here until tomorrow... I'm sorry." malungkot siyang bumaling sa'kin saglit.

Nakakapang-hinayang man but that's the reality. We are still studying and struggling to build our names.

I smile without teeth. "It's okay. I'm just worried about your school. Kailan ka lang pala naka uwi?"

"Don't worry about my school. Nagawan ko naman ng paraan. I just arrive today."

Lumingon uli ako sa backseat at sa baba ng upoan, napansin ko ang maliit na travel bag. He really is going to stay until tomorrow. It only means, we only have at least twenty-four hours!

Sa tanang buhay ko, hindi ko pinapahalagahan ang oras. I always enjoy and spoil myself by going out with my two bestfriends and most of the time, hindi ako productive kahit sa escuela o bahay. Ngayon lang dahil graduating na ako at nagsisikap na makakuha ng magandang marka at nang magsimulang mag trabaho tuwing weekend sa hacienda.

"But does Tita Mariella at Tito Heu know?"

He smile without teeth and shook his head. "Pero sasabihin ko naman mamaya... Pag uwi."

"O-okay..."

I stay silent then. Napatingin ako sa suot kong damit at ngayon ko lang natanto na naka red round neck t-shirt Senior High uniform at jeans pa ako. Every opening during intrams, each year level is required to do a Saludo. And for our batch, we are required to wear this uniform. We even win because we had the most cheerful Saludo prod number.

Napatingin ako sa nadaanang welcome sign. Hindi ko namalayan na naka labas na kami ng Almendra at ngayon nasa Ilaya na kami. Ito ang pinaka huling bayan ng Zaccarrio kung galing Manila at ang susunod nito, ibang probinsya na.

"Where are we going by the way?" I ask while my eyes couldn't take off from the familiar place.

"To our date." he smile slowly.

Hindi nalang ako nag tanong pa at medyo nalulunod ako sa kakaisip sa suot kong damit. I didn't change and I was sweating this morning because of our Saludo prod. And I didn't have the chance to check my face if my light make up is ruin!

"Uhh... Kung may gasoline station tayong madaanan, can we pull over?" sabay baling ko sa kanya.

"Why? Naiihi ka ba? Or do you want to buy water?" he ask like I'm a little kid na dinala niya para ipasyal.

I frown at him. "Uhh.. I just want to change my clothes and wash my face. Ikaw kasi... You didn't tell me you're going home and you're going to pick me up in school for a date. I didn't prepare myself."

He laugh at me softly. "You're already beautiful in my eyes, Zaccary."

"Pero amoy araw ako!"

"Not that I don't smell that before when we were kids. Lagi kang amoy pawis dati e." pagbibiro niya dahilan ng pagkurot ko sa kanyang braso at pag daing niya.

"Basta mag stop over tayo!"

I sigh in relief when we pull over to a small cafe. Mabuti nalang talaga at dala ko pa ang isang extra t-shirt sa bag ko. But I don't have extra jeans and I'm just wearing a Vans sneakers! I really look like a school kid .

Nag hilamos ako ng mukha. Good thing I always bring my hygiene kit. I change my clothes. Now I'm wearing a light baby blue mid crop top shirt. Hapit ito sa katawan ko pero high waist naman ang suot kong jeans kaya makikita lang ang pusod ko kapag maglilikot ako ng sobra.