Your Choice Over Mine

002

"Francis, pakikuha nong isang tray ng orders please." I was about to reply at Francis' message when Aliyah came.

Naiwan kaming dalawa ni Aliyah sa table. "Why are you so wet? I mean your face is wet." biglang saad ng bestfriend ko. Hindi ko siya sinagot. I was literally focusing on my phone right now. What the heck is happening to me. His message really left a huge effect on me.

"Our food is ready, ladies."
Itinago ko na ang phone ko sa bag pagdating ni Francis, it's time to eat f. Food not Francis.

_____________________

Nakauwi na ako sa bahay. Dumiretso agad ako sa kwarto ko dahil sa pagod. I was about to change my clothes when someone knocked. "Come in." I said, " You come out lil sis, may naghahanap sa'yo sa baba."
Nagtaka ako sa sinabi ni kuya. Imposible naman na si Aliyah kasi magkasama lang kami kanina.

"Sino?" tanong ko bago napag-isipang buksan ang pinto. "Bumaba ka nalang, basta lalaki siya."

Kainis naman talaga. Bumungad ba naman sa akin ang mukha ni Francis. Ano ba kasi ginagawa niya dito? Pinadala ba siya ni Aliyah?

"Uh, pwede magtanong?"
"Sure Gene."
What the heck! Gene? "Excuse me Mr. Ignacio, just to inform you, I hate being called by my second name." "I know that's why I like calling you by your second name. I love teasing you, Apple." nilapit niya ang kanyang mukha sa akin na para bang hahalikan niya ako.

We heard a fake cough. "Anak, may bisita ka pala." hala nakita ni mama yung position namin kanina.

"Uhm mama galing ka po palengke?" tumango lang ito. "Ma, si Francis po. Aliyah's cousin." lumapit si Francis ka mama at nagmano. "Magandang gabi po, Mrs. Tolentino." "Call me tita nalang iho, masyado ka naman yatang pormal." at tumawa silang dalawa.

"You join us nalang sa dinner, masarap magluto yung panganay ko." pagyayaya ni mama sa kaniya. "It's my pleasure but I guess Gene won't let me join you po."
Biglang bumilog ang aking mata sa narinig. Tinignan ako ni mama ng may halong katanungan. "Ano ka ba Francis, syempre walang problema sa akin kung sasamahan mo kaming kumain."

•
Hinatid ko si Francis sa may gate dahil uuwi na ito. He held my hands before he came out from the gate. "Bitiwan mo ako." "I will. I am just testing if it fits mine."

Ano ba kasi inilihi ng mama nito at ang hilig magpakilig. Wait, no, hindi ako kinikilig.

"You are blushing." biglang sabi niya. "Ilusyon mo lang yan. You can now go home, baka hinahanap ka na nina Aliyah or your parents." I smiled as I said those words.

"I'll get going. Bye." maikling saad nito. Pagkapasok ko sa bahay ay nakaabang sina kuya at mama. "At bakit kayo nakaabang?" tanong ko, "Why are you holding each other's hand?" my brother asked back. "You saw it? It's nothing, he just want to know if ano ba future ko. Manghuhula kasi siya, kuya."

"Hindi mo ako maloloko, diba mama?"
Nakatingin lang si mama sa amin. "I'm not kidding nga, alam mo ba kuya. Nahulaan niya na, hindi magiging kayo ni Liya."

Tumawa kaming dalawa ni mama at iniwan na si kuya sa sala. "Ma, sa kwarto na po ako. I have to get ready my things for tomorrow, alam niyo na po first day of school." "Sige anak, matulog kana pagkatapos. Good night." I kissed mom and went to my room.

______________________________

Its been an hour and now I finished all the things that I have to do. I took a half bath and wear my pajama terno.

Humiga na ako sa kama at nag sroll sa social media. Later on, I decided na matulog na since maaga pa ang pasok ko bukas. I was about to close my eyes when my phone receives a text message. It was from an unregistered number.

From: unknown
Goodnight to the APPLE to my pie. Sweet dreams.

The number then called me. Sinagot ko ito dahil curious ako kung sino siya.

"It's me, your future." then he ended the call

It's Francis.