MEMORIES (Best Five Ever Series #1)

Chapter 15

Napa buntong hininga ako habang nagt-type sa laptap ko habang gumagawa ng practical research nandito rin sila Cardi , Chris, Sheila at Irej. Sila ang maka‐kasama ko gumawa nitong research paper. Dito sa bahay namin kami gumagawa ngayon.



Nakapag usap-usap na kami kung anong topic namin. At ngayon sinisimulan na namin ang Chapter 1, sabi ni Cardi mag-advance daw kami hanggang sa Chapter 3.Gano’n nga ang ginawa namin.



Buti na lang talaga naka hagip kami ng responsableng ka group.Sila sheila at Irej nag-tutulong sa Chapter 3, rinig na rinig ko ang bawat pag tipa nila ng typing board ng mga laptop nila. Kami naman ni Chris sa Chapter 2, at si Cardi naman nagsolo sa chapter 1 dahil siya naman ang nagprisinta na tapusin namin hanggang chater 3.



Magka kakabit narin ang aming topic dahil napagusapan na namin yon kanina. Kami rin ang magka-kasama hanggang sa matapos ang buong ng sem.



Sana all na lang talaga. Dalawang araw na kasi simula no'ng magsimula kami sa research at noong una magso-solo na sana ako kaya lang nalaman ko na magiging ka grupo si Chris at kulang pa si Cardi ng isang ka group, kaya ayon napa "sure,why not" ako sakaniya.



"Ugh! Nakakaantok yawa!" Napalingon ako kay Cardi ng biglang humikab.Naka tank top lamang ito kaya Kitang kita ang matitikas niyang mga balikat .



"Hoy,Michaella! Mata mo ah, 'di ko gusto yang tingin mo! ‘Di ako pumapatol sa kaibigan," Biglang ani niya kaya napailing naman ako at bumaliks a pagti tipa ng laptap.


"As if namng patulan rin kita 'e no?" Ani ko rito at napapa-iling.



Muli akong nag tipa sa laptop habang si Chris naman ay nagbabasa ng mga information tsaka niya sasabihin sa’min dahil ide-defence pa namin ito. Nalaman ko rin na dito siya na stress kaya raw laking pasalamat niyang kami ang kagrupo niya. Tinuruaan ko na siya kung ano ang mga posible question ng teacher namin at ang hinihiling na lang namin ay ‘wag sanang aabot ng bente ang tanong non.



Halos maduling na ako kakatipa rito letche. Tumigil ako sa pagt-type at humikab. Malapit na rin dumilim kaya naman napa tayo na ako.


"Arat sa baba. Kain muna tayo para bago kayo umalis, busog."Ani ko at akmang bubuksan na sana ang pinto ng study room pero naalala ko na day off nga pala ang cook namin.



Yawa anong ulam?



Humarap ako sakanila na nakasunod ko na pala, iniintay na buksan ko ang pinto. I can cook naman so I can cook for them, right? Wala pa si na mommy, ‘di ko sure kung makakauwi sila on time.



I heard Cardi sigh, "Alam,zy. Trip ko kumain buksan mo na yung pinto"



"Then let's eat," Sabi ko. Kahit ‘di pa sure.



"No,I mean cookies, cakes.Ganorn,miss ko na yung pagbi-bake ni Sandra 'e," Ani niya at napatango tango naman ako.



"Same...Tayo na lang kaya mag bake, wala ‘yung cook namin today, Cardi, "I said and crossed my arm and look at our group mates whose now listening to us.



He make face,"Boba. Ba’ka mamaya makapgtayo ng bahay niyan. Kami ni Chris ang engineer tas kayo magd-design,"



I laugh at it while shaking my head dahil sa kalokohan niya. Yawang 'to. I hope Mommy will come home na.



"Tamang crack lang egg, " I heard Sheila said.



"Tamang add some water," I added and laugh. Pati tuloy ako nadadamay sa mga kalokohan nila.




"Tamang halo lang flour na iniisip ay semento" Ani naman ni Irej na katabi ni Sheila.



Napa iling naman ako kay Cardi at hinihintay siyang dugtungan 'yon,"Then put it in the oven."



"Design it" Ani namna ni Chris, kaya naman napahagalpak kaming lahat sa tawa.



Okay, that was corny pero sakyan nalang natin.



"What will we get?" I ask while laughing loud.



"You got a baked house!"



"Gagi kayo!Tara na sa baba. Kanina pa tayo tutok d'yan baka namn mas lalo tayong tumalino. Kalerkey!"



Katulad ng sinabi niya agad kaming bumaba at pumunta na sa kusina,This was the first time na nagpa-pasok kami ng ibang tao sa bahay 'a.Though its fine kasi nag-paalam naman ako kila daddy.



Kinuha ko na ang choppingboard at kung ano ano pang ingredients na gagamitin ko sa ref na iluluto ko. Jeez pangatlong beses ko pa lang 'to iluluto.Una yung buhay pa si lola, tas nung makilalal ko sila cardi, pangatlo ‘yung ngayon !



Nawa'y mag tugma parin yung lasa yung lasa.



"Oh,ikaw maglu luto?" Ani ni Cardi habang naka bantay sa ginagawa ko na parang bata.



"Ay, 'di pa ba obvious?Hindi ako magluluto promise.Nagluluto lutuaan lang ako, "I sarcastically said. Nakita ko naman ang pagtawa niya kasabay ng pag irap.



"Bwisit ka!"Ani niya habang natatawa pa.



Muli akong umirap dito,"Hoy Cardilac Hillston wag mo 'kong tawan tawanan d'yan.Ako magluluto ng ulam, ikaw magsaing."



"Ampota. Kailangan buong pangalan? Michaela?



"Ako na magsasaing." Agad ako napa-lingon sa likuran ko ng may nagsalita. Napataas naman  ang kilay ko ng makita si Chris na hinuhugasan na.



Natatawa akong umiling,"Wow, kala ko ‘di ka marunong magsaing"



He chuckled," What do you think to me, dumb? Of course, I know how to cook rice."



Binabara niya ba ako?kung oo edi okay.Kasi kapag siya, we can talk about it naman diba?



"Okay! Copy sir," I said and start chopping the carrots into cubes.



"Kainggit! Sana all SIR. Sana all,Zy 'di ba? Ginawa pa kaming third wheel," Sigaw ni cardi na lalong nagpairap saakin.



Letcheng 'to epal.



"Kami na bahala sa plato," Ani naman nina Irej na kanina parin pala sa likod ni Cardi.



I smile. I saw their shocked face. "Okay! Got it"



Weird ba 'ko today? Is there anything wrong to smile? Am I not allowed to smile? Gosh, these girls making me paranoid.



I turned to Cardi looking at me and didn't do anything. When he noticed that I was looking at him he looked at me in the sight and shrinking eyes.



"What's up with you, girl?" He asks. Then he goes to the ref and gets water.



I raised my one brow to him," Don't mind me, Cards."



Natapos akong mag luto kasabay ng pagkaluto ng kanin. Pinagtira ko rin sila mommy sa isnag malaking Tupperware ng Chicken curry na niluto ko dahil naparami yung luto ko.



Tuwang tuwa pa nga si Cardi dahil na miss niya daw yung specialty ko. Sina Irej naman ay pinag lagay ko rin sa Tupperware bago umuwi, dahil nasarapan daw sila sa luto.



Ah, so this is what it feels pala no?



Making friends with others really good. It's already eight pm and Chris and cardi still here, they said they will wait for mommy until they come. Mag isa lang kasi ako.




"Nakalahati ko na yung chapter 1 ng research natin," Panimula ni Cardi at umupo sa upuan sa sala. Binuksan niya rin ang TV at nanood ng soccer game.



Wow, I didn't know that he's watching this kind of game.



"Okay, malapit na rin naman kami mangalahati.Tapos isesend nalang namin sayo yung file para iisa na lang yung gagamitin nating laptop kapag nag present," Si Chris na ang sumagot para samin.



"Hmm, then good," rinig kong sabi nito at tinuon muli ang atensyon niya sa palabas.



While I'm busy scrolling nonsense on my phone 'cause I really have nothing to do na! I'm actually sleepy na but I want to wait for mommy and ate.



"Shit," Napalingon ako kay Cardi na nakatingin na ngayon sa kanyang cellphone at lumingon saakin, " Zy I need to go now. May emergency sa bahay 'e. "



Tumango ako at tumayo,pumunta ako sa kusina at kinuha ang paper bag na pinaglagyan ko ng Tupperware na may lamang chicken curry. I went outside and I handed him the paper bag,



"Oh.Balitaan mo na lang ako. And please ‘wag kang kaskasero mag drive dahil 'di mo pagmamay ari ang kalsada,okay?"I said and he just laughs at it while shaking his head and pinches my nose.



"Stop it. Are you my Lola now, huh?"He said in a manly voice.



Jeez kung hindi lang matagal kong kilala baka naging crush ko na 'to. I mean I can say that he’s an ideal man!



I patted his hand to stop him pinching my nose, "You stop it! Makinig ka na lang,pwede 'ba?! Ang kulit mo kaya"



"Okay, fine. Yes, Maam!" Then he salutes on me before entering his car.



Sana all may kotse ako kasi bawal pa. Underage pa.



Agad akong pumasok sa bahay ng maalala kong may isa pa kong bisita. Si Chris. Umupo ako sa single couch at napalingon naman siya sakin kaya bahagya akong pilit napangiti. This is so awkward!



"Uhm, Are you not going home pa?" I asked and his brow raised on me, "I mean, anong oras na oh'.Baka pagalitan ka ng mommy mo"



"It's fine. I already text my mother na gagabihin ako," He said then he gave his all attention to me.



Nanuyo naman ang lalamunan ko kaya napalingon ako sa ibang gawi.



Pota naalala ko payung pinagsaaabi ko sakaniya no'ng intrams.



"Okay." Tanging saad ko lang at narinig ko siyang tumawa ng mahina.



Is he teasing me?! I suddenly got uneasy. Thinking about what will happen again to me tomorrow. That guy, who always watching me at school. Will he show up again? Hindi ko pa rin yon nasasabi sa pamilya ko, I don't want them to be worried.



I can handle it naman 'e, 'di ba?



But what if he shows up again? Based on my observations every after 3days ko siyang nakikita.Nayatakot ako. No one was close to me at school except Cardi and my girl friends.



Pa'no na lang kung may mangyari saking masama?



"Hey, Zy are you okay? Namumutla ka," Agad akong napabalik sa wisyo ko ng biglang nagsalita si Chris.



"I-I'm okay," I said and look down.



I heard him sigh I was shocked when he held my chin to look up to him, "You're not. Is there anything bothering you?"



I gulped,"Y-yes. I mean no!Wala. Wala 'to" Fuck this!Bakit hindi ako makapag sinungaling ngayon? Hinalikan na ata ako ng konsenya ko. Bakit ngayon pa?!

I heard him sigh. Again! "Tell me. What's bothering you, I'll listen. And if it's me bothering you...I can go outside if you want. I just don't want  to make you uncomfortable with my presence--"



"No, I'm actually comfortable with you, okay?Its just that..." muli akong napayuko at nagdadalawang isip kung sasabihin ko sakaniya.



Pero ano pa nga bang itatago ko diba?Nakita niya na 'kong atakihin ng asthma at pagka panicked ko noon. He probably knows half of me.



I bit my lower lip and looked at him," Last time were walking to the canteen I saw the same person who..." I stopped and gulped



" I know. I saw him too," he said and I looked at him shocked.



"W-what?How?I mean, you did recognize him?" Sunod sunod kong tanong.



"I just know...But don't worry, I will protect you," he said and looked straight into my eyes...I don't want to assume but I can see the longing in his eyes.



I gulped," Yung taong yon yung nasa isip ko nitong mga nakaraang araw.Natatakot ako chris.Alam kong nakita niyo yung nangyari saakin nung nasa intrams tayo...It was the same person who killed my lola." I bit my lower lip to stop myself tearing up.

Andrama pero natatakot ako.



And what if that person is watching again inside in this house? Am I going to die? I didn't even bid goodbye to my loved ones.



"And that's the reason I'm being paranoid again," I said and looked away.



I froze to my seat when he suddenly hugged me tightly. I was so shocked to the point I didn't even have a chance to react and move. But I have a strange feeling.



I feel so safe while he's hugging me. It's like he's my protector, my shield...



When he hugged me it's like my world hugging me. It's like my all stress and being paranoid just go away...



Yes, I do like him but I don't know how much I like him. I don't want to say my feelings towards him because he might like someone and it's not me.



Ayos lang naman kung hanggang kaibigan lang kami pero ba'ka yung nararamdaman ko hindi lang sa pagiging kaibigan.



" I will be by your side, hmm? Don't worry no one will hurt you. I will not let anyone hurt you..." he said and hugged me tighter when he heard me sobbed. I hugged him back, It's like I'm going to explode.No.My whole world will explode because of happiness. I don't only feel butterfly or so whatever but the whole Zoo was roaring inside me.



It's strange but It feels so good that someone can accept me for being me beside my family.



He knows half of me.



And now I'm sure what I feel about him. He's now familiar to me. I don't only like him I still want to confirm it by myself. But I want to enjoy the moment with him.



"What the hell Am seeing here?Zy?" May biglang nag salita sa likuran kaya agad akong humiwalay sa yakap at tumayo bago tumalikod para punasan ang luhang tumulo kanina.



Gosh! Why Am I acting as I were caught in a secrete relationship like thirteen years old? And worst I don't even have a relationship with, Chris! Okay, that's too much, I'm hurting my own feelings.



Muli akong luminhpgon sa nagsalita at nakita roon si kuya Ralph na naka kunot na ngayon ang mga noo habng bitbit ang bag niya.



Kakalabas niya lang.



"K-Kuya!You're home. B-bat ang aga mo ata umuwi ngayon," Pagpapagaan ko ng ka awkward-an ng atmosphere.



Lumapit ako kay kuya at tsaka yumakap at hinalikan siya sa pisngi. "Am I not allowed to come home early now,huh?Umuwi ako ng maaga kasi kala ko wala ka pang kasama.Tapos may kayapos ka pag uwi ko?-"



I cut him off,"Kuya naman.Si Chris yung ka grupo ko ron sa research paper tas mag isa lang ako kaya sinamahan niya muna ako," Gosh I sound defensive!



"Fine," Then he looked at Chris who now standing straight, "Is he your boyfriend now? Is he making you cry?"



"Kuya! What are you saying? Are you out of your mind? Gosh, you know that I don't date guys and I don't do boyfriends," Agad kong sigaw kay Kuya.



Nakakhiya talaga,Lupa bumuka ka!Kainin mo na ko.



Really in front of my crush?! Parang gusto kong bawiin Yung sinabi kong I don't date guys and do boyfriend! Pero I can make an exception for him.



"Tss,sinong niloko mo?" Mahinang bulong nito tama lamang para marinig ko kaya namn hinampas ko siya sa balikat niya.



"Kumain ka na nga lang don,kuya.nag-luto ako.Alam kong nagpa lipas ka na namn ng gutom!Lakad na sa kitchen!Go and eat make yourself full!" I shouted jokingly pero totoo namn sinasabi ko 'e,kahit inaabot na siya ng gutom 'di pa rin siya kumakain.



Kelan ba kasi magkaka-gf 'tong si kuya para namn may galit kapag 'di pa kumakain.



Naglakad na siya patungonb kusina at tinanguan si Chris para magpatuloy maglakad patungo sa kusina.Ako naman ay naiwan ulit kasama si chris dito sa salas.Ngumiti siya ng tipid bago kunin ang gamit niya sa ibabaw ng table sa gitna ng sala.



"Ah,Zy una na 'ko,"Pagpapaalam niya.



"Sige wait lang," Sabi ko at tumakbo patungo sa kusina at kinuha yung isa pang paper bag na inihanda ko para sakaniya.



I mean baka magutom siya no'! I can cook for him every day. Just kidding I'm too lazy for that.



Lumabas na ako at nakita siyang nakasandal sa sasakyan niya.Wow sana all may sasakyan na.



I handed him the paper bag," yung luto ko.Baka kasi magutom ka mamaya kaya ayan...Pinaglagay na rin kita,"I said and looked down.



Taena ano ako?bumalik sa pagiging bata?



"Cute," I felt my face heated so I bit my lip to stifle my scream, "Masarap ka mag luto...Sana matikman ko ulit 'to"



Tumingin ako sakaniya bago sumagot,"Sure!Next time ulit.Sige na,masyado naring madilim.Umuwi ka na nga,nambola ka pa.Thankyou!"



I froze once again when he hugged me for the second time. I blink twice before reacting so shocked.Pero take note,di ako humiwalay sa yakap.


"I will be your shield and healer from that pain, "He whispered in a hoarse voice. My face was more heated.



I gulped,"Thank you" Humiwalay na ako sa yakap at tumingin sakaniya.Sumakay na siya sa sasakysn niya at ibinaba ang car window and give me a comforting and assuring smile, so I did too.



Gosh! This guy will make me fall for him deeper.



Napailing naman akong pumasok ng bahay at ni lock ang pinto.Praning na kung praning pero mabuti ng ang sigurado.



Agad ko namang nakita si kuya sa salas kumakain na habang kumakain.Napalingon naman ito saakin at sabay irap.



Bwisit na 'to pinag luto na't Lahat Galit pa rin.



Can you teach me how to slap my brother without actually doing it?



"Infairness masarap luto mo..." Biglang ani nito kaya tumigil ako sa paglalakad at humarap sakaniya sabay talon sa sofa na kinakaupuan niya.



Yay! 'Di nagta tampo si kuya!



" Ano ba,Zynniese?!Hindi ka na bata para maga-ganiyan!Ang laki laki mo na 'o!" Agad niyang bulyaw saakin pero tinawanan ko lamang ito at piningot pingot ang tenga niya.



"Ikaw 'a,kuya, wag kang gano'n sa harap ng crush ko..."Ani ko at pinagpatuloy parin ang pag pingot sa kaniyang ears at siya naman ay patuloy kumakain walang pakialam sa ginagawa ko.



Tumango tango lamang siya tsaka napatigil bago napag tanto ang sinabi ko sakaniya at masamang mata ang sumalubong saakin , "Anong crush!Bawal yan,tigilan mo 'ko,Michaela Zynniese Blood!Sinasabi ko sa'yo, 'di ba napag usapan na nating tatlo ni Ate na wala munang crush, boyfriend, girlfriend kapag naga aral. Destruction lang yan, Zynniese.Wag kang papa uto sa ganiyan. 'Di totoo ang love or internet love kahit pa sa games pa yan-"



Pinutol ko na ang sasabihin niya,"Mamamo destruction!Wag ka ngang ano d'yan,kuya.May alam ka ba sa love 'a? Ni isa wala ka pang naipapakilala saamin na naging girlfriend mo.Kaya wag rin ako kuya!May kakilala kaya ako nag laro lang ng specimen nagka tuluyan na!" Then he just make annoying face.



Okay, should I slap him now!?



"And for your information, Hindi definition ng crush ang love! crush pag hanga, yon ang definition ng crush para saakin," dadag ko pa rito.



"Asus,dun narin ang punta no'n.Pero bahala ka d'yan,basta pag hanga lang 'a. Ang pumutol sa usapan mangli libre.Discuss nalang natin kay Ate mamaya,"sabi niya at nagpatuloy kumain. Ibang klase.



Sana magkapera ako if ever man na masira yung usapan. Charot!



I rolled my eyes and stood up," Ikaw na.Baka matagalan sila dumating.Inaantok na rin ako may pasok pa ko bukas," Ani ko at bahagyang humikab bago maglakad patungong hagdanan.



"Okay, sleep tight and sweet dreams with your crush," He said ang sipped the coffee.



There you go, Kuya!Yan gusto ko supportive HAHAHAHHA



" Matulog ka na rin.Bukas na yan, 'di ka robot para mag aral hanggang abutin ka ng liwanag d'yan!" Ani ko bago magpatuloy sa apg akyat at tumugo ng kwarto ko.



I just do my night skin care routine and changed my nighties terno before going to bed.Ah nakakapagod.Parang ngangayon ko lang naramdaman yung sakit ng balikat ko dahil sa pagt type at paglu luto.Dahil sa antok ay agad ring bumagsak ang mga talukap ng mata ko.



Naalimpungatan naman ako dahil nauuhaw ako kaya agad akong bumaba at dumiretso sa kusina.Kumuha ako ng tubig sa ref at halos mapatalon ako sa gulat ng makita si ate pagkasara ko ng ref.



"A-ate!Wag ka namang manakot!" Halos pasigaw na ani ko.



" I'm not scaring you, Zy," she said and chuckled before sitting on the chair.Nakita kong maraming papel roon.Nakaka lula sa taas,girl!



"By the way, Ralph said that you have a crush on one of your classmates is it true? What's his name?"



Bahagya lamang akong napanganga rito.Napalingon naman ako sa orasan at 4AM palang.



Wow ate gandang bungad ng tanong mo.



Umupo ako sa isang upuan na nasa tapat niya at nilaro laro ang mga daliri ko.Hindi anman sa nahihirapang sabihin kay ate na may crush ako 'e , pero kinakabahan ako kasi baka sabihin nila kay daddy!



"A-ano...Kay ano..." I bit my lower lip once more.



"Loosen up,baby sis.Dont worry I won't say it to dad since masarap luto mo," Natatawang ani niya kaya naman napangiti ako.



"Okay...Do you remember the guy I’m partner with? ‘Yung sa intrams? Si Chris..." Pag amin ko at dahan dahang tumungo at ramdam kong namula ang magkabila kong pisngi.



Then just like that, I heard my sister blurted in a low laugh and I pouted.



"Ayiee nagda dalaga na Yung baby namin," she teased and I pouted more.



"But baby sis remember do not fool by love, do not be a slave for love.Even though his just a crush, hindi mo parin sigurado na hanggang pag hannga lamang iyon dahil maaring lumalim pa yon don,hmm?Hindi sa pinipigilan kitang magka gusto sakaniya o pinapngunahan ,okay?And I want you to understand that love is always a sacrifice. Love will not always focus on a happy feeling, It does not always make you feel butterflies and bees or the whole zoo on you.



"There is called pain you can encounter there, and that pain is the pain you need to endure if you want to be that person you love...Love will not work on one person, but two-person...A man who always stays by at your side, a man who is ready to sacrifice even his life, a man who can love you endlessly, a man who can protect you, a man who can help you to grow...Find a man, not a boy...And you be the same, be equal, comfort him, protect him, and love him endlessly ...That's the only thing I can say about that, hmm? But be careful when it comes to love because destiny can manipulate you and your feelings. Protect your heart at all costs. Hindi ka martyr o si superman o kahit sino pang superhero para lang ipaglaban ang isang pag ibig," then she smiled again

"I love you, baby sis,"



My heart melted. It was simple but well delivered by her.



"I love you too, ate. And thank you...Pero ate curious ako nagka boyfriend ka na ba?Bakit parang andami mong alam tungkol sa love na yan 'e crush lang namaninamin ko 'a?Para Kang love guru ate," I was deadly serious but she just laughs at it!



I poued and stood up, kanina inaantok pa 'ko pero parang after naming mag usap parang nawala antok ko.



"Patapos ka na?" Tanong ko kahit obvious naman na Hindi pa.



"Kaunti na lang then matutulog na ko,may pasok pa ko mamayang 10 'e.Bakit?"



"Aayain sana kitang mag jogging para maka smell naman tayo ng fresh air.Pero, it's fine naman. Bye!Mapapalit Muna ako bago mag jogging, study well ate! I love you, good luck," I said and run towards my room.



Sa totoo lang naman ay gusto ko lang pag isipan kung inlove talaga ako kay Chris o hanggang crush lang.I really got confused about my feeling for him after I talked to ate alli. Atsaka pa'no ako magj jogging 'e hinihika ako.Ano trip ko agad mag palibing? But do I really only have a crush on him?I mean oo may gusto ako pero baka nga hindi lamang hanggang don.When I see him I have the feeling that I was eager to hug him...



When I see him my heart always pounds...When I laid my eyes on him the first time, I feel so many butterflies and bees inside my stomach. When our eyes met It's like my world stop spinning...My heart always leaps...Parang lalabas yung puso ko sa ribcage...



'Am I really in love? At my age Am I really have this feeling? I remembered what ate said.



Love is sacrifice...That there is pain that I might encounter...



Am I ready to sacrifice and endure that pain?

~~●~~~●~~~●~~~●~~~●~~~●~~~●~~