Love In The Shadows Of Arrangement

ROWAN "Who is she?" I asked my friend. I saw a girl with her parents. I don't know if it was her parents. Based on her appearance she must be fourteen years old. She had a slim body and a layered bob cut of hair. That fits on her face perfectly. "No idea, but based on what I know, kakalipat lang nila dito." He said. Tumango na lang ako, and I throw a ball to him, good thing that he catches it. Habang naglalaro kami ng basketball, hindi ko naman mapigilan na isipin ang babaeng nakita ko kanina. I feel so mesmerized by her features. She was like a goddess. Hindi ko naman puwedeng sabihin na love at first sight ako sa kanya. While I was busy thinking, I felt that something hard hit my chest, and I suddenly felt a pang of pain. I glared at Sage, but he gave me a look and pointed his lips somewhere. I followed where his lips were pointing. And I saw that girl again, she was walking towards us, and she wasn't alone. She was with someone that looks the same age as me and Sage. "Hi, can I ask you guys something?" She said. Damn! Her voice sounds so soft, it looks like it can't break anything. Si Sage na ang sumagot, because seriously. I was too stunned to speak when I heard her angelic voice. "Sure, what is it?" Sage asked. "Do you know where that place is?" She asked, as she showed something on her phone. "We just moved out here days ago. So I barely know this place." Tumango naman si Sage at itinuro kung saan yun papunta. Nanahimik na lang ako sa iisang tabi, pinapanood siya na magsalita. Kung yelo lang siya, siguro kanina pa siya natunaw. Ang ganda niya. Para siyang isang supermodel. "By the way, Sage Lacson." He introduced himself to them, even though they did not ask his name. Ang kapal talaga ng pagmumuka ni Sage kahit kailan. "I'm Luna." She introduced herself. "And this is Kaius, my cousin." She continued. Introducing the guy beside her, he just gave a small smile at Sage. I can't tell if it was genuine or not, but it wasn't my problem if it wasn't genuine. While I was thinking deeply someone hit my arm, and it was none other than Sage. I gave him a death glare. "Introduced yourself, dude." Saad niya pa. Hindi ko naman mapigilan ang sarili kong taasan siya ng kilay. Pero wala naman akong choice. "Rowan." Maiksi ngunit malamig kong wika. Hindi naman na bago ’yon kay Sage. Nasanay na siguro siya sa akin. "Lumamig bigla." Pabulong na wika ni Luna. Rinig ko rin naman kahit ibulong niya pa. Hindi na lang ako nagsalita pa. They just bid goodbye as they start walking away. Nang malayo na sila, nagsalita na si Sage. "Yung lalaking kasama niya, napakaplastic. Halatang peke yung ngiti at hindi genuine eh. Napaka-plastik niya, bro!" Reklamo niya. Dapat kanina niya 'yan sinabi nung nandito pa 'yung dalawa. Napagdesisyunan na lang namin na umuwi na. Pero hanggang sa paglalakad, nagrereklamo pa rin siya. Naririndi na ako. May nakita akong putik, my intrusive thought said that I should push him into that puddle. But since isa akong mabait na kaibigan, pinili ko na lang na hindi ituloy. Saka he was wearing a white sando.. Saka baka pag tinulak ko siya, baka masuntok pa ako nito. It just took me five minutes to makarating ako sa bahay. Sage and I are neighbors. Nang buksan ko yung gate. Wala si Mommy dito, lagi naman eh. Lagi silang busy sa work nila na nakakalimutan nilang may anak pa sila. Only child pa naman ako. Buti nga lang at nakilala ko si Sage eh, kasi kung hindi, baka wala akong kaibigan ngayon. Nang makapasok na ako sa bahay namin, I just headed to my bedroom to take a half bath, since kanina pa ako init na init. After I took a shower, I walked towards my table, where my art was placed. Kumuha ako ng used na paper sa table ko and I started sketching. At si Luna yun. She was so good to be the muse for my painting. Next time when we are close enough, I will ask her to be my muse. She was too gorgeous to be hidden.