The Rising Sun

Chapter 8

"Kapag tumibok ang puso,

Wala ka ng magagawa kundi sundin ito.

Kapag tumibok ang puso,

Lagot ka na,

Siguradong huli ka."

Takeshi Onizuka Soryo is on his way to Auntie Elena's flower shop. He will visit his family's graveyard tomorrow, and he wants to ask her opinion about what flowers they should bring.

With him inside the car are his cousin, Ryu, and Katsu and Seki---the bodyguards.

They are currently talking about the illegal trade of drugs that are happening in their town. Their spies gave an information that Keniji Sato will hide their illegal drugs at their warehouse, somewhere at the Northern part of Chiba.

"Ryu, our spies said that Keniji Sato might deliver those illegal drugs to their customers...3 days from now. We must do something to stop them.", Takeshi said.

"Then, we must have a cautious plan. We will have a meeting tomorrow after we visit our family's grave.", Ryu answered him.

"Tell Uncle Koji to prepare our people. There will be a battle that is coming. I can feel it."

"Yes, I will."

They were already a few meters away from the flower shop when they heard someone singing. The voice was quite familiar to him. It is coming from Auntie Elena's flower shop. And it seems like there is a celebration that is happening inside.

They stepped out of the car and walked into the shop's entrance. The bodyguards are waiting outside. Auntie Elena noticed their arrival.

"Ohayogozaimasu, Onizuka Soryo and Ryu!" , Auntie Elena greeted him while bowing her head as a sign of respect.

"Ohayogozaimasu, Auntie Elena!", they answered.

"What can I do for you, Soryo?"

"It seems that there is someone who is singing inside your flower shop. Is there a celebration? I'm sorry if I disturb you."

"Anmari, Soryo. We are just having a bit of 'karaoke time' inside. It's the Filipino way of bonding with families and friends. Not to mention that we love to sing.", Auntie Elena chuckles.

"Oh, I see. Filipinos are happy people."

"I agree with you, Soryo. So, what can I do for you?"

"Takeshi wants to ask if what flowers should we bring on our family's grave tomorrow?", Ryu asked her.

"Yes, Auntie Elena. That is the reason why we are here today. Aunt Ayako suggested that I should ask your opinion about it."

"Yes, I will gladly help you. Come here and I will show you the flowers.", she said as she leads the both of them.

"These flowers are really beautiful, Auntie Elena.", Ryu exclaims.

"Yes, it is. So...you can have Oniyuri (Tiger Lilies)---it means pride which can be translated as confidence. It symbolizes nobility and this is the reason why this flower is also a symbol of wealth and prosperity.", she explains.

"We will have these Tiger Lilies, Auntie Elena. These are my mom's favorite flowers too."

"I suggest also that you bring Shiragiku (White Chrysanthemums), probably the big ones. It symbolizes loyal love and truth. It also means to embrace the idea of perfection, as well as being viewed as a symbol of the sun. It is also said to represent longevity and rejuvenation."

"We would also like to have these White Chrysanthemums, Auntie Elena.", Ryu said to her.

"Okay, then. I will ask my florists to arrange these early tomorrow."

"Domo arigatogozaimashita, Auntie Elena.", Ryu and Takeshi bowed their heads.

"Anata wa hijo ni kangei sa rete imasu!", she answered them.

"We will go ahead Auntie Elena.", Takeshi said.

Ryu and Takeshi were about to leave when suddenly Auntie Elena stopped them.

"Soryo, I would like to invite you and Ryu to join us inside. If that is alright with you?", she said inviting them.

Takeshi looked at his cousin and nods in agreement to the invitation.

"Okay, Auntie Elena. I will accept your invitation."

Auntie Elena leads them inside the flower shop. As long as they came, the people paid respect to them. They instructed them to just relax and make themselves comfortable with him and Ryu.

One of the florists offered them the Japanese rice wine--- sake to drink. Some of them are making turns in singing. He realized that Filipinos are people who love to have fun.

"Would you like to sing for us, Soryo?", Che Che asked him.

"No, I'm sorry. I don't sing."

"He can sing, Che Che. He's just acting shy.", Ryu teases him.

"That's not true...anyway, where is Charmaine?", he asked.

"Oh! Charmaine? She's in the kitchen, Soryo. Wait. I'll call her for you."

When Che Che left, Ryu started teasing him.

"Ahhhh. You said no to Che Che's invitation to sing awhile ago because...you want to sing in front of Charmaine, right?", Ryu grins.

"Anata wa ryū, kurutte imasu. No. Not really. I don't sing, Ryu."

"Hmmm...I don't believe you.", Ryu laughs at him.

Nasa kusina si Charmaine at kasalukuyang nagluluto ng adobo. Malapit narin naman siyang matapos sa ginagawa niya. Kasalukuyang may kumakanta ng 'Ikaw Lang Aking Mahal'. Kaya sinasabayan niya ito habang nagluluto at minsan pasayaw sayaw pa.

At dahil medyo malakas ang tugtog, hindi na niya napansin na nasa likod na niya ang kaibigang si Che Che.

"Bulaga!!!!", gulat sa kanya ng kaibigan.

"Ay! Hudas, Barabbas, Hestas! Ano ka ba, Che! Muntik na 'kong mahimatay sa'yo. Bakit ba nang gugulat ka?", tanong sa kanya niya sa kaibigan.

"Wow, gulat na gulat talaga? Ano ba? Matagal pa ba 'yang niluluto mo?"

"Patapos na 'ko. Bakit ba? Bumalik ka na 'dun. Atat ka eh."

"Eh kasi...may bisita tayo. Este, may bisita ka."

"Huh?! Bisita? Sino?"

"Sino pa ba? Kundi ang future manliligaw mo...si Takeshi.", pasigaw nitong sabi.

"Wag ka ngang sumigaw. Baka may makarinig sa'yo. Baliw ka talaga. At saka bakit ba siya nandito? Excuse me lang ha, hindi ko siya future manliligaw. At...saka...anong...kai..langan niya?"

"Uy, nabubulol ka bestie. Kinakabahan ka noh?"

"Ako? Kinakabahan? Hello? Hindi noh!"

"Oh siya. Wag ka nang umarte diyan. Tara na 'dun sa loob."

Hindi maipaliwanag ni Charmaine ang nararamdaman niya. Hindi niya rin maintindihan kung bakit siya kinakabahan. Nang dumating sila reception area ng flower shop kung saan ginaganap ang kasiyahan, ay nakita niya na nandun nga si Takeshi.

Kasama din nito ang pinsan na si Ryu. Agad naman siyang bumati sa mga ito.

"Kon'nichiwa! Ohayogozaimasu Onizuka Soryo!", she greets them.

"Kon'nichiwa! Ohayogozaimasu, Charmaine.", he answered her.

Napaka awkward ng pakiramdam ni Charmaine at alam niyang ganun' din si Takeshi sa kanya. Pero, hindi siya nagpadala dito. Nakisali siya sa kasiyahan.

Madalas kasi na ganun ang ginagawa niya. Nagtatago sa likod ng masayang mukha sa kabila ng samo't saring emosyon na nararamdaman niya.

"Alam niyo, mabuti pa kumanta nalang kayo.", sabi ni Charmaine sa mga kasama.

"Aba teka lang ha. Sa lahat dito sa atin, si Charmaine nalang ang hindi pa naka ulit na kumanta. Kaya, it's your turn again...", sabi naman ng florist na si Jessa.

"Ayoko na. Kayo nalang. Manonood nalang ako sa inyo."

"Ay! Hindi pwede 'yan. Sige na. Kanta na.", sabi naman ni Annie habang inaabot sa kanya ang microphone.

"Ayoko sabi eh. Kayo nalang.", she said while avoiding Takeshi's stare.

"Langya! Kung makatitig naman eh. Wagas.", she mumbles.

"Kakanta na 'yan! Kakanta na 'yan!", they said unison.

Nagkatitigan silang dalawa ni Takeshi. Ngumiti ito sa kanya. Tila ba pinapalakas nito ang loob niya para kumanta. Matiyaga silang ino obserbahan nina Ryu at Che Che.

Makalipas ang ilang segundo ay pumayag na siya. Sa isip niya, ano naman ngayon kung andito si Takeshi? Wapakels naman siya. Pero, sa totoo lang ay ang lakas ng kabog ng dibdib niya.

"Oh, ano naman ang kakantahin ko?", tanong niya sa mga kasamahan.

"Alam ko na, baby girl. Kantahin mo 'yung paborito naming Tagalog song ng Uncle Koji mo...'yung palagi naming pinapakanta sa'yo...'yung madalas nating kantahin kapag nasa Skype tayo? Ano nga bang title 'nun?", sabi naman ng Auntie Elena niya.

"Ahhh...alam ko na. 'Yung kanta ni Donna Cruz na 'Kapag Tumibok ang Puso'....!", sabat naman ng florist na si Annie.

"Ha? 'Yun talaga?", tanong niya habang kinukuha ang microphone.

"Oo, 'yun nga baby girl. Sige na, tumayo ka na diyan. Kantahin mo na.", nakangiting sabi ng Auntie Elena niya.

Madalas naman ay hindi siya nahihiya kapag hinahamon sa kantahan. Pero ngayon, parang gusto niyang umatras. Ewan ba niya pero talagang nahihiya siyang kumanta.

Pero, alam din niya na kapag hindi niya ginawa 'yun ay tutuksuhin naman siya ng mga kasamahan lalo na ng kaibigang si Che Che.

Kinuha niya ang microphone at tumayo paharap sa kanila. Nakatingin sa kanya si Takeshi. Sa totoo lang ay hindi siya komportable sa sitwasyon. Para siyang matutunaw dahil sa mga tingin nito.

"Hay naku! Wag kang tumingin sa 'kin ng ganyan, Takeshi. Marupok ako. Please lang.", naisip niya.

Nagsimula na nga siyang kumanta. Pinipilit niyang iwasan ang mga tingin ni Takeshi sa kanya. Habang kumakanta naman si Charmaine ay sinasabayan siya ng mga kasamahan at minsan may sayaw pa.

"Heto na naman naririnig

Kumakaba-kaba itong dibdib

Lagi nalang sinasabi

Pwede ka bang makatabi?

Kahit sandali lang sige na

Sana pagbigyan pwede ba?

Mukhang tinamaan yata ako..."

Takeshi smiles while watching Charmaine. Even if he can't understand the lyrics of the song, it feels like she is singing it with so much joy. For him, she has the sweetest voice.

"Kapag tumibok ang puso

Wala ka nang magagawa kundi sundin ito

Kapag tumibok ang puso

Lagot ka na

Siguradong huli ka..."

Walang kamalay malay sina Charmaine at Takeshi na kasalukuyan na silang pinag uusapan ni Auntie Elena at Che Che.

"Auntie, tingnan mo nga si Takeshi oh. Naku, iba ang tingin sa bestie ko ha. Mukhang tinamaan na nga talaga eh noh?"

"Oo nga eh. At si Charmaine naman...hindi maka deretso ng tingin kay Takeshi. Sa pagkakalaam ko, hindi naman siya dating ganyan, 'di ba?"

"Hmmm...oo nga eh. Parang may something talaga."

"Araw at gabi iniisip ka

Pinapangarap na mahagkan kita

Laging tulala at nakangiti

Puso'y di mapigil ang pintig

Nais kong sabihin, mahal ka

Bawat sandali ay miss kita...

Mukhang tinamaan yata ako..."

"Hey, Takeshi! Takeshi!", Ryu called his attention.

No response. His attention was on Charmaine.

"Takeshi!"

"Huh?"

"Hey! If you want to sing with Charmaine...then, go ahead. It's much better than just staring at her like a crazy in love person.", Ryu laughs.

"What are you talking about , huh?!"

"Onizuka Soryo is in love. Don't deny it."

"No. I'm not.", he answered while drinking the last sip of his sake.

"Kapag tumibok ang puso

Wala ka nang magagawa kundi sundin ito

Kapag tumibok ang puso

Lagot ka na

Siguradong huli ka..."

Pinalakpakan naman si Charmaine ng mga kasamahan. Pati na din sina Takeshi at Ryu. Maya maya ay nag desisyon na rin ang mga ito na umuwi na. Hinatid sila ni Charmaine palabas ng flower shop.

"Thank you for joining us awhile ago. I know you're very busy but you took time. Thank you very much. It really means a lot to us.", she said while guiding them outside.

"I should be the one thanking you, Auntie Elena, including your friends."

"But...why?"

"I never felt this kind of happiness before. The truth is...i felt like I was just a normal person, an ordinary citizen of this town. I forgot that I'm Takeshi Onizuka Soryo---a gokodu leader, even just for awhile. I never imagined myself to be happy...just like this.", he said while staring at her.

"There will always be a reason to be happy, Takeshi. Just like us Filipinos, we choose to be happy instead of thinking and worrying about things. And whatever happens, as long we're together...we can conquer even the highest mountains. We just have to step up and let go of our fears."

"Thank you, Charmaine. But...you sing very well. You are so talented."

"Yeah. About that? I'm sorry. I'm not really good in singing. Sorry.", she laughs.

"Honestly, you sing very well. I mean it. What's the title of that song? It is in Tagalog, right? Can you give me a copy of the lyrics of that song? I think it's wonderful."

"Yeah. Sure. I'll give it to you the next time that we see each other."

"Huh? Magkikita ulit kami?"

"I really enjoyed my time here with you. Maraming Salamat."

"You are always welcome here. Always.", she smiled at him for the last time as he stepped inside his car.

Nakaalis na sina Takeshi at Ryu. Dumating naman si Che Che at nagsisimula na namang mang inis sa kanya.

"Alam mo bes, iba 'yung mga tingin ni Takeshi sa'yo kanina habang kumakanta ka. Kasi naman 'yung ngiti, abot hanggang tenga. At kung makapalakpak...lakas maka stage boyfie ng peg? Parang proud boyfriend, ganern!", sabi nito sa kanya nakapameywang pa.

"Kaw talaga! Lahat ng kilos namin binabantayan mo at nilalagyan mo ng kahulugan."

"Eh kasi...kakaiba ang mga kinikilos niyo kapag nasa harapan kayo ng isa't isa. Tahimik. Tulala. Nagugulat. At higit sa lahat, pumupuso ang mga mata. At ikaw naman...'yung ngiti mo tagos hanggang bone marrow! Naku bes, iba na 'yan ha!"

"Ewan ko sa'yo. Tara na nga sa loob at pag uusapan pa natin 'yung event bukas para sa school."

Pailing iling na naglakad pabalik sa loob ng flower shop si Charmaine. Pero masaya siya na makitang maligaya si Takeshi.

Kahit saglit lang ay nakalimutan nito ang bigat ng responsibilidad niya bilang lider ng isang gokodu clan at isa siya sa mga dahilan nito.

Takeshi is currently inside his room. He suddenly remembered Charmaine. Her sweet voice while singing. He smiles once again. Maybe Charmaine was right. He should let go of his fears. He must take a step.

"We've known each other since we are kids, Takeshi. And based on what I am seeing now, I should say that you love her already.", Ryu's words echoed in his mind.

Or maybe Ryu was right all along: He loves Charmaine. He knows that this might be tough. It may cause trouble between the two families: Onizuka and Misawa.

Aiko, his fiance-to-be might also hurt Charmaine.

She always gets jealous of any woman who gets close to him. She is very much possessive of him. Takeshi doesn't want Charmaine to be in trouble.

But, he can't stop his heart from loving her. He can't stop himself from seeing her. HE MUST FIND A WAY.

"I won't give up on us.", he said.