In our twenties

In our twenties: things has their own perfect timing

In our twenties: things has their own perfect timing

My heart is banged loudly. Para pang isangdaang tambol ang pinagpapalo dahil sa kaba ko ngayon. Pakiramdam ko mahihimatay na nga ata ako ngayon. 

"Ano nakita mo na?" tanong ni Christine sa akin. 

Napalunok naman ako. 

"Teka lang sandali. Kayo ba nakita niyo na pangalan niyo?" tanong ko pabalik. 

Naka video call kami ngayon dahil sabay naming tinitingnan ang resulta ng board exam. Mapapaputangina ka na lang talaga kasi ang lakas ng Internet ko pero ang bagal ng server sa paglalabas ng result. 

"Madaaaam!" Novaleen shouted and when I looked at her on the screen I saw her crying, and so ate merceditha is. Christine then shouted next and constantly saying 'thank you' then Odessa shouted she passed the board exam. 

The four of them passed the exam, meanwhile here I am, with my shaking hand is still trying to check my score. 

Sweats are slowly dropping from my forehead. Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko at mas grumabe ang kaba ko. I can't find my name. Nagsimula nang nanubig ang mga mata ko. 

I check the other list and my tears started pouring. I muted my microphone so they wouldn't hear my whimpers. I cry out loud. They all panicked and asked me to unmute my microphone. 

"Madam…" Odessa calls me using her gentlest voice. 

Humagulgol ako. The emotion is just too much. 

"I… I ranked top 10,"nanginginig 'yong boses ko. 

"Yawa ka eh bakit ka umiiyak?!" Odessa shouted as tears continued rushing down her cheeks. 

"Kayo rin naman ah umiiyak!" giit ko. 

We all laughed after.

"I'm so proud of us guys," sambit ko. 

' Cheers to our success! " ate Merceditha said. 

Life is indeed unpredictable. Who would've thought that after all our preparations before our board exam will be canceled three times, but despite it, we still manage to passed our exam. Some things have just their perfect timing. 

But if you're thinking that my life becomes easy after passing the board exam, nah-uh, it didn't. Passing the board exam has just become one of my weapons in life.

Life is about taking challenges. Challenges after another challenge. Kumbaga, lumelevel up din iyong mga sagabal sa buhay natin. Pero ayos lang, tuloy pa rin tayo. Hindi naman kasi natin malalaman ang resulta sa isang bagay kung hindi natin susubukan.

Right after my pinning ceremony, I enrolled myself in TESDA. I needed an NC2 kasi. I'm still working as an ESL teacher but I don't work full time any more lalo na at busy na ako masyado sa buhay ko. 

Of course, Tom is also aware of what's happening in my current life since he would call me once in a while. He's kinda busy now since he has been promoted. And iyon nga, tingin ko playboy pa rin ang isang iyon. Noong nakaraan lang kasi ang sabi niya may nagyaya raw sa kanya na babae sa isang date pero inayawan niya raw. But I really doubt it. 

May 3, 2022. I've turned 23 already. Ang bilis lang ng panahon. Pero pa rin ako, alive and kicking, wala nga lang jowa. Pero ayos lang masaya naman ang buhay single. I don't feel that there's something lacking at the moment. I'm contented. 

And since it's my birthday, nagpadala ng regalo 'yong Taiwanese na lokoloko. Tuwang-tuwa ako no'ng una kasi niregaluhan niya ako ng kape galing Taiwan, pampagana raw sa malapit ng matuyo Kong utak. May dress pa siyang sinama, para naman daw magmukha akong babae minsan. 

May note talaga kada regalo niya. And the last piece of his gift ay tatlong pirasong bra na may makapal na foam.

"Bras for you so would feel how it feels to have boobs" iyan ang literal na note na nilagay niya. 

Ewan ko kung dapat ko bang ipagpasalamat ito sa kanya o ano. He knows I'm flat, klarong-klaro raw sa mga pictures ko. Ang damuho inistalk ba naman ang account ko. 

"What do you think about my gifts?" tanong niya sa akin nang tumawag siya. He's not busy today kaya napatawag. 

He's inside an onsen right now at kitang-kita ko ang malapad niyang balikat. Sinadya naman kasi niyang ipakita. 

"Thanks for your gifts but I've already thrown it away," sabi ko. 

Ngumuso siya. "I doubt it. I know you're wearing the bra now because I can see a bump now."

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "I hope you'll get nightmare tonight."

Humalakhak lang ang loko saka sinuklay 'yong buhok niys  gamit ang daliri. 

"Anyway, I'll be graduating this June 7. I want you to come. I've bought your ticket already."

"Wait, what? How much is the ticket? I'll pay for it" 

"No need. I'm the one who invited you so I'll shoulder the cost."

"But I didn't agree to it yet." 

I think I've just said the wrong statement since it stirs our atmosphere now. Biglang nawala ang ngiti niya at sumeryoso siya bigla. 

"So you're not coming?" 

I bit my lower lip. 

"It's not like that. I'll try."

Tumango siya. I was waiting for him to ask me "why" pero hindi niya ginawa. As if he's just taking my words as valid. 

"Okay. I'll still send you the ticket and it's up to you if you're coming or not. I'll be busy for the rest of the week until my graduation so I don't think we can talk often. But I'll try also." 

Parang nadurog naman ang puso ko. Bakit ko ba naman kasi sinabi iyon? Honestly, we have a family reunion on June 7 and it's my parents' wedding anniversary also. 

I think I can go to Taiwan but not on his graduation. 

" I have to go now. Take care, Princess." And he ended the call after. 

And just like what he told me, hindi nga kami nakapag-usap matapos no'n. He become busier, and so I am. Lalo na dahil binalita na sa akin ng isang publishing house na ready for printing na ang libro ko. 

I actually tried sending my manuscripts and as expected I received several rejections kaya sa huli I decided to self-published my s********e of my readers were excited about it kaya pinush ko na lang talaga ang self-publishing. Hindi naman masama kung ako na lang mismo ang gumasto para sa sarili kong akda. 

On one lazy afternoon, I was just scrolling through my f*******: feed when I received an email, and when I checked it agad na lumuwa ang mga mata ko. Napabangon ako nang wala sa oras. 

A publishing house just replied to my email. My jaw dropped with bombed dropping news I received. What the f**k is this? 

"Dear Ms. Princess Alexandra Magallanes, 

Greetings! 

We are thrilled to inform you that your manuscript "In our twenties" has passed all the stages including the final deliberation.  This story is truly a gem, and our company, Freedom Writers Press, which is based in Taipei, is willing to finance and published your work under our name. In case you're still interested, please contact us so we could discuss the contract. 

We would be happy if you will become one of us. 

Hoping for your positive response. 

Sincerely, 

Bai Qian

Editor in Chief

"

Binasa kong muli ang email at talagang nag email back ako to confirm if legit ba talaga and they immediately replied and instantly showed a sample copy of their contract. 

Wow. I wasn't expecting this one! 

I thought my work has been rejected since they were not replying to my email since last year of November! 

They are an international publishing house. Ito iyong sinasabi ni Tom sa akin noon at sinubukan ko lang kung makakapasa ba ako at tinamaan yata talaga ako ng swerte ngayon dahil sa resultang natanggap ko. 

Halos hindi ako makatulog nang maayos sa araw na iyon. I am so happy that finally, after all my blood and sweat I can soon hold my story in a physical book. Lahat yata ng writer iyon ang pangarap. It's just so fulfilling. 

Mas dumoble pa yong saya ko knowing that my parents decided to move their celebration for their anniversary on June 6 kasi kailangan kong umalis on June 7 dahil by June 10, my book will be launched in Taiwan. And according to my agreement with the management, I should come to Taiwan for the book launching since this would be my debut. 

Ngumisi ako habang yakap-yakap ang unan ko. I now have a valid reason to go to Taiwan. I'll surprise Tom. Iniisip ko pa lang ang reaction niya naeexcite na ako. Di baleng absent ako sa reunion ng angkan ko, pwede pa naman ako sumali sa susunod, pero si Tom, minsan lang grumaduate iyong mokong. 

Pero na karma yata ako sa pa surprise kong ito dahil sa mismong araw ng flight ko, na delayed pa ito. Putangina, and when I arrived the airport hindi ko alam kung saan ako pupunta. Hindi ako nakapagsabi sa kanya kaya walang sumundo sa akin. 

Ayan, surprise pala ha. Edi ikaw ang naagrabyado sa sarili mong kalokohan! - anang kabilang bahagi ng utak ko. 

Buti na lang talaga nilagay niya sa f*******: iyong pangalan ng paaralan niya. Pero putangina ulit kasi kailangan ko pa palang sumakay ng train ng mga dalawang beses bago makarating sa paaralan niya. 

Tumingin ako sa phone ko para sa oras. s**t! 

Pero mas napamura ako nang makita ko ang message niya sa messenger. 

Tom: the program has just started

Me: sorry 

Tom: I understand. Happy anniversary to your parents. 

Shit! 

Hinigpitan ko na lang ang hawak ko sa bag ko. Ewan ko kung makaabot ako. Sabihin ko na lang kaya na parating na ako? 

Girl, surprise nga eh! 

I stick to my plan and I didn't inform him that I'm already heading to his school. Although I am aware that there's a tendency na baka tapos na ang graduation niya ay nagbakasakali pa rin ako. 

Nang marating ko ang gate ay agad akong tumakbo paloob. I asked random students kung saan ang gymnasium nila dahil doon ginanap ang program. And as expected the program is already over. 

I've seen a lot of graduates happily talking to each other. Some were taking pictures. They were all rejoicing their success and here I am struggling to find when on earth Tom is. 

And when I saw him talking to someone near the post ay agad na lumapad ang ngiti ko. I doubled my pacing. 

I planned to surprise him and I am so excited to see his reaction, but I was the one who got surprised when I saw a woman in her graduation gown joyfully ran into him and give him a kiss on his cheek. He then snakes his arms around her and whispered something. 

Hindi ako makagalaw. My world seems stopped but it moved again when I saw Jacky looking at me with his curious eyes. He spotted me but why Tom can't. Gusto kong lumapit but some students are walking in front of me, giving me enough barrier para hindi sila malapitan. 

I saw Jacky telling something to him kaya sinubukan niya ring hagilapin ako. But his other arm is still on the woman. I felt some acid running through my throat. 

While I am busy processing my emotions I felt a hand pulling me out from the crowd. Dinala niya ako sa gilid pero kita ko pa rin si Jacky. He's with a girl. That must be his girlfriend. 

Binalik ko ang mga mats ko kay Tom. I tried to smile. 

"Are you okay?" Tom asked. 

"Surprise!" I tried to make my voice sound lively but I failed. 

Fear crossed his eyes. He shut it for a while and gulp. 

"Listen. That girl is my cousin."

"I didn't ask," I said courteously. 

He squeezed my hand and from that moment I realized that he's still holding my hand kaya binalak Kong bawiin ito but he did not let me. He's f*****g tall and he's literally towering over me. 

"Congratulations," sabi ko na lang. 

"I thought you're not coming." 

"Yeah. I think it's actually a mistake of me to come here." 

He started speaking mandarin. Hindi ko maintindihan but he seems like cursing a lot. Para bang sinabi niya ang salitang yawa pero mandarin version. 

Ang hirap pala pag nasa ibang bansa ka kasi walang subtitles. Literal na wala kang maintindihan, unless they try to speak English. 

Hinila niya ako palapit sa sinasabi niyang pinsan kuno. Jacky is still there. Nilahad niya pa ang kamay niya nang makalapit ako. 

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person,"sabi niya pa. Tinanggap ko naman ang kamay at nakipagkamayan. 

He then introduced me to his long-term girlfriend. I just smiled. I'm glad to see them doing well. No wonder why he can't afford to lose her before kasi ang ganda-ganda niya.

After I was introduced to their circle I was invited to join Tom's graduation party at home. Kinakabahan ako. Halos buong angkan niya ata ang narito kasi. And yeah, I confirmed na talagang pinsan niya lang talaga iyong babae kanina and they were just so closed to each other. 

Truly the world is so small dahil isa sa uncle ni Tom ay regular student ko dati. I remember him telling me before na may erereto siya sa akin, kaya labis ang tuwa niya nang makita niya ako sa personal lalo na at kasama ko si Tom dahil itong mokong na ito pala iyong pamangking nirereto niya sa akin. 

"So where's my gift?" Tom asked. 

We're on the balcony now. The party is still ongoing kaya lang dahil hindi ko naman maintindihan ang mga pinagsasabi nila mas pinili kong manatili na lamang sa balcony mag-isa.

"Here," sabi ko sabay abot ng regalo ko.

Tumabi siya sa akin sa sahig at agad na binuksan ang regalo niya.

"Is this a picture frame?"

Natawa ako. Although it's common in the Philippines to send frames as a gift ay hindi ko naman iyon gagawin sa kanya. He deserves more than a frame.

"Just open it."

"A book?" kunot noo niyang tanong.

"Look at the synopsis," utos ko na agad naman niyang ginawa.

"What the f**k?"

Natawa ako. "You don't like it?"

"what do you mean I don't like it? Damn, you use my name for your character you think I wouldn't like that?!"

"You're missing some pieces. Comprehend the synopsis well."

Nalito naman siya pero agad din naman niya itong ginawa. He gasp.

"Are you for real?"

I genuinely smiled at him and nodded. I just gave him the book that I self-published. The title is My Savior, and that story isn't just dedicated to him, but our real story of how he saved me from quitting.

"You helped me a lot in my writing journey. You deserve that, Tom," I said.

"But I don't want a book as your token."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "So what do you want then?"

He tilted his head and tried to near his face to mine. Napangiwi ako pero sinamaan niya ako ng tingin.

"Aren't you curious why I helped you at that time?"

I looked at the night sky para maiwasan ang nakakasunog niyang tingin.

"Because you pity me and you're bored, right?... Ouch!" napaaray ako kasi pinitik niya bigla ang noo ko.

"I don't know if you're stupid or you're acting to be one."

"Tsk." inirapan ko na lang siya.

"You told me before that if you can't reach your dreams when you're single then you'll reach it together with your man."

Agad ko siyang nilingon. "But you're not even my man and I'm still single when I reach some of my goals-" natigilan ako nang maproseso ko nang maayos ang mga sinabi ko at nang matanto ko rin kung gaano na kalapit ang mukha naming dalawa.

Ramdam ko 'yong bigat ng hininga niya. Kumabog naman ang dibdib ko dahil sa kaba. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin pero agad ding nabalik sa kanya ang mga mata ko nang hapitin niya baywang ko palapit pa sa kanya kaya bumangga na ako sa katawan niya. Napatili ako at napapikit na lang kasi akala ko hahalikan niya ako, pero niyakap niya lang ako bigla.

"Thank you for giving me the best gift," he whispered.

"But I thought you don't like books as my token."

He chuckled. "You're not that smart to realize things, are you?"

"Whatever.... Just release me. I can't breathe anymore," sabi ko na lang kasi tunay talagang nahihirapan akong huminga dahil sa kabog sa dibdib ko.

He did release me from his embrace but his hand finds its own way to hold mine. Binaliwala ko na lang. Komportable kasi ako.

"I really wanna ask you this."

"What?" tanong ko.

"Do you have feelings for Jacky?"

Napaawang ang mga labi ko. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko sasabihin sa kanya, but I think he knows it already. He witnesses how close Jacky and I before.

So without further ado, I answered his question honestly. "Yeah, I did had feelings for him."

"Then why did you choose to cut ties with him? You could be his girl," he said.

Tumango ako. "Yeah, I could be his girl. But I don't think I deserve to be a side girl. Besides, at that time, Jacky was clearly confused. And I don't wanna make things hard for him."

"You like him that much?"

"Uhmm... You could say that."

Natahimik siya. Naramdaman ko rin ang paghigpit ng pagkakahawak niya sa kamay ko kaya sumandal na lang ako sa balikat niya.

"I really liked Jacky, but I don't like him enough to cross oceans for him. I don't also think that he likes me like how you're imagining."

"I'm not imagining things." sabat niya.

"Aish. Just let me finish."

"Fine."

"Jacky once told me that he considers himself lucky in life because when he's still in high school his father wanted to send him to an all-boys school. He did take the exam, but he failed it and that gives him an opportunity to enter another school, and then he met his girlfriend. If he passed the exam, he wouldn't meet her. See, she's so important to him and I don't think it would be worth it if he'll try to have a relationship with me. We will just end up getting hurt, "paliwanag ko.

"You're mature than I expected."

Napangisi ako. "Easy. You might fall inlove" biro ko.

Natawa lang siya sa sinabi ko.

"By the way, I still have one gift for you."

"Are you going to give me a kiss?"

Siniko ko siya dahil sa kalokohang naiisip niya at agad naman siyang napaubo. Kinuha ko ang librong niregalo ko at binuklat ito.

I gave him the ticket that I inserted in the book.

"What's this?" nagtataka niyang tanong. "Book launching?... Wait... Your name is here."

"Hays, I guess you're not that intelligent enough to get it," biro ko ss kanya. He should taste his own medicine.

He curses loudly.

"You're launching your first book?"

I grinned. "Yep!"

"Oh, Holy molly. Why are you so amazing, missy?"

I shrugged my shoulder. "Don't know. I just followed a friendly advice from someone that if I do normal things only, then I cannot do something special. And if you're curious as to why I am succeeding in my writing career now, it's because someone told me before that if I wanna continue writing then I should start making a habit. I guess that advice really worked."

"Damn, woman. You make me so proud of you. I really have a good taste."  Hindi ko na napakinggan nang maayos ang huli niyang sinabi dahil mahina niya lang itong binigkas.

"Don't forget the date. You should be there, and you should bring flowers."

"Roger that!"

Nagtawanan na lang kami.

We spent almost the entire night at the balcony just reminiscing some memories of the past. And on the next couple of days, he toured me around Taipei.

We went to an amusement park, gone picnic, and hiking together. I've done so many exciting things with him here in Taiwan but the thing that is really memorable for me is the book launching.

I am so excited that I couldn't sleep well the night before the launch. There will be other authors tomorrow also since this is a mass book launching, so hindi lang ako ang nandoon. Pero ayos lang. Ang mahalaga malolaunch na nag akda ko.

But I think I was just way too excited that I forgot I am still new in this field. Some of the writers have signed several books already, pero ako wala pa niisa ang pumipila.

I patiently waited until an old man goes near my table and ask something about the book. He asked me to read some parts which I gladly do for him.

And while I am reading, people started to flock to my table. Napangiti ako.

Everything in life really had a purpose and great timing. Because of this old man, people start becoming interested in my work and decided to purchase it.

All of them fall in line. I get my pen and start signing the books. One by one I entertained them. And that makes me so busy at that time.

"Thank you so much. I hope you'll enjoy reading the book," sabi ko sa babae.

After her, I signed another book again without looking at the person in line. Then I received a paper.

" Please sign it, "dinig kong sabi nito.

I was about to sign it immediately when I noticed the message on it.

"Look at me,."iyan ang nakasulat.

Agad akong nag-angat ng tingin sa taong kaharap ko, and to my horror it's Tom in his red long sleeve polo na tinupi niya pa hanggang siko. he's holding a bouquet and handed it to me gently.

"Thank you..." natigilan ako bigla when I saw the banner that Jacky and his girlfriend are holding.

I want you as my girlfriend. Please, date me. - iyan mismo ang nakasulat.

"For real?!" gulantang kong tanong.

Wala man lang preno or pa warning itong lalaking ito. Pabigla-bigla.

"Of course, for real. It's not for a show or something!" Tom said.

Natawa ako. Tinuro ko siya at nginitian nang nakakaloko.

"So you've been crushing me the whole time, haven't you?" akusa ko.

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin at agad na namula nag pisngi.

"Y-yeah...I like you already before you finally get to know me," he admitted.

"You! So you purposely pissed me sometimes to get my attention?" mas uminit yata ang pisngi niya sa kahihiyan at napakamot na lang ng batok niya.

"Obviously, when you like someone you'd do everything just to get notice."

Tumango-tango ako. Bakit parang tumatamis na yata nag mga salitang lumalabas sa bibig niya?

I smirk. "Okay. So, where do you plan to take me on our first date?"

He bit his lower lip to refrain himself from grinning but he failed. His powerful dimple shows as he smiled genuinely.

You really glow differently when you're in love, eh?

"So... It's settled then." Tumango-tango pa siya.

Tumahimik siya bigla at tumalikod. Akala ko aalis na siya pero bigla siyang nagsisigaw sa saya.

"Hey, Tom! Calm down!"

Napa face palm na lang ako.

"I'll be dating this talented author for real now! She's going to be my girl now! To congratulate us please buy her book!"

Oh my gosh. Nakakahiya ang lalaking ito. Pero imbes na mainis sa ginawa niya ay natawa na lang ako.

Life may be tough but things will really fall to their right places once you're ready because some things will just happen without you praying for it. You just need to ready yourself. Ika nga, mailap ang mga bagay na hindi talaga para sa iyo. 

To be continued...

Your feedbacks are very much appreciated..