When the flower blooms

CHAPTER SIX

Chapter 6

I don't know. I really don't know.

"Tapos ate alam mo ba dun sa sasakyan ng kaibigan ko ambaho! Tas ayaw pa buksan bintana. Hula ko ate sira yun ayaw ipagawa, kuripot yun eh. Tas nung papunta....."

Hindi ko na pinakinggan ang sinasabi niya dahil lumabas na ako sa sala. Ang walangya kaya pala napakaaga umalis sa bahay pupunta dito. He's so makulit din.

Nakisabay lang daw siya sa friend niya na papunta din dito sa manila tapos nagpahatid na din sa address ni tita na nakuha daw niya kay Caleb. In fairness naman kasi kay Psalm daming friends.

Tapos wala nang magawa si daddy nang magpumilit si Psalm na dito daw siya. Mangheheram nalang daw siya kay Caleb ng damit pansamantala.

"Oh iha, mag meryenda ka muna?" Tanong ni tita Espeth na may dalang homemade cupcakes.

Isa din pala sa negosyo ni tita ay ang pagbebenta ng cupcakes. Tinanguan ko si tita at sabay kaming pumunta sa dining para kumain.

Si Caleb? Hindi ko alam kung nasaan, kanina ay umakyat ito pero bumba. May lakad ata eh dahil dala nito ang ducati niya.

"Pwede bang mas makilala ka pa?" Nakangiti si tita habang nakatingin sa akin. Ok, ang creepy.

"Ahm bukod po sa pangalan, I'm 19 years old na po. I want to take fine arts po sa college then balak ko pong mag model." I introduce. Well pumayag na si mom and dad, wala naman na masiyadong dapat ikahiya.

Well I'm beautiful, sexy, fit, and makinis din ako.

"Model?! Talaga? Alam mo bang pangarap ko din yan dati?" Tuwang tuwa ito sa pagsasalita.

Pero parang makakasundo ko naman siya dahil model din pala ang pangarap niya dati. We talk a lot about our dreams. We were laughing when Caleb enter the kitchen.

"A-ah, mama kasama ko po si Jared." Paalam niya na medyo kinabahan. Bakit?

Nakita ko ang pag kunot ng noo ni tita Espeth, nakita ko din ang kaba sa mata niya. What's happening? Is that the Jared a bad influence?

"Ah, Paris dito ka muna. Kakausapin ko lang ang pasaway na iyon." Nakangiti siya bagaman halata ang inis. What?

After few minutes naka tatlong cupcakes na ako at busog na agad ako. Paano ba naman puro snack ang laman ng car ni daddy kaya ayun nakain ko.

"Ahm Paris, halika na sa taas ihahatid kita sa kwarto mo ha." Nakita ko si tita Espeth sa pinto ng kusina.

My room? So hindi ako sa guest room? What about Psalm?

"Si Psalm ay baka sa kwarto na din muna ni Caleb, wala kasi kaming guest room." Aniya na parang nabasa ang nasa utak ko.

Umakyat na kami sa hagdan at sinundan ko lang si Tita papunta sa kwarto ko daw. I was silently hoping na hindi maliit. Well I'm nit that maarte but duhh mas prefer ko ang malaki.

When tita open the door, my mouth fell open. It's big, pink, girly and it's so cute! Although i like purple the most but this is cute!

"You like it?" Nakangiti na tanong ni tita.

Wait, so pinaghandaan niya ito? Well she's prepared ah.

"I like it, but i miss my old room." I don't know but she just smile then left me.

I just shrugged then get inside. It's cute, the carpet, bedsheets, pillows, and the wall are pink. Hindi masakit sa mata kaya mas maganda.

Wala akong sariling bathroom and i don't have a walk in closet but I'm good. It's ok lang naman.

I put all my outfit to my mini closet, not walk in though. I also put all my gadgets in one place near the tv. Oh i forgot, i have my own smart TV here,i also have a study table. So i put my things there. After everything saktong kumatok si tita sa door so i open it.

"Dinner is ready, andun na sila Psalm. You done?" Medyo sumisilip pa ito sa loob.

"Ah yeah, baba din po ako. Magpapalit lang medyo pawisan." Ngumiti ako at nang tumalikod siya ay nagpalit na ako.

Even though i open the AC medyo pawis parin ako. When i go down, andun na nga sila. Si Psalm, Caleb, tita and tito.

"Good evening po." Bati ko sakanila.

"Wow ate first time ko narinig ang pagbati mo ng goodevening." All of them laugh. So nakakahiya!

This Psalm!

So here is our position, sa magkabilang dulo si tita at tito. Sa harap ko ay magkatabi si Caleb at Psalm at ako naman ay magisa sa harap nila. Malapit din ako kay tita.

6 chairs din kasi ito.

Our dinner is, oh it's steak and we also have a pasta. Oh i think i know who will eat the pasta. We also have a chamomile panna cotta. Ooh looks good.

"So sa school ka din ni Caleb magaaral?" Tito ask.

"Yes po, that's what my mommy and daddy said." I answered politely.

"Ate di ka naman magalang ah." Tatawa tawang sabi ni Psalm habang kumakain ng-- of course, pasta.

Pinandilatan ko lang siya at bahagyang siyang sinipa. Pero wala lang siyang reaksyon at nakangiti parin habang nakakain. I tried to kick his paa again but no reaction from him. He's normally eating.

I look at Caleb na nakangiwi habang nakain. Wait-- no! Sinadya kong ihulog ang kutsara para nakita ang ilalim. Nang tignan ay si Caleb pala talaga ang nasipa ko! How come?!

I look at him with an apologetic face. He also look at me so he see me with that face, he just smiled.

"What about you Psalm? San ka papasok?" Tito ask Psalm.

"Ah, baka po dun din kala ate, may Senior high naman po dun diba?" Tanong niya na may pagka alanganin. So kinakabahan siya?

"Of course, anong strand mo?" Tito ask again.

"Stem po gaya ni ate!" He proudly answered.

"Really? Anong bang course kukunin mo?" Natutuwa talaga si tito kay Psalm dahil bibo si Psalm eh.

"Ah, engineering po." He look at me with a happy face. More like a proud face.

"Makaka graduate ka kaya eh pasaway ka." Tawa ko. Now it's my time!

"Yun lang, ang hirap ng math eh." Kamot nito sa ulo niya. Muka naman na problemado nga siya. Well sino ba naman ang hindi. Math is scary.

Minsan i ask myself.

How dare my brain understand fashion but not math!

Then I ended up sleeping while studying. Math is fun? No that's not true.

"Si Caleb ay mag engineering din." Kwento ni tita.

"Ah--" tita cut Caleb.

"Civil engineering ang kurso niya ngayon taon." Nakangiting sabi ni tita.

I look at Caleb. He look irritated. Now I'm confused.

"Talaga? Edi magaling ka sa math Caleb?" Nilingon ni Psalm si Caleb.

From irritated face to a happy face. He's good at pretending huh?

"Hindi lahat ng engineer magaling sa math." Depensa ko. I just want to tease him.

"Gaya mo?" Inosenteng tanong ni Psalm pero alam ko naganti lang siya.

"Bakit engineering ba course ko?" He's idiot din minsan eh?

"Hindi pero hindi ka naman magaling sa math." Aba ang loko inirapan pa ako.

Now he's back being an annoying brothers.

"Nakakatuwa naman kayo, o siya kain lang ng kain." Si tita Espeth.

We just continued eating. I still feel that something is wrong with Caleb. I don't know he's so tahimik eh usually naman nasabay siya sa kalokohan ni Psalm.

When dinner is done umakyat lang ako sa kwarto para mag ayos ayos pa.

Lumbas lang ako para mag shower dahil ugali ko talaga na bago maligo nag shoshower. I bring my shampoo, conditioner, body wash and my towel, i also kuha may pamtulog so i can change there nalang.

Luckily no one is in the bathroom so i did my routine na. I also put my skin care and brush my hair.

I'm now wearing a white shirt with an avocado printed on it and it has a kaparehas na short and ut is also white. It's cute.

Nung nakalabas ay nakita ko si Caleb palabas din ng room niya.

He's wearing a dark blue pajama and a muscle shirt. He's hair is messy but it ok lang naman. I also smell his manly scent.

"Hey, pupuntahan na sana kita eh." He laugh. He's so handsome!

Wait what?! The hell with you Paris?!

Lumapit siya sa akin at gusto kong umatras! Pero natigil ako dahil nasa harap ko agad siya!

He put his hands on my head, then using his index finger he trace my forehead down yo my nose, until my lips. I thought he's going to kiss me so i freaking close my eyes! But instead of my lips, he kissed my forehead....

"Goodnight my light, see you tomorrow."

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"Good morning ate!" Bati

"Hmm..." Tanging sagot ko.

"Ate may eyebags ka, yung totoo natulog ka ba?"

"Ano ba ang ginagawa mo dito?!" Sigaw ko. Simula nung magising siya ay andito na siya, di pa daw siya nag aalmusal dahil iniintay niya ako.

Sweet sana kaso ang annoying niya! Kanina pa siya kausap ng kausap sa akin eh inaantok pa ako!

Sino ba naman kasi ang hindi makakatulog kagabi?! He just kissed me in my freaking forehead! Sabi niya pa....

"It's a goodnight kiss...."

So annoying! Hindi tuloy ako naka sleep kakaisip dun. Goodnight kiss? Pati ba si Psalm hinalikan niya? Eh yung parents niya?

I hate this!

"Ah, Paris nakapamili ka na ba ng gamit sa eskwela? Aba eh sa susunod na lunes na ang pasukan ah." Sabi ni tita habang nag aalmusal kami.

"Ah opo kami po nila mommy." Sagot ko at nakita ko na parang naging sad siya? Why?

"Ganun b-ba? Eh mag enroll kaya? Samahan kita?" Yaya ni tita. So ganito niya kagusto magka anak na girl? Binebaby niya?

"Ah tita si Caleb nalang po sasama sa amin ni ate." Psalm suggested. Well mas ok dahil medyo kabisado niya ang school.

Nag background check na rin pala ako dun kagabi dahil nga hindi ako makatulog!

Bali may dalawang pangalan iyon. Isang sta. Maria school na pang highschool at senior highschool. At ang isa pa ay sta. Maria university wich is pang college. Magkaiba din ang gate ng school sa university.

Ang alam ko sa next Monday ang pasukan namin kaya ngayon kami or bukas mag eenroll.

"Ah, hindi kasi pwede si Caleb may pupuntahan siya." Naging istrikto ang muka ni tita.

She's moody or what?

"Eh tita si Caleb nalang po. Para mag bonding na din." Ngiti ni Psalm. Halata na hindi niya napansin ang pagiging istrikto ni tita. "Please tita? Kung hindi si Caleb edi kami nalang ni ate na dalawa." Pilit niya pa.

Aba dinadamay pa ako ng annoying na ito! Pero sabagay, nakakailang nga kung si tita ang mag eenroll sa amin. Para kaming kinder or elementary.

"A-ah sige na nga. I-cancel mo lakad mo h-ha, samahan m-mo sila." Halatang hindi sangayon si tita pero umoo nalang. Pilit na pilit ah?

In the end kami nila Caleb at Psalm ang nag enroll. Gamit namin ang kotse nila at si Caleb ang nagmaneho. Ako sa sa tabi ni Caleb at si Psalm sa likod. And i swear! It's so awkward!

Tahimik sana pero nagpatugtog si Psalm ng kung ano ano sa cellphone niya.

Oh and by the way I'm wearing a black tank top and a denim shorts. I partner it with black sneakers. And of course my favorite CHANEL perfume. I also wear a light make up, put my hair into messy bun. I have my white sling bag with me.

While Caleb is wearing a stripped white and black shirt then a black jeans. He also wear a black sneakers and he's manly perfume. His hair is a bit messy and that's all.

And last, Psalm. He's wearing a dark gray target longsleeve and a white jeans. He fold the sleeves below his elbow that makes him cool. He also wear a White Converse and i also smell his manly perfume. As usual he wear his favorite plain silver necklace.

We finally arrived after how many years! Si Psalm ang una naming inen enroll. Medyo matagal din yun. pagtapos naman ay ako.

"Full name mo miss?" Tanong ng registrar.

Ok. I really hate introduce myself.

"Paris Escalante, 19." Hindi ko na binanggit ang buo king pangalan dahil nakalagay naman iyon sa birth certificate ko.

"Paris Jae Escalante po."

Napatingin ako kay Psalm dahil sa sinabi niya. Really? Kailangan talaga sabihin yun? May birth certificate Naman.

"Baka yun ang isusulat sa attendance mo bala ka kulang name mo." Sabi niya na parang tinatakot pa ako. Care ko naman?

Inirapan ko lang siya at tumawa naman sila ni Caleb. Wow si he's being annoying nanaman.

"Hoy wag mo ako sabayan sa pag tawa. Di pa tayo bati." Biglang nagsungut si Psalm. So he's still mad at Caleb?

"Pero sabi mo si Caleb gusto mo kasama sa pag enroll." Natatawang sabi ko.

"Eh, para kasi tayong kinder niyan pag si tita oa sumama sa aten." Reklamo ni Psalm. Well ganyan din nasa isip ko dear brother.

"So, architecture ang course mo miss Escalante?" The registrar ask.

"Yes po." I answered.

"Here," may inabot itong index card sa akin. "I write everything you need to know. Andiyan yan lahat."

Pati name ng janitor andito? Psh. I read it.

Paris Jae Escalante

1st year building 6, floor 7. Section A

Door 490.

Adviser: Ben Sumayon.

Wow andito nga lahat. Pero bakit lalaki ang adviser ko? Well hindi naman yun bad but i want my adviser a girl. But it's ok na din naman.

Next ay si Caleb naman ang nag enroll.

"Full name po." Sabi nung registrar. Aba kinikilig? She's old na kaya!

"Ah, Casper Dandreb..... Del Franco." Sagot naman ni Caleb. Medyo nag alangan pa siya sa dulo.

"Oh i thought Caleb Del Franco ang name mo." Cause i was calling him Caleb for so long but i still don't know his full name pala.

Like mine, the registrar gave him a index card. Hindi niya ipinakita ang kanya pero sinabi naman niya ang building niya.

"1st year building 10 floor 5. Section A door 607." Basa niya sa index card.

After that siyempre hindi mawawala ang pagpunta namin sa mall. Nagpunta kami sa isang ice cream shop. Of course Si Psalm ang nanguna dahil favorite niya.

I ordered strawberry ice cream with sprinkles on top of it.

Caleb ordered Pistachio ice cream with marshmallows on top of it.

And of course Psalm, he ordered chocolate, cookies and cream ice cream with chocolate syrup and sprinkles on top of it.

He's so matakaw talaga.

"Di kaya magka diabetes ka diyan?" Sita ni Caleb na natatawa na din.

"Neknek mo, di ako magkaka diabetes dahil lang sa ice cream." Dumila pa ito na parang bata.

Umupo kami sa isang bakanteng bench sa mall. We were just eating when a boy approach Caleb.

"Kuya Cal!" Sigaw nung batang lalaki. I think he's 8?

"J-jared." Halata ang gulat sa muka ni Caleb. Parang kinakabahan siya.

Nakita ko na may tiningnan si Caleb so i look at it too. There i saw a woman who's i think 30 something? He's holding another boy na mas bata sa lumapit kay Caleb.

Wait.... Is that?

"Oy Caleb, anak mo?" Tanong ni Psalm nang walang pasintabi. He's so innocent! He just continue eating his ice cream.

"What?! Of course not." Tanggi naman ni Caleb. Is he nahihiya Or what?

Lumapit si Caleb dun sa mag ina. He gave his ice cream to them and he also smiled.

"Sino yun Caleb?" Tanong ni Psalm. He's enjoying his ice cream.

"Ahm... No one." He just answer and nag pauna na siya maglakad.

I didn't have the chance to say na nag shopping muna kami because he's so fast! Hanggang nakarating na kami sa parking ng mall ay tahimik siya at si Psalm naman ay nag mumusic nalang dahil ubos na ang ice cream niya.

It's so awkward! Like the car is so silent. We can almost hear ants talking. Not until Psalm talk. Thank you brother.

"Anong oras pasok niyo Caleb?" He ask.

"Ah, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm." Tipid niya sagot. So he's serious mode?

"Ikaw ate? Parehas ba kayo time?" Psalm ask me.

"Yeah, 8 to 5 din ako." Tipid ko din na sagot. Like kung serious siya edi fine! Serious din ako.

"Muka naman kayong tanga eh, pa emo amp." Tapos ay pabagsak na sumandal sa upuan.

Pa emo? Eh si Caleb nauna eh! Pa serious pa siya diyan hindi naman bagay. Ano ba kasi problema ng isang ito? Anong masama sa batang ama? Though sabi niya hindi.

"Masisira yung seatbelt." Biglang sabi ni Caleb.

"Pake mo." Pagtataray ko naman. Tinignan ko ang seatbelt at halos masira nga iyon dahil sa higpit ng kapit ko.

"Hey, you mad?" He ask me. Hindi siya nakatingin sa akin dahil nag dadrive siya.

I look at Psalm first in rear mirror dahil chismoso ang isang ito. Baka bigyan ng meaning.

"Hindi ah, I'm just serious." Hindi makaramdam na pinaparinggan ko siya!

"Why? Something wrong?" He ask curiously. Now he's talkative. Hindi ko siya pinansin at tinuon ang mata ko sa paligid. "Hey, pansinin mo ako. You look serious. Something happened?"

Oo!

"Hindi ako nakapag shopping kanina." Pag amin ko. Well partly naman kasi yan. I want a new tops! Ang luluma na ng nandun ko!

Caleb laugh like there's no Tomorrow! But i was shocked when Psalm laugh too. Sabi na chismoso!

"Ate! Hahaha napaka.... Napaka--- ahahaha."

Wala na ako maintindihan sakanila dahil tawa lang sila ng tawa hanggang makauwi. But at least Caleb is not serious na. Hindi na awkward! But still! It's not right to laugh at someone's misery diba?

After a long day and long dinner napagpasyahan ko na tumambay sa balcony.

I was wearing my pink pajama and a racerback. I also wear a zip-up jacket and mu tsinelas panloob.

I miss my daddy..... And of course my mommy. I miss my old life there. I inhale some fresh air dahil masarap ito sa pakiramdam.

Until i feel someone watching me. There in the door of a balcony there is Caleb who's comfortably leaning in the sliding door.

"Fresh Right?" Ngiti niya.

He's wearing his pantulog. Dark green pajama and a muscle shirt.

His hands is in the pajamas pocket. So he looks cool with it.

"Seriously. Why are you serious earlier? And mataray ka pa." I know ge won't buy my reason but now i hate it.

"Nothing." I don't want him to know! What if he thinks that I'm judging him?

"You thought I'm jared's father?" I think he's i mind reader.

I didn't say anything cause I'm shy! Baka hate na niya ako.

"Don't worry he's not. But i can't tell you who is he. Sorry." He have an apologetic face.

Well you can't expect people to open up with you that easily. It takes time.

It takes time healing a wound, it takes time to stop the pain, it takes time to earn a trust, it takes time to forgive.

You can't expect someone to do it easily. Everything takes time.

"It's ok, i understand naman." I'm shy. I dont know why i felt something.

Tumingin ulit ako sa harap. I saw traffic, city lights and some people.

They are in subdivision but their balcony can see everything. It's a perfect place.

"I'm sleepy." I said out of nowhere. I just feel like saying it eh.

I feel him beside me. I just closed my eyes to feel the air. But instead of air...

I felt his hands on my head. Then his index finger tracing my forehead down to my nose until my lips. Then he kiss my forehead.

Like the last night.

"What are you doing?" I ask him while my eyes is stil close. I don't want to face him cause I don't know what emotion my eyes can show.

"From now on I'll do that every night." He whispered.

"Why?" I ask but instead of answering it....

"Goodnight my light, see you tomorrow."

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A/N

Paris outfit number one is from

Itsyuyan (youtube)

Paris outfit number two is from

Pinterest ( the pantulog.)

Paris outfit number 3 is from

Authors imagination ( pajama)

Caleb's outfit number one is from

Pinterest ( the pajamas)

Caleb's outfit number two is from

Drew scott ( youtube)

Psalm's outfit number one is from

Authors imagination.

Thank you! Seeyah!