Of Lilies Time and Remorse

Chapter 7

I could clearly see the excitement etched on my classmates' faces. Last day na at wala na naman kaming pasok for a week.

Bukod sa athletic competition dito sa city ay nagkasabay pa sa festival celebration ng province kung saan ay every year namang nagsasabay.

Naririnig na namin ang mga bakal sa freedom park, isang malaking open area kung saan may set-up ng booths at rides.

" Gala tayo guys ha? Must try sa viking! Basta pangit ang hindi sasama" suggest ni Derick.

" Delikado yun. Horror chamber na lang"

" Luh, manyak mga multo do'n" we all agreed with Janna whom opposed Kent's suggestion.

Hindi naman siguro nila sinasadya na mahawakan ka sa body part na hindi ka komportable, I think? Pero kung napaka conservative mo, 'wag ka na lang pumasok. You might not enjoy it. Baka imbes na matakot sa multo, na trauma ka lang.

" Edi 'wag na lang sumama kayong mga girls. Total matatakutin kayo"

Hindi pa rin nagpaawat si Kent talaga.

" Weh. Gusto mo lang mayakap si Ivo eh" I heard Mae whispered beside me.

I chuckled. Wala namang ibang nakarinig but still, I nodged her side. Baka mabuking. It's not our secret to tell.

But isn't it what humans do? Find ways to do anything they want or make way for things to turn to their favor?

When the opportunity presents, grab it. Para maka-score sa crush ay kailangan kumilos.

" Why don't you and Phil ride the Ferris wheel?" I turned to Mae and wriggled my brows, and yet with a straight face.

She wrinkled her nose. I rolled my eyes.

" No. Don't give me that look. As if what I said was an absurd idea. I know you like it." I gave her a teasing smile.

" W-what? Pa'no mo naman nasabi?"

" Don't you think the Ferris wheel is the best place to finally confess? I mean ayaw man niyang marinig, wala siyang choice unless tumalon siya."

Mae actually tried to confess to Phil multiple times. Back-up kami nina Kent, Janna, Jamaica at Sweet. But I don't know if Phil's just dense or what, pero he always have something to say or do to spoil the mood. Para bang pinipigilan niya ang confession ni Mae.

One time, naiihi daw siya when in fact kakagaling niya lang sa cr nang inambush namin. Sunod naman ay nag volunteer sa isang teacher na hindi naman niya kilala. And other petty excuses. It's stupid. Mae had cried a lot after that.

" Think about it. It's the perfect place. Hindi na siya makakapag as if 'stupid' siya " I tapped her shoulder before I stood up and went to Janna.

" Ano ba 'yan, iba na lang kasi isama mo"

" You know for a fact na magkapitbahay kami ni Pablo no?" pananakot ko sa kaniya. Ayaw niya kasi akong samahan sa cr.

I'm a sly girl kaya I blackmailed her. Pablo is actually her long time crush. Char.

" Ang galing mo talaga. Black mail na naman. " I just smiled as she lazily got up from her seat.

When I was done, I went to the sink and washed my hands. I then checked my reflexion in the mirror.

I fixed my pony tail, comb my bangs that framed my face, got my baby powder ( a regular one!) applied a minimum amount on my face and applied my strawberry lip balm in my lips. I made a 'pop' sound.

I whisked some perfume on me as I smiled at Janna who's actually watching me in the mirror. She just rolled her eyes.

Nang nasa second floor na kami, which is out classroom's floor, I saw Sixto and his friends from the next building. He leaned on the railings and waved at me. I waved back.

" Wala kayong class?" he shouted not so loud dahil hindi naman ganon kalayo ang building namin.

I leaned on the railings and shouted not-so -loud back at him.

" No. You wala din? "

He nodded probably answering 'yes'.

" Sabay tayo mamaya ha? Sa gate lang! ' Wag kang tumakas kasi hindi ka naman makakatakas" he smirked.

I raised my brow, kahit hindi naman niya makikita.

" Why is that? "

"Kasi ikaw lage nasa akin-"

" Don't you have class? "

I turned around and saw the section one teacher standing by her door. I saw J3 peeked through the other door, glanced at me and then stared at the next building. She squinted her eyes and smiled at me. I turned my gaze back to the teacher.

" I'm sorry ma'am, we're going back to our class now. " I apologized to her. I probably disturbed her class.

I looked back at Sixto and raised my pinky finger at him. I saw him mouthed 'sorry' but raised his pinky finger in response too. His friends just laughed at him except for Hyacinth. She looked not-so-happy.

I saw a teacher come out from their room and playfully dragged Sixto and the other boys. He looked at me, and smiled.

I felt my cheeks burn. Janna pinched me. She probably felt the same way too! He's the famous young handsome teacher.

Madaming nagkaka crush sa kaniya. And there's no denying that I'm one of the girls-and gays. He's just in his 20's. A fresh graduate.

Naglakad na kami pabalik sa room, and stopped at Mrs. Daza to apologize again. Pagpasok namin sa room namin which is just next to the section one room, Janna whispered by my ear.

" Flirt pa more"

Pinilit kong hindi matulog sa last subject namin. Bored na talaga ako sa pagte-take down notes. Subconscious ko na nga lang ang nagsusulat dahil papikit-pikit na ako. Hindi ko na rin naiintindihan ang sulat ko.

At exactly 5 o'clock in the afternoon, the bell rang. Finally! I immediately packed my things. We said our closing prayer, and then said goodbye to our Filipino teacher.

Balak ko mang umalis kaagad at iwasan si Sixto which is impossible by the way, because for some reason he always catches up.

Luckily schedule ko ngayon sa monitorial task. Kailangan kong mag stay para linisin ang room. Nauna na siguro siya.

Normally ay nauuna akong makapunta sa gate, saka siya dumadating. Pero ngayon sinadya ko talagang magtagal at magpursigi sa paglilinis.

That's what he get for reminding me earlier. The more you warn me, the more I'd get going. Mas ginaganahan akong gawin ang opposite.

Hence he might be going home alone, or with that Hyacinth girl...

Nagpaiwan pa kami nina Mae at Kent habang si Janna ay lalong na depress sa paghintay na matapos kami kasabay niya kasi si Kent.

" Hay, ang gwapo talaga ni Ivo sisters"

Naglabas na si Kent sa totoo niyang pagkatao. Alam din pala ni Janna ang greatest secret niya.

" Seryoso gwapo? Saan banda?"

" Hoy totoo! Ang ganda ng mga mata niya. Para akong nalulunod kapag tinititigan ko. " kinikilig na pagtatanggol ni Kent sa crush niya kay Janna.

" Malabo talaga mata mo bakla"

I looked at Mae who made a comment. We don't really have the say for someone else's life. Who ever he likes, love or hate, it's up to him. It's a matter of perspective.

" In love ako eh"

Sure love does complicates things and gives us the illusion. The illusion of seeing someone in a different light whatsoever. If you'd ask me, that would be plain stupid.

Love clouds our judgement. Well for me. Ang bata pa naman ni Kent to say he's in love. Love takes time. Love is supposed to be deep. Something unexplainable. Pero ano bang alam ko? I've never been in love.

We locked the door, and went down the exit stairs. Nang nasa gate na kami, we bid our goodbyes to each other. Inaasar pa rin nila si Kent.

I saw Sixto waiting by me. I sighed.

" Akala ko umuwi ka na" he stared at me. I looked at him with confused eyes. He looked different. Gone was the playful aura, he looked so serious.

" Akala ko rin"

He let me hold on the hem of his shirt. We crossed the street in silence. The post lights were on already. Naglalakad na kami sa gitna ng open space.

It was so lively. May naka set-up na booths na with different products. The booths were different from each other. I'd have to give credits to the different municipalities. A+ for effort and creativity.

Naka-on na din ang mga ilaw na nakasabit sa naglalakihang narra trees. Our capitol stood high and mighty with it's white pillars.

Maraming estudyante ang naglalakad o kaya'y nagpra-practice. Meron ding nakatambay lang at nakaupo o nakahiga sa malawak na bermuda grass.

Naglakad kami sa gitna kung saan may path made of bricks. The place looks like a dream. I was so amazed. It was between day and night already. Almost six o'clock.

The sky was beautiful and the people were beautiful. I saw some high school students approach a group of college students from the nearby college university. They probably ask for a survey. Something I've done before too.

They looked so happy, so friendly, so gentle. The people of the city looked so kind with each other. A vendor offered them snacks, and the college students bought for themselves and for their new friends.

On the other side, someone played his guitar and everybody sang along. Even Sixto. He's back with his usual mood I guess. Hindi kasi ako sanay na seryoso siya.

I saw another group of students na nakaupo lang sa lawn. After a few minutes may lumapit sa kanila. I saw the man carry a Bible. He smiled at the students, and asked if they have time. The students willingly obliged. Later on, they were sharing each others' thoughts.

I smiled. Meron pa din palang mga tao na handang ishare ang word of God kahit walang bayad. Meron din sigurong maiinis, but for me, kung meron ka naman palang gagawin, decline politely. 'Wag ka na lang makipagplastikan.

It was such a gentle act. It was making friends, despite of our religious differences. I looked at Sixto and he was smiling. He's probably thinking the same.

" Ang ganda no? "

I smiled and nodded.

" Sana lang hindi ito magbago. Wala kasing permanente."

I silently agreed. Change is inevitable. It's the only permanent thing. Pero ayoko...

Ayokong may magbago. The city really looked beautiful. The laughter, the smiles, kahit pa nga mukha ng mga leaders na stressed sa groupmates nila. They all looked amazing.

It may be the magic of six o'clock or the magic of Sixto but I really wanted to prolong this moment. Everything.

" Luciandy"

Sixto stopped from walking, and so I stopped too. He looked at me with intense eyes.

" Sana hindi ka magbago"

He gave me a smile.

We heard the Angelus from the nearby church. I closed my eyes and said a prayer. Or a wish...

Kahit na hindi naman wishing time ang six o'clock, I still believe it will grant my wish. Maybe. Just maybe. I hope so.

" Sana nga hindi, Sixto"

Ayokong magbago. Ayokong magkaroon ng pagbabago. At least in a bad way. Please let things stay as it were.

Nilakad na lang namin ni Sixto ang terminal mula sa school. Hindi na lang kami nag commute. Sayang naman ang 10 pesos namin. It was fine for me though.

Pumasok muna kami sa T-mart. Hindi naman ito ganoon kalaki, pero kompleto naman ito sa mga basic necessities. Umupo na lang muna kami sa may food corner.

" Cotton candy?" I just nodded.

Hinihingal pa ako dahil napaka-extra ni Sixto at kinaladkad ako para takbuhin ang last 100 meters.

Inabot niya sa akin ang cotton candy at isang bote ng distilled water.

" Ang tagal mong lumabas. 7:30 na tayo makakauwi nito. "

" Grabe ka naman. 7 pa lang makakauwi na tayo."

" Still, ang haba na ng pila ngayon"

" Edi iniwan mo na lang sana ako."

He clicked his tongue.

Bumili na lang siya ng waffles para sa aming dalawa bago kami lumabas at nagsimulang maglakad ulit.

Pagdating sa terminal, hindi nga siya nagkamali at ang haba nga ng pila. Ang tagal pa umusad dahil na traffic siguro ang mga tricycle.

We ate the food he bought for us.

Magugutom ka talaga sa pila. Kaya I recommend na bumili ka ng pagkain bago pumila.

Bumaba lang kami sa labas ng subdivision dahil dagdag pamasahe na naman kung magpapahatid talaga kami. I payed for our fare because he payed for our food.

It's how it should be. Dapat may ambag. Girls can pay too. Hindi dapat iasa sa lalaki lahat. Kahit pa sinisingil ko rin si Sixto...