Dusk Kisses

11

"Let's put an end to that," he chuckled softly seconds after, then he looked away.

"hoy! kahit walang manligaw sa akin--- i don't care! i'm still drop. dead. gorgeous." he just scoffed, looking away from me.

"di tayo bati!" I mocked him and turned my sight to his hands. Naka close yung fist niya habang naka alalay sa thighs ko, he's basically carrying all of my weight. It was reasonable. 

simula pa lang ng game pero napaka ingay na namin. i'm so glad na malayo kami sa mga kapitbahay namin kaya walang magrereklamo. I laughed. I started pushing Mae using my feet tapos biglang lumapit sila Aia sa amin at tinulak rin ako. I tickled her a little para di siya makapag concentrate. Lalo pa kaming nagtawanan hanggang sa mahirapan nang huminga katatawa. I used my right hand to hold Syrus' hand hawak niya kasi ang ulo ko.

Medyo nagkakasakitan na pero wala naman kaming pakielam.

"Wait---" i heard Kent but we just ignored him at pinagpatuloy ang pagtutulakan.

Naramdaman ko pang bumaling ang ulo ni Kent sa gawing likod, nabitawan niya ang isang hita ko kaya napahawak na lang ako sa noo niya gamit ang kaliwang kamay. We girls, were oblivious of what is happening. All we cared about is having fun and of course the game.

We continued pushing each other until "ingat naman---damn it!" Kent cursed nang muntik na akong mahulog at mauntog sa edge ng pool! Siguro ay nagulat din siya.

Hindi naman natuloy dahil naibaba niya ako mula sa shoulders niya, I can even feel his hand; wrapped around my nape, preventing it to bump to somewhere. I don't know how he did that, it was as fast as a blink of an eye.”Selene?” he looked straight into my eyes, my soul.

He turned his eyes away, looking back to the girls. "Pwede bang ibang laro na lang? yung hindi pisikal." He said in monotone, he seems... upset. "Nagkakasakitan na kayo, paano kapag may naaksidente?---tsh, you know what? i'm out. damn it." I was surprised on how he acted, he doesn't seem like... Kent. para akong nakakita ng bagong pagkatao niya. I can’t even recognize the way he acted. He walked away, fuming mad.

I saw how Aia's face changed. Parang guilty.

"N'yare don?" Syrus, she was confused and so I am.

"May point naman siya ah? Muntik na nga mauntog si Lauri sa semento" Xera defended.

"E, bakit galit na galit siya? Siya ba yung mauuntog? I mean no offense, bes, sorry na muntik ka na mauntog pero ang OA niya?" Syrus blurted, with her forehead creased. wala na kaming nagawa dahil nasira na yung mood. I sighed my lungs out. 

“That’s scary,” bulong pa ni Aia sa tabi ko, making me roll my eyes subtly.

"Selene..." i raised my brow as I stopped brushing my hair. Galing akong guest room, tatawagin ko sana si Kent kasi magmomovie marathon kami. 

"Uy, andito ka pala? Akala ko nasa guest room ka?" He just smiled at me before looking down. Kakatapos lang naming maligo lahat and nasa kwarto ko na sila, well maliban kay Aia dahil doon daw siya sa room niya matutulog.

"I was, but... i have to go home, naghihintay si Mom," he wasn't looking straight at me, "Selene," he called me again.

"Hmm?" I waited for him to say what he wanted to..

"sorry," my eyes widened imperceptibly. Not gonna lie, he gave me chills. 

I was curious so I asked. "sorry for what?" 

"sorry for ruining your night, hindi ko napigilan. I acted--" muntik ko na nga makalimutan yun.

I sushed him because it wasn't totally his fault. Nag-enjoy kami, nakalimot. "di mo naman kasalanan 'yon. Ako pa nga itong dapat magpasalamat sa 'yo. If it weren't for you baka sa hospital ako mag o-overnight," I chuckled after carrying out a joke. I hope that could send him at ease. I don’t want him to blame himself, thinking that he severed what has already been damaged. 

"Kent," for some reason, my heart wildly pounded when he pinned his dark gaze to me. None of our drinks was with alcohol but his eyes were so intoxicated to the point I thought he was drunk. Napakapungay. Idagdag mo pa yung makapal niyang pilik mata. He has everything every girl would simp for. "Mm?" f**k. I lost it.

"thank you," my eyes were unconsciously staring at his. You can’t blame me, the word perfect would be an understatement and I would’ve thought his eyes were sculpted. It looked like a dumbfounding art. Napaka sarap titigan. Soothing perhaps. 

His lips traced a smile, making me glance at it. I inadvertently bit my lower lip. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit ko ginawa yun.

He got something out from his pocket, and it was a... box? It was nicely wrapped in pink japanese paper with a red bow. "Here, take this" He handed it out to me. Thousands of thoughts drastically came inside my mind but I  decided to stay unbothered and just treasure the moment. I couldn't let this pass. 

"Oh? anong pakulo 'to" i chuckled. I was staring at him because of his funny face, parang di niya kasi alam kung anong gagawin at sasabihin niya.

kumunot nang bahagya yung noo niya habang nakatingin sa binigay niya sa 'kin. it seems like words have failed him. "uh... birthday gift? yeah, happy birthday," Ewan ko kung napilitan lang ba siya o ganun lang talaga siya bumati. Walang emosyon! it was too bland and boring. Pahingi nga ng asukal, sasabuyan ko lang 'to ng konti.

I tilted my head a little on the right side, trying to figure out something. Labag ba 'to sa loob niya? I laughed in my mind. "Hindi ka naman siguro napilitan, 'no?" I joked.

"H-huh? hindi---" He scratched his left brow quickly. "Actually yan yung binili ko nung nag mall tayo kaya nawala ako sandali." That's it. He became himself, he feels comfortable again. isn't it strange? I don't know how to elaborate it but he has some sort of original traits. different traits and attributes that i can't even point out. but it feels so familiar. 

or maybe it's just his way of expressing himself when other people are around? I swear to God, he's a different person when his friends are with him and with unfamiliar people.

"Crush mo ba 'ko?" I teased him with my playful smirk, i wasn't really taking it seriously--i mean alam ko naman na hindi, kaya binibiro ko lang siya. "Sige na, grab the opportunity to confess. 'di ako magbabago, promise"

"Dream on," He didn't even wait for a couple of seconds to say that! 

"No thanks," 

“Sus, ikaw kaya may gusto sa akin,” I slapped his arm. I didn't tend to do so pero, ganoon na lang rin ka-bayolente and tugon ko. "Aray!--- Pag ako nagka injury diyan sasabihin ko kay coach dahil yun sa'yo tapos di na ko makakapag swimming kahit kailan. makakaya ba yun ng konsensiya mo? masisira ang swimming career ko dahil sa 'yo?" He said with his threatening eyes. Ang cute. Parang batang inaaway sa kalsada. Daig pa yata ako ne'to mag overthink, e.

"E, puro na lang kasi katarantaduhan lumalabas sa mouth mo!" I laughed. "I must get going, inabot ko lang talaga yan. Andiyan na si manong. Pasensiya na daw kung di siya nakarating ng mas maaga, may pinagawa pa daw si Mama sa kanya" he scratched the side of his ear like a shy kid.

"Sige, bawi nalang kamo ako sa kanya. This time di na drawing, promise."

”Baka drawing na naman yan?”

“Grabe sira agad image ko sa ‘yo?” biro ko. But he seemed unbothered by my joke. I straightened my face the way his face is. “Okay, hindi na talaga, i swear.” I clinged my left arm at the back of my waist na hawak yung bigay niya and raised my right hand to show him my sincerity sa pag papromise ko.

“I’ll hold onto that,” he eyed my hand as i keep it in the air bago siya tuluyang tumalikod sa akin. He was starting to walk away but something must have popped in his mind, causing him to stop. A little bit of confusion took over my mind for a second, questioning what was the reason he looked back. 

"Selene" he called my attention. I gave him a sweet smile pero i didn't show my teeth. Ayaw ko namang isipin niya na gustong gusto ko yung pagtawag niya sa akin. I don’t like giving signals.

"Bakit? May nakalimutan ka ba?" I pointed the way to the guest room at my back. He shook his head and licked his lower lip as I bit mine. He tapped the back of his head before brushing his hands back and forth.

"Happy birthday... ulit" this time, i sense an overflowing sincerity. I can feel it. I see it in his eyes and the way he smiled at me. I looked away because my system got alerted of the hot sensation spreading in my cheeks.

Normal lang naman maflatter ‘di ba?

It’s not weird to feel butterflies in your stomach kahit pa friends lang, ‘di ba?

"Sige na, goodnight," I tiptoed to see manong behind him. I waved my hand and smiled when I saw manong. "Ingat kayo, a?"

“You’re concerned, aren’t you?” he narrowed his eyes, suspecting about something. And his question seemed like a trick question kaya di ko na lang sinagot. “Crush mo na ba ako?”

“Sira,” I winced. Wala lang akong masabi. It’s really weird to hear that from him. Not like negative weird. I just don’t know what else to call it. Odd? Strange, perhaps?

“Don’t worry, mag-iingat ako para makita mo pa ‘ko sa monday,” ang feeler talaga nito. He slowly tilts his head on the side, hindi ko alam kung nagpapacute ba ‘to o ewan, mukha lang namang tanga. I rolled my eyes, stopping myself from smiling, but it can’t just hide. 

"Si manong ang dapat mag-ingat, ang daldal mo kaya! Nakaka distract mag drive pag malikot yung kasama, parang five years old" i stuck my tongue out to tease him.

"Baka ikaw lang nadi-distract?”

I crossed my arms, confidently smiled. “Never.” I said it so hard, I would even hear a period at the end of it.

“Never say never.” sagot naman niya. “Pero concerned ka nga?” he asked, nang-aasar. 

“syempre.” his pupil darkened, seeming so surprised with what i’ve answered. “Kaibigan kita, e.” his lips parted and he seemed so relieved na para bang nabunutan siya ng tinik sa dib-dib niya.

the smile that formed in my lips earlier gradually faded, kagaya nung sa kanya. Silence reigned between the two of us. "Fine, dahil concerned ka,  Sige mag-iingat ako para sa ‘yo." he winked as he started walking; facing me. 

“Mauntog ka sana sa pinto, bida bida, e.” 

I would assume that above us, there is one God, watching us, napakabilis mamanifest ng sinabi ko. "f**k" he immediately turned his back against me nang nauntog nga siya sa pinto, which had caused me to burst into laughter. He massaged his head and waved his hands goodbye without taking off his gummy smile.

I smiled on my way upstairs but that smile trailed off when I saw my dad on the top of the stairs watching me while holding the stair railing. Walang emosyon. He shook his head and went to their room.

"Oh! ayan na naman siya sa ngiting yan," i saw Aia came out from her room, kaharap lang ng kwarto ko kung nasa'n yung tatlo.

I changed my face immediately. I realized that I was smiling like a fool the whole time. 

oh, my God, Lauri.

Todo pasimple pa ako itago yung box sa likod ko pero sa laki ng mata nitong si Aia, nakita niya na.  "Hep, hep, ano yan?" She raised both of her brows up and down when she tried to peak.

"Nothing," i smiled awkwardly. It was so awkward, pakiramdam ko naka wince na ako. “Pakachismosa?” i sarcastically said, para naman maguilty siya at tigilan ako but not a word like that would stop her. Pag gusto niya, gusto niya talaga. She walked closer to me at nilingon yung likod ko kaya i turned a little bit on the opposite side ngunit di ko namalayan na nasa kabila pala yung kamay niya kaya nasalisihan niya ako! 

Fine, i was just teasing her earlier.

I forfeited and let her open it. “Sa ‘yo yan? Naunahan mo pa ‘ko magbukas, ah?” so nosy. Gusto ko sana na ako ang unang makakakita, sa akin yun, e. 

"necklace?" she was in deep shock nang makita niya yung laman. I got it out of her hand and turned my sight back to her. She was grinning this time.

"Ba't parang multo yung nakita mo? Anong mali sa necklace? May sanib ba yan?" I'm confused, deeply confused on how she acted sa isang necklace na may pendant na.... Moon? Bakit moon? Hindi naman ako mahilig sa buwan. Wala namang sentimental value sa akin---

I tilted my head a little on the side, trying to figure something out.

Selenophile. 

Selenophile? A person who loves the moon is called Selenophile… Selen---

Selene! Lauri Selene!

My eyes went shiny when I figured out what he meant. 

"Didn't you know?!" Nasa harap kami ng laptop niya, sa loob ng kwarto niya.

"I really did not!"

"Gosh, i knew it. He likes you!" 

My lips parted really wide and not a split second, I scoffed in disbelief. Kanina pa ko naaasar dito kay Asterianah. Kanina pa niya sinasabing gusto ako ni Kent, puro naman invalid yung mga rason niya. Puro galing sa google. Yung mga when a guy blah blah blah and shits. "Mas assumera ka pa sa 'kin 'no? Tss." I hissed "he's a guy! Malay mo di niya alam yung ganito! Wala lang sa kanya ‘to!" i tried to defend Kent.

Inayos ni Aia ang pagkakaupo at humarap sa gilid kung nasaan ako.

"Lauri?" She's getting my attention, busy pa rin ako kakabasa sa sinearch niya sa google.

"when a man gives you a necklace, it means either his love for you is as deep as an ocean, o baka he wants to be close to your heart! pwede ring both! He's really that sincere. " iyon ang nakalagay sa sinearch niya kung anong meaning ng pagbibigay ng lalaki ng necklace sa isang babae. I didn't know that even jewelries have their own meaning.

"Si Syrus nga siguro biological sister mo" i glanced at her and went my eyes back to her laptop "Parehas kayong mahilig magbigay ng meaning, e. Siya si Wiki ikaw si miriam" i laughed at her annoyed reaction.

"Babae ako, I always know when a guy’s making a move or not!" 

“Whoa, ang daming experience sa love?” i sarcastically said, causing her face to wince as though she ate something really sour. Her brows also knitted; the only way she could express her annoyance for me “Hay na ‘ko! Bahala ka d’yan, basta sinabi ko na sa ‘yo.” She pushed me hard enough to make me move out of her room.

I stared at the necklace inside the box. It was just simple pero ang ganda ng pagkaka crescent ng moon.

I decided to put it on before going inside my room. Nanonood lang sila ng Kdrama sa smart Tv ko, mga nagiiyakan. Nag break kasi yung babae tsaka yung lalaki kasi kailangan na ng lalaki na bumalik sa lugar niya kahit hindi niya gusto.

'hindi tayo pwede' type of love, that hurts a lot. Trust me. Says the girl who has never been in a relationship! Well, it's all based in the movies I've already watched. Kahit ako napaiyak until i just dozed off to sleep.

"Laur, tawag ka na ro'n" Syrus informed me.

I'm here, nakaupo sa bleachers, sa track and field complex ng school namin. It was Tuesday and we are currently preparing for our parade. Nothing was interesting pagkatapos ng birthday ko. We just had a family dinner, yung as in kasama na yung ibang relatives ko. The next day we had a mass ng kaming lima lang, pinayagan din ako ni Mom mag-shopping since my birthday just came.

Yesterday, nanuod lang kami nila Sy ng mga Sports, buti na lang at nagkaroon ng impromptu outing yung isa naming kaklase kaya binenta niya nalang sa amin yung tickets niya. We're glad our team made it to the finals! And today is the last day ng mga palaro they will also announce those players who won special awards tsaka yung rankings.

I walked towards our band, i just realized na ang cute pala ng uniform namin. It was a white blouse na pang majorette tapos andaming buttons, our skirt is also white pero red yung nasa inside ng pleats tsaka boots na nag-end sa below ng knee namin.

it is almost the same for the flag bearers, ang kaibahan lang ay meron silang cape na red na natatapos ang haba sa ibaba ng skirt nila.

The parade, or should I say the march went smoothly. 

Di naman kasi talaga parade 'yun dahil nasa field complex lang namin 'yun ginawa. After that may iba pa'ng nagperform. There were singers or dance clubs. May ilang majorettes din na tinawag para mag perform ng stunts. It was really amazing! I wish i could do that someday.

This club was only just my 'back up' club if ever na di nga ako nakapasa sa main club na sinalihan ko. At first i was not okay with this idea and, of course, disappointed. Dahil di ko naman talaga gusto salihan ito but, surprisingly, I'm really doing well and I'm determined to learn more routines kaso cheerdance na yung papalit sa DALC sa Senior year namin. Kaya I'll just do better and make the best memories while I still can.

The crowd went wild nung tinawag na sila Kent sa stage to award them a medal. I'm not joking when i say he really has a very charming and slightly appealing. Hindi naman dapat ikaila yun. Halata naman na kasi. 

His eyes were flustering along with his flashy smile nang humarap siya para makuhaan ng picture ng photographer. His coach clung his hand on Kent's broad shoulders, showing the audience how proud he is. kahit na second place lang siya.

Na-anounce na rin yung mga winner sa ibang sports katulad ng basketball, table tennis, billiards, badminton, volleyball, there’s too many to mention. hindi na rin naman nakakagulat na MVP si Daustine. After the ceremony, we took a photo, as for remembrance.

May mga nanalo pero meron din'g natalo, few of them were disappointed lalo na yung mga natalo dahil na rin huli na nila 'tong intrams ngayon Junior high school.

"Okay lang 'yan! Dadaan talaga tayong lahat sa ganyang point. Just make sure to do better next time, alright?!" Ms. Antonio cheered them up. It was relieving to see their smile.

"Yes miss!" They're motivated to do better.

"Congratulations sa inyong lahat! I'm proud of you all!" She clapped, I saw a few of my classmates were already dewy eyed, pinipigilan pa. But it became unstoppable when Ms. Antonio hugged us all. 

"Yieee, group hug!"

We had a boodle fight inside our classroom. Nag order pala si Ms. A, We didn't even notice it sa sobrang pag eenjoy sa event kanina. It was fast food kaya sobrang nakakabusog, heavy meal, e. I don't think makakakain pa 'ko ng dinner, i feel so full na.

After we celebrated our very successful intramurals, Ms. Antonio dismissed us and told us to take a rest since kami naman ang pinaka napagod sa intrams na 'to dahil nga sa preparation.

"Uy, una na 'ko. May lakad pa kami" nandito na yung binook na grab ni Syrus.

My brows furrowed a bit, "who's gonna be with you?"

"family friend," she smiled.

"Sige, ingat!" I waved at her.

"How about you? Paano ka uuwi?" She's concerned.

"Fx siguro" punuan nga lang, though. Hays! Bahala na. She took a glimpse of the lane, kakaunti lang yung fx pero andaming nakapila. That thought made me feel tired and exhausted.

"Sige na, manong iuwi mo 'to ng safe ah? May picture ako ng plate number mo," i joked, which made the driver laugh.

"matik na yun, ma'am We continued to laugh until I tapped the back of his car to signal him to go.

"holy f**k!" I jumped in shock.

"hey! easy!"he covered his face na para bang nageexpect talaga ng suntok. I almost punched him sa sobrang gulat, e. I just glared at him. "don't you think oras na para bawasan yung pag-inom mo ng kape?"

Argh! My blood pressure skyrocketed! "Bakit ba?!" Why did he even have to startle me?! Nakakainis! Paano na lang kung sa sobrang gulat ko napatalon ako sa harap ng isang sasakyan? Hassle pa yun!

"Sabi ko easy ka lang. Oh, inhale... exhale... inha--" he's gesturing me to do it. Taas baba ang kamay niya

"Stop with all that fuss" inis na sabi ko.

"i was just trying to help you chill... hey i'm sorry"

Malapit na period ko, no wonder why I'm grumpy. "do you even know what you're saying sorry for?"

"uh... yeah?" inirapan ko siya. "Hey, I know I'm annoying, but we're friends. isn't it normal to annoy you?" He’s convincing me to say yes with the crease on his forehead.

hindi ko siya sinasagot.

"hey" he pushed me with his shoulder. my eyes widened out of shock! i didn't expect that! he caught me off guard kaya muntik na 'kong matumba!

"Ano ba?! Kung gusto mo mag dive sa sahig, ikaw na lang. Wag mo na 'kong idamay" i rolled my eyes. Muntik pa kaming matumba sa kagaguhan niya.

"did i really push the button? Just like that?" he’s right, the reason why I’m upset was undeniably shallow but he’s also completely f*****g clueless of my premenstrual syndrome that’s why he thinks like that! "manong's waiting for you, nandun siya, oh" my eyes widened when i suddenly remembered it. I ran as fast as i can para makarating sa parking. "Shet, running competition ba 'to? Kala ko ba tapos na intrams? Di ako prepared, uy!" he followed me from behind.

I waved my hand to manong who's Currently leaning on the parked Jeep, black. "Manong!" I smiled widely and so did he.

His eyes lit up the moment he saw me, and by it? I got touched. Sobrang nagclick talaga kami ni Manong kahit ilang beses pa lang kami nagkikita. He’s kind din kasi. “Uy, miss paasa... este miss ganda" i pouted like a child.

"Manong naman! I didn't intend to give you false hopes, ha!" I defended "may time ka pa ba 'nong?" Kent's panting beside me, kakarating lang. He held the car so he could support his weight. akala ko ba athlete 'to? ang over sa hingal, ah?

"Hoy... sama... a-ako!" Hinihingal pa rin si Kent.

"Edi, sumama ka. Like i care," inismiran ko na lang siya at dumiretso sa shotgun seat. I chatted with manong for the whole trip. Kent barely keep up dahil di ko nga siya pinapansin kapag siya yung nagtatanong.

"how about Acquienas? I heard they're not fully packed today... their food's also great," Kent suggested the place kung saan kami kakain

"Manong may naririnig ka ba?" I winked

"Ikaw lang naririnig ko ma'am, bakit po?" When he got it, he started driving papunta sa Acquienas. 

"May satsat kasi nang satsat, di naman siya yung kinakausap!" Manong made an amused face, lalong naasar si Kent dahil do'n. I’m just giving back the feeling he made me feel earlier. 

"Are you being serious? galit ka pa rin? I'm this close to sulking,” he showed me a pinching hand sign. “I'll swear to give you a hard time when you try to appease me..." He threatened me.

"As if namang susubukan kong suyuin ka," sinabi ko sa hangin, chos. I heard him scoffed.

"Na 'ko, mamser." Manong abruptly said.

With my brows knitted, I tried to think about what manong was pointing out but I really can’t comprehend it. "What's the matter po?" Manong made me curious. He glanced at the rear view mirror and went back to the road.

"Sa hinabahaba ng asaran, sa kasalan din ang hangganan. E, sa asaran din nagsimula ang lolo’t lola ko," he giggled, seeming truly enjoying what he was telling us about. 

My face changed! It was disgusted-look one. Augh! 

“We’re not like your grandparents, Manong.” I sneakily took a gaze from Kent but my eyes abruptly trailed away when mine met his. "And also, don’t say bad words." I drastically said even without thinking of it.

"Ay, di naman masama ang sinabi ko ma'am. Kita nalang po tayo sa langit pag nagkataon." I scoffed.

"Oh, my God." I made a sign of the cross, two times pa para sure! Tinutuldukan na ba ni manong yung buhay ko?

We decided to eat heavy meal dahil passed dinner time na. We ordered our meal as soon as we took our seats. Medyo busog pa nga ako because heavy meal din 'yung mineryenda namin kanina pero ayoko naman tanggihan si manong. I'm kinda growing closer to him na rin.

"Ang ganda, ‘no?" Kent whispered, malapit siya sa 'kin kasi nasa diner seats kami. He was scrolling on his phone tsaka naka earphones pa. I assumed he's talking to somebody, so I just continued to take pictures. It's my first time to be here, blue and violet led lights yung nasa ceiling sa gilid lang. Meron din yung normal dim light each diner, nakasabit sa vintage light pendant. Sobrang amazing ng theme nila. "Ang sabi ko, maganda. 'Di ba?" Nilingon ko siya ulit at kinalabit, when he glanced at me I pointed at myself like I was asking if he was talking to me so he nodded. I looked outside through the glass wall on my right side. View ng traffic and city lights.

I looked around and evaluated the place for the last time. "Okay lang naman… pwede na," I gave him a satisfied smile. 

No, it wasn't 'okay  lang' ayoko lang sabihin na ang ganda ng taste niya at baka lumaki ang ulo.

"Psh" walang kwenta niyang reaksyon. I bit my lower lip when I saw him pouting. Para siyang spoiled brat na hindi nakuha ang gusto niya. 

“Tigilan mo nga ‘yan, it’s not making you look good,” sinabi ko lang yun para tigilan niyang ngumuso. Cute naman pero medyo nakakairita talaga. Maybe because hindi pa rin ako nakakamove on sa pagkakagulat niya sa akin kanina. Or maybe because of my PMS? As of now, I am certified uncertain about anything. Hindi talaga siya tumigil kakanguso niya! "Oo na, maganda rito" mukha siyang nagtatantrums na five years old.