Mga Pangako kay Akasya

Chapter V – Ms. Paninindigan

[Asha's]

October 17, 2021

"Asha.. Asha.. Gising na.."

"M—mami, later na—a, antok pa ako—o."

"Tumatawag na si George."

"Si D—dad?" Bumangon agad ako when I heard that Dad was already calling.

Sunday is our family day. It is when Dad would always call kasi para kamustahin kami ni Mami. Not sure nga lang kung what time so I always spend my sunday sa bahay to make sure that I will not miss his calls.

Kay even though fifteen years na siyang nasa abroad, sobrang close pa rin namin sa isa't isa.

They’re always there ni Mami to listen to my stories—enemies noong elementary, mga crush kong artists when I reached high school, at hanggang sa mga suitors when I was in college.

Lahat sila ay kilala ni Dad.

Kung ang iba ay maraming secrets sa parents nila, well, not me.

Almost every event in my life ay alam ni Dad. Sometimes, even I question myself, sobrang daldal ko bang anak!?

But maybe, it’s because hindi pa ako nagkakaroon ng romantic relationship or nagka-ka-boyfriend ever since. Whenever I’m overwhelmed by emotions, happiness, man 'yan, sadness, or excitement, si Dad lang ang mapagku-kwentuhan ko. Tutor at taga-comfort ko rin siya whenever I’m so stressed sa acads. May kasabihan ‘di ba? Every woman has a number one man in her life. And for the past twenty-three years of my existence, wala pang ibang guy na nakakuha ng spot na ‘yon ni Dad in my heart.

Honestly, I tried naman. I entertained a lot of suitors, tried to open up to them, and even shared my likes and hobbies. Pero, I don’t know, I just never feel it with them, you know? Almost every time, magiging awkward na lang bigla ang conversations, or sometimes may magustuhan man ako nang slight pero hanggang do’n lang. Bigla na lang ako ma-o-off o mawawalan ng interest.

So, ‘yon, 'di ko na muna inisip. Maybe hindi pa lang time talaga, so I focused on loving Mami and Dad.

I need to make bawi. They loved me so much. Napaka-swerte ko nga sa kanila. They never fail to give me everything that I need. Hindi ko maitatangi, spoiled ako mula pagkabata, spoiled sa positive love and care. Lagi lang nila ako binibilinan at pinapangaralan pero never nila ako pinagbawalan. They want me to grow in my own way, they will always say.

And here's the result, I became a woman who will always bring a smile sa mga makakasalubong sa daan.

But honestly, even though I feel na sobrang swerte ko sa kanila, I still can't help but think about Mom. What if she’s with us? I always wanted to meet her. I want to hug and kiss her. I really really want to know her. Actually pala, it is my only sama ng loob kay Dad, never kasi siyang nag-kwento nang deep about Mom.

Naiisip ko pa, ano kaya ang difference?

At kahit na it will only be a what if, my heart is so sure na mas masaya kami always. Dad doesn't need to go abroad since dalawa sila ni Mom na nagwo-work. Siguradong mas spoiled ako, and Dad will be a hundred times happier.

"Kumusta?" Tanong ni Dad.

I want to hug the screen! Argggh! "D—dad! I’m so tired and stressed!"

"Gusto mo ba muna magpahinga?"

"No! I miss you. October na—a! One week before my birthday dapat you’re here na ha! Marami ka pang i-pe-prepare na balloons!"

"Hahaha! Di mo na kailangan ipa-alala. Pero 'di pa sigurado kung anong eksaktong date ako makakauwi.. Nga pala, kumusta naman ang first week mo sa work?

We talked for hours, this time mostly about sa work. Humingi ako ng advices at nagpaturo na rin about things na hindi ko alam. And lastly, nag-jam kami.

Yep! Nag-ja-jam kami always. He plays keyboard while I sing. Si Mami naman minsan nagba-backup vocals.

Haaay, I really miss Dad. I can’t wait na ma-hug siya sa birthday ko!

. . . .

After ng video chat namin, kumain na kami ni Mami, around 7pm na kasi. After magligpit, I went to my room. Medyo inaantok na rin ako since puyat ako last night.

I connected my phone to the speakers and played my playlist on shuffle.

And then, my favorite song played. Archie, Marry me! Ang chill talaga ng song na ‘to, sana mag-tour sila here in PH para mapanood ko sila ng live.

But, wait. I remember that guy from last night. What was his name again? Hmm.. Oh, it was Seb, right?

It was really fun to talk to him. Ang chill niya kausap. May itsura siya, and matangkad. His voice is so manly din. He’s a freelance musician daw. A good recipe for a womanizer. Haha!

But.. I don’t know. I got the feeling na he's a good guy. Maybe because he’s a very good listener? Matalino rin siya, sa tingin ko. When I think about it, may similar aura sila ni Dad ah. Hmm.

I was curious sa mga songs niya actually. He said na it’s about life kasi. Plus points na may stance, siya.

Try ko kaya siyang kausapin. Hmm. Should I?

Ay kaso, he never gave his number! Ba yan, gusto niya pa kasi ako magbibigay ng number.

Duh? I don't do that.

Nope, never.

I don’t like giving my number to guys kasi, lalo na if 'di ko naman kilala masyado. Baka kasi annoying pala sila. I don’t like them disturbing my quiet and peaceful life.

So 'yon...

Pero since he got my curiosity because he write songs, hindi naman against my paninindigan if I will take his number sa mutual friend no?

I think I will do that. I'll text Kamilla.

"Hi, Kams, kumusta ka? Kumusta kanina?"

"Okay naman although may part pa rin na di ko akalaing totoong wala na siya."

"Huuuuggg, if you need us, andito lang kami for you."

"Thank youu"

"By the way, I want to ask you something, secret lang ah."

"Okay, ano yun?

"Promise mo yan ah! May number ka ba ni Seb? : ))"

"Ohhhhhh. Alam mo ba pinag-uusapan namin kayo kanina."

"Huuuh? Nino?"

"Kayo ni Sebastian, magdamag ba naman kayong magkausap!"

"Magkausap lang naman! Chill lang kasi siya kausap and not awkward.”

"Maybe dahil babaero sya? Sanay siyang makipagusap sa mga babae, naku friend, mag-ingat ka. Mabait sya pero babaero yun. One time nabasa ko usapan nila ni Lawrence and grabeeee. Ayoko nalang mag-talk. zzz"

"Ohhhh, parang nakwento mo nga yan noon. Pero wag ka magaalala sakin, I know what I'm doing! Curious lang ako sa mga songs niya. Sooo do you have his number ba?"

"Yup, nasa phone ni Lawrence, wait........ Oh eto, 09XXXXXXXXX. Good luck! Haha"

"Good luck ka diyan! I’ll just ask him about his songs! Pero thank youuuu, bb. So yun, if you need someone to talk to, call me haaa. Andito lang ako for you."

"Thank you rin, Bb. Im so lucky to have youuu."

After ko ibaba ang call, nag-isip-isip na muna ako.

Should I text him na ba?

Maybe tulog na siya since nasa libing sila kanina and puyat?

Uh—hmm, paano kaya ako magpapakilala?

'Di ba ako magmumukhang naghahabol nito since 'di ko binigay number ko tapos ngayon kinuha ko number niya kay Kams?

Hmm, pano ba? Hmm

Haynako self, dapat binigay mo na lang number para di ka na nag-o-overthink!

Dapat siya ang namomroblema nito ngayon! Argghhh!

Pero I'm sure naman na mabibigla 'yon at tatalon sa tuwa if I text him.

It would be a miracle for him. Halata namang crush niya 'ko.

So enough of my stupid thoughts. I'll text him casually.

Here we go...

"Hi, Mr. Pessimist!"