Just One Date

Chapter 9 - one dream at a time

"So the reason you never bothered to call me yesterday to ask for help kahit may sakit ka is because may naka-duty na sa iyong full-time nurse," Bethany concluded while walking back and forth inside the ice cream shop.

"Nasa Medical Mission ka diba, alangan namang abalahin kita?" tanong ko habang inaayos ang listahan ng mga kulang na supplies sa Frozen Dreams.

"Anyway, magaling ang nurse mo ha, to think na nandito ka ngayon instead na nasa taas at nagpapahinga," she observed and winked at me.

"Si Kuya ang bantay ngayon, may binibili lang. Rest day ko pa talaga. But yes, I'm feeling a lot better pag-gising ko kanina," I admitted.

Ang totoo ay ayaw akong pagbantayin sa shop nina Mama at Papa kaya hindi muna nag-day off si Kuya pero nainip ako kaya bumaba ako at sabi ko ay sasamahan ko na lang siya. Kinulang lamang siya ng fresh herbs para sa pasta niya kaya lumabas saglit.

"So Ethan's love contributed greatly to your healing?" Bethany teased.

Nakatulugan ko na kagabi ang mga text ni Ethan. He never forgets to say goodnight. And as usual kaninang umaga nang nagtext siya ng good morning ay nangumusta rin agad ito.

Binato ko ang pinsan ko ng isang balot ng table napkin bago nagtaas ng kilay.

"May gamot ako, for your information," I informed her. Ni hindi ko alam kung totoo iyong mga sinabi ni Ethan na trivia noong nilalagnat ako o nagpapasikat lamang siya.

"I'd still say it's Ethan," she insisted.

As if on cue, Ethan came rushing through the door and before I knew it, I was already in his arms.

"I passed! And it's because of you! That hug really did it!" he exclaimed happily.

Bethany raised her brows at me while Ethan had his back on her.

Suddenly conscious, I pulled away from his embrace.

"You passed? You mean-"

"I passed the LET! Thanks to you!" he yelled with glee.

I stood dumbfounded. Bakit ako?

"Paano nangyari iyon?" I couldn't help asking.

"Wala kang bilib sakin at sa power ng pagmamahal ko sa iyo. I told you you're my lucky charm."

I still couldn't believe it. He passed? How did that happen? May kilala ako na ka-batch ni Kuya, three years nang nagta-try sa LET at seryosong seryoso sa pag-aaral di pa rin pumapasa tapos si Ethan na pa-easy easy lang, pumasa? Life really isn't fair.

I looked at him with doubt.

"Paano ka pumasa e hindi ka naman nag-aaral?"

He pretended to be hurt but quickly regained his happiness after just a few seconds.

"Nag-aaral kaya ako. Di mo lang kita kasi kapag nasa school ka pinapaspasan ko na, dibdiban ako mag-aral para kapag nandito ka na sa bahay, I can spend some quality time with you."

Bethany cheered beside me and I threw her a dagger look but she ignored me and turned to Ethan instead.

"Congrats, Ethan. I'm sure you'll be terrific teacher," she said and gave his shoulder a pat.

After that, the door chime jingled and Kuya Brett got in with a wide smile for Ethan.

"I heard the news, Bro! I'm so proud of you! Congratulations!"

They hugged each other happily and jumped up and down, looking all silly but sweet. I couldn't deny the bond between them. Kuya is more than three years older than Ethan but the age gap isn't obvious because they were almost of the same height and built.

"Ahhmm, reminder lang, medyo nayayanig ang shop, baka gusto ninyong sa labas ipagpatuloy iyan?"

They both laughed and punched each other playfully before Kuya put one arm around his best friend's shoulder, looking very proud indeed.

"Your dream is finally coming true, Bro. I'm really happy for you," he said.

Ethan smiled at him but shook his head.

"Just one of my dreams, Bro. You know my ultimate dream hasn't come true yet," Ethan replied and threw me a reluctant look.

Bethany prodded me with her elbow and stifled a laugh.

"Shut up," I hissed at her while Kuya was exchanging meaningful glances with Ethan.

"One dream at a time, Bro. One dream at a time," Kuya Brett told him.

Ethan nodded at him before looking at his watch.

"Oo nga pala, I have to go for a while," biglang paalam ni Ethan.

"Nakita ko ang batchmates mo sa pizza house ah, invited ka sa victory party?" Kuya Brett inquired.

"Oo, pero may dadaanan pa ako," he replied, obviously preferring to keep some of his errand's detail to himself pero parang hindi nakahalata si Kuya.

"Ano o sino?" pangungulit nito.

Ethan hesitated but replied anyway.

"Iyong dalawang kaibigan kong hindi nakapasa, pupuntahan ko muna."

"Paano yung victory party? Di ka na a-attend?"

"Depende kung may aabutan pa ako mamaya, but that's not my priority right now. Anyway marami pa namang pagkakataon mag-celebrate."

Kuya Brett nodded.

"Aww....such a sensitive guy," Bethany said in a whisper that's loud enough for me to hear.

"My Lois, alis muna ako. I'll see you later," Ethan said when he turned to me and said goodbye to Bethany and my brother as well. I just nodded.

Kuya went to the kitchen after Ethan left so he could put the herbs he bought inside but came back soon at the counter.

"You can go, Fen. Ako na bahala rito. Magpahinga ka na muna, mamaya mo na ulit ako tulungan," he prompted.

"I don't need rest. Okay na ako," I replied stubbornly.

"Fine. But you need a bath. Maligo ka na, hindi na kaaya-aya ang amoy mo," my brother said with a laugh.

"I agree," Bethany chuckled beside me and pulled my arm.

Nginusuan ko si Kuya bago hinayaang hilahin ako ng pinsan ko papunta sa pinto.

"Kung ayaw mo magpahinga, just help me here so we could arrange a victory party for Ethan," he reminded.

"Okay," I simply replied. I was expecting that. I'm sure naibalita na rin ni Ethan iyon kina Mama at Papa at pagbalik nila galing sa Homeowner's meeting ay magpaplano na sila ng celebration para sa mahal nilang ampon.

"Baka gabihin pa ng balik si Ethan, you might want to get him a congratulatory gift," he suggested.

Iyon ang ayaw ko kay Kuya. Dinidiktahan niya ako kung ano ang gagawin ko to make Ethan feel appreciated.

Actually kahapon I was thinking of getting Ethan a simple thank you gift for looking after me while I was sick. But now I've changed my mind, ayoko nang mag-effort.

I shrugged my shoulders at Kuya Brett and met his eye.

"Sure. For Ethan, that'll be easy," bale-walang sagot ko, deciding that I already know exactly what to give Ethan later.

Kuya Brett seemed to have read my mind and threw me a warning look.

"Fenella, not another jar of Milo, I'm telling you."

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay bago humalukipkip.

"What's wrong with that? He seemed genuinely happy when I gave him Milo. And the jar was expensive, mind you."

I remember that particular birthday. Last year lang yata iyon. I forgot to get him a gift at sabi ni Kuya yung manggagaling daw sakin is the one that will truly count so I was in a hurry. Wala talaga akong maisip na regalo because he already has everything, kaya iyon na lang ang binigay ko sa kanya.

"Damn it Fenella, he gave you a framed crosstitch on your birthday! Alam mo ba kung gaano karaming tusok sa kamay ang nakuha niya habang tinuturuan ni Mama bago siya natuto? And do you have any idea kung gaano niya katagal pinagtiyagaang tahiin iyon? Five months! Kahit in between classes inilalabas niya iyon, sukdulang pagtawanan siya."

And his work of art landed under my bed, he didn't add. It was a cross stitch of a girl and a boy on a tree house. The girl was lying on the boys lap, smiling up at him. Below it says 'your heart is my home'. Ayokong i-display iyon, thinking that hanging it on my room would mean that I'm accepting his love.

"Fine, Kuya! I'll think of something else," I finally said, feeling annoyed.

"You better," he agreed before we turned to leave the ice cream shop.

"I just realized, hindi lang pala bulag ang pag-ibig," Bethany suddenly commented out of nowhere as we were getting out of the gate.

"Ano? Saan naman nanggaling iyon," I asked, confused.

"Diba nga kasi, love is blind. Pero yung pagmamahal sa iyo ni Ethan, nakakawala rin ng sense of smell. Isipin mo hindi ka niya naamoy kanina noong niyakap ka niya, he doesn't seem to mind that you haven't taken a bath in two days?" she finished with a wicked laugh.

I slapped her arm before going inside the house.

"Shut up already," I warned pero alam na alam kong kapag sinasaway si Bethany, lalo lamang siyang ginaganahan.

"And speaking of yakap, you never told me na nagyakapan kayo the day he took the exam. What's with that?" she asked with a quizzical look while we were climbing the stairs up to my room.

"Correction, niyakap niya ako. I never hugged him back," I defended myself.

"Irregardless kung sino ang yumakap, bakit hindi mo kinuwento sa akin? We were together the whole day noon diba, noong nagpagupit ka?" she interrogated.

"It wasn't relevant, I probably forgot."

"For you it doesn't mean anything. But for Ethan that meant everything," she told me, sounding a little sad.

"Anong drama yan, insan?"

With that, she beamed at me.

"Wala lang. Naisip ko lang, siguro kung hinalikan mo pa si Ethan after ng hug, baka nakapasok siya sa top ten!"

I gave her a fake smile and left her laughing to take a bath.

The rest of the day, we helped Kuya at Frozen Dreams so he could personally prepare the food for Ethan's victory party.

When Mama and Papa arrived, there were party poppers, balloons and a large cake, you'd think we're having a birthday party.

We closed the shop hours earlier para makapaghanda sa bahay and everything was set at around 2pm, just in time for Bethany to leave for her hospital duty. Nang umuwi si Kirk at nalaman na nakapasa si Ethan, iisipin mong siya ang pumasa sa LET sa sobrang saya niya.

Almost four o'clock ng hapon nang dumating si Ethan.

"Congratulations!" we all shouted in unison as rehearsed.

He clutched his chest dramatically and pretended to faint before laughing at us.

"Thank you, my family! I love you all!" he yelled before Mama and Papa hugged him, very proud like he was their own son.

Kirk followed by jumping up into his arms. Ethan catched him effortlessly and gave him a high five. After that, he handed him a small box roughly covered in a colorful but outdated gift wrapper.

"This is for you, Big Bro. From you Little Bro, of course," he told Ethan.

Ethan put him down and excitedly opened the box. After removing a lot of tapes on it, he finally revealed a sign pen.

"Diba ang mga teacher palaging may chine-check na test papers at nagsusulat sa lesson plan? Magagamit mo yan," Kirk said and smiled with pride.

"Just what I needed," Ethan agreed while beaming at him.

After that, it was Kuya Brett's turn.

"Bro, just a little reward for your hard work," he said and handed him a new soccer ball with a blue ribbon.

"Thanks, Bro. Kailangan na nga sigurong mag-retire ng lumang bola ko."

"O, ito naman galing sa amin ng Mama mo," Papa said, addressing themselves like real parents to Ethan while handing him a paper bag.

"Wow, this is so cool! Pero okay pa po iyong bag ko," Ethan told Papa while checking out a dark blue backpack.

"You need a new one, Ethan. Iyong ginagamit mong kulay black parang masisira na hindi mo pa pinapalitan," Mama reminded.

"Marami siyang bag, Ma," Kuya Brett had to butt in.

"Well how come iyon palagi ang dala mo?" Papa asked with curiosity.

"Kasi favorite po niya iyon. Kasama kasi si Ate noong bilhin niya iyon, si Ate ang pumili," Kirk supplied.

"Is that true, Ethan?" Papa asked to confirm and Ethan nodded sheepishly.

I can hardly remember when was that. Di ko rin ma-recall kung iyon nga ang pinaka-maganda. Ang alam ko lang that time, tinanong niya ako kung alin ang maganda at dahil ang tagal-tagal na nilang pumipili ay nagturo na ako ng isa by random para lang matapos na at makauwi na kami. Malay ko bang magiging favorite niya iyon eh ang dami niyang bag na made in Italy na padala ng Mommy at Daddy niya.

"Well now, I guess pwede ka nang magpalit ng bag. Nandito si Fenella nang ibigay namin ito sa iyo," Mama concluded with a triumphant smile.

"Opo, I will," he said obediently before smiling at us.

"This is too much! May party na, may mga regalo pa?" he added.

"What about you, Fen? You got something for Ethan, dear?" Mama turned to me.

All eyes were on me and I was reluctant. They got him real gifts, even Kirk. And all I could come up was this.

Everybody looked at me expectantly and with much hesitation, I took a mug of hot Milo from the table and handed it to Ethan.

Ethan looked at me with disbelief.

"Y-you made this for me? T-tinimpla mo para sa akin?" he stuttered, looking pleasantly surprised.

I nodded, wondering why on earth he looked so amazed with a mug of hot chocolate.

He grinned from ear to ear, looking very pleased.

"Sorry ha, hindi kasi ako nakalabas para bumili ng regalo," I apologized but he smiled and touched my chin as if to cheer me up.

"Are you kidding? This is great!"

He looked sincerely delighted and I wonder why.

"I'll never forget this," he said wistfully before taking a sip.

He was enjoying his hot chocolate when Kuya stepped closer to me.

"Hey, Bro! Look, my Lois made me some hot choco!" he said proudly while raising the mug.

Kuya nudged me and gave me a questioning look.

"That's your gift?" he asked, obviously not amused.

He made a face when I nodded.

"A mug of Milo. That's basically the same with a jar of Milo, Fenella," Kuya scolded.

"Kuya, hindi naman ako nakalabas diba," ulit ko sa paliwanag kung hindi man niya narinig kanina.

"What's wrong, Bro? It's the best gift ever!" Ethan said, quickly coming to my rescue. He looked so happy, aakalain mong kotse ang iniregalo ko sa kanya.

Kuya Brett shook his head but easily let it go this time.

After that ay nagyaya na siyang kumain and we had an early supper together, enjoying the food while sharing stories.

I listened as they exchanged funny jokes over dinner, making a comment once in a while. I may not like Ethan in a romantic way but I can't deny him being a part of the family.

Later that night pagkatapos naming magligpit, I took some time alone on the music room while they were all in the den.

I was trying to play Out of my League on the piano but just couldn't get it right when I heard someone come in.

"Can I join you?"

I didn't need to turn around to know it was Ethan. And before I could even answer his question, he's already sitting beside me.

He kept quiet while I stumbled with the keys and after a few more try, I gave up.

"Want me to play it for you?" he offered.

"You know the song?" I asked but refused to be impressed. Wala na akong lagnat, I won't let my senses get away this time.

"Of course. I already played that song for you more than a month ago."

"Really," I mumbled.

He did? I honestly don't remember. I guess I wasn't listening, as always.

I heaved a sigh as he started the intro flawlessly. He played the tune exactly the way it should be played and I couldn't help but strain my ears. And when he started singing, he turned sideways to look at me.

♫ It's her hair and her eyes today

that just simply take me away

and the feeling that I'm falling further in love

makes me shiver but in a good way ♫

♫ All the times I have sat and stared

as she thoughtfully thumbs through her hair

and she purses her lips, bats her eyes as she plays,

with me sitting there slack-jawed and nothing to say ♫

He gave me an easy smile and I couldn't help buy stare as he went on.

♫ Coz I love her with all that I am

and my voice shakes along with my hands

coz she's all that I see and she's all that I need

and i'm out of my league once again ♫

I'm not exactly out of his league. In fact he could easily have someone who's prettier than me.

♫ It's a masterful melody when she calls out my name to me

as the world spins around her she laughs, rolls her eyes

and I feel like I'm falling but it's no surprise ♫

♫ Coz I love her with all that I am

and my voice shakes along with my hands

cause it's frightening to be swimming in this strange sea

but I'd rather be here than on land

yes she's all that I see and she's all that I need

and I'm out of my league once again ♫

Ang totoo, he's the one who's out of my league. He deserves someone better.

♫ It's her hair and her eyes today

that just simply take me away

and the feeling that I'm falling further in love

makes me shiver but in a good way ♫

♫ All the times I have sat and stared

as she thoughtfully thumbs through her hair

and she purses her lips, bats her eyes as she plays,

with me sitting there slack-jawed and nothing to say ♫

He sings with a voice good enough to melt any girl's heart. I had to remind myself that he's the same Ethan I've known all my life and had to put my guard up so he won't melt mine.

♫ Coz I love her with all that I am

and my voice shakes along with my hands

cause it's frightening to be swimming in this strange sea

but I'd rather be here than on land ♫

♫ Yes she's all that I see and she's all that I need

and I'm out of my league once again ♫

As he ended the song beautifully, I couldn't help but smile.

"You just made another dream come true for me by making that mug of Milo, do you know that?" he suddenly said out of nowhere.

"Really now," I said with a laugh.

"Yup. Pangarap ko kaya na maranasang ako naman ang ipagtimpla mo ng hot chocolate."

Sabagay, sa napakaraming beses na ba naman niya akong ipinag-prepare ng almusal at ipinag-timpla ng Nesquick, this is the first time ever na nag-abala akong ipagtimpla siya ng Milo.

"So my simple gift was a dream come true," I repeated stupidly because I can't believe it was such a big deal for him.

"Of course. Those things that happened these past few days, they were on my dream list. Yesterday you allowed me to take care of you. Today you made me a mug of Milo."

His response left me speechless.

And as he took my hand, I wondered why I didn't refuse.

"You're making my dreams come true...one dream at a time," he said as he held my hand and gently kissed it.