Just One Date

Chapter 12 - unexpected fairytale

'Good morning, my Lois! Time to wake up. Can't wait for the best day of my life to start ;-)'

It was Ethan's text that woke me up. He's always the first person to text me in the morning. Everyday. And today is no exception.

I glanced at the alarm clock on top of my side table.

6:00 a.m.

'I thought you'll pick me up at seven?' I texted back.

'It's just one date. And it's only for a day. I have to seize the moment kaya we have to start early.' came his reply.

'Feeling better? We can re-schedule, you know.'

Last night when he texted me goodnight, sabi niya bigla raw sumakit ang ulo niya kaya siya umuwi ng maaga at hindi na nakapagpaalam.

'Are you kidding? I've waited forever for this date!'

I made a face. Why is he making this date such a big deal?

'Fine. Let's get this over with.' I texted back before pushing my covers.

I can get ready in less than 30 minutes. But of course if I'm meeting Tyrone, that's not enough. I'll definitely need more time.

When I opened the main door, I found Ethan already waiting for me at the terrace. He stood up when I came out and seemed surprised when he saw me. Most probably because I didn't make him wait too long this time.

"I'm on time, I know. Don't look too shocked," I told him as he continued to stare at me.

He chuckled.

"No, it's not that. I just thought you were beautiful," he said quietly.

He sounded sincere but I shook my head in disbelief when I looked at myself.

My barely combed shoulder-length hair is still wet from the shower. I have no make-up on except for a little loose powder and colorless lip balm. I remember he asked me to wear something comfortable so I opted for a pair of soft denim shorts, red & white striped cotton shirt with three-fourth sleeves and my favorite red sneakers.

"Am I underdressed?" I asked, suddenly uncertain.

He smiled and walked closer to me.

"You look perfect."

I never paid attention to what he's wearing before but this time I noticed that our colors were matching. He's wearing a dark blue cargo shorts, red sweatshirt with white sleeves and tennis shoes.

"We're a match, don't you agree?" he asked, reading my thoughts.

I nodded.

"It's good to see you in a decent pair of shorts," he added.

I had to smile at that. Of course he noticed. Hindi kasi iyon maikli this time. It's just two inches above the knee and that's his definition of decent shorts.

"Ayoko kaya ng ka-date na mainit ang ulo," I kidded, remembering the last time he accompanied me while grocery shopping.

He laughed and his eyes smiled along with him.

That's when I noticed his eyes. Although he looked genuinely happy, malalim ang mga mata niya.

"Natulog ka ba? Bakit ganyan ang mata mo?" I asked.

Napakamot siya ng ulo.

"Ganoon ba ka-obvious na sobrang excited ako?"

My jaw dropped.

"Seriously, hindi ka nakatulog?"

He gave me a sheepish grin.

"It's the first and last time that I'll be spending a day alone with you. I want everything to be perfect. I don't want to waste even a minute."

There was a certain sadness in his voice but I tried to ignore it.

"So, where are we going? Masyadong maaga mo akong ginising, hindi pa ako nagbe-breakfast," I asked instead.

He immediately smiled and held out his hand.

"I know. That's our first destination," he said as I let him hold my hand and escort me to his car.

"Music please?" I requested after he opened the door and buckled the seat belt for me.

"As you wish, my Lois. Do the honor," he responded in an exaggerated old English accent.

I usually open the radio whenever I ride in his car to avoid conversation. But this time whenever he makes a comment or asks about something, I gladly replied. Wala lang, maganda lang siguro ang gising ko. Tsaka mahirap na, baka kung saan ako itapon ni Ethan lalo na at hindi ko naman talaga alam kung ano ang plano niya for our date.

We had an easy conversation and sang along to the tunes as he drove.

When he stopped in front of a secluded park, I furrowed my brows. It was quiet and beautiful, I have to admit. But I don't see any restaurant or food vendor around.

"Saan tayo kakain, Ethan?" I blurted out.

"Relax, I have everything all planned out," he replied with a smug smile.

He opened the door and I set foot on the ground covered with soft Bermuda grass. After that, he went to the car's trunk and came back with a picnic basket.

"This way, my Lois," he invited before he took my hand and led me to a tall weathered gate covered with vine.

I gasped when he opened it.

There's a narrow pathway covered in small stones and pebbles. Above were giant vines and towering trees, sheltering the whole area. Sound of nature filled the air and butterflies hover overhead as we strolled along the walkway which finally led us to a majestic hidden gazebo.

"Wow," was all I could say.

Ethan turned to me and smiled.

"You like it?"

I nodded speechless as he ushered me in.

"It's a butterfly sanctuary," he informed me before putting down the picnic basket he was carrying.

He took out a plaid blanket from the basket and covered the wooden table at the center before setting up the plates.

I smelled pancakes and bacon even before he served it. After that, he handed me a thermal tumbler.

"Nesquick!" I exclaimed happily.

"Pancakes and bacon will never be complete without hot chocolate, diba?" he asked while beaming at me.

Something tugged on my heart as he poured the Nesquick on a mug and gently put a pancake and some bacon on my paper plate.

"This is why you never got enough sleep, right? Because you prepared all these by yourself?" I asked quietly.

He smiled.

"Among other things, yes you can say that."

"But we could have just ordered take-out food. Marami namang nabibilihan ng breakfast meal," I commented. It somehow bothered me that he made this much effort para sa breakfast namin.

He let out a humorless laugh.

"Allow me to do this, my Lois, even for the last time. This will be the last breakfast I will prepare for you, right?" he reminded, his tone dripping with sadness.

A heavy lump formed in my throat when he said that.

Taong ito, akala mo naman mamamatay na bukas kung magsalita. If I know, baka bukas ng umaga nasa kusina na ulit namin siya at nagtitimpla ng Nesquick.

"Can you do me a favor?" I asked abruptly, swallowing hard.

"Anything," he dared.

"Could you stop saying it over and over again that whatever we do today will be the last of everything? You're starting to make me think that it's the last day of the world at bukas gunaw na."

He chuckled.

"Can we just enjoy the day as it is?" I suggested, meaning every word I said and surprising myself.

He nodded in agreement, looking just as surprised.

"I'd like that," he whispered and let out a sincere smile.

His mood lightened after that and it was evident as we ate breakfast while enjoying the scenery in between chats. It was probably the first peaceful meal we shared together.

He told me about the group of environmentalists who built this butterfly sanctuary and how he discovered this place through his documentary report about Therapeutic Places for Children with Special Needs during his final year in college.

"Teka, bakit nga pala for children with special needs ang topic mo? Bakit hindi for children in general?" I asked out of curiosity as we were walking across the park on our way back to the car.

"Dahil SpEd ang major ko?" pilosopo ang tonong sagot niya.

"Special Education ang major mo?" gulat na tanong ko, stopping on my tracks. I knew he graduated with a degree in Education pero in-assume ko lang na Elementary Education ang major niya kasi kasundong-kasundo niya si Kirk.

I admire SpEd teachers. I personally think that being a SpEd teacher it's not just a profession but a vocation. If only I had that much patience, I'd take up that course myself. I really think highly of SpEd teachers. And I can't believe Ethan is one of them.

I stared at him in awe but he frowned.

Ngayon pa niya ako sinimangutan kung kailan finally nakahanap ako ng reason to respect him.

"O bakit?" I asked, confused.

Bumuntong hininga siya bago sumandal sa kotse at muling nagsalita.

"Ngayon ko lang na-realize na hindi ka pala talaga nakikinig kapag nagkukwento ako. Ilang beses ko na kaya nabanggit sa iyo na iyon ang major ko," animo'y nagtatampo ang boses niya.

Talaga? Ilang beses niyang sinabi iyong extraordinary na detalyeng iyon and I didn't pay attention?

Napakamot ako sa ulo.

"Ganoon ba? Sorry ha if I wasn't listening back then. Pwede pa bang bumawi? Today I'm all ears," I offered willingly.

He looked doubtful.

"Sure ka?"

I raised my chin up.

"Oo naman!"

I really am interested this time. I wonder how it is being a SpEd teacher like him. Sure it's challenging. Masaya kaya?

"Sinabi mo iyan ha. Marami akong kwento tungkol sa mga bata, baka akala mo," he challenged as he opened the passenger door for me.

"Say what," I started.

"What?"

"Since we have the whole day and it's still early, why don't you show me your world?"

He raised his brows at me.

"Seriously?"

He obviously doesn't believe me.

"Positive. Ikaw kilalang kilala mo ako, bawat galaw ko binabantayan mo at alam na alam mo lahat na nangyayari sa akin. Pero ikaw, ngayon ko lang naisip that I barely know you. Siguro nga dahil lagi kitang binabara at inaaway, I no longer know you, except of course iyong mga bagay na alam ko na simula bata pa tayo. Pero iyong ikaw ngayon, the Ethan that you have become, I don't have a clue," I explained, shaking my head.

He thought for moment as if thinking kung sasakyan ba niya ang sinasabi ko o hindi.

Then he smiled and I can sense he was flattered.

"I live a busy life. Let's get started," he finally said and hopped on the car.

He took me next to the SpEd school where he had OJT, ang Light & Hope Learning Center. Ipinakilala pa niya ako sa ilang teachers na naroon. It's a Saturday pero may Reading Month celebration sila kaya naroon rin pati ang mga bata.

"Superman! Napadalaw ka!" bati kay Ethan ng isang binatang teacher na sumalubong sa amin.

"Dash, pare!" Ethan called back, greeting him with a playful punch.

"Clark ang tawag nila sa akin rito, as I requested of course. But Dash here insists on calling me Superman, ginagaya tuloy siya ng mga bata," Ethan explained with a side glance.

"Wait, is this the Lois of your life? The one you were always talking about?" Dash asked candidly while wriggling his eyebrows and throwing me a mischievous look.

"Figuratively and literally speaking, yes. Lois Fenella, meet Dash. He's a great SpEd teacher, if only he doesn't spend his spare time scrutinizing the lovelife of the people around here."

I laughed at Ethan's description of Dash and shook his hand.

"It's nice to meet you," I told him.

"No wonder our Superman here was smitten. I can't blame him, you're pretty," he said and winked at me.

He held on to my hand a little too long and Ethan immediately noticed. He cleared his throat before speaking sternly.

"Bitiwan mo yang kamay na yan, pare. Baka makalimutan kong kaibigan kita, ipabugbog kita sa mga tropa ko rito," he warned.

Agad namang bumitiw si Dash at tumawa.

"Cool! Takot ko na lang sa mga 'tropa' mo!"

"Sinong mga tropa mo? Can I meet them?" I asked eagerly and tugged on Ethan's shirt.

"Of course! Eto na pala sila o!"

I turned to look at their activity area where a book exhibit is ongoing and saw several kids running towards us.

"Superman! Kuya Clark!" they chanted in unison while hurrying to get to him.

I stepped back as three of them jumped into Ethan's arms and five more tugged on his shirt, all begging to be lifted up.

"Teka, teka lang. Malakas si Superman pero dalawa lang ang kamay niya. Tigpa-5 minutes na buhat, pwede? Okay mga tropa?" he bargained with the kids.

"Anong cases nila, if you don't mind me asking?" I inquired as I turned to Dash.

"Two of them have autism. Yung tatlo, down syndrome. And the rest, speech and hearing disability," Dash informed me.

Ethan's 'tropa' consists of kids aged five to ten, if my estimate was right. Mukhang close na close talaga sila kay Ethan and I couldn't help but smile at the sight of him hugging all these special kids.

He lifted two children at a time while asking how they've been. Later on he sat down to accommodate more children in his lap and exchanged high fives with each of them before finally introducing me.

The kids were aloof and Ethan explained na naninibago lang sila but one of them, the boy with Down Syndrome, smiled at me.

"What's your name?" I asked and knelt on one knee to level with him.

"Name Gabby," he responded in a cute voice.

I want to talk to him for a few minutes more but he became restless when he noticed that his friends were already going back to the activity area so I had to let him go.

"Ba-bye!" he hollered and left while waiving as he ran to follow his classmates.

I waved back at him before Ethan offered a hand to help me get up.

"I like Gabby," I told him.

"He obviously likes you too," he said with a smile.

"Mabait ba siya?"

"Oo, he's one of the easiest to handle."

"Why do you say so?"

He gave me that look again. And I know now what that look means. Malamang naikwento na niya iyon sa akin before pero as usual, wala akong pakialam noon at hindi ako nakikinig.

"Can you repeat the story please? I swear I'm listening this time," I requested sheepishly.

He sighed, defeated.

"Okay. First of all, he's Gavin Mateo's brother. You remember him, right? Iyong isa sa varsity na nagtrain kay Brett dati?"

And Bethany's first love na ikakasal na kay Syndell, I added in mind as I nodded to let him know I'm really listening.

"Trained si Gabby kahit sa bahay kasi Occupational Therapist ang Kuya Gavin niya. Madalas rin siyang isama ni Syndell sa labas kaya sociable yung bata."

"I see. Pero what does Occupational Therapists do, bakit ganoon kalaki ang impact sa development ni Gabby kahit na considered na may disability iyong bata?"

"OTs are medical practitioners who help people with physical, cognitive, or even mental disorder. Kung sa matatanda let's say na-stroke, they help them recover to get back to their usual activities and regain their daily lives. Kung sa mga bata naman, particularly sa special children, OTs help them develop fine motor skills tsaka yung hand-eye coordination. Malaking bagay iyon na naumpisahan ni Gavin turuan si Gabby simula maliit pa."

"Ahh...now I know," I commented, finally undertanding.

Busy ang iba pang teachers sa mga ongoing activities at sa pagbabantay sa mga bata but they took time to entertain me nang ipakilala ako ni Ethan sa kanila. Nakipaglaro pa kami sandali sa mga bata bago tuluyang umalis.

"I want to meet more of your friends," I stated as we drove away from the SpEd school.

"You'll meet more on our next stop," he informed me.

When the car came into a halt in front of a home for the aged, napatawa ako.

"Extremes ang group of friends mo ha. Kanina mga bata, ngayon naman matatanda?"

"Friendship knows no age. Tsaka they're still young at heart, you'll see," pagmamalaki niya bago kami pumasok.

"Saan mo sila nakilala, bakit ka napadpad rito?"

"Seminar sa paghahalaman," he replied with a shrug.

Nakikita ko siyang katulong ni Mamay kapag nagtatanim doon sa plant bed niyang nasa ibabaw ng isang malaking mesa pero akala ko dati ay dahil nakikipagkwentuhan lamang siya kay Mamay kaya siya nakikisali. Mahilig pala talaga siya sa halaman.

"Ako ang pinakabata sa attendees kaya ako ang pinaka-sikat sa kanila," he started telling me the story.

I raised my brows at him sa pagyayabang niya.

"By sikat, I mean ako ang palaging inuutusan nilang lahat na bumuhat ng kung ano-ano, mag-sample at mag-explain."

Napatawa ako.

11 a.m. pa lang pero dinatnan na naming nag-tatanghalian ang matatandang lalaki sa isang mahabang mesa. All of them smiled when they saw Ethan.

"May kasama yatang muse ang escort namin ngayon?" sabi ng isa sa kanila na nasundan ng tuksuhan. Ipinakilala naman ako ni Ethan bilang kaibigan bago kinumusta ang matatanda.

Doon na rin kami nag-lunch habang nagku-kwentuhan. Ipinakita sa akin ni Ethan ang iba't-ibang pinagkaka-abalahan ng matatanda mula sa paghahalaman hanggang sa board games. He also narrated some of the old men's life story and why they're here. It's sad to know that most of them were abandoned by their families but it's good that this place serves as their refuge.

Nakipagsayawan pa kami sa kanila at hanggang sa umalis kami doon ay tuloy pa rin ang kwento ni Ethan kahit sa sasakyan . Nakakapagtaka pero I enjoy listening to him. I haven't seen this side of him before. Parang ngayon ko lang siya nakilala and I just discovered that he's an interesting person. Lahat ng ikinukwento niya ngayon, bago sa akin. Hindi ako makapaniwalang hindi ako nakinig sa kanya noon.

I unconsciously glanced at the clock on Ethan's dashboard and was surprised to see that it's almost 1pm. I was supposed to call Bethany at 12.

I double checked the time on my wrist watch. Same. I really lost track of time. Unbelievable.

"Hey, did I bore you? Sorry ha, they're my favorite topic, tsaka yung mga bata sa Light & Hope. Pero don't worry, starting tomorrow, you won't have to listen to any of my stories ever again. Just bear with me today."

He must have noticed that I was checking the time.

"Ang drama mo. Di ko nga namalayan ang oras, ayan tuloy di ko natawagan si Bethany noong lunchbreak niya. Bakit, kapag ba sinabi kong naiinip na ako, iuuwi mo na ako?"

He smirked.

"Hindi ah. Ano ka sinuswerte? Isang araw ang kontrata mo sa akin, iyon rin ang paalam ko sa family mo. Kaya sukdulang itali kita diyan sa inuupuan mo at titigan na lang hanggang matapos ang araw na ito, gagawin ko. Pero hindi kita iuuwi hanggang hindi ko nasusulit ang date na ito."

Sinapawan ng tawa naming dalawa ang kanta sa loob ng kotse sa sinabi niyang iyon.

"What's next sa itinerary mo?"

I can't believe I was excited to now what Ethan has in store for me on this date.

"Yung mga kaibigan ko sa Red Cross, you have to meet them."

Hindi pa natatapos ang kantang sinasabayan namin ay tumigil na ang sasakyan sa harap ng isang ospital.

"Akala ko sa Red Cross?"

"May Blood Donation Drive ang Red Cross dito, andito sila. Pwede rin akong mag-donate tutal andito na rin tayo," he replied.

"You included blood donation in your well-planned date. Seriously. Just when I'm beginning to be impressed," I stated with sarcasm.

He stiffled a laughter.

"Hey, don't look so glum. It's for a good cause," he tried to cheer me up as he pushed open the door.

He put an arm around my shoulder as we got in. Under normal circumstances, I would have slapped his hand and shrugged it off but this time I allowed him to drape his arm around me. Weird as it sounds, it made me feel somehow protected.

"What on earth are these people thinking, falling in line just to have those sharp needles inserted and have their blood drained out of them? Masochists!" I whispered to Ethan.

He chuckled and pulled me closer so he could whisper to my ear.

"It's a little sacrifice, my Lois. Each of these people, they have their own personal reasons why they donate blood. Meron diyan na dating nasalinan na ng dugo and as a way of gratitute, they want to do this. Meron namang nagdo-donate for the sake of friendship. Merong trip lang at gusto ma-experience. But whatever their reason is, lahat sila gustong makatulong and that's what's important."

"What's yours?" singit ko.

"Donating blood for me is a way of giving a piece of myself. Iniisip ko na lang kung gaano kalaking tulong iyon sa nangangailangan, it could save lives."

"Giving a piece of yourself? Aba baka maubos ka niyan," I joked.

"Of course not. Lagi akong may ititirang parte ng sarili ko para sa iyo," he replied, suddenly serious.

"Ethan! Magdo-donate ka?" a guy in a Red Cross shirt called out from across the room. Panira ng moment.

"Yup!" Ethan hollered back.

Smell of alcohol invaded my nostrils as we walked in between small cots lined up for those willing to donate. I clutched Ethan's arm so tight I'm sure my nails would leave a mark on his skin as we headed to the blood donation area. There were bags full of blood everywhere I look, I want to faint.

Ethan took out his Red Cross card and handed it to his friend before introducing me.

Isang putlang-putlang Fenella ang ipinakilala ni Ethan sa kanila. Their names didn't even register in my mind. I doubt kung makikilala ko ni isa sa kanila kapag nakasalubong ko sila sa labas.

I watched as Ethan filled out a form and cringed when I saw him lie in one narrow bed at the corner. I tore my eyes off him when a Red Cross attendant approached him with a syringe at lumapit lamang ako ulit nang sigurado kong tapos na.

"Diba kaka-donate mo lang ng dugo noon sa school? Pwede ba talaga iyon ganoon kadalas?" I asked as I sat on the monoblock chair beside his cot.

"Oo, three months ago na iyon. Pwede na ulit."

"Ahhh..."

"You're next. Are you ready?" he asked afterwards.

"Sapak gusto mo? Hindi ka pa nga bumabangon diyan, sinong bubuhat sa akin kapag nahimatay ako?"

"Just give me a few more minutes, sasamahan kita," aniya.

"Hindi ako magdodonate ng dugo, period. Sira ulo ka ba? Alam mong may phobia ako sa dugo dinala-dala mo ako rito!"

He ignored my complaints and went on.

"Alam mo ba kung sino ang beneficiary nitong project na ito?"

"Wala akong pakialam."

"Cancer Warriors. They provide for the financial needs of children with cancer, especially iyong mga batang hindi kayang ipagamot ng mga magulang nila dahil sa kahirapan. Imagine what a bag of blood could do for them. Rare pa naman ang blood type natin, mahirap hanapin lalo na para sa mga bata in case of emergency. Your blood could extend their lives."

"So ngayon kinukunsensiya mo ako?" I glared at him.

He smiled.

"If that would help you face your fears, why not?"

"Pambihirang date ito. Okay na sana yung mga idea mo kanina tapos sisingitan mo ng ganito? Anong kinamalayan ng pagdo-donate ng dugo sa date natin?" reklamo ko.

"Imagine the hopeful eyes of the sick children na umaasa sa mga donated blood na ito. Matitiis mo ba iyon? Nakita kita kanina sa Light & Hope, you like being around children. Will you let them down?" he asked instead, ignoring my own grievances.

By this time ay naupo na siya.

I shook my head and sighed.

"Fine! Pero kapag may nangyaring masama sa akin, lilintikan ka kina Mama, sinasabi ko sa iyo," banta ko.

He asked his friend to get me a form and filled it out himself, asking me just a few questions. After I signed the form, sinamahan niya ako sa Blood Typing area.

My hands felt cold. Dito ako nahimatay noong last time na nag-attempt akong mag-donate ng dugo out of desperation na maragdagan ang grade ko.

"Type B tayo diba, sabihin mo sa kanila para hindi na kailangan ng blood typing."

"Hindi pwedeng verbal lang. Kung may Red Cross card ka pwede na. You'll be fine. Pagtusok nila, inhale ka lang," Ethan said, giving me a tip.

I extended my hand to the Red Cross attendant reluctantly and closed my eyes to wait for the unevitable.

I will not faint. I will not faint. I will not faint.

"Inhale, my Lois," Ethan instructed and I obeyed as I burried my nails once again into his arm.

"Okay, we're done."

"Tapos na?" nagtatakang tanong ko.

"Gusto mo isa pa?" Ethan joked and I slapped his shoulder.

"O diba mabilis lang naman kaya hindi mo naramdaman? Mas masakit pa nga yung baon ng kuko mo sa braso ko o," he said and showed me his arm.

I laughed it off before he led me to the small bed he used.

"Miss, stress ball o, makakatulong iyan," wika sa akin ng isa pang Red Cross volunteer bago ako hinanapan ng ugat.

Sabi ni Ethan para raw sa circulation ng dugo iyon at stress reliever rin so I took the stress ball and pressed it as often and as hard as I can.

It was my first time to donate blood and I was so damn scared, I'm afraid I would ruin the soft ball I was holding on to. But when the Red Cross attendant raised the syringe, ready to plunge that large needle into my arm, Ethan took away the stress ball from my hand.

I glared at him and was about to curse but he sat beside my bed and smiled.

"Mas effective ito kesa sa stress ball," he said with a comforting smile as he replaced the stress ball with his hand.

He intertwined his fingers with mine and squeezed my hand gently. I did the same to his hand out of fear. And because this time I felt that I could really trust him.

Ethan's sweet gesture surprised me and the jokes that he cracked after that took my mind away from what was going on. Before I knew it, the blood bag was full.

Ethan hugged me, obviously very proud.

"Oh my God, I really did it!" I exclaimed and was about to get up but he stopped me.

"Hindi ka pa pwedeng tumayo, mahihilo ka. Rest for a while bago natin ituloy ang date natin. Anyway we still have the rest of the day."

I laid back and smiled up at him.

"Thanks, Ethan. You just made me overcome my fear."

He beamed at me with pride.

"I knew you could do it. I'm so proud of you, my Lois."

He never let go of my hand. And honestly, I don't want him to.

I was really afraid earlier. My hands were cold and trembling.

Until Ethan held it.

How he made me feel safe just by holding my hand surprised me.

This is surreal.

I was expecting that this date would turn into a nightmare in no time.

But it didn't.

In fact, it's probably the most meaningful day of my life.

He was right. It's not the usual fine dining date. It's a lot more than that.

The amazing breakfast at the hidden gazebo, the quality time spent with the kids and the elderly, the blood donation, everything was wonderful.

Even Ethan.

Like the roles he used to portray in the school plays, he's turning out to be a true Prince Charming.

It's funny how I thought I wouldn't last an hour on this date.

But now I couldn't wait what will happen next on this unexpected fairytale...