Breaking the Promise (Free to Read Story)

Chapter 5

Pumasok kami sa Coffee Bloom na malapit lang sa school namin. It has cozy and warm ambiance which attracts more coffee lovers. There are shelves of books in the corner, and small round tables that two to three people can sit and have some small talks. Students always visits this place to conduct small meeting. But Coffee Bloom is suitable also for those people who seeks for peaceful and calm place to review and study.

"Ano gusto mo?" Tanong ko sa katabi ko na si Caleb. Kaunti lang ang tao nu'ng pumasok kami.

"Ikaw." Tinignan ko siya ng masama. "I-ikaw bahala. Kahit ano."

Tumango ako. Kaya ako na ang nag-order para saaming dalawa. Cappucino ang inorder ko sakanya at White Chocolate Latte naman ang akin. Kumuha rin ako ng Cinnamon rolls para sa'min.

Kumuha kami ng upuan sa bandang dulo. Tumingin tingin pa si Caleb ng libro sa bookshelf na malapit saamin. Balak pa atang mag-aral dito. Suspended kaya ang pasok? Suspended din ang utak ko kapag gano'n!

"Libre mo talaga? We can split bills." Tanong niya saakin pagkaupo. Ako kasi ang nagbayad dahil sinabi ko nga sakanya gusto ko siyang ilibre. Malaki naman ang binigay nu'ng nagpacommission sa'kin kaya may extra pa ako.

I nodded. "Minsan lang naman. Isipin mo nalang bayad 'to do'n sa mga libreng palunch mo sa'kin."

Gulat naman siyang napatingin saakin. "Hala ka Ava. Partial payment palang 'to ha. May balance ka pa." Exaggerated niya masyadong sabi.

Pogi ka sana Caleb, kaso madalas ang sarap mong batukan.

"But really, Ava, you don't need to pay for anything. And I'm more comfortable if we split bills."

He looked bothered and uneasy. I wonder why, though. "Why would you feel more comfortable for paying this?"

He shrug, "I guess its my responsibility to provide? I don't know, but my instinct say so."

"You don't always need to provide, Caleb. I can pay for my own. You've give too much, and let me give back the favor. And if you insists, let's just split the bills from now on. " I smiled at him. "You don't always need to be perfect. We can always meet at half point."

He glanced at me, and at some point we got lost at each other's eyes. And we've been able to get lost at the depth of the ocean and waves. Without even uttering any word, we've been able to communicate.

One thing I really love at Caleb was his gray eyes. It reflects thousand of emotions and unsaid words. It screams the loudest even if he keep in hiding them.

Siya ang unang nag-iwas ng tingin. Uminom siya sa Cappuccino niya. At namumulang tumingin sa paligid namin, tila nahihiya.

"Uh, I have something to give you pala." Biglang sabi ni Caleb at binuksan ang bag niya.

"Ano 'yon?"

"It took me almost two years to finish this. I know its not perfect, but I really poured my soul and heart in it." He said. And he handed me his canvas.

It was my half face smiling with small flower in my left ear. In the background, there are bunch of people walking towards a building.

It took me minutes before I realize it was our school. I glanced at him and he looks agitated. Probably, afraid that I might not want it.

"It was beautiful." I traced the details, and gazed at it with awe. "You have magical hands, Caleb. Thank you for this." I smiled at him.

"Look, I know it was far from perfect. Its my first time p-painting portrait and–" I cut him off.

"I love just the way how you painted it." I assured him.

"It was b-beautiful?" I nod at him.

"You love it?" I nod at him again and assured him that it was indeed beautiful. I can feel how he hold himself, feeling nervous and scared that I might not want it.

And it made me realize that probably the reason why he's too scared at my reaction is because no one assured him that his works are beautiful. No one supporting him and praising how his magical hands can create artworks.

"Caleb," I called him and he looked at me. "Not everyone may not appreciate your works, but please always remember that there is at least one person admiring it." I paused. "Just like how not everyone may not make you feel better and appreciated, but there is one person thanking the Almighty for giving you here in this world."

The two years in Senior highschool went fast. I can't believe how I surpass those nights breaking down, or those days I'm shaking in nervous. It may be the shortest time I spent, compared in Elementary or Highschool, and most probably in College. But it was the best two years in my life.

I learned a lot. I was way far more better compared in my highschool self. And honestly, I can't imagine myself stepping in College, without the two years in Senior highschool.

It may be a combination of learning academically, and practically. It brought a lot of life lessons that I will always treasure. It molds my character and bring out the best in me.

Caleb, on the other hand, became our strand's Valedictorian. I saw his parents in formal attire congratulating him. And it was my first time seeing Caleb smiling widely without worrying at anything and living the moment. And I realize how he treasure his parents that even how they may be so unfair at him — he still continues loving and obeying them.

But how long can he endure everything? How long could he hide his tears? How long can he hold himself back from following what his heart truly wants?

"Ava." My thoughts were cut off by Caleb. I glanced at him, and he was still wearing his most beautiful smile. "Gusto sana kita pakilala kila mommy."

"Hmm?" I diverted my gaze at his parents from afar talking at each other. "Sigurado ka?" I asked him once again. Aba, hindi pa naman kami, bakit may meet the family na agad? Sana nagsabi siya e'di sana nag-valedictorian din ako para bongga gano'n.

"Actually, gusto kita ayain magdinner saamin pero alam kong magccelebrate kayo nila tito, kaya next time nalang siguro. Kaya ipapakilala nalang muna kita sakanila ngayon. Okay lang ba?"

Tumango ako at hihilahin niya na sana ako patungo sa pwesto ng mga magulang niya nang tawagin ko siya. "Wait lang Caleb." He looked at me with asking eyes. "Pwedeng ano, comfort room lang ako?"

Pumasok ako sa comfort room saglit. Gusto ko lang sana tignan talaga ang sarili ko, baka kasi mamaya ay mukha na pala akong haggard dito. Nakakahiya naman.

Pinasadahan ko ng isa pang tingin ang mukha ko. Nagtitiwala naman ako sa makeup artists na kinuha nila mama sa'kin. Pero kinakabahan pa rin talaga ako. Dapat ay sinabi ni Caleb agad, e'di sana ay nakapag-OOTD ako kahit papa'no.

Kalma Ava, meet the parents lang naman ito. Mas nakakatakot pang magisa ng panel sa research defense.

"Tara na?" I nodded at Caleb whose waiting at me. Lumabas na ako ng comfort room at agad siyang namataan sa malapit. "Tagal mo nagmakeup ka pa ata ulit."

Mahina ko siyang hinampas sa braso. Alam na ngang kinakabahan ako e.

"Mommy, dad, uhh, this is Ava...." His parents glanced at us. Hawak pa rin ni Caleb ang kamay ko nang makarating kami sa pwesto ng mga magulang niya. "She's the girl I've been telling you."

His parents mouth went agape. Mas matangkad ang daddy ni Caleb kaysa sa mommy niya pero mas matangkad pa rin si Caleb sakanila. His mother screams elegance and she's beyond the word pretty, while his father was undeniably handsome despite his age.

"We've been hearing a lot of you. Anyways, congratulations for your graduation." I smiled at his mother.

"Salamat po." I simply answered her. I glanced at Caleb's father and he gave me a short smile.

"Oh, I'm sorry I forgot, I am Cassandra Margaux, but you can call me tita Margaux." Bumaling siya sa asawa niya na tahimik lang na nakikinig sa'min. "And this is my husband, Calyx Adrianne, and just call him tito Calyx."

I smiled at them. "Nice to meet you po tita Margaux, and tito Calyx."

"I hope we can invite you over dinner?" His father asked me.

"She has dinner celebration with her family, dad." Caleb answered for me.

"Oh, maybe some other time. Don't hesitate to visit us, Ava." I smiled at tita Margaux, before bidding my goodbyes at them. Samantalang hinatid pa rin ako ni Caleb papunta sa pwesto nila mama at papa.

"Your parents seems nice." I stated, and he just smiled at me. I wonder how they dictate their son's future. But who am I to judge, at the first place. I just met them, anyway.

"Caleb, naku, buti at nakita ka namin. Congratulations ha, napakagaling mo talagang bata ka." Bati ni mama kay Caleb at sinuklian naman agad ito ni Caleb ng isang malawak na ngiti.

"Caleb, aba kayo na ba nitong anak ko? Babagal bagal ka yata e. Dapat ay sa panliligaw ka rin magaling." Bulong ni papa kay Caleb na narinig pa rin naman naming lahat.

"'Pa! Nakakahiya. Saka anak mo kaya ako." Nagtatampong saad ko.

"Aba, hindi ka na lugi dito ha. Valedictorian lang naman 'to tapos gwapo pa." Tignan mo 'to si papa minsan parang may favoritism. Ako kaya ang anak niya!

"Oo nga, Ava, kailan mo ba kasi ako sasagutin?" Dagdag pa ni Caleb. Napahagikgik naman sila mama at Liliene.

"Sino nagsabing sasagutin kita?" Syempre oo. Pakipot lang muna tayo, chz.

"Owshii, wala ka pala kuya Caleb e." Pangangasar ni Liliene.

"'Di bale kaya naman kitang hintayin Ava. You're always worth the wait. And you're worth the fight, at 'di ako mapapagod sa'yo." Napatingin ako kay Caleb. Puno ng seryosong emosyon ang mukha niya na kahit sila papa at Liliene na nangangasar kanina ay biglang nanahimik.

"Mamahalin mo rin ako, Ava. At papatunayan ko na karapat-dapat akong mahalin mo."

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