Chapter 23
"Ayusin mo nga, Kins! Ang init-init, nagtatanga-tangahan ka pa diyan!" sigaw ni Cecilia habang dinidikitan ni Kinsley ng pangtakip ang water main.
The sun was relentless, beating down on us as if it had a personal grudge.
The heat shimmered above the golden field of wheat, making everything look wavy and distorted.
Wala ni isang hangin ang dumadaan, kaya naman ramdam ko ang bigat ng init sa katawan ko.
My shirt was already sticking to my back, and my camera felt dangerously warm in my hands.
We were here because someone reported a leak in the main water pipe. Sa laki ng field, mahirap hanapin ang sira, pero natunton na ni Kinsley at ngayon, hirap na hirap niyang inaayos habang si Cecilia ay hindi tumitigil sa pangungulit.
"Huwag mo nga akong minamadali! Ang hirap kaya nito!" sagot ni Kinsley, her fingers struggling against the rusted metal. Her whole face was drenched in sweat, her shirt already soaked. "Porket taga-hawak ka lang ng gamit diyan, akala mo madali lang 'tong ginagawa ko!"
"Wala naman akong sinabing madali!" Cecilia huffed, crossing her arms. "Pero pakibilisan mo naman kasi, puro ka dada!"
I sighed, adjusting my camera focus. The tension between the two was almost as suffocating as the heat.
"Can you guys stop fighting?" I said, my voice slightly irritated. "Isa pa lang 'yang ginagawa niyo, marami pa doon."
Sabay silang napalingon sa akin, parehong may halong pagod at pagtataka ang mga mukha nila.
"Ha?!" sabay nilang sabi, almost in perfect sync.
"You heard me right. Marami pa doon, kaya pakibilisan niyo na," I repeated, watching their expressions shift from shock to sheer exhaustion.
Kinsley groaned loudly, dropping the wrench for a moment just to rub her face. "Tangina naman, ang init-init na nga, ang dami pang aayusin!"
Cecilia, despite her frustration, she started packing up the tools. "Natapos na rin, kakainis naman 'to," she muttered under her breath.
"Sana nag-Architecture na lang ako," dismayadong saad ni Cecilia habang pinapagpag ang kamay mula sa natuyong dumi.
"True. Tara na nga doon," sagot ni Kinsley, agad na tumayo at naglakad patungo sa isa pang water main. Tahimik lang kaming naglalakad, and despite it being early morning, the sun was already unforgiving. Parang iniihaw na kami nang buhay.
Bigla na lang—
"Ay, yawa!" sigaw ni Cecilia, dahil nadulas ito sa putik habang naglalakad!
Nakaputing damit pa naman siya, pero ngayon, parang literal siyang lumublob sa putikan. Kulay brown na ang dating malinis niyang shirt, at may mga talsik pa sa mukha niya.
"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Tanga!" tawang-tawa si Kinsley, halos mapaupo na sa lupa sa sobrang halakhak.
I bit my lip, trying to keep my laughter in. "Gosh, what happened?" I asked, offering her my hand.
"Kasalanan ko bang madulas? Mukhang dugyot na tuloy ako tingnan, kainis!" reklamo niya habang inaabot ang kamay ko.
Pero dahil basa at madulas ang kamay niya sa putik, imbes na makahawak nang maayos, nadulas ulit siya—bumagsak pa nang mas malakas kaysa kanina.
"Tangina naman oh!"
"BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AYOKO NAAAA!" Kinsley was dying of laughter, clutching her stomach like she was about to collapse.
Cecilia just lay there for a moment, staring at the sky as if questioning all of her life choices.
"Ganito na ba ako ka-malas?" she mumbled with no emotion, slowly sitting up.
Her entire body, from her clothes to her face, was completely covered in mud.
Alam mo 'yun? Para na siyang pulubi na bagong ahon sa baha.
"Tanga mo kasi!" asar pa ni Kinsley, still wiping tears from her eyes.
"Hindi ko kasalanan kung madulas!" sagot ni Cecilia, frustrated, as she aggressively tried to wipe the mud off her face. Pero imbes na matanggal, lalo lang nadagdagan.
We decided to head back para makaligo si Cecilia at makapagpahinga rin kami kahit saglit. The heat was unbearable, and Cecilia looked miserable with all that mud on her. Habang naglalakad kami, nakasalubong pa namin sina Ms. Dizon at Ms. Sanchez.
"What happened, honey?" tanong ni Ms. Dizon, medyo nagtataka habang tinitingnan si Cecilia na parang galing sa isang wrestling match sa putikan.
Kasama niya si Ms.
Sanchez, who looked effortlessly cool despite the heat.
She was wearing a white tank top tucked into navy blue sweatpants with white stripes, her sunglasses perfectly in place.
Her dark hair fell neatly over her shoulders, parang hindi man lang naapektuhan ng init.
I couldn’t help but stare a little—she looked way too gorgeous.
"She fell accidentally, Miss," mabilis kong sagot, lalo na nang mapansin kong parang gusto na lang maglaho ni Cecilia sa hiya.
"You should take a shower, Villanueva," sabi ni Ms. Dizon, her tone firm but understanding.
"Yes, ma’am, I'll go ahead," sagot ni Cecilia, bahagyang yumuko bago mabilis na umalis. Kinsley followed, stretching lazily.
"I'll go too, Miss," sabi ko, handa na ring sumunod nang biglang humarang ang tingin sa akin ni Ms. Sanchez.
"Where do you think you're going?" she asked, her voice cool but commanding. "You're assigned to the documentary. Stay and film everyone."
Umagang-umaga, ang init-init na nga, pati ulo niya mainit din.
"Seinna, guide those students, and I'll help Gomez with filming," utos ni Ms. Sanchez, itinuro ang grupo ng mga estudyanteng inaayos ang streetlight. Tumango si Ms. Dizon bago siya pumunta sa kanila.
Meanwhile, Ms. Sanchez turned and started walking away, her strides confident and purposeful. I adjusted my camera strap and silently followed her.
"Where are we going, Miss?" I asked as we walked, but she didn't answer. Why did she bring me if she wasn't going to talk to me?
"Sinama pa'ko kung hindi naman ako papansinin." bulong ko sa sarili ko pero sinadya ko talagang lakasan boses ko para marinig niya.
"Can you shut up and just follow me?" she snapped, giving me a sharp look.
"Tatahimik na po," sagot ko at nagsimula naman siyang ulit maglakad.
Hindi pamilyar ang nilalakaran namin ngayon, wala rin namang estudyante rito para ma videohan ko sa documentary. Where was she taking me? Pero hindi na ako umangal at sinundan nalang siya sa paglalakad. Baka sapian ulit ng dragon, delikado na.
Maya-maya ay may nakita akong tindahan at tumigil si Ms. Sanchez doon. Pumunta siya patungo sa may ice cream. Ito ba 'yung dahilan bakit niya ako sinama? Ice cream lang naman pala 'yung habol, nagsusungit pa.
"Choose what you want," sabi nito sa akin habang siya rin ay abala sa pagpili ng ice cream niya. Her fingers tapped lightly on the glass display, eyes scanning the different flavors.
"Ikaw," sagot ko agad, hindi man lang nagdalawang-isip.
She paused and turned to me, raising a perfectly shaped eyebrow. "What?"
"You asked me what I want. Ikaw nga gusto ko," I said, grinning.
She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "I'm not an ice cream, Gomez."
I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice just enough para marinig lang niya. "I haven't tasted you yet, but I bet you'd be my favorite flavor." sabay kindat.
"Gomez!" she exclaimed, eyes wide as she smacked my arm.
"Yes, baby? I mean, Ms. Sanchez?" I teased.
"I hate you," she said, though her tone suggested more exasperation than genuine anger. "If you don't want to buy anything, then don't." Her patience was as thin as the melting ice cream in her hand.
"Just kidding, Miss. Ito na, pipili na po," sabi ko at kinuha 'yung cookies and cream na ice cream. Habang siya ay kumuha ng strawberry flavored ice cream. Inabot niya ito sa akin kaya nagtaka ako.
"Pay it, use my money." utos nito sa akin. Don't tell me hindi siya marunong bumili sa tindahan?
"Ayoko nga. Sabi mo treat mo, ikaw mag-bayad gyan," pang-aasar kopa rito.
"No," she said, shaking her head.
Ang cute!
"Oo na, pasalamat ka cute ka." sagot ko at nagbayad sa nagbabantay na bata.
"Dalawang ice cream," sabi ko at ini-abot sa kanya 'yung bayad.
"Ang ganda mo po, Ate. Single ka po ba?" tanong sa akin ng bata.
"Yes, I am." sagot ko.
"Single po kuya ko, bagay po kayo." sabi pa nito.
"Hoy, anong pinagsasabi mo gyang bata ka?" and I heard a male's voice, siguro ito 'yung kuyang tinutukoy nung bata.
"Pasensya na po, makulit talaga kasi 'tong bunso ko." sabi nito at pinilit ko nalang ngumiti. Inabot na nito sa akin 'yung sukli at aalis na sana ako ng bigla pa itong magsalita. "Can I have your number?" out of nowhere na tanong nito, kaya napatingin ako kay Ms. Sanchez na ang sama ng tingin sa amin.
"Bata pa po ako, magagalit po Ate ko," sabi ko at itinuro si Ms. Sanchez kaya tumaas ang isang kilay nito nang marinig ang aking sinabi. Hindi kona siyang hinintay pa na sumagot at naglakad na patungo kay Ms. Sanchez.
"Tara na po, Ate." sabi kopa at nagpipigil ng tawa.
"What? Are you out of your mind?" hindi kapani-paniwalang sabi nito sa akin.
"Hinihingi number ko, gusto mo bang sabihin ko na girlfriend kita?" sabi ko habang binubuksan ang ice cream niya tsaka ibinigay sa kanya ito.
"I don't care, Gomez. But why did you have to say I was your older sister?" tanong pa nito bago niya kainin 'yung ice cream niya
"Sorry, next time sasabihin ko asawa kita." sagot ko rito at hindi nanaman ako nito pinansin at dinilaan nalang nito ang ice cream niya.
"Kaya naman pala hindi namin kayo mahanap kasi pakain-kain lang pala kayo gyan ng ice cream. Madaya kayo!" bungad ni Ms. Martinez sa amin nang makasalubong kami nito sa daan.
"How's everyone?" Ms. Sanchez asked, changing the topic.
"Okay naman, daming nagrereklamo nakakapagod daw." sagot ni Ms. Martinez dito. Speaking of everyone, kamusta na kaya si Cecilia?
"Are you okay?" tanong ni Ate sa akin na katabi lang ni Ms. Martinez.
"Of course," sagot ko sa kanya at ngumiti.
"Sylvia!" may tumatawag sa akin at nakita ko mga kaibigan ko sa malayo na kumakaway pa sa akin.
I walked towards them after ko magpa-alam kay Ate.
"Ikaw ha, kaya pala wala ka, nakikipaglandian ka kay Ms. Sanchez," sabi ni Cecilia sa akin nung pagkalapit ko sa kanila.
"At least hindi raw nagmukhang putik kanina." bulong ni Kinsley habang tinatapos ang ginagawa.
"Kailangan ba 'yun ulitin?!" pikon na sagot ni Cecilia dito at inirapan si Kinsley.
We didn’t do much today—just spent the entire day fixing a leaking water main. Another group was busy working on streetlights, road repairs, and other maintenance tasks.
Buong araw akong nakabuntot sa kanila, running around with my camera, looking for the perfect angles, adjusting for the best lighting, at syempre, sinisiguradong hindi ko mamiss ang kahit anong importanteng footage.
Hindi ko alam na ganito pala kahirap ang trabaho ng mga nagdodocument ng fieldwork—parang ako na rin ‘yung nagtrabaho sa maintenance team sa pagod na nararamdaman ko ngayon.
We started at 9 AM, and before I knew it, 5 PM na. Time flew by fast, pero ramdam ko sa katawan ang bigat ng buong araw. As soon as we got back to our place, everyone slumped into the chairs outside. Buti na lang at may malaking covered patio dito—perfect spot to rest after a long day.
I was sitting with Eliana, Cecilia, and Kinsley.
As usual, walang patid ang daldalan nila.
Kinsley was animatedly telling Eliana something about what happened earlier with Cecilia.
Halos hindi ko na maintindihan ang pinag-uusapan nila dahil sabay-sabay silang nagsasalita, each one eager to get their own stories across.
We decided to cook dinner together—a big meal para sa buong grupo.
The smell of sizzling garlic and onions filled the air, habang ang iba sa amin ay abala sa paghahanda ng mesa.
When we finally sat down to eat, the patio was filled with laughter, gossip, and nonstop conversations.
It was a nice kind of chaos—one that made the exhaustion of the day a little more bearable.
Tahimik akong kumakain, just enjoying my food, when out of nowhere, Eliana turned to me with a teasing grin.
"Any progress with Ms. Sanchez?" she asked, her tone dripping with mischief.
Napatingin ako sa kanya, raising an eyebrow. "No, and I don’t think there will be," I answered honestly. "Unless they break up, of course."
But you know, the longer it goes on, I don't ask for reciprocation. I knew from the start I had no chance with her, but I still choose to love her because I want to. Even if she can't reciprocate it, that's okay. I'm not asking for anything in return.
Love truly is unstoppable.
I've only just realized this now. This is the first time I've experienced this feeling.
"Sino ba namang baliw gugustuhin ‘yung tao na may 7-year relationship?" Kinsley scoffed, shaking her head.
"I know," I admitted. "I'm not asking for anything in return; I just want to love her, for as long as I can."
As soon as those words left my mouth, halos sabay-sabay silang napatingin sa akin, jaws dropping.
"Ha? Didn’t you say it was just a game? Anong pinagsasabi mo ngayon?" Cecilia asked, looking at me like I had lost my mind.
I chuckled slightly, shaking my head. "It wasn’t a game. Even if it were, I was ready to surrender my whole game for her," I said before taking another bite of my food.
"Wait… Hindi makaprocess nang maayos utak ko," Kinsley blinked, clearly struggling to understand. "You like her? As in, you’re serious about her? No jokes, no games? You’re actually in love with her?"
I let out a small laugh, "I just woke up feeling like this. Gosh, I’m not usually like this, but… she's driving me crazy."
"You're definitely in love with her, Syl. No explanation needed," Eliana declared, nodding as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"She’s right," Kinsley added. "Hindi ka naman ganyan before. It was already suspicious how you were suddenly willing to transfer schools, at mismong patapos na ang klase. We’ve been asking you since 2nd year, pero ayaw mo. Then, out of nowhere, you suddenly decide to transfer? Seriously?"
"Tama," Cecilia chimed in. "You wouldn’t transfer just because of someone. Kahit gusto mo pang paglaruan ‘yon, hindi mo gagawin ‘yon. You love that school. You wouldn’t just leave it for anyone."
Napatahimik ako, processing their words. Damn. They’re right.
From the start, I knew I liked her. But I never thought it was this serious.
Napatingin ako sa kabilang table, where Ms.
Sanchez was sitting.
She looked effortlessly beautiful, like she always does.
Even just eating her food, she seemed so elegant, so perfect.
Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, her fingers delicately holding the spoon as she took a bite.
Lahat ng ginagawa niya, kahit simpleng bagay lang, parang ang lakas ng tama sa akin.
I sighed, gripping my spoon tightly.
Damn.
I’m really in love with her.
"Baka matunaw na 'yan sa titig mo, Syl." biro ni Kinsley and it snap me into the reality.
We were done eating kaya tumayo na kami. Wala rin naman kaming gagawin magkaibigan, so we decided to help clean the dishes.
"Anong gagamitin pag naghuhugas ng pinggan?" walang ideyang tanong ni Kinsley habang nakatayo sa tabi ng lababo.
"Kamay, ano pa ba?" seryosong sagot ni Cecilia, crossing her arms.
Napakunot-noo kaming lahat.
"Lalagyan mo ng sabon kamay mo? Tapos kamay ipapanghugas mo? As in?" tanong ulit ni Kinsley, disbelief all over her face.
Tumango lang si Cecilia, looking completely convinced na tama siya.
"Gosh, it's a sponge. We need to use a sponge, hindi kamay," sabi ko, shaking my head.
Kaya naman hinampas ni Kinsley si Cecilia sa braso. "Bobo ka talaga, Cel. Akala mo ang talino mo eh!"
"Hoy, kahit ikaw hindi mo rin alam!" depensa ni Cecilia, crossing her arms.
"Wala namang sabon dito, ano gagamitin natin?" dagdag na tanong pa ulit ni Kinsley.
"I think we have to buy," sagot ni Eliana, kaya nag-decide kaming pumunta sa tindahan para bumili.
Medyo malapit-lapit lang naman ang tindahan mula dito, kaya hindi rin kami masyadong napatagal sa paglalakad. Pagdating namin, agad na lumapit si Kinsley sa tindera.
"Pabili po sabon," sabi niya, habang kaming tatlo ay naghihintay lang sa gilid.
"Anong sabon, iha?" tanong ng tindera, raising an eyebrow.
Napatingin si Kinsley sa amin. "Anong sabon daw?"
"Downy," utos ni Cecilia na parang sure na sure sa sagot niya.
Walang pagdadalawang-isip na sumunod si Kinsley. "Downy po," sabi niya habang inaabot ang pera.
Napatingin sa kanya ang tindera. "Gabing-gabi naglalaba ka iha?" tanong nito habang inaabot ang Downy.
"Ha? Hindi po. Maghuhugas lang po ng plato," sagot ni Kinsley, looking confused.
"Anong plato, iha? Downy itong binili mo, hindi ‘yan panghugas ng pinggan," sagot ng tindera, trying hard not to laugh.
Nanlaki ang mata ni Kinsley, sabay lingon kay Cecilia na parang gusto niya itong sabunutan.
"Hindi ba Downy ‘yun? Akala ko Downy," bulong niya sa amin, obviously embarrassed.
To be honest, ako rin hindi sure—may ganun kami sa bahay, but I forgot the name.
"Ano po ba ‘yung ginagamit panghugas ng plato?" clueless na tanong ni Kinsley.
Itinaas ng tindera ang isang bote ng Joy. "Ito iha, Joy. Hindi Downy, kasi pangdamit ‘yang Downy."
"Ah… pasensya na po, salamat po," sagot ni Kinsley habang mabilis na nagbayad. "Ay, may sponge po kayo?"
Inabot naman sa kanya ng tindera ang isang sponge bago kami tuluyang umalis. Pagkalabas namin ng tindahan, nagsimula na namang magbangayan ang dalawa.
"Ang bobo mo, Cel! Anong Downy? Tanga-tanga!" asar na sabi ni Kinsley.
"Makabobo ka, eh ikaw mismo hindi mo rin alam!" sagot ni Cecilia, rolling her eyes.
Napailing na lang kami ni Eliana habang natatawa. These two never change.
Puro lang sila talunan hanggang makarating na kami. We started washing the dishes, and they were stressing me out because they don't know how to wash them! Oh gosh, pahabain niyo pa sana pasensya ko sakanila. Unti nalang, ibabato ko na itong plato sa kanila.
After finishing the dishes, it was almost 10 pm, and almost everyone had gone inside. My friends went in, but I decided to stay outside for a walk.
I strolled around, lighting a cigarette. While walking, I saw Ms. Sanchez sitting a short distance away. I leaned against the wall behind me, watching her from afar while smoking.
I looked up and the sky is full of stars, but no matter how many fill the night, I'd still find myself staring at her. There's something about her that pulls me in, even when I'm surrounded by all the beauty of the stars. It's as if she's the one I was always meant to find, no matter how many lights are out there.
I've tried to look up and take in the stars, to appreciate their brilliance. But somehow, they don't hold my attention the way she do.
When I look at her, it's like the darkness that surrounds me lifts, even just for a little while. She make me feel something the stars never could. I'd choose to stare at her over the stars, every time.
I started walking toward her, but she suddenly stood and approached something. It was a cat.
"Baby, come here, cutie," she cooed, her voice softer than I'd ever heard it. I couldn't help but smile; it was the first time I'd heard her use baby talk.
"You don't want me? I'm nice. Come here, baby, don't run, please," she murmured, trying to coax the cat closer. I was behind her, and I hadn't realized how close I'd gotten.
"You're bad," she said, her voice laced with playful frustration as the cat darted away. "I just wanted to pet you, but you don't want to be near me. I don't want you anymore!" She took a step back, turned, and stumbled, dahil naapakan niya ako.I reacted instantly, catching her around her waist to prevent her from falling.
My hands were on her hips, her body pressed against mine, the warmth of her radiating through my clothes. Her breath hitched, her eyes, met mine. The air crackled with unspoken desire, the silence deafening except for the frantic pounding of my own heart. Oh gosh, help me.