I Could Fall

Chapter Six

This year is a bittersweet year. Sweet because I'm finally graduating from highschool. Bitter because it's just me and Dashiel for this year. Habang ang mga kapatid ko at si Ate Lavie ay nasa college na.

"Hyon!" I heard someone call my name.

Napahinto ako sa paglakad at tumingin sa likod para mahanap ang tumawag sa akin. I easily spotted Gavin who was waving at me with a dashing grin. He quickly closed our distance.

"Goodmorning," he greeted.

"Goodmorning din," I retorted and resumed walking. Sumabay na siya sa akin sa paglakad.

"Dalhin ko na ang bag mo para sa'yo," he offered and reached for my bag.

Umiling ako. "No need. It's not really heavy."

"I insist," pilit niya.

I pursed my lips and ended up giving him my bag.

Ganito ako palagi. Kapag may nagsasabi na gusto nila ako o pinaparamdam sa akin, hindi ko sila matanggihan. I just can't reject them. Alam ko kasi ang pakiramdam na may gusto kang tao at gaano kalungkot kapag nabigo ka kahit sa maliit na bagay lang.

Sa tuwing magtatanong naman sila sa akin kung pwedeng manligaw ay tinatanggihan ko. I always tell them that I can't have a boyfriend yet. They always assume that my parents are strict but the truth is, my parents don't have a problem with me being in a relationship.

It's just that... I made a promise to someone when I was eleven. I promised that I'm not going to have a boyfriend until I'm eighteen and I want to keep that promise. I want to make him proud of me.

Nirerespeto naman nila ang desisyon ko. They'll tell me that they can wait but they always end up giving up and moving on to another girl. I don't take it against them. Wala naman talaga silang mapapala sa akin.

Maaga pa kaya kaonti pa lang ang tao sa room. Hindi na ako gulat sa mga magiging kaklase ko para ngayong taon. I'm in the first section and everyone here is an achiever. Isang beses lang may napalitan ng galing sa second section nung second year kami.

"Can I sit with you?" Gavin asked as he followed me to wherever I plan on sitting.

Wala pa si Dashiel kaya ako ang pipili para sa aming dalawa. Sa likod malayo sa pinto ako palaging pumupwesto dahil 'yon ang gusto ni Dashiel. I don't mind.

"Sorry. I'm sitting with Dashiel," I answered. I don't know why he even asked. Palagi kaming magkatabi ni Dashiel kapag malaya kami sa pagpili ng seating arrangement.

"Oh. Okay. Sa kapitbahay na row mo na lang ako, kung ganoon." He boyishly grinned.

Tumawa ako at umupo na. "Okay."

Gavin placed my bag on top of my armchair before settling down on the other seat beside me. May aisle lang sa gitna pero tapat kami.

"So, how was your summer?" he asked. "Sobrang busy siguro kasi hindi ka masyadong nagrereply sa messenger." He chuckled to make his statement light.

"Medyo. Nasa France and then Italy ako with family," I answered.

"Talaga? I've never been to Europe. Puro Asian countries pa lang ang napupuntahan ko."

"It's been a tradition to visit our grandmother every summer in France kasi kaya tinutuloy na namin ang pag-travel around Europe each visit."

"Half-French ka diba? So you know how to speak French?" tanong nito.

"No. My father's half-French. I'm just... a quarter?" I laughed and shook my head. "I'm not very fluent but I can understand and speak it."

"Galing! You're multilingual," he praised.