Page 31 of Not My Type, Not Yet.

Agad kaming pumasok sa arcade ng matapos niyang bilhin ang mga damit na gusto nya. I stifled a smile when he grabbed my hand and put it inside his pocket. He side-eyed me kaya mas lalo akong napangiti.

He smirked. "You had the guts I might say. Announcing our relationship like that simply because you're jealous. I fucking liked it," he said proudly.

Napairap ako. "Sana pala bumili nalang ako ng veil. Mahirap na baka may ibang makabingwit sayo," balik ko sa kanya na syang ikinatawa nya ng mahina.

"You had me wrapped around your fingers and I like it that way. Kaya kahit sakal-sakalin mo pa ako, imbes na masaktan baka mag enjoy pa ako," nilabas nya ang kamay ko at hinalikan ang likod nito.

My eyes widen and I immediately yanked my hand off na syang ikinatawa nya. Ang bunganga ng isang to!

"Stop it you dork," nauna na akong maglakad dahil ramdam ko na umiinit ang pisnge ko.

Natatawa nya akong sinundan kaya napahawak nalang ako sa batok ko. Bro, this isn't cool anymore.

"Baby, wait. I was just joking."

Napahawak ako sa bibig ko. I never imagine that the day like this would happen kaya na ooverwhelm ako sa tuwing nararamdaman kong mahal nya talaga ako.

I feel like it was just yesterday where my heart was constantly drowning, tapos ngayon...I just can't believe it. But one thing is for sure. I love this moment a little louder.

"Baby naman, ang bilis maglakad," he wrapped his arms around my shoulder ng mahabol nya ako.

Despite being taller than him, he appeared more dominant than me.

"Ang ingay mo masyado," I pinched his side. Napaigtad sya at pilit na pinipigilan ang kamay ko. I laughed when he couldn't catch my hand. Just when I was about to pinch his side he grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers.

He glanced at me deep in the eyes. "I would go and run around and tell everyone that I'm yours, just to let them know how much my heart aches for you baby." He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it while still looking at me with those eyes.

Napalunok ako. "I...I would do the same." I whispered enough for him to hear it.

Napangiti sya.

"Mahal kita Austine. Mahal na mahal..." saad nya sa malambing na tuno na syang ikinatunaw ng puso ko.

My heart pounded rapidly. Tears almost welled up. Him expressing what he really felt without the need to hide is just so new to me. This won't be the last though.

Napaiwas ako ng tingin. My whole face reddening, nakakawala ng angas men.

"Will you mermaid me?" I tilted my head and massaged his ring finger. He bit his lips.

"I does."

Nagkatiningnan kami sabay tawa dahil sa kalokohan namin. Naiiling-iling ko syang hinila papuntang photobooth. Matagal ko ng gustong itry to pero wala akong kasama.

"Alin po yung sa inyo sir?" the lady asked. Nangingiti nya kaming pinagmasdan kaya umiwas nalang ako ng tingin lalo na't hawak-hawak pa rin ni Knox ang kamay ko.

"Yung 200 po," Saad ni Knox at nag-abot ng bayad.

"Ok sir, pili muna kayo ng props nyo don," sabay turo sa cabinet na puno ng mga headband at kung ano-ano pa.

Hinila ako don ni Knox and the first thing he did was to pick up the bunny ear head band and put it on me. My brows met.

"Baby seriously?" Buntong hininga kong saad.

He raised me an eyebrow, "What? It's cute." He smiled kaya wala na akong nagawa kundi hayaan nalang sya.

Nang matapos naming mamili ng props agad kaming pumasok sa photobooth. Tinuroan muna kami ni ate kong paano gamitin ang machine. Namili kami ng frame, hindi pa kami magkasundo I want it white and he wants it black. Dahil sa pag-aaway namin yung pink yung napindotan ko kaya wala na kaming magagawa.

We just laughed at letting it be pink.

"Umayos kana, mamaya na yang headband," saway nya saakin ng balak ko sanang isuot sa kanya ang headband na napili nya.

Napapalatak ako. "Ok,"

He grabbed my waist and kissed my temple. "Later baby,"

Napatango nalang ako. Sabi ko nga mamaya na.

I gently pressed our cheeks together, my palm cradling his jaw. Nakangiti akong humarap sa camera ahd he let out a quiet chuckle. We stayed in that position hanggang sa narinig naming nag click ng camera.

"Bilis ang headband," dali-dali nyang kinuha ang headband at pinasuot yun sakin dahil 10 seconds lang bago ang next na shoot.

He placed the bunny-ear headband on my head with a playful grin, habang suot suot nya naman ang green na glasses with tiny frogs perched on each side. He crossed his arms and pursed his lips in a mock pout, he looked at me and I couldn't help but beam at him.

Then came the sweetest shot. Tinanggal nya ang headband ko pati na ang glasses nya at nilapag sa gilid. He wrapped his arms around me from behind pulling me close. We didn't look at the lens; we looked at the screen, at each other.

The kind of look that echoes every time we're together. The kind of look that makes you feel like you are enough and unique in every way possible.

"Knox, you are the first thought that greets my morning and the last prayer my heart whispers at night," my voice soft and tender. The sound of our heartbeat echoed more than the shutter of the machine.

"Plastic po?" tanong ni ate. Tumango ako. Ngumiti sya at nilagay sa lalagyan ang picture namin.

I looked past my shoulder to see Knox, binalik nya sa lagayan ang mga kinuha namin kanina.

"Alam nyo po ang cute nyong tignan, kanina ko pa kayo pinagmamasdan sa malayo akala ko nga tropa lang kayo. But no friend would look at you like that," she said and handed me our picture.

"What look?" I asked, curious.

She shrugged her shoulders, "The kind of look that words are no longer needed , because he loves you beyond measure."

Napangiti ako.

"Yeah?"

"Yes," she chuckled kaya napatawa na rin ako. "Pero feel ko kaylangan mo nang umalis, baka magka butas na tong noo ko sa sakit ng tingin ng isa dyan." Aniya kaya napatingin ulit ako sa likuran ko.

I saw Knox, standing and pouting kaya lumapit ako sakanya. "Bat nakasimangot ang baby ko na yan hmm?"

He rolled his eyes. "May pangiti-ngiti pa syang nalalaman."

Natawa ako dahil sa asal nya. I held his wrist and gently pulled him closer.

"Nagseselos ba ang baby ko na to?" I said sweetly kaya mas lalong humaba ang nguso nya at tumango na parang bata.

"Oo, dapat saakin ka lang ngumingiti ng ganon."

I chuckled and gently kissed his cheeks.

"Let's go, I want you to meet my mom," I said and pulled him away.

Tinatrash talk ko pa sya dati kay mommy tas ngayon ipapakilala ko na sya. Nothing really changed to be honest. I still ran to her.

"Are you sure?" nag-aalala nyang tanong. I nodded my head.

"Wala akong dala para sa kanya," he nervously tapped my hand when we enter my car.

"No need." I said at binaybay na ang daan papuntang sementeryo.

I enjoyed seeing Knox this anxious about meeting my mom. The majority of the people in our town don't know that my mom died many years ago. Ang alam lang nila ay umalis sya. When she died there's no such lavish funeral to honor her death. It was pure silence.

"Kinakabahan ako, san ba tayo pupunta?" si Knox ng mapansin na nagiging pamilyar na ang daan.

I grabbed his hand with my other hand and brought it to my lips. "Malapit na tayo baby, may bibilhin muna tayo para sa kanya," I smiled at him. Unti-unting nawawala ang kunot sa noo nya.

"Then let me pay for it," he said kaya tumango nalang ako.

Tumigil kami sa isang flower shop na malapit sa sementeryo. Pagbaba namin agad akong kinahawakan sa balikat ni Knox. Malumanay lang akong ngumiti sa kanya kaya binitawan nya ang balikat ko.

"You gotta be kidding me..." I heard him murmur.

Pumasok na ako sa flower shop, at agad naman akong nakilala ng may ari. Knox trailed from behind, eyeing me suspiciously.

"Anak, dadalaw ka ulit sa mommy?" Aling Glenda beamed kaya tumango ako.

Umikot sya palabas sa counter at niyakap ako kaya niyakap ko din sya pabalik.

"Kamusta na po?" I asked her.

Araw-araw akong bumili ng bulaklak dito noon kaya nakilala nya ako. I'm her loyal customer ika nga nila.

"Ito, buhay pa rin. Nako naman ang tagal mong hindi nakadalaw dito ah, kamusta ka na?" Maligaya nyang saad.

"Ok lang naman po, nabusy po ako sa school." I replied politely.

I used to go here with tear stained eyes and she always cheers me up with her antics kaya gumagaan ang pakiramdam ko sa tuwing napapadaan ako dito.

Napatingin sya sa likuran ko kaya binitawan nya ako para puntahan si Knox.

"Kay gwapong bata naman to," puri nya. Pinasadahan nya ng tingin si Knox. "Ang ganda ng mata mo nak, para talaga siyang lupa, tas yung Austine parang abo. Ang popogi nyo parehas."

Ngumiti ako bilang pagsang-ayon. I know right.

"Kaibigan mo?" she asked.

"Hello po, I'm Knox," pakilala ni Knox at nakipag kamay.

"Boyfriend ko." I proudly uttered. Mukhang nagulat din si Knox dahil sa sinabi ko.

"Boyfriend?!!" gulat na singhal ni aling Glenda.

" Uhuh, boyfriend."

Pabalik-balik ang tingin niya sa aming dalawa kaya halos matawa ako. Knox, walked beside me and pinched my side.

"Baby, ow! masakit ha."

"You can't just blurt it out, baka atakihin dahil sa sobrang gulat," sermon nya saakin kaya napanguso ako.

"Sorry," I purse my lips. His eyes landed on my lips kaya wala sa sarili kong binasa ang labi ko kaya napaiwas sya ng tingin.

I smirked. Mamaya ka sakin.

"Sayang naman," biglang saad ni Aling Glenda. Bakas sa mukha ang panghihinayang, habang ang kamay ay nasa dibdin nya.

Napatawa ako. "Hula ko, irereto mo nanaman ako sa apo nh kaybigan mo? Please tell her that I already got a boyfriend, seloso pa naman to Aling Glenda," Hinapit ko ang beywang ni Knox at hinila sya papalapit sa akin.

Malapad na ngumiti si Aling Glenda, "Sige na nga, total bagay naman kayo. O sya mga anak anong sainyo?" she asked.

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag dahil hindi nya kami tinignan na para bang kakaiba kami. She accepted it. There's no judgement in her eyes, like how Memere's glance at us.

"A pink tulip," I answered. Mom liked it. Kaya yan lagi ang binibili ko sa tuwing pupunta ako dito.

She nodded and went to grab my order. Knox, eyed me.

I smiled. "Relax baby, mabait si mom hindi ka non mumultohin."

His eyebrows meet, "Mumultohin?" nagtataka nyang tanong. I clear my throat. "Hey..."

"Anak, ito na. Dalawin mo na mommy mo baka nalulungkot na yun," Lumabas si Aling Glenda na dala-dala ang isang bouquet na puno ng tulips.

She handed it to me, kaya agad ko ring binayaran. We said our goodbyes before going out. Nakatingin lang saakin si Knox, I know naman na may idea na sya kong saan kami pupunta, but he's waiting for me to say it.

I drove for a moment hanggang sa naabot na namin ang sementeryo.

"Let's go, I'll introduce you to my mom," I said at nauna nang lumabas sa kotse.

Tahimik lang syang sumunod sakin, ni isa walang kumibo hanggang sa makarating kami sa lapida ni mommy.

Chrysanthe Elizabeth Hermosa

"Mom, I'm here again." I caress her tombstone and I carefully place the bouquet of flowers on top.

"How are you? I'm here with someone mom, and I want you to meet him." I shifted my body and face Knox. Naluluha nya akong tinignan ngunit ngumiti lang ako at inabot ang kamay nya.

"Mom, He's name is Knox. Sya yung nilait ko dati sayo, pero ngayon boyfriend ko na," I laughed a little. Randam kong nanigas si Knox.

"Multohin mo sya mom if ever makipag break sya sakin," Biro ko. Lumakas ng kaunti ang hangin kaya napaayos ako ng tayo. "Is this a yes?" I chuckled again.

"I..."

Humarap ako ng Knox ng mas lalong humigpit ang pagkakahawak nya sa kamay ko.

"Hello po ma'am, I'm Knox, your son's Boyfriend." Umpisa ni Knox at lumuhod sa harap ng lapida ni mommy kaya nabitawan ko ang kamay nya.

"It's nice meeting you ma'am, you don't have to worry about leaving your son behind anymore because he has me now. I'll make sure to love him as much as you love him, so please wag nyo po akong multohin," nagawa nya pang magbiro kaya napatawa ako.

I bent my knees and wrapped my arms around his shoulder. "Multohin mo mom, para matakot na iwan ako if ever magbago ang isip nya."

He chuckled. His laugh is low and soothing. His fingers found mine again. He held it so tight like the world might steal me from him. "I will never change my mind." He murmurs.

He brushed his thumbs over my knuckles. "I waited for almost a decade to hold you like this.

I saw how the tides rise and fall, and saw how the moon shifts and fades from a distance.

Baby, there's no way I'll let you go after overcoming many storms just to get to you.

I will hold you tight through ups and down, through every turn life takes.

I promise." He kissed the back of my hand tenderly.

I breathed. Dinala ko rin ang kamay nya sa labi ko at pinatakan yun ng halik.

"Knox, you're the melody my soul was waiting to dance to, so don't you fucking dare break that promise of yours," pagbabanta ko sakanya. He smiled and caressed my cheek.

He leaned closer and brushed our lips. "I promise, baby. May the constellation hear this promise—that no matter the distance, the storms, or the passing of years, my heart will always find its way back to you."

Pinagtagpo nya ang noo namin. "Pangako, Austine."

"You heard him mom, paki remind mamaya sa panaginip nya." We both laughed.

Alam ko naman. Alam kong hindi nya ako iiwan, we both waited for each other and the fact that we can embrace each other like this is more than enough than words can say.

Matapos ang dalaw kay mommy, I insisted na ihatid sya sa bahay nila dahil malapit lang naman but he refused saying na madumi ang bahay nila kaya nahihiya syang dalhin ako don. Sus.

Knox:

Baby, naka uwi na po ako:(

Napakagat ako sa labi ko ng mabasa ang text nya. Tangina ang corny.

Austine:

Stay here if you want, I miss you already (っ??? c)

I parked my car just outside our gate para lang replyan sya.

I sent a photo of me leaning on my car seat while smirking boyishly.

Austine:

I miss you :((

After I sent my photo pinatay ko muna ang cellphone ko. I was giggling like a fucking teenage girl.

Seconds later my phone lit up and his name popped out.

It was a picture of him—topless in his bathroom, water still dripping from his hair, every line of his toned body defined by the dim light. His deep brown eyes locked onto the camera with a slow, smoldering intensity, biting the tip of his glasses as if daring me... inviting me.

My grip on the steering wheel tightened until my knuckles turned white, my pulse thrumming in my ears.

Knox:

Come here, baby.

Austine:

I'm coming over. Prepare your fucking ass Villanueva.