Page 38 of Not My Type, Not Yet.

"It's fine Nay, Thank you," I thanked Nanay Janice when she handed me a basket full of bread and all sorts of foods.

Pupunta kami ngayon sa burol na malapit lang dito para magpicnic kasama ang dalawang bata. Bibili nalang sana kami but Nanay Janice volunteers to prepare our foods para daw makatipid kami.

I'm planning to bring them to the amusement park first, tutuparin ko ang pangakong binitawan ko nong gabing yun. I clenched my fist, three days had passed since then.

Ngumiti sya sa akin at tinapik ang balikat ko. "Walang ano man apo, humayo na kayo baka magabihan kayo." Aniya.

Tumango ako. "Sigurado ka bang ayaw mong sumama nay?" tanong ko ulit, tumango sya kaya wala na akong magawa kundi ang hayaan na lang sya.

"Moment nyo to mga apo, wag nyo akong alalahanin at umalis na kayo. Mas maganda ang carnival pang ganitong oras, madaming tao." Sabay tulak sa akin.

Ala una na kaya talagang maraming tao. Bumuntong hininga ulit ako. "Fine," I surrendered na syang mas ikinalawak ng ngiti nya.

Naabotan naming inaayos ni Knox ang dress ni Elise habang nakadamba naman si Kaycee sa likod nya. I chuckled at the sight of him. Pormado tas halos hindi maipinta ang kanyang pagmumukha.

"You got it wrong Kuya Knox! It's not a ribbon at all," maktol ni Elise at kinuha ang tali sa kamay ni Knox. "It's a knot not a ribbon kuya," she pursed his lips kaya napakamot na lang si Knox sa kanyang ulo.

"Walang skills," kutya sakanya ni Kaycee. Medjo napalakas ang pagtawa ko kaya napunta ang atensyon nila sa akin except kay Elise na focus sa paglalaso ng kanyang dress.

Umalis si Kaycee sa likod ni Knox ng tumayo si Knox at lumapit sa akin. I watched him make his way through the sala, Kusot na ang puti nyang polo dahil sa kakagawan ng dalawang bata.

Ngumiti sya nang magtagpo ang bata namin. "Hey," he uttered when he stopped in front of me.

My eyes lingered on his face, a small smile tugged at the corner of my lips before pulling his waist towards me. I buried my face in the crook of his neck and inhaled his smell. "I miss you so goddamn much."

Mahina syang tumawa at hinaplos ang likod ko. "Come on, we gotta go." He whispered.

I groaned, planted small kisses on his neck and pulled away. Baka mas pipiliin ko pang manatili sa kwarto nya buong maghapon kesa lumabas. Mahirap na.

Umalis na kami dahil kanina pa kami pinalayas ni Nanay Janice. We stopped at the amusement park. Agad na tumakbo ang dalawang bata papasok kaya sumunod nalang din kami.

I eyed Knox, and I saw the awe in his eyes. He tried to hide it but I could see it clearly. The amusement and excitement building in his eyes, A soft yet subtle smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

Nilahad ko ang kamay ko sa harap nya kaya napabaling ang tingin nya saakin. He tilted his head slightly.

"Come on, gawin natin lahat ng gusto mo ngayon," malumanay kong saad. He bit his lips to stifle his smile and grabbed my hand.

"Syempre gawin din natin ang gusto mo," he grinned at me and for a moment his smile brightens the whole surroundings. Kuntento akong napangiti.

"I want you to enjoy yourself, that's what I want." Pinal kong saad na syang ikinasimangot nya pero halata mong pinipigilan nya ang ngiti na gustong kumawala sa labi nya.

The bustling crowd feels more comfortable than ever. I watched him go from stool to another habang hawak-hawak ang dalawang bata. He shared the same excitement they had. I opened my phone and silently took a picture of them trying the cotton candy they just bought.

Maraming tao ngayon dito, puno ng buhay dahil sa sigawan ng mga tao yung iba nasa itaas habang yung iba naman naghihintay na manalo sa kong ano-ano mang laro.

"Kuya!" Elise rushed towards me, holding a pink cotton candy. She handed it to me kaya kinuha ko. "Eat this, it's so delicious!" she boosted cheerfully.

Mahina akong napatawa at yumuko para gulohin ang buhod nya. "Thanks, baby girl." Her eyes twinkled habang pinapanood nya akong kainin ang cotton candy na binigay nya.

"So?"

"It's tasty, thank you." Ginulo kong muli ang buhok nya kaya mas lalong lumapad ang ngiti nya.

"Yay!!" Sabay takbo pabalik sa kay Kaycee.

I glanced at Knox, his eyes still wandering, napatingiti ako. Parang bata, he's cute.

Lumapit ako sakanila dahil pakiramdam ko ang creepy kong tignan na nakatayo sa di kalayoan tas nakatingin sakanila.

"Wanna ride the ferris wheel?" I grabbed Knox's hand when I stopped beside him. He hummed and continued to eat his cotton candy.

"Pano yung mga bata?" he asked when he craned his neck to see me. Napatawa ako ng makita ang kalagayan ng kanyang mukha. May mga cotton candy pa sa gilid ng labi. No doubt. Para ngang bata.

I wiped the corner of his lips with my thumb. I leaned a bit closer to his face and licked my thumb that had brushed his lips. His eyes widened a bit kaya mahina akong napatawa.

Pabiro nyang sinuntok ang sikmura mo. "Behave yourself, Austine nasa labas tayo," saway nito pero namumula ang pisnge.

"Yeah right, totally get it. You don't want other people to see how to drool everytime you see me so close to you," I grinned teasingly, wrapped my arms around my chest and cocked my head smugly.

"Said by someone who wants me to hold him all the time," he retorted.

I scoff. "You liked it though."

He shrugged his shoulders and scooted over me, brushing his hand against mine. "Yeah." He looked through his lashes and smiled at me sweetly—almost temptingly.

I cover my face with my palm and lower my head. Tangina, palibhasa kong paano ako kunin eh. Bumuntong hininga ako. Kalma Austine. Get your ass together.

Pero puta kinikilig ako. Tangina pakshit. Oh, I so wanna kiss him right now, right here in front of everyone.

"Wag kang ganyan para tigasan ako," I whispered harshly, pero tinawanan lang ako. Ang ugaliiiii talaga!!!

"Mamaya." He then slightly slapped my bottom. I clenched my jaw. Sasailalim sa akin ang isang to mamaya.

I heave a deep sigh just to calm myself. Yung puso ko parang oa, sobrang bilis. "Pakiss na lang ako," sabay nguso.

"Tangina pati dito umabot ang kalandian mo," agad na napangiwi ang nakanguso kong labi ng marinig ang isang pamilyar na boses.

Pati ba naman dito, dinedemonyo ako.

I shoot her a dagger look. "Wow, it's not so good to see you." Sarkastiko kong saad.

Knox chuckled. "It's nice seeing you here, Abigail."

Agad na nanlaki ang mata ni Abi. "Kilala mo ako?!!" Hindi makapaniwalang singghal nito na ikinapitlag naming dalawa ni Knox. "Holy shit!!! You actually do?" Kong hindi ko pa sya hinarangan baka lumapit na sya kay Knox.

I narrowed my eyes, warning her. Don't you dare approach my babyluvs honey plum sugar plum piyumpiyumpi.I snicker inwardly, fucking hell. Ang corny.

"Why wouldn't I? ang ingay mo eh." Aniya. Agad akong natawa dahil sa sinabi nya. You got that one right bruh!

Hearing Knox's reply, her face turned sour tas sinamaan ako ng tingin. Oh bat teka sakin nakatingin ng masama to? nananahimik eh.

"Pangit nyo," singhal nito bago kami inirapan at umalis sa harap namin. She bent her knees in front of Kaycee and Elise.

Hindi ko alam kong ano ang ginawa nya pero in just a snapped of a finger nakita nalang namin na hawak-hawak nya na paalis ang dalawang bata leaving Knox and I standing near the cotton candy cart.

Napabuntong hininga nalang ako at napatampal sa noo. "Don't worry, she's a nice person." I reassured Knox, malay mo kasi mataranta.

He glanced at me. "I know. I called her." He said.

I nodded. "Good—wait what!!??" I snapped my head back at him. He chuckled slightly at dahan-dahang pinadaosdus ang kanyang kamay sa palad ko. My eyes widened when our fingers interlocked.

"Call me selfish but I really wanna spend this time with you," his eyes soften. Napakagat ako sa labi ko. Yan nanaman sya. Nakakainis na. Alam na alam nya talaga kong pano ako kunin eh. "Shall we?" Sabay turo sa Ferris wheel.

Napatingin ako sa di kalayuan kong saan nakatirik ang Ferris wheel and back in his entrancing gaze. Dahan-dahan akong tumango na syang mas ikinalapad ng ngiti nya. Hinayaan ko lang na hilahin nya ako. I watched his back as he paved the way for the both of us.

Amidst the crowds—where numerous eyes were watching us; he never did once let go of my hand nor did it falter for a second. He let them see me.

"Hawak ng maiigi sir," paalala ng tagabantay kaya tumango kami.

"Jusko lord parang natatae ako," kinakabahan kong ani. First time kong sumakay sa Ferris wheel na open talaga. Usually nga Ferris wheel sa ibang bansa saradong-sarado pero dito sa pilipinas bakal lang yung nakaharang para hindi ka malaglag.

"Tangina, hindi pa nga umaandar." He tsked mockingly. "Weak."

My brows furrowed. "You're rubbing me off the wrong way bu--------tangina di pa ako ready!!!!!!!!!!"

Halos maputol ang ugat ko kakasigaw dahil bigla nalang umangat.

"Mama!!!! Mommmmm!!!! Pakshit nahihilo ako!"

I scream and scream na para bang katapusan ko na tas itong nasa tabi ko tawa lang ng tawa. Halos mahula-hula na ako tas tumatawa lang sya? Ayos ah.

"Ang ingay mo!!!!" he shouted before laughing so hard I feel like his laugh echoed all throughout the place.

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag ng unti-unting tumigil ang pag-ikot. Just when I thought it was finally over mas lalo pang bumilis ang ikot ng ferris wheel. I grabbed Knox's hand and squeezed it tightly.

"Putanginaaaaa!!!!! Di naman kayo nag inform na may mas ibibilis pa pala to! Yudeputa!!!"

Nakakahilo! Pag sa ibang bansa ang romantic pag sa ferris wheel pero bat pag dito sa pinas survival of the fittest ang galawan.

"Whooooo!!!!! this is fun!!!" sabay ni Knox sa sigaw.

"Fun ka dyan!!!! halos mamatay na ako dito!!" Balik kong sigaw.

"Isa pa!!!!" sigaw nito ng unti-unting tumigil ang pods na inuupoan namin sa pinakatuktok.

Putangina. Tumingin ako sa ibaba and I swear to god magbabait na ako.

"Natatakot ka sa heights?" tanong ni Knox sa kalagitnaan ng kaba ko.

Tumango ako. "This kind of height." Napalunok ako.

I heard him chuckle warmly, his hands squeezed mine as well. "Then bat to tinuro kanina kong alam mo naman na takot ka pala dito?"

"I wasn't really fond of the ferris wheel but I noticed na kanina ka pa tumitingin dito kaya I figured na you wanted to ride th---eckk!" The pods creaked umurong ako sa tabi nya.

Huminga ako ng malalim, inhaling his scent kaya unti-unting kumakalma ang sistema ko. I almost nuzzled in his neck when the pods creaked again. Panira.

The breeze of the afternoon gently cradled the both of us kaya tuloyan na akong kumalma. You know what, being up here with him isn't so bad after all. Pinagmasdan namin ang mga makukulay na tent sa itaas.

"You know what..." Pangunguha ko sa atensyon nya. He looked at me and I met his gaze. "Falling in love has never been the kind of story I'm into—at least not yet. But the thought of falling in love with you feels like something ethereal that not even words could describe it."

I chuckled and the whole time I was talking his eyes never leaving mine. He hummed and squeezed my hand again.

"Corny but that's what I felt. In your arms, I found a home that I've been searching for..." pinasadahan ko ng haplos ang labi nya. " And on your lips , I discovered a truth my heart has always longed for...you."

Love does come unexpectedly and in different forms. One with fire—burning you—and the other one with calmness that eases the pain and doubt you've been carrying.

He bit his lips, tears forming in his eyes. A drop of tear escaped his eye and instead of wiping away the tear, I leaned closely and kissed it.

The pods creaked due to my movement but I couldn't careless anymore. I was too preoccupied by this man in front of me to even pay attention to what was going on.

"A-ang tagal kong hiniling na makasama ka, Austine. I've spent a lifetime yearning for you..." he softly sobbed. Each tear that had escaped, I didn't wipe it away, I kissed each tears.

"...in dreams, in my unsent love letters, in half-written prayers.

Bawat tibok ng puso ko, sinisigaw yung pangalan mo.

..kahit na hindi ko alam na ganon na pala kita ka mahal.

" He pulls me closer, embracing me. "Holding you so close feels as if the universe finally took its breath for the first time—as if stars have finally found their own place; like I am. "

"... your warmth made me understand what it means to finally come home."

The movies were right. Ferris wheel is the heart of countless heartfelt confessions.

Bumaba kami sa Ferris wheel na magkahawak ang kamay, wala ng paki sa kong ano man.

Abigail returned Kaycee and Elise, mas mukha pa syang pagod kesa sa dalawang bata.

"Look I got a snack from that pewpew thingy game where you knock off some cups!!!" Masayang tumalos si Elise habang pinapakita nya ang Piattos na napanalonan nya.

Binuhat ko sya and kissed her forehead. "Did you enjoy yourself?" I asked.

Maligalig syang tumango. " Super! Ate Abigail libre us!!" Minata ko si Abigail at tinanguan. Alam ko naman sisingilin ako non.

"Venmo?" I asked.

Kumunot ang noo nya. "G-cash. Sosyal naman tayo sa venmo."

Napailing nalang ako. "Mamaya na wala akong load."

"Connect ka sakin." Sabay lahad ng phone nya.

"Mamaya na, umalis kana." Pananaboy ko. Nilapag ko si Elise na syang agad naman tumakbo kela Knox at Kaycee.

She scoffed unbelievably. "Pagkatapos nyo akong gawing babysitter, papaalis nyo lang ak---"

"10k and leave." I cut her off and waved my phone in front of him.

She closed her mouth abruptly before forming a smile..."Omkie! See u!!!" agad syang tumalikod at tumakbo papalayo.

I tsked and shook my head. Abigail thing. Sampong libo ang katapat.

"Are we going to picnic na?!!" Si Kaycee habang tumatakbo papalapit sa akin. Agad ko naman syang kinarga.

Tumango ako. "Yes, ready na ang lahat?!!" I cheered na syang sinabayan naman nila.

Karga ko si Kaycee habang karga naman ni Knox si Elise. Humayo na kami at pupunta na sana sa lugar kong saan kami mag ppinic but Knox decided na medjo madilim na kaya don nalang daw kami sa plaza kumain. May fireworks display mamaya sa plaza dahil opening na ng pyesta dito sa baranggay namin.

Cancel man ang burol but at least makakapanood kami ng fireworks display. In fact this is Elise's first time seeing one. Boring kasi pag new year o Christmas samin. No fireworks just light.

"Sorry, gabi na kasi," paumanhin ni Knox habang nilalapag ang sapin namin.

I shook my head. "Don't be, ok lang naman. Kahit medjo marami ang tao." Saad ko.

"Still..."

"It's fine, really. It's Elise's first time seeing some fireworks display kaya timing naman," I patted his back to reassure him.

Unti-unting kumalma ang mukha nya.

Maingay, puno ng tao ang napapalibotan ng cart na puno ng mga street foods ang buong plaza. Mas marami nga lang yung tao sa carnival. I don't know why I kept on calling it Amusement park eh carnival lang naman pala tawag dito.

We sat sa nilatag na sapin ni Knox at nilabas lahat ng mga pagkaing hinanda ni Nanay Janice. Sandwich, drinks, even chips meron dito.

"Nakakita kana ng fireworks?" rinig naming usapan ni Kaycee at Elise.

Umiling si Elise. "On Tv, but not in person. I wonder what it's like," she said with full anticipation.

Nasa harapan namin silang dalawa habang nakasandal naman sa balikat ko si Knox.

We ended up here, but it's not as bad as I thought it would be.

"Magsisimula na..." Knox whispered.

The people gathered at the center of the plaza, looking up, waiting for that crackling sound to fill the air. Nagsimulang magbilang ng sabay-sabay at tao sa paligid, kahit na yung mga napapadaan lang sana napapahinto.

Patalon-talon ang dalawang bata habang nakikisabay din sa bilang.

"1!!"

As the people around us stopped counting and the surroundings quiet down. The sky became alive with a crackling roar of the fireworks. We looked up, and watched the firework painted the night sky—it feels like a fleeting dream; short but felt surreal.

Napatingin ako kay Knox, A faint soft smile tugged at the corner of my lips when the light from the firework danced on his face. Sensing my gaze, he looked at me.

He grinned. "Is it pretty?" he asked.

I nodded. "Very." I answered while looking at him.

When the last spark of the firework vanished from the sky, Knox leaned in and in those brief seconds his lips touched mine. So soft, so tender, so pure.

Through the pungent, sulfurous, and smoky aromaof fireworks his lips lingered on mine, his breath mingled in my own, and in that moment I felt like the time itself had stopped. There was nothing left kundi sya lang. His warmth, the urge to be with him and the quiet rush to be his and no one else.

"I love you, my love." He uttered tenderly.