Status: in-progress.
LOVE-NAT, isang makulit na lovestory!
Chapter 46-3. C'mon & Get me!
Eleonor Malicsi Dimaculangan
Marami akong LOVE.
I love to eat. I love to sleep. I love anything as long as it’s yellow. I love Bulgogi. I love isaw, chicken feet. I love FOOD. I love John Lloyd Cruz. I love Parokya ni Edgar. I love Accounting. I love studying law. I love my mom, my dad. I love Ed & Em-Em. I love God. I love AJ. I love Borge. I love Japo. I love Jill. I love Pepita!! I love all of my friends. I love MUP. I love basketball. I love my laptop.
And it wouldn’t create a whole new meaning if I were to say... I love Max, too.
... or would it?
She stood there by the terrace, the evening breeze breathing softly against her skin. Her hair, short as it may be was no exception as it whirled in rhythm with the wind. Heaven looked so magical and the moon was enchanting as always. And Eleonor Malicsi Dimaculangan leaned against the metallic railing as she was observing the starlit sky. Actually, itong terrace ang pinaka favourite niyang lugar sa bahay nila Max. This place never ceased to calm her thoughts. Yung pakiramdam na, lahat ng bumabagabag sayo pansamantalang nawawala.
She’s probably not aware – but heaven is looking, watching her just the same.
Darren Max Sanchez hesitated when he saw her. Okay lang ba kung lalapit siya sa dalaga? After Sara asked him in public kung in love siya dito? Gusto niyang mag-explain kay Ellie. He wanted to come up with the best lie – but couldn’t. But for some reason, some unseen force pushed him and made him walk towards her.
Walang nagsalita sa kanila. They stayed there standing beside each other, both facing different directions. Ellie had her back against the railing while Max was resting both his arms on it.
He was hesitant, she was clueless.
Another gust of wind. Another heartbeat.
“Max?” Ellie finally managed to say. She gave a coy smile pero hindi pa rin niya tinanggal yung tingin niya sa buwan. “Ayokong umuwi ng magkagalit tayo.”
He would have argued. Ilang beses ba niyang dapat sabihin na hindi nga siya galit dito, but it seemed useless. Napatingin ang binata sa dalagang nakatayo sa tabi niya. Ellie isn’t one to be called pretty or beautiful. Hindi siya yung tipong artistahin ang dating, hindi siya long hair, wala siyang pang-model na height, she isn’t the sexiest girl on the planet either, but precisely at that moment... there at the terrace, under the moon and the stars... Para kay Darren Max Sanchez, Ellie was the most beautiful girl alive - and he loves her.
She looked at him, smiling still. “Oy!” She pouted. “Dali na, Max! Bati na tayo oh??” She continued when she didn’t get a reply out of him.
His throat seemed to dry up. Mali palang lumapit siya kay Ellie. Mali palang pumunta pa siya dito sa terrace. Hindi alam ni Max kung papano sasagot kaya naman pinili na lang ulit niyang tumalikod papasok sa loob ng bahay... or maybe he was just terrified to open his lips for the words I love you could slipped out so easily.
If only God could hear what his heart has been praying...
“Ano bang problema mo MAX?” Ellie was offended, parang lately lagi na lang siyang tinatalikuran ni Max. “So, magwa-walk out ka lang ulit kagaya ng ginawa mo kay Sara kanina? Mahirap bang magsalita? Mahirap bang magbigay ng sagot? Alam mo pagod na kong intindihin kung bakit pilit mo kong pinagtutulakan papalayo!! Ano bang kasalanan ko sayo?! Sabihin mo nga sakin!” Her voice seemed to falter, like there was something caught in her throat. Yung tipong, pinipigilan lang ni Ellie na wag maiyak.
Max clenched his fist, nararamdaman niyang napupuno na siya... he was about to break. Parang merong tidal wave sa dibdib niya na gustong kumawala. He was trying his best to restrain himself, to regain every ounce of self-control he has.
“Max, ako na nga tong nakikipagbati sayo ee. Sasagot ka lang ng oo o hindi. Hindi din naman mahirap sagutin yung tanong ni Sara kanina aa? All you have to do was to say NO! Ano, ayun... kung anu-anong issue na nagawa ng --”
“WHAT IF THE ANSWER TO HER QUESTION IS YES?!” Max turned around to face her. He yelled so loud na kala mo puputok na yung leeg ng binata. “PANO KUNG OO ELLIE!! PANO KUNG OO IN-LOVE NGA AKO SAYO?! Now tell me, hindi ba yan mahirap sagutin?”
Oh heavens! How could Cupid be this cruel!
Right after the words came out, Max felt stupid. Wala na, sinira na niya ng tuluyan ang pagkakaibigan nila ni Ellie. He ran a hand in his hair, looking defeated. “Sorry.” He muttered, unable to meet Ellie’s gaze. “Forget it. Just... forget it.”
Forget, he says... but really, since when did Cupid ever forget?
Eleonor Malicsi Dimaculangan
Alam ko – alam kong mahal ako ni Max. I knew it and I felt it. Bukod sa pamilya ko, kay Max ko ipagkakatiwala ang buhay ko. Kung may isang tao sa buong mundo na alam kong sasaluhin ako kahit tumalon pa ko sa pinaka tuktok ng Eiffel Tower, sigurado akong SIYA ang unang-unang sasalo sakin.
Oo, I am fully aware that he loves me but NOT in the romantic kind of love he’s claiming that night!!
It never really crossed my mind. Not even once.
What if.
God, I hate those two words. WHAT IF! Those words alone offer many alternatives and open-up other possibilities. Napaisip din tuloy ako... WHAT IF... WHAT IF SI SEF NAGSABI NUN?
Pano kung OO Ellie!! Pano kung oo in-love nga ako sayo?
I could hear his voice inside my head. ANIMALES!! I shook myself hard, even the mere thought made my heart jump. GAAAAH!! Paker!! At this very moment, parang gusto kong sikwatin ang ilong ni Max!! Nakakainis talaga yun!! Kung anu-ano pa kasing naiisip ee..
Mag-isa kong naglalakad pauwi. It was a very long day. Lutang lang ako kahit sa klase kanina. Nakaka-ubos ng energy!! Haiii... na-miss ko tuloy ang bahay namin!! Na-miss ko luto ni Mama. Well, sa apat na araw na pag-stay ko kila Max, lagi naman akong dumadaan sa bahay either before akong pumasok o kaya bago ako umuwi kila Max.
Papalabas na sana ako ng gate ng MUP when Japo came running after me. “ELLIE!!” he yelled.
Napatigil ako. “Hm?” Sheet. Lutang talaga ko!! Haha.
Wala ng tanong-tanong, bigla na lang akong hinablot ni Japo sa braso and he dragged me to his car. “SASAMAHAN MO KO!!” He declared.
“Huh?”
Japo rolled his eyes. “Diba? Sinabi ko na sayo kaninang lunch? You nodded and said yes!”
ARGH!! ANO BAAAAAAHHH???!!!! Gusto ko ng umuwi!! “San ba kasi?”
Japo looked at me with his questioning eyes. “Animales ka Ellie!” Nabulalas niya yung salitang na-adapt niya mula sakin. “Nagdra-drugs ka ba? Parang wala ka sa sarili mo buong araw!”
I glared at him. E kung si Japo na lang kaya ang sikwatin ko sa ilong? Haha. Tutal iniisip naman na niya na naka-drugs ako ee. “San nga kasi tayo pupunta?” Inis kong inulit yung tanong.
Japo started his engine at umandar before he answered. “Kila Sef nga.”
HUWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTT!!!
PUSANG-GALANG ANIMALES!!! Napalunok ako. Sigurado ba si Japo na umoo ako kanina?! Bakit parang hindi naman!!
Parang gusto kong tumalon pababa nung kotse. BAKIT AKO LANG? ASAN SILA BORGE? JILL? MEG? SARA? BAKIT AKO LANG YUNG PUMAYAG?! Nagsisimula na kong maniwalang baka naka-drugs ka ngang talaga Ellie!!
Bigla kong naalala yung injured na paa ni Sef. Nakaka-tempt nga akong kamustahin yun kay Japo but I’d rather keep my mouth shut.
“Tango ka ng tango kanina nung tinanong ko kung pwede mong turuan si Sef.”
“Turuan?” Turuan ng ano? Na mahalin ako?! WAHAHAHA. TOINKS!! Lechugas Ellie! Sisihin ang drugs!! :)
Pagdating namin ni Japo sa bahay nila Sef, as usual si Yaya Kusing agad ang bumulaga samin. “Oh, hi miss Ellie. It’s so nice to see you again.”
Napangiti ako. At as usual din, nosebleed nanaman!
“Ahy, oo nga pala!” Japo slapped a hand on his forehead. “May nakalimutan nga pala kong bilin Ellie.”
“Ano?” Bigla akong kinabahan. Alam ko na kasunod niyan...
“Maiwan na muna kita. Try ko na lang sumunod later. May pinabibili pa kasi si – A-aray!!” Piningot ko si Japo sa tenga and dragged him inside. “AH HINDI!! DITO KA LANG!!”
Suddenly, something occurred to me. Sa barkada, isa sa mga pinaka malalakas mang-asar ay itong si Japo. Actually, naglalaban sila ni Borge sa pagiging Top 1. Japo would only set me up with Sef kung alam niyang... ARGH!! Of course, alam ni Japo yung tungkol sa loveletter!! Syempre close sila ni Sef at merong 101% chance na sinabi ni Sef yun sakanya!!!
I blushed wildly kaso wrong timing dahil siyang litaw ni Sef...
He was wearing a navy blue shirt at white shorts. Mas lalo tuloy siyang nagmukang mayaman, especially when he looked as if he was going to play golf kaso lang... the only thing that doesn’t fit was the pair of slippers he was wearing.
I tried not to stare at his feet. FIRST TIME KONG NAKITANG NAKA-TSINELAS SI SEF!!! HAHA. :) Kahit ba naman paa hindi na pinatawad ni Sef. Ang kinis, wala man lang ugat-ugat at mukang naka-pedicure pa!! Pero t-teka – di ba may injury siya sa paa? Nung isang araw, hirap na hirap nga siyang lumakad kaya kelangan ko pa siyang alalayan tapos ngayon bumaba siya ng hagdan na parang wala lang?
And then I realized something BIG! Something HUGE! With him standing there before me, naramdaman kong SOBRANG NAMISS KO SI SEF!! Hindi ko alam kung bakit... kung anong KAHIBANGAN TOH!! Pero... oo nga Ellie... mas maigi pang isisi mo na lang ulit sa drugs!! :)
I caught his eye and I almost gasp when I realized na nakatingin din pala siya sakin. His face looked confused na para bang hindi niya ko ineexpect ngayon. He didn’t smile – wala yung ngiti na gusto kong makita ulit. He doesn’t seem too excited about my presence either. I felt my chest ached. Pooootek!! Okay fine. Di naman obvious nuh ayaw niya kong makita!! Ano ba naman kasing ginagawa ko dito?! Oo na, sige na. Half of me wanted to go here pero... animales naman Ellie!! Bigyan mo naman ng kahihiyan sarili mo!!
Ang linaw na nga ng binigay niyang sagot sa SULAT mo!! Ano pa bang hindi mo naiintindihan?
GUSTO KONG MAG-ALA DARNA AT IBATO SA KALANGITAN SI JAPO!! ANO BANG INIISIP NIYA’T SINAMA NIYA KO DITO!!
“Uh, kukuha sana kita ng Professional Chef kaso lang... nakalimutan ko kahapon. Nawala sa isip ko ee.” Japo tried to make an excuse. Chef? So, Japo asked me na turuan magluto si Sef?? Naku, ee baka silang dalawa gawin kong MENU!! “K-kaya... si Ellie na lang kinuha ko. Magaling yan magluto! Diba Ellie?” He seemed nervous. Alam ni Japo, he’s in big trouble.
Suddenly, at that very moment a figure emerged mula sa itaas ng hagdanan. From one look, I recognized her just as quickly. SI BEA!! Nakalugay lang ang mahaba niyang buhok, she was wearing an over-sized shirt, her long legs bared and exposed. Geez, she still looked stunning than ever. Mukang kakabangon lang nito sa kama and that only proved one thing. Dito siya natulog!! DITO!
Pakiramdam ko AKO MISMO YUNG LOVELETTER NA SINULAT KO. Ako yung mismong PAPEL!! And at that moment, pakiramdam ko dahan-dahan akong pinupunit!
To be continued.
Marami akong LOVE.
I love to eat. I love to sleep. I love anything as long as it’s yellow. I love Bulgogi. I love isaw, chicken feet. I love FOOD. I love John Lloyd Cruz. I love Parokya ni Edgar. I love Accounting. I love studying law. I love my mom, my dad. I love Ed & Em-Em. I love God. I love AJ. I love Borge. I love Japo. I love Jill. I love Pepita!! I love all of my friends. I love MUP. I love basketball. I love my laptop.
And it wouldn’t create a whole new meaning if I were to say... I love Max, too.
... or would it?
There are only few people on this planet
who loves seriously.
You're lucky if one of those few is in love with you.
who loves seriously.
You're lucky if one of those few is in love with you.
She stood there by the terrace, the evening breeze breathing softly against her skin. Her hair, short as it may be was no exception as it whirled in rhythm with the wind. Heaven looked so magical and the moon was enchanting as always. And Eleonor Malicsi Dimaculangan leaned against the metallic railing as she was observing the starlit sky. Actually, itong terrace ang pinaka favourite niyang lugar sa bahay nila Max. This place never ceased to calm her thoughts. Yung pakiramdam na, lahat ng bumabagabag sayo pansamantalang nawawala.
She’s probably not aware – but heaven is looking, watching her just the same.
Darren Max Sanchez hesitated when he saw her. Okay lang ba kung lalapit siya sa dalaga? After Sara asked him in public kung in love siya dito? Gusto niyang mag-explain kay Ellie. He wanted to come up with the best lie – but couldn’t. But for some reason, some unseen force pushed him and made him walk towards her.
Walang nagsalita sa kanila. They stayed there standing beside each other, both facing different directions. Ellie had her back against the railing while Max was resting both his arms on it.
He was hesitant, she was clueless.
Another gust of wind. Another heartbeat.
“Max?” Ellie finally managed to say. She gave a coy smile pero hindi pa rin niya tinanggal yung tingin niya sa buwan. “Ayokong umuwi ng magkagalit tayo.”
He would have argued. Ilang beses ba niyang dapat sabihin na hindi nga siya galit dito, but it seemed useless. Napatingin ang binata sa dalagang nakatayo sa tabi niya. Ellie isn’t one to be called pretty or beautiful. Hindi siya yung tipong artistahin ang dating, hindi siya long hair, wala siyang pang-model na height, she isn’t the sexiest girl on the planet either, but precisely at that moment... there at the terrace, under the moon and the stars... Para kay Darren Max Sanchez, Ellie was the most beautiful girl alive - and he loves her.
She looked at him, smiling still. “Oy!” She pouted. “Dali na, Max! Bati na tayo oh??” She continued when she didn’t get a reply out of him.
His throat seemed to dry up. Mali palang lumapit siya kay Ellie. Mali palang pumunta pa siya dito sa terrace. Hindi alam ni Max kung papano sasagot kaya naman pinili na lang ulit niyang tumalikod papasok sa loob ng bahay... or maybe he was just terrified to open his lips for the words I love you could slipped out so easily.
If only God could hear what his heart has been praying...
“Ano bang problema mo MAX?” Ellie was offended, parang lately lagi na lang siyang tinatalikuran ni Max. “So, magwa-walk out ka lang ulit kagaya ng ginawa mo kay Sara kanina? Mahirap bang magsalita? Mahirap bang magbigay ng sagot? Alam mo pagod na kong intindihin kung bakit pilit mo kong pinagtutulakan papalayo!! Ano bang kasalanan ko sayo?! Sabihin mo nga sakin!” Her voice seemed to falter, like there was something caught in her throat. Yung tipong, pinipigilan lang ni Ellie na wag maiyak.
Max clenched his fist, nararamdaman niyang napupuno na siya... he was about to break. Parang merong tidal wave sa dibdib niya na gustong kumawala. He was trying his best to restrain himself, to regain every ounce of self-control he has.
“Max, ako na nga tong nakikipagbati sayo ee. Sasagot ka lang ng oo o hindi. Hindi din naman mahirap sagutin yung tanong ni Sara kanina aa? All you have to do was to say NO! Ano, ayun... kung anu-anong issue na nagawa ng --”
“WHAT IF THE ANSWER TO HER QUESTION IS YES?!” Max turned around to face her. He yelled so loud na kala mo puputok na yung leeg ng binata. “PANO KUNG OO ELLIE!! PANO KUNG OO IN-LOVE NGA AKO SAYO?! Now tell me, hindi ba yan mahirap sagutin?”
Oh heavens! How could Cupid be this cruel!
Right after the words came out, Max felt stupid. Wala na, sinira na niya ng tuluyan ang pagkakaibigan nila ni Ellie. He ran a hand in his hair, looking defeated. “Sorry.” He muttered, unable to meet Ellie’s gaze. “Forget it. Just... forget it.”
Forget, he says... but really, since when did Cupid ever forget?
Eleonor Malicsi Dimaculangan
Alam ko – alam kong mahal ako ni Max. I knew it and I felt it. Bukod sa pamilya ko, kay Max ko ipagkakatiwala ang buhay ko. Kung may isang tao sa buong mundo na alam kong sasaluhin ako kahit tumalon pa ko sa pinaka tuktok ng Eiffel Tower, sigurado akong SIYA ang unang-unang sasalo sakin.
Oo, I am fully aware that he loves me but NOT in the romantic kind of love he’s claiming that night!!
It never really crossed my mind. Not even once.
What if.
God, I hate those two words. WHAT IF! Those words alone offer many alternatives and open-up other possibilities. Napaisip din tuloy ako... WHAT IF... WHAT IF SI SEF NAGSABI NUN?
Pano kung OO Ellie!! Pano kung oo in-love nga ako sayo?
I could hear his voice inside my head. ANIMALES!! I shook myself hard, even the mere thought made my heart jump. GAAAAH!! Paker!! At this very moment, parang gusto kong sikwatin ang ilong ni Max!! Nakakainis talaga yun!! Kung anu-ano pa kasing naiisip ee..
Mag-isa kong naglalakad pauwi. It was a very long day. Lutang lang ako kahit sa klase kanina. Nakaka-ubos ng energy!! Haiii... na-miss ko tuloy ang bahay namin!! Na-miss ko luto ni Mama. Well, sa apat na araw na pag-stay ko kila Max, lagi naman akong dumadaan sa bahay either before akong pumasok o kaya bago ako umuwi kila Max.
Papalabas na sana ako ng gate ng MUP when Japo came running after me. “ELLIE!!” he yelled.
Napatigil ako. “Hm?” Sheet. Lutang talaga ko!! Haha.
Wala ng tanong-tanong, bigla na lang akong hinablot ni Japo sa braso and he dragged me to his car. “SASAMAHAN MO KO!!” He declared.
“Huh?”
Japo rolled his eyes. “Diba? Sinabi ko na sayo kaninang lunch? You nodded and said yes!”
ARGH!! ANO BAAAAAAHHH???!!!! Gusto ko ng umuwi!! “San ba kasi?”
Japo looked at me with his questioning eyes. “Animales ka Ellie!” Nabulalas niya yung salitang na-adapt niya mula sakin. “Nagdra-drugs ka ba? Parang wala ka sa sarili mo buong araw!”
I glared at him. E kung si Japo na lang kaya ang sikwatin ko sa ilong? Haha. Tutal iniisip naman na niya na naka-drugs ako ee. “San nga kasi tayo pupunta?” Inis kong inulit yung tanong.
Japo started his engine at umandar before he answered. “Kila Sef nga.”
HUWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTT!!!
PUSANG-GALANG ANIMALES!!! Napalunok ako. Sigurado ba si Japo na umoo ako kanina?! Bakit parang hindi naman!!
Parang gusto kong tumalon pababa nung kotse. BAKIT AKO LANG? ASAN SILA BORGE? JILL? MEG? SARA? BAKIT AKO LANG YUNG PUMAYAG?! Nagsisimula na kong maniwalang baka naka-drugs ka ngang talaga Ellie!!
Bigla kong naalala yung injured na paa ni Sef. Nakaka-tempt nga akong kamustahin yun kay Japo but I’d rather keep my mouth shut.
“Tango ka ng tango kanina nung tinanong ko kung pwede mong turuan si Sef.”
“Turuan?” Turuan ng ano? Na mahalin ako?! WAHAHAHA. TOINKS!! Lechugas Ellie! Sisihin ang drugs!! :)
Pagdating namin ni Japo sa bahay nila Sef, as usual si Yaya Kusing agad ang bumulaga samin. “Oh, hi miss Ellie. It’s so nice to see you again.”
Napangiti ako. At as usual din, nosebleed nanaman!
“Ahy, oo nga pala!” Japo slapped a hand on his forehead. “May nakalimutan nga pala kong bilin Ellie.”
“Ano?” Bigla akong kinabahan. Alam ko na kasunod niyan...
“Maiwan na muna kita. Try ko na lang sumunod later. May pinabibili pa kasi si – A-aray!!” Piningot ko si Japo sa tenga and dragged him inside. “AH HINDI!! DITO KA LANG!!”
Suddenly, something occurred to me. Sa barkada, isa sa mga pinaka malalakas mang-asar ay itong si Japo. Actually, naglalaban sila ni Borge sa pagiging Top 1. Japo would only set me up with Sef kung alam niyang... ARGH!! Of course, alam ni Japo yung tungkol sa loveletter!! Syempre close sila ni Sef at merong 101% chance na sinabi ni Sef yun sakanya!!!
I blushed wildly kaso wrong timing dahil siyang litaw ni Sef...
He was wearing a navy blue shirt at white shorts. Mas lalo tuloy siyang nagmukang mayaman, especially when he looked as if he was going to play golf kaso lang... the only thing that doesn’t fit was the pair of slippers he was wearing.
I tried not to stare at his feet. FIRST TIME KONG NAKITANG NAKA-TSINELAS SI SEF!!! HAHA. :) Kahit ba naman paa hindi na pinatawad ni Sef. Ang kinis, wala man lang ugat-ugat at mukang naka-pedicure pa!! Pero t-teka – di ba may injury siya sa paa? Nung isang araw, hirap na hirap nga siyang lumakad kaya kelangan ko pa siyang alalayan tapos ngayon bumaba siya ng hagdan na parang wala lang?
And then I realized something BIG! Something HUGE! With him standing there before me, naramdaman kong SOBRANG NAMISS KO SI SEF!! Hindi ko alam kung bakit... kung anong KAHIBANGAN TOH!! Pero... oo nga Ellie... mas maigi pang isisi mo na lang ulit sa drugs!! :)
I caught his eye and I almost gasp when I realized na nakatingin din pala siya sakin. His face looked confused na para bang hindi niya ko ineexpect ngayon. He didn’t smile – wala yung ngiti na gusto kong makita ulit. He doesn’t seem too excited about my presence either. I felt my chest ached. Pooootek!! Okay fine. Di naman obvious nuh ayaw niya kong makita!! Ano ba naman kasing ginagawa ko dito?! Oo na, sige na. Half of me wanted to go here pero... animales naman Ellie!! Bigyan mo naman ng kahihiyan sarili mo!!
Ang linaw na nga ng binigay niyang sagot sa SULAT mo!! Ano pa bang hindi mo naiintindihan?
GUSTO KONG MAG-ALA DARNA AT IBATO SA KALANGITAN SI JAPO!! ANO BANG INIISIP NIYA’T SINAMA NIYA KO DITO!!
“Uh, kukuha sana kita ng Professional Chef kaso lang... nakalimutan ko kahapon. Nawala sa isip ko ee.” Japo tried to make an excuse. Chef? So, Japo asked me na turuan magluto si Sef?? Naku, ee baka silang dalawa gawin kong MENU!! “K-kaya... si Ellie na lang kinuha ko. Magaling yan magluto! Diba Ellie?” He seemed nervous. Alam ni Japo, he’s in big trouble.
Suddenly, at that very moment a figure emerged mula sa itaas ng hagdanan. From one look, I recognized her just as quickly. SI BEA!! Nakalugay lang ang mahaba niyang buhok, she was wearing an over-sized shirt, her long legs bared and exposed. Geez, she still looked stunning than ever. Mukang kakabangon lang nito sa kama and that only proved one thing. Dito siya natulog!! DITO!
Pakiramdam ko AKO MISMO YUNG LOVELETTER NA SINULAT KO. Ako yung mismong PAPEL!! And at that moment, pakiramdam ko dahan-dahan akong pinupunit!
To be continued.