Sheena's POV
As days went by, Gwen and I became closer. It felt good that I could freely voice out my feelings towards her. Two more activities in the hospital at matatapos ko na ang punishment ko. I have to extend my stay kasi minsan sinasadya kong pumasok ng late or mag-undertime. I'm scared na baka when the activity officially ended, hindi ko na rin makita si Gweneth in person.
Progress? She's slowly opening up to me. Hindi ko naman siya pinipilit because I want her to be comfortable. It takes a lot of courage to open up and introduce herself kaya kahit papaano, matatawag kong progress iyon.
Sometimes, I'm bringing Nael -- our cat in the hospital. She'll take care of him and would play with him together with Brianna and Miggy. Medyo kinikilig nga ako kapag na-i-imagine ko na we're like one big happy family.
Hindi na rin ako masyadong nakikipag-away kasi iniisip ko na I might disappoint her. Hindi na rin ako sumasagot sagot sa mga friends ko at hindi ko na rin pinagtitripan ang mga kasambahay namin. My life totally changed in 360 degrees when I met her. Hindi ko iniisip noon kung may masasaktan ako.
But then, she came. For the first time, I finally have the reason to be careful with my actions.
As usual, maaga ulit akong pumunta sa hospital to have a short moment with Gwen before the activity. We'll just talk about random things at minsan, kinakain namin ang mga pagkain na dinadala ko. All rich in protein. Sa sobrang aga ko nga minsan, naging magtropa na kami ng guard dito. I'm not complaining, though. I love my 'little' progress.
Upon entering to the venue, I immediately saw Gweneth pero nagtaka ako when I also saw my three friends who's laughing with her. Tuwang tuwa naman si Gwen while observing the three of time and their little banters.
I approached them. "What are you guys doing here?" I asked.
"Good morning to you too, our dearest Sheena Mae." Mikha smirked.
Colet went closer to me and pointed to the paper bag that I'm holding. "Breakfast ba natin 'yan?" she asked.
Nilayo ko ang paper bag sa kanya pero huli na nang pati sila Mikha at Maloi ay napansin din iyon. I shook my head in defeat, buti nalang I brought a lot. We went to the hospital's cafeteria bitbit ang breakfast na dala ko. Kahit medyo naiilang si Gwen ay napilitan siyang sumama dahil hinila na siya ni Maloi.
"Sorry for that. They're always this chaotic. Don't worry, I'll tell them to behave nalang." I apologized to her nang masolo ko siya because my friends are already eating.
"Behave? Ano ka, nakikipag-usap sa aso?" she laughs. "No, let them be. I want to get to know them too." she added.
I gently nodded my head and pulled a chair for her. Ako na rin ang naghanda ng pagkain niya. I slapped at Mikha's hands when she was about to get the milk that I prepared for Gwen. She smiled sheepishly and mouthed 'sorry'.
In the middle of eating breakfast, I saw Colet purposely hit Gwen's elbow using hers. "Gwen, sabihin mo na ..." she whispered.
I pretended that I didn't hear anything at tinuloy ang pagkain ko while the four of them are exchanging knowing looks. Ano na naman kayang pakulo ito?
Gwen faked a cough. "Hmmm.. Shee?" she asked. I immediately turned to her at medyo napabilis ata ang paglingon ko. She's an inch closer to me.
Kaunting push lang ay mahahalikan ko na siya. Ang hihina ng mga best friend ko, bakit hindi nila maisip na itulak ako?
"Magsasalita ba kayo o magtititigan nalang?" I was caught off guard when I heart Maloi said that.
"Uh, Shee, sorry. Kasi ... your friends were teasing us and they ask me if I can convince you to judge for a dance competition in your subdivision." she said.
I knew it! They were forcing me to say yes last week but they didn't convince me. Kaya pala andito sila ng ganito kaaga para kausapin si Gwen.
I stopped for a few seconds.
"I need to bring Nael to the vet eh." I replied.
I saw disappointed look from my friends while Gwen just nodded her head. She smiled at me but I looked away.
"Damn, I can't even say no if it's her." I whispered, not sure if they heard me.
"It's okay. You don't have to do it if you really don't want to." she assured me and gave me two thumbs up.
I sighed. "How would I say no to you? Bakit ba kasi ang hilig ka nilang gamitin against me? First, Alas. And now, my friends." I sarcastically told her, making my voice louder so that my friends would purposely hear what I am saying. Tumawa sila na parang wala lang.
Her lips formed an 'o' and I smirked at her. "Oo na, payag na ako."
It took time after Gwen could react. Habang ang mga kaibigan ko, nagtatatalon na sa tuwa dahil napapayag na rin ako sa wakas.
I'm fucking doomed.
"After ng program ko pa sana sasabihin 'to but Gwen ..." I trailed off. "Can I date you?"
I can see through her face that she's speechless. Sigurp naguguluhan siya dahil ang pinag-usapan nila at mapapayag ako pero iba ang nakuha niya.
"Are you sure?" she asked nervously.
Lumipat pa ang mga friends ko sa likod niya and made kissing gestures.
I shook my head because of what they're doing. "H-hindi ka sure?" parang napahiyang tanong ulit ni Gweneth.
"Pakshit kasi, umalis nga kayo dyan!" Umiinit na ang ulo ko sa mga gagong 'to. They raised middle fingers at me before leaving. Akala mo hindi sila nagbenefit sa kalandian ko kay Gwen.
"No, my friends were behind you kasi. Of course, Gwen. I am 100% sure that I want to date you." I answered. Bakit pa ako mahihiya?
-------
And because I already said yes to my friends' favor, hinugot ko rin silang magset-up for my first ever date with Gweneth Apuli. Grabe! Iniisip ko palang na may date kami, it's automatically sending voltage to my system. Daig ko pa si Pikachu neto!
"Do you think she'll like this?" I asked Maloi. I'm blowing balloons using my own mouth, kung di naman kasi gago sila kulit, sinadya talaga nilang hindi bumili ng pang pump ng balloons para pahirapan ako.
And for someone like me who doesn't have any idea about being romantic, this kind of set up is their suggestion.
"Of course she'll like this..." I smiled because Maloi's being supportive. "... kapag hindi ikaw ang kasama niya." she added kaya sinimangutan ko siya. She laughed at me and ruffled my hair.
On the other hand, Colet and Mikha's setting up the picnic blanket and foods. I ordered bouquet of sunflower too for Gwen.
"Have you messaged her na susunduin mo siya?" Mikha asked nang makalapit ako sa kanya.
I shook my head. "Oh, you should message her para makapagready siya. Napaka redflag mo naman." Colet teased.
I immediately get my phone to message my date.
To Honey bunch sugar plum:
Be ready at 4pm, I'll pick you up. See you!
"Dapat sinasabihan mo siya kung ano dapat gawin. Alam mo na ba paano manligaw?" Maloi asked, they're pestering me again.
"Nope, she doesn't have any idea." Mikha shook her head.
"Red flag ng bebe natin. Alaga pa naman natin 'yan." Colet teased.
"Let's just pray colorblind si Gwen." Maloi replied to the two other idiots.
Suddenly, I felt the pressure and the need to learn on how to court. This is my first time doing this. Mas mahirap pala siya sa pagpasa ng subjects at pagpigil matulog sa mga klase ko. All this time, I thought it's like dancing lang eh.
"Paano ba manligaw?" I suddenly asked them.
The three of them exchanged knowing looks again.
"Uhm, ano, pagsibak mo ng kahoy." Colet said.
"Bigyan mo ng kalabaw tatay niya." Maloi butted in.
"Ikaw din mag-iigib." Colet told me again, biting her lips. Bakit ako mag-iigib? Wala ba silang faucet and water tank?
"Okay?" I said and gave them my questionable look.
I was waiting for Mikha but she's still quiet. After a while, she decided to break her silence. "Just be honest and be respectful. Always consider her feelings."
That made me realize that she's right. I should respect Gwen not because I will court her but I should respect her because she deserve all the good and beautiful things in life.
Madali lang natapos ang oras at ngayon, andito na ako sa tapat ng bahay nila. Tinakas ko pa 'yong car ni daddy para astig akong haharap sa parents niya.
The gate immediately opened, revealing a good looking middle age man. This must be her dad.
"Hi, dad." I greeted.
"Dad!?" he exclaimed, looking at me with all seriousness.
"I mean, hi tito, how are you?" I smiled sheepishly. He examined me from head to toe before signaling me to enter their house.
"You must be Sheena. Welcome to our house, hija." he said formally pagkapasok namin ng bahay nila. It was a modern minimalistic house, sobrang ganda rin ng interior. Pakiramdam ko parents ko ang may project sa bahay na ito.
He interviewed me na akala mo ay mag-a-apply ako ng trabaho. He even asked me what is my dream profession and if I would pursue it in College. Kahit nakakahiya ang rason ko ay sinabi ko pa rin kung bakit ako mag-aaral ng Dentistry.
He went silent after my answer. Natahimik din ako at napalunok. I know it's a wrong move and he might turn me down kahit hindi ko pa natatanong ang anak niya.
I was shock when he laugh hysterically. Ang tagal niyang tumatawa habang nakatulala lang ako sa kanya. "It's been a while since I laugh like this. Grabe kang bata ka! I like you!"
"Uh, tito? Sorry po ha? Anak niyo po kasi ang gusto ko, hayaan niyo po, if you truly like me, makakamove on din kayo." I replied.
Natawa na naman siya sa sinabi ko. Happy pill na yata ako ni tito.
"You know what? Pursue my daughter and let's see where it will lead the both of you. You have my back, Sheena." he said at sakto namang pagdating ni Gwen kaya nagpaalam na kami.
When we finally arrived at the open field of our subdivision, I guided her to sit in the picnic blanket.
I handed her the bouquet of sunflower but I saw hesitation in her face. Maya't maya pa, her face turned read and she started sneezing repeatedly.
I panicked.
"Gwen, are you okay?" I asked.
"I-I'm allergic to sunflower." she said.
Tangina naman Sheena! First date is supposedly perfect according to my friends. I calmed her down, good thing may dala siyang gamot.
"I'm really sorry." I shyly told her. "I feel bad."
"Hey! Don't be. Hindi mo naman alam eh. At least alam mo na ngayon." she smiled genuinely. "Thank you, Shee. I really appreciate it."
When everything's doing smoothly, we lay down to the blanket, watching the sunset. I can tell by just observing her that she's enjoying the view. Kita mo kung paano lumubog ang araw at kung paano ito nagsasabi ng panibagong araw na paparating pagkatapos ng gabi.
I swallowed an invisible lump on my throat. "Gwen?" I asked.
"Yes?" she replied.
"Ako na mag-iigib ng tubig niyo. Ako na magsisibak ng kahoy niyo. Tapos bibigyan ko pa ng kalabaw daddy mo. Also, I will be respectful and honest with you all the time." I suddenly told her. Damn! It took me a lot of courage to tell her that. Alam kong ang corny dahil nacornihan din ako nang sinabi 'yon nila Maloi pero, ito na 'yon.
"Huh?" Natatawang tanong niya.
Kinuha ko sa bulsa ko 'yong necklace na binili ko. Nakipag-away pa ako dahil ang tagal ko itong tinititigan at may gusto nang bumili. Mag-isang stock nalang kasi ito kaya pinaglaban ko talaga.
"Can you wear this kapag sinagot mo na ako?" I asked her and handed her the box, containing the necklace.
"Huh? What do you mean?" she asked curiously.
"Gwen ... liligawan kita ha? You don't have to answer for now. I'll do my best to earn your yes."