Chapter 5

Third Person's POV

Bagama't ngayon lang nagkaroon ng pagkakataong pormal na magpakilala sa isa't isa, madaling nagkasundo sina Helena at Heeton.

"So this is a jeepney? I've always seen this vehicle, but never really got to ride one until now." Manghang tugon ng binata.

Ang jeepney na nirentahan ni Helena ay pag mamay-ari ng kanyang Tatang Bords. Ang nagmamaneho naman nito ngayon ay isa sa mga tauhan nito sa car shop.

"It's even spacious. Wow..." Dagdag ng binata.

"That's because there's only the two of us here."

"I see." Sagot niya habang tumatango-tango.

"You're popular, so this is the safest option we have when riding a jeepney. Besides, isn't it great that you can enjoy sightseeing without worrying about other people?"

"Mhm. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, although I am not on the celebrity level of popularity. Haha!"

Ang unang pinuntahan ng dalawa ay ang pinakasikat na hardin sa syudad, ang Sinta Jardin. Ito'y ilang metro lamang ang kalayuan mula sa Johanne's Gardining kung saan iniwan ng dalawa ang kanilang mga sasakyan.

"Wow...the flowers look so lively. Even though they have different colors, the way they're organized complements each other." Manghang komento ni Heeton pagkapasok nila sa hardin.

Si Helena naman ay hindi mapigilan ang sarili na mapangiti sa reaksyon ng binata. Ang nasa isip niya'y parang bata si Heeton na minsan lang ipasyal ng mga magulang kung kaya't napaka bilis mamangha.

Dala ng makapigil-hiningang tanawin ay hindi na napigilan ni Heeton ang sarili na kumuha ng mga litrato. Lingid sa kaalaman nito na may nabibighani na siyang mga dalaga.

"Will you please take a picture of me? I want to create a photobook about today." Paghingi ng pabor ni Heeton.

"Of course, but as I've told you before, never expect a well-taken photo."

Natawa na lamang ang dalawa dahil sa pagbibiro ni Helena.

"Excuse me po. Pwede ko ba kayong kuhanan ng litrato? Makukuha niyo naman kaagad ang libreng naka develop na litrato. Okay lang ba?" Tanong ng isang binata na may bitbit na canon camera.

Tinignan ng dalaga si Heeton at ang kaninang ngiti ng binata ay napalitan ng pagkunot ng kanyang noo. Iniisip ni Helena na dala ito ng hindi pagkaintindi ni Shinkei sa sinabi ng lalaki sa kanila.

"Teka lang, magpapaalam lang ako sa kasama ko. Hindi kasi siya nakakaintindi ng tagalog."

"Okay po, ate."

Hinarap niya si Heeton na hindi pa rin maalis ang pagka kunot ng noo. Sa isip ng dalaga ay natatawa siya sa itsura ng kasama niya dahil para itong batang nakikinig sa usapan ng matatanda na hindi niya maintindihan.

"The guy asked if he can take a picture of us together. Then, he will give us the developed photo afterwards. For free."

"Oh, I see." Patango tangong sagot ng binata. "Let's take his offer, then. I'll be glad to keep our photo."

Pag balik ni Helena ng tingin sa binatang may dalang camera ay nakangiti pa rin ito sa kanila.

"I'll take two photos so you can have each of the developed ones." Suhestiyon ng binatang photographer.

Hindi na lumipat ng pwesto sina Helena at Heeton para hindi na mahirapan ang photographer. Ang hindi nila namalayan ay nasa harapan pala sila ng malaking tanim na hugis puso. Kung titignan tuloy sila ay para silang magkasintahan.

~•~•~

Heeton's POV

I am with Helena right now. We're at Sinta Jardin, a garden that a man made for his flower enthusiast wife. Sadly, they both passed away already.  

Every corner of this garden is beautiful and always leaves me in awe. Helena also took photos of me as I've requested. 

"Excuse me po. Pwede ko ba kayong kuhanan ng litrato? Makukuha niyo naman kaagad ang libreng naka develop na litrato. Okay lang ba?"

My forehead creased. I can understand and speak tagalog, but I guess Helena doesn't know.

Hindi naman kumunot ang noo ko dahil hindi ko naintindihan ang sinabi ng binata. Nagtataka lamang ako kung bakit libre lang niyang pinamimigay ang mga naka develop na litrato ng ibang tao.

"Teka lang, magpapaalam lang ako sa kasama ko. Hindi kasi siya nakakaintindi ng tagalog."

"Okay po, ate."

Pinaliwanag ni Helena sa akin ang sinabi ng binata in English. The only people who knew that I can speak in Tagalog are my family and really really close friends.

Sa unang litratong kinuha ng binata ay magkatabi lang kami ni Helena na nakatayo.

"Can you guys please strike a pose for the second photo? Just to make it look a less awkward." Ani photographer.

Pagkatapos niyang sabihin 'yun ay kaagad kaming nag pose ni Helena. Parehas pa talaga kaming naka peace sign kaagad. Haha!

"Okay. 1, 2..."

Bago pa man din mapindot ng photographer ang shutter button ay bigla ko na lamang ipinatong ang aking kamay sa ulo ni Helena. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit ko ginawa 'yun. Hindi ko naman 'yun pinag isipan, eh. Para bang may sariling buhay ang kamay ko at basta na lamang ginawa 'yun.

Biglang nag init ang mga pisngi ko. Kinikilig ba ako? Talaga? For the first time ever?! Kinilig ako?!

Since I was just a little kid, my life had always been dedicated to baseball. I never really had a crush or someone I liked because I always focus on improving my gameplay, and now my life as a baseball coach. I am well aware that a lot of girls like me though.

To be honest, this is the first time I have let my guard down and asked a girl to accompany me. I'm not regretting it anyway. Helena is kind and friendly. She has this positive vibe surrounding her that also affects other people around her.

Marami rin siyang alam tungkol sa iba't-ibang mga bagay. Hindi siya mayabang o suplada. Napaka polite rin ng approach niya sa ibang tao kahit na hindi niya ito kilala. Sa madaling salita, mabuting tao si Helena.

Pagkatapos naming tignan ang mga litrato ay nauna na akong pumili. Ang pinili kong kunin na litrato ay 'yung nag peace sign kami at nakapatong ang kamay ko sa ulo ni Helena. Hindi naman na siya pumalag.

I even thought she'd get mad at me for resting my hand on her head. Hindi ko naman aakalaing pagtatawanan niya lang ako. Napaka kalog niya talaga.

"Now, our second destination is a fifteen minute drive from here. Let's go." Excited na sambit ni Helena.

Sa sobrang excited niya ay nauna na siyang maglakad.

"Excuse me. You're Heeton Kershew, right? May we have your autograph please?" Tanong ng dalawang babae na humarang sa akin.

Pagbibigyan ko ba? Wala naman yatang problema, tsaka paalis na rin naman ako.

"Alright but please don't disclose anything on social media about me being here. I just really want to stroll around and appreciate the place with my friend."

"Yes, we promise."

Ayun na nga, pinirmahan ko na ang papel at isang laruan na kamukha ko. 

"Thank you so much, Heeton. We'll keep supporting you and your coaching journey."

"Thank you. Have a great day." Paalam ko at saka kumaway sa kanila habang lumalakad palayo.

I didn't expect anyone to recognize me here. I mean, I think baseball isn't really popular here in the Philippines so it's surprising to be recognized in public.

"Where have you been? Hay naku! I thought I lost you." Nag-aalalang tanong ni Helena.

Ang cute niya, sobra. Wait, what? Man, this is alarming. This is just the third time we've met, and I'm already getting whipped by her? Wow. I guess Helena really have that effect on other people, huh?

"I'm sorry. Two girls asked for my autograph and I simply did them the favor."

"Alright. Let's go. The second destination's waiting for us!"

She's still full of energy. Always spreading a happy and positive vibe.

On the way to our second destination, I can't help but focus my attention on the surroundings. I've seen the polluted and busy side of the Philippines, so seeing its abundant in nature and calm side is refreshing.

"Welcome to Yamang Maharlika!" Helena shouted happily as she spreads her arms and shakes them.

She's really adorable. Oh...why do I keep complimenting her in my mind?

"This is such a great place. The houses here are ancient, and you can find some really really old things that our ancestors used a very long time ago. You know, before the Spaniards colonized us."

"You were colonized by the Spaniards? For how long?"

"Over three hundred years." She casually answered, but I still found a hint of bitterness with her voice.

Three hundred years is such a long time. Grabe! Ano kayang mga pinagdaanan ng mga ninuno nila sa kamay ng mga mananakop?

"Look at this, Heeton!" Biglang sigaw ni Helena upang kunin ang atensyon ko.

May hawak siyang para bang itak. Nakakatakot tuloy siyang lapitan kasi baka bigla niya akong katayin. Haha!

"It is believed that this belonged to one of the Sultans here in Luzon back in the day."

"That's why it looks so old. Ancient."

"Yup! But it is still actually pretty sharp. Look!"

Bigla niyang nilapat sa kanyang daliri ang matalim na bagay na hawak niya. Nakakagulat ang nangyari. Bigla na lamang nasugatan ang kanyang daliri at umaapaw ang dugo mula rito.

Sa simpleng pag daplis lang ng bagay na 'yun sa kanyang daliri ay nasugatan na siya? Wow. Just how sharp that thing is?

"Grabe! Nakaka proud naman 'yung mga ninuno namin. Ang galing nilang gumawa ng mga patalim. In fairness sa kanila." Kaswal na saad ni Helena habang hinuhugasan ng tubig ang kanyang sugat.

This girl is full of surprises. Talagang willing siyang saktan ang sarili niya just to prove a point. How courageous.

Naglibot pa kami sa lugar at patuloy lang akong namamangha sa mga nadidiskubre ko. Maganda pala ang kultura ng Pilipinas. Paano kaya kung hindi sila sinakop ng kahit ni isang bansa at napanatili ang kultura nila? Anong klase kaya ng bansa ang Pilipinas ngayon?

~•~•~

Third Person's POV

Pagsapit ng alas sais ng gabi ay nagpahatid na ang dalawa pabalik sa Johanne's Gardining kung saan sila kasalukuyang naghahapunan.

"That tour was so fun. The garden was beautiful and has a refreshing ambiance. The Maharlika one was insightful. I can't believe I've finally got to try street foods in the Philippines in the best way possible. My favourite was quek-quek." Masayang-masaya na kwento ni Heeton.

Taimtim lamang na nakikinig si Helena sa binata. She's so fond of listening to the young man's thoughts.

"My favorite part was the beach. The sunset was perfect. That was the first time I've seen the sun literally going down and is surrounded by beautifully colored sky. Thank you for that experience." Dagdag ng binata.

Hindi na napigilan ni Helena ang sarili at malapad na ngumiti. Tila ba palutang-lutang siya sa mga ulap dahil sa huling sinabi ni Heeton. Kasi dahil do'n, naniniwala siyang masaya rin pala siyang kasama. At least for Heeton.

"Helena, I know it's probably too early for this but...can I have your phone number? I want to keep in touch with you."

Nagulat man ay mahina pa ring napatawa ang dalaga habang si Heeton ay naguguluhan.

"As a friend or as someone you like?" Pang-aasar ng dalaga.

Natigilan si Heeton at pakurap-kurap na napatingin kay Helena.

"I'm kidding! Haha!" Tawang-tawa si Helena.

Nang mahimasmasan ang dalaga ay nagpalitan na sila ng number ni Heeton. Nagbiro pa ang dalaga na baka raw number ng trainee ni Heeton ang binigay nito.

"Helena, thank you." Panimula ng binata habang naglalakad sila papunta sa parking lot.

"For what?"

"For today. I really appreciate how thoughtful you were the whole time. Thank you for looking after me and always considering my image as a baseball player before doing things. I'm also kind of amazed by how quick you can read my body language and immediately knows what to do. I'm really happy today."

Napangiti si Helena sapagkat hindi niya inakalang marami pala siyang mga kilos na napansin ng binata. Akala niya kasi ay ang mga lugar na pinuntahan nila lang talaga ang pinagtutuunan nito ng pansin.

"I'm also happy today. I thought popular people were all airheaded, but I guess I've mistaken."

Nakangiting nagtititigan ang dalawa na animo'y kinakabisado ang mga mata ng isa't isa.

"So...uhm. I'll see you around?" Pagbasag ni Helena sa katahimikan.

"Y-yeah...I'll be sure to contact you again. Uhm...bye?"

Tumango ang dalaga bago magsalita. "Mhm. Bye and drive safely, Heeton."

"You take care, too."

Nagpalitan pa ng ngiti ang dalawa bago tuluyang pumasok sa kanilang mga sasakyan.

Naghiwalay man ng landas at natapos man ang araw, ang kanilang mga puso'y nalulunod pa rin sa saya dulot nang sila'y magkasama.