Miko was shocked to hear the voice of his neighbor, Joy. He saw her coming home from school with her classmates. The mouth is uninterrupted. It doses the dominant one while talking to others.
“ She really are loud and annoying.” he said to his self. “She's indeed noisy. Acts like she owns the street! College student but still childish!”
Jou didn't even move to that place - a resettlement area somewhere in Rizal - they were together and brought her there. They were neighbors but they were not good friends.
He could not help thinking about the past.
He was eight years old when their home were demolish, it belongs to a large squatter’s area in Manila, where they lived. The real owner took it and made it to a mall. But there is a relocation intended for every family house there. Not bad although it's a little far away because it has the added value for starting a new life.
Their life went well there. His father's work is only a regular employee in a rubber and synthetic factory as a machine operator. His mother has a sari-sari store. His sister and Miko also helped their parents in the store.
More than a year later their former neighbor left. They went back home to the province because of some realization of whatever effort they made still they're plagued with poverty. The house was not vacant because someone moved immediately. This is the family that bought the rights of the house.
October. Yup! It was October, he would never forget. The month in which he met the creature that would be important to his life. And it was also his birthday month so for him it was the most wonderful gift he had ever received in his entire life.
At the age of nine, he suddenly felt a woman's admiration. When he saw Joy, who was eight years old at that time. In fact, he was trapped in the front of their store and stared at her. Joy is so pretty. As she frowned while hugging a teddy bear she became even more noticeable because of that.
When Joy looked at him, she smiled. But that urge was responded to by 'belat' and circled her eyes. He felt annoyed. Very good enough to knock his daydream. She was the woman he first admired.
Joy became friends with her sister Ella. Both girls became close immediately. Somehow he had the opportunity to play with her. However, he was already contented with the little time that they spend to each other and he was already feeling happy. Even more often Joy was mean to him.
Few months later, Miko still carries his secret and true feelings for Joy. He kept a special prejudice in one corner of his heart. But the painful part is he didn't know why the situation is getting worse. It is not unreasonable to say that Joy treats him like an enemy.
“Joy is here! I heard her voice.”
He turn his head as he heard Ella's voice. Ella was behind him and peeked out the window as well.
“ Who are those?”
“No. They are quiet, aren't they?”
Ella stroked and hit him in the arm.
“The mouth of your best friend is really noisy. She didn't change at all.”
“she's just trying to get the attention of someone.”
He thought for a moment. “what? Trying to get attention from someone?”
“Why is your friend so mean to me?”
“Ask the turtle. I'll go now I still have stuffs to do.”
“Where are you going?”
“To Joy's house. I'll join them”
He just scratch his head. He thinks of what his sister wants to point out.
“But no, it's impossible” he whispered to himself. “It’s impossible for Joy to like me and besides she is mad at me. Is it because she has a crush on me too?”
Miko's eyes were shining and a literal wide smile in the lips.
“Maybe”
Sunday, Miko really intended to accompany Joy to the church. He doesn't care about the time of the mass for as long as he's with Joy that's more important. He also noticed she was alone so he grabbed the opportunity.
“Hi, Joy.”
She only respond by circling her eyes at him.
“You are still cute.”
“stop it.”
She continued walking but this time she walks fast.
“Why you so mean to me? I just said Hi.”
“I am not what you are referring to.”
“It's still early. Can we just walk normal”
Joy stopped.
Miko also stopped.
“Did I say go with me, Miko? If you're complaining ... go! Walk alone.”
He laughed. “I'm just kidding okay.”
“What do you want?”
“You!”
Joy's eyes widened seems like she's surprised of what she heard.
“I'll love you for a long time. Ever since you moved here. However you have treated me differently. Why are you so mad at me? You are treating me like your enemy, I tried to be your friend. But why? I really don't have an idea”
Her face blushed as she stared at him.
“Joy, I love you. I only felt this way from you. I don't look at another woman because you alone is enough. You are here...” He pointed to the middle of his chest. “Even though you treat me like your enemy.”
“M-miko...”
Her tears were dimmed but she forced herself to smile.
“I'm sorry,” he replied. “If you didn't like what I said, I'm sorry. But remember this Joy, that's true it's from my heart.”
"Maybe you'll not treat me like an enemy this time but a terrible villain. It's okay, Accept it. What matters is ... I have said to you what I have been kept for a long time. All right. I'll go now. Take care”
When he turned his body, he stepped on a large one to get away. In fact he was cold for confessing his feelings. That was not in his plan but he did not know why it happened.
All night he did not sleep mentally. Joy repeatedly intervened in his brain. He was guilty. It's not bad to express real feelings but the thing is, it's not the right way and not in the right place.
“I will go to Joy later after school.”he whispered when he got up in bed. “I will apologize. I'll talk to her properly.”
Because he had a morning subject he bathed immediately. Dressed in his uniforms. Self-organizing. Then eat. He first had a small conversation with his mom before saying goodbye to going to school.
When he came out the first door of their house, Joy had in his mind again. He was really determined to go to her later to talk. He would not allow her to be treated as an enemy again.
He suddenly stopped. His eyes widened seeing Joy sitting in the window of their house. It used to be made of wood but since it was replaced by a sliding window it's already a glass.
It seemed like Joy heard her name inside Miko's brain. She look back at him. Seeing her suddenly torn her beautiful smile. His heart sank fast. He meant to jump in joy.
For the first time, Joy just smiled at him.
Ideally he would thank God. As well as all saints. The miracle of heaven is taking place. And he certainly - he sure is - that there's a meaning about that smile.
“seems like you saw a ghost” Joy said. “you're going to school right?”
He answered by a nod. He was unable to speak because his throat still stiff.
“take care, Miko.”
“Thanks!”
Joy laughed because his voice stiff. His face was red with shame.
“Anyway, happy birthday in advance,” Joy said. “your birthday will be next week, right?”
He nodded. “Thank you coz you remembered my birthday.”
Joy laughed so hard because he stiff again.
“Bye. Take care.” this time he made sure he'll not stiff again.
In the jeep, he was still floating in the sky. He could not lose in his mind the beautiful smile from the girl he's been dreaming of. That was his sign to pursue the plan of going to Joy's house. Not just to apologize but to start courtship.
THE END
