lies // ricci rivero

66

Today is the day that I'll get back to Manila after a week of vacation in Hong Kong, although I told them that I was in the province. After I talked to Ricci, I stopped by somewhere to book the next flight to Hong Kong, I didn't tell anyone asides from my family. Sinabi ko na rin naman na kina Olivia where I am and begged them to be clueless on my whereabouts.

"Raffy!!!!" I heard someone screamed my name and it was Olivia with the whole squad including Ricci. "Hi! OMG I missed you guys! I have pasalubongs no need to ask for one," I said and hugged each and everyone of them, when it was Ricci's turn for me to hug him I just looked at him and smiled. "Uh, tara na I'm tired and gutom from the flight. Samgyup? My treat since wala ako nung birthday ko," I said. "Teka pasalubong muna!" Sabi ni Athena.

"Ate Girl, chill! Kain muna tayo please, I'm hungry and help me with my luggage because it's so bigat."

"Ako na!" Ricci volunteered, I just nodded and let him carry my luggage.

Si Ricci ang nahuli na sumakay at unluckily, ako pa ang nakatabi niya.

"Anong pasalubong ko?" Tanong ni Kobe. "Ay OMG, ikaw pala yung nalimutan ko," I said as a joke.

"Sorry ka," Sabi naman ni Ricci. "Bakit akala mo ikaw meron?" I asked in a serious voice pero may pasalubong naman talaga ako sa kanilang dalawa.

We reached Makati where we decided to have samgyup for lunch. Nauna si Ricci bumaba and then he offered his hand para alalayan ako makababa, I didn't accept it and he looks offended that I didn't take his hand, which I don't mind kasi galit pa rin naman ako sa kanya.

Hindi ko na siya katabi pero katapat ko naman siya.

"Wala talaga akong pasalubong?" He asked, initiating a conversation between the two of us. "Hmm, maybe." I simply replied.

"Ano na pasalubong ko?" Tanong ni Athena.

"Secret! You'll find out later, para nga surprise, diba? Hindi ko sinunod mga bilin niyo nang slight lang naman." Sabi ko, though Ricci didn't ask for one I still got him something, I'm still marupok.

"You want?" Tanong ni Ricci I just nodded and he put some on my plate.

"Pano naman kami?" Tanong ni Juan sa kanya, leaving him no choice but to put meat on everyone's plate.

"Free ka ba bukas?" He asked.

"No, sorry." I'm actually free bukas, but I just want to rest the whole day tomorrow.

"Kailan ka free?" He asked. "Uhm, hindi ko pa alam. Maybe the day after tomorrow." I said and smiled.

"Okay, let's go out on that day." He said and I just nodded. He has been trying to initiate a conversation between the two of us for quite some time now pero ewan ko ba, nahihirapan ako. Maybe it's just my way not to be marupok again.

After eating, we went straight to my condo so they could get their pasalubong na. I didn't tell them that I was in Hong Kong, I just asked them kung anong gusto nilang pasalubong, some were not available in Hong Kong so nanghula na lang ako ng pwedeng replacement.

"Bro, wala ka yata talagang pasalubong," sabi ni Javi, Ricci just pouted his lips.

"Nope, he have, wala nga lang diyan sa luggage na yan, wait I'll check sa backpack ko." I stood up from the couch and went to my room para tignan kung nasa backpack ko yung pasalubong niya and andon naman.

I went out of my room and gave the Nintendo Switch to him. Tangina ewan ko ba, ginago na ko lahat lahat binilan ko pa rin ng pasalubong.

"Diba you've been wanting to buy this, uh, yeah here..." I handed the box to him. "I didn't buy any games because I have no idea what game do you like." His face was shocked, that I got him what he wanted.

"Thank you!" He stood up from the couch and hugged me. "Thank you, thank you! I'm so sorry, Raffy." He said and I hugged back naman na.

"Yun oh! Bati na sila." Sabi naman ni Diego and Ricci gave him a middle finger and he hugged me tighter.

"Ang daya, sa amin makeups lang tapos sa kanya switch." Sabi ni Camila.

"Well, yan yung bilin niyo eh." I reasoned out and smiled.

We chilled for a while before they decided to go home pero si Ricci nagpa-iwan.

"Wala ka ba training bukas? You should go home." I said and stared out of my window, admiring the city lights.

"I am home." He said. I looked at him and he was looking at me too.

"Gago ka!" I said. "Umuwi ka na"

"Bati na tayo?" He asked

"Yes, so umuwi ka na at gusto ko na magpahinga." I said.

He stood up from the couch and I did too since I will walk him out of the door.

"Bye, Cci!" I said and opened the door for him.

He was about to step out of the door but he turned around and hugged me. "Sorry." He said

"Tama na, kanina ka pa nag sosorry." I said

"Okay, thank you nga pala for the switch kahit hindi naman ako nagsabi ng pasalubong. Bye!"

"Goodbye, Ricci!"