Scripted

Chapter 1

Wait, nakatingin talaga ako sa muscles? Chos! Wag lumande, Xy. Nasa serious mode dapat. Okay? Behave.

"Thank you. I really owe you."

"Well, you own me naman e-- este, no problem. Hehe." Kumalma sabi, 'teh. Kalma. Ang hormones!

"Uhm. Ano nang pakiramdam mo ngayon? You look kinda pale." Concerned ako, syempre!

"Well, I feel fine. The coffee's good. The company's good, too. Thanks again." He slightly grinned to me. OMG. I'm good daw. Napangiti naman din ako.

Magkaka-lock-jaw na ata ako sa kakangiti ngayong gabi ah.

"Mabuti naman kung ganun." He lowered his sight.

It was an awkward silence again. Nagulat nalang ako nang makarinig ako ng mahihinang hikbi. Alam ko na 'to. Lumipat ako sa upuan sa tabi niya. I patted his back. Maiiyak na rin ata ako. He's so sad and vulnerable.

"It's alright. It's alright. Shh." I continued to pat his back. He's kinda shaking and I understand why.

"It's okay. Just let it out." I hugged him and let him cry all of the pain out.

I can't believe that right now I am seeing him at this state. He isn't the stranger I bumped into yesternight. He was not the one I had laughed with a while ago either.

At this point, he is a son crying out in grief of the loss of his father...

"You okay?" I asked after minutes of silence. He nodded his head.

"Thanks again to you." He said sincerely.

"Wala yun ano. Naiintindihan kita. I once lost my parents, too. The only difference is that I lost them both at the same time. Road accident."

Nagbabadyang tumulo ang mga luha sa mata ko dahil sa mapait na alaalang yun. Pero pinigilan ko, ampanget naman kung pati ako iiyak. Baka mapagkamalan kaming ewan kapag may nakakitang nag-iiyakan kami dito. Kailangan maging malakas. Fighting!

"I'm sorry." He said.

"I'm sorry, too. About Mr. Lim. Kahit ilang minuto palang kaming nagkakilala, I knew and I felt that he is one great man, and a great father, too." He weakly smiled at me.

"Yeah. He sure is. He's one cool dad. He's always been proud of me as his son." I patted his back again. We both smiled. At least he's getting fine now.

"Have you thought about Dad's wish again?" Sabi niya.

"Hmm. Yes. And with all my heart, I am willing to fulfill it." He looked concerned and uneasy after I replied.

"Bakit?" Tanong ko.

"You really don't have to do it, Xyrille. We won't know what may happen. At saka, I don't want to bother you and your life. Besides, Dad won't...know." He reasoned out.

"I want to and I need to, Xav. It's not like everyday you get to hear out a kind of wish like that." I explained.

"You don't know me that much." He said with a serious tone.

"What I know about you now is enough for me. We'll eventually get to know more about each other. Nagtitiwala naman ako sa'yo eh." I said.

"Do you really trust people instantly kahit kakakilala mo palang sila?" He asked.

"Well, yes." Sagot ko nang walang pagaalangan. He leaned close to me.

"What if I am not who you thought I was?" His voice now became huskier as he whispered at me.

"Well, who are you then, Mr. Xavier Lim?" He just shrugged it off.

"Asus! Kahit ano o sino ka pa naman gusto pa rin kita eh" I blurted out suddenly and I just realized what I have said. Emeghed. Nakakahiya.

"Oh really, Miss Xyrille Valdez?" He leaned closer.

Napalunok ako kasi mas nakikita ko nang malapitan ang facial features niya. Adonis nga talaga.

"Ahh. Hehe. Joke lang yung like-kita part. Pick-up lang yun nuh! Akala ko kasi kikiligin ka. Ehe he he he. Teka ha, ligpitin ko muna 'to ha." Mabilis kong kinuha ang coffee mug niya at nagbrisk walking papuntang kitchen.

Binatukan ko kaagad ang sarili ko. Bakit ka ba ganyan, Xyrille? Nakakahiya! Adonis siya, okay? He's drop-dead gorgeous, a gentleman and attractive. But isn't it too early para lumande? You're just physically attracted. Wag kang excited okay? Magkaroon ka naman ng kahit konting pride. Anong like-like? Behave muna!

I quickly composed myself and walked back to the table. But as I was going towards him, he's staring at me heavily as if he's studying my every curve and feature. Uminit na naman ang pisngi ko. Nakakaloka na ito ah! I have to break the fire e--este-the ice!

"May naisip na ako para makampante tayong walang maging problema sa relasyon nating 'to." I said. Seryoso na naman ang tingin niya.

"What is it?" Tanong niya.

"How about we start with an agreement? We'll set our rules to make this relationship work since nagsisimula palang tayo. We'll have it in a way na hindi nai-invade ang personal space ng isa't isa para mas okay." He immediately agreed.

"Since alam din ng Mom mo na magjowa na tayo, panindigan na natin. We'll act like we really are dating." San nanggagaling itong mga sinasabi ko? Aber?!

"Wait, so you mean, we'll pretend? Why do we have to pretend then?" Confusion is written all over his face.

"Well, I don't know. 'Cause we still don't have feelings for each other yet we're already together?" Wow. Really, Xy? No feelings YET?

"Okay. I get it. You want us to pretend until we fall for each other? Not just a typical contract relationship thing, eh?" He said.

"Yes. Yun na nga yun. 'Cause our goal is to fall for each other. Pag na-fall tayo, good for us. If not, then we're not meant to be. Well, at least we tried. Mas madali na nga kasi tayo na agad wala nang pakipot chenelyn churva" I said and smiled.

"Wait, I didn't catch that. Chene what?" Nagtatakang tanong niya.

"Ahh. Hehe. You know, vaklush terms. Basta basta, yun na yun ha." I said. Then um-oo naman siya.

"So, let's give it a try then. Dalawang buwan?" He suggested and offered his hand.

"Ayos yun! Sige, keri! Dalawang buwan!" I gladly accepted his hand, pero nagulat ako ng bigla niya akong hinila papalapit sa kaniya para yakapin!

Shet! Hindi na ata ako makakahintay pa ng dalawang buwan para mahulog!

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A/N: I know. Weird 'cause ang goal nila ay ma-fall. Unlike the typical 'Don't you dare fall in love with me' in a contract relationship. Wild and weird imaginations of the author. Hehe. Well :)