Invisible Strings

06

DOMINIC

We're now preparing for the game later. First game 'to after all the issues and news kaya medyo mas kabado ako, surely the media will ask about my relationship with Sharine and the issues involving that guy. I am planning to just politely avoid such questions.

Sharine will be here too to cover the event. I promised her that as much as possible we won't have any interactions and just be professionals.

"Dude, wow! You're all over the news!" Art, one of my teammates, tapped my shoulder while grinning. "We didn't know na may girlfriend ka pala."

I smiled at him. "We wanted to keep it lowkey sana but a lot of things happened, so there, it's out now." I chuckled. Ayoko'ng makita nila na kinakabahan ako.

"Oh, yeah! She's a sportscaster, right? Or sports reporter ba 'yon?" Art continued to ask curiously.

"Reporter," I answered. "Ayoko lang sana na parang may conflict of interest whenever she's covering our game. So we'll just be professionals na lang siguro talaga, I don't know. She'll be here later din but I'll let her do her work and I won't bother her."

"Isama mo s'ya next time sa get together natin para naman makilala namin."

"Sure, I'll tell her."

The game started at lamang kami. During the halftime break I saw Sharine in a corner with her crew. She's busy with her phone, probably doing some work stuff. A guy approached her, they talked a bit and I saw Sharine smiling awkwardly while shaking her head.

I got my phone and texted her what's up. She glanced into my direction bago binalik ang tingin sa cellphone na hawak.

"Working." She replied. I asked her who was the guy who approached her.

"Some media guy who wanted to have an interview with me about our relationship." Sharine replied with an eye roll emoji.

That's not good. I'm causing her hassle but I really need her right now.

"Sorry." I replied to her. Tumingin ulit ako sa pwesto n'ya, our eyes met. I smiled at her and she smiled back.

Somehow, nakahinga ako knowing na naiintindihan ako ni Sharine. It still blows my mind how a person like her, who doesn't even know me personally, is willing to help me without asking much in return. I mean, ano lang ba 'yung interview o travel na pagiisipan n'ya? It's nothing compared sa tulong na ginagawa n'ya.

The game ended at nanalo ang team namin. Sharine interviewed us very professionally kahit medyo may tuksuhan kanina, we still managed to survived the day.

She sent a message to congratulate me. I asked her if she wants to grab dinner pero babalik pa daw s'ya sa office para tapusin ang trabaho n'ya.

I just got home when I heard a knock on my door. I checked on the peephole and saw Aldrin outside my unit looking mad.

Aldrin is the guy who caused me trouble. The reason of my life's mess.

I ignored the knocks and promised myself to update the building security about my visitors' list. I need my peace.

The knocks stopped but then I received a text message from him saying that he won't stop until he ruined my life. Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng dapat ko maramdaman. I guess I need to file a temporary restraining order.

I proceeded to fix my stuff and took a bath. Iniisip ko if I should cook or order something to eat. Medyo gutom ako pero pagod na rin para kumilos.

I remember Sharine and texted her kung tapos na s'ya sa work and if she's already home. She didn't answer but a few minutes later my phone rang. She's calling me.

"Hello," I greeted her. "Are you still at work?"

"Yep," she answered. "Pauwi pa lang. Tamad na 'ko mag type ng reply sa'yo kaya tumawag na lang ako. I've been typing and revising articles since kanina pa."

"You must be tired. Go home and take a rest."

"Yep, uuwi na 'ko. What's up? Do you need anything?"

"What what's up?" I asked her. "Wala  naman, just updating kung nasaan ka na."

"You sounded different though."

How did she even noticed that?

"Hello, Dom? Still there?"

"Ah, yeah! Sorry. Gutom lang ako. You should go home, baba ko na 'to. Take care, okay?"

"Wait mo 'ko."

"Huh?"

"I'll grab us something to eat. Text me your address."

"Are you sure? It's late."

"Gutom din ako. And malungkot kumain mag-isa."

I smiled. "Okay, I'll text you my address and I'll pick you up sa lobby."

I waited for Sharine at the lobby. She smiled at me when she saw me and handed me brown bags of food. She logged in at the security. Tinukso pa kaming dalawa ng mga security personnel.

"I got us Chinese takeouts, 'yan lang nahanap ko eh."

"Looks good. Let's go up."

We settled on the floor of my unit. I put our food sa center table, she wanted to eat infront of my television while watching some kdrama. When we finished our food she helped me clean up.

We are now sitting beside each other on my sofa. Mukha naman s'yang kumportable kahit first time n'ya dito.

"Your name is mouthful," I told her. Lumingon s'ya sa'kin, kunot ang noo. "I mean, I don't know, Sharine is mouthful for me. Do you have any nicknames?"

"Arin," she said. "That's what my friends and family calls me. You can call me that too. Tapos babe 'pag may ibang tao at nagpapanggap tayo." She smirked.

"Arin sounds nice."

"I'll stick with Dom, hindi mouthful," she laughed.

"He was here kanina," I randomly told her. Ewan ko, gusto ko lang din na may masabihan because I am really afraid that Aldrin will ruin my life.

Lumingon s'ya sa'kin. "Who? The guy from that night?"

"Yeah."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure?" I was a bit hesitant cause I know she'll ask about Aldrin but I know I needed to tell her about this. About him.

I needed her to understand me. I want to have someone by my side na maiintindihan ako. Sharine feels like she'll understand. She won't be here if wouldn't, right?

"Who is that guy?"

"Aldrin," I paused and looked at her. Sobrang bilis nang tibok ng puso ko, this will be the first time that I'll open up about this part of my life to someone else.

Sharine held my hand and smiled at me. "If you're not comfortable, you don't have to tell me. Okay lang. Sorry for asking."

"Hindi, I want to tell you."

"Are you sure? I'm a reporter. Maybe you're not comfortable opening up to me."

"He's an ex," after minutes of fidgeting I finally told her. "You see, I'm a bisexual."

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