REIVEN'S POV**
"Tulala ka nanaman, the movie's starting," tugon ni West na syang naka agaw ng atensyon ko mula sa malalim na pagmumunimuni.
She's currently holding my hands under the same blanket while watching an animated movie with the title "Valley of Lanterns."
I smiled at her bago muling itinuon ang tingin sa pinapanuod.
It's already midnight, wala pang balak matulog itong isa, while ako naman di makaramdam ng antok sa dami ng kape na nainom kanina sa cafe with Danielle.
Tahimik lang si West na nanunuod, she's invested. Mahilig kasi sya sa movies lalo sa mga animated ones with deep life lessons. Mula kanina siguro, nakailang movies na rin kami.
And ako naman, since wala rin gagawin, I just joined in.
"Di ka ba pupunta sa boutique mo tomorrow?" I asked, referring to her flower shop.
Pangalawang araw na kasi to na di nya pa pinupuntahan sarili nyang business. Napaka galing na CEO.
Ngumuya pa ito nang saglit bago nag kibit-balikat.
"Andun naman sila Jasmine, they can handle it."
"Pano pag may issue?"
"They can call me naman, what are phones for kung di gagamitin?" natatawa nyang sagot, still eyes on the television.
"Wala kang lakad with your boyfriend?" I said, trying to find a way out.
"Nope."
"Appointments?"
"No, rei."
"Plans? gathering with friends-"
"Reiven yung totoo, are you trying to get rid of me tomorrow? maguuwi ka nang babae no?" she said, halatang naiirita na kaya humarap na sya sakin.
"H-huh? n-no! nagtatanong lang..." I whispered.
Napailing nalang ito.
We just went back into watching after an awkward silence.
Nabalik lang mga iniisip ko sa sinabi ni Danielle. She had a point, and honestly, I should take her advice. Di pwedeng ganito lang ako.
I was about to ask West something, pero pag lingon ko, she was already asleep sa couch.
Everytime this happens, nakasanayan ko nang bubuhatin sya papunta sa kwarto nya.
So I stood up and was about to lift her nang maalala.
I should give myself some distance para kahit papano, I could get over this silly feeling I had for her.
I sighed at nagdesisyon na ayusin nalang ang pagkaka tuck ng kumot nya.
Saglit akong nagligpit, before going upstairs, sinugardo kong bukas ang lamp sa gilid ng couch.
Para kahit papano, pag nagising sya aware sya kung nasaan sya. Sumisigaw kasi si West pag naalimpungatan na madilim ang paligid, same reason why she owns a night light.
I gave one last look, sleeping peacefully. I was in between of deciding wether to pick her up or wag na.
But this time, I decided not to.
At some point, I have to grow out of this feelings.
I can't stay inlove with my bestfriend lalo't may boyfriend sya.
This is wrong.
I sighed before finally going up my room.
Pumasok lang ako sa kwarto pero di pa rin naman ako natulog kaagad.
I was sitting beside my window pane with my laptop on my lap, and just randomly staring outside.
Wala rin naman ako ginagawa, nag scroll lang sa internet.
Abala akong mag kalkal ng kung ano when my phone lit up. I received a message from Via.
Nagtaka pa ako dahil anong oras na gising pa sya, but I opened it anyways.
Via: Reiven? gising ka pa?
Reiven: yup, still up?
Via: I can't sleep. Something is bothering me lang:)
Reiven: are you okay? you can tell me.
Via: i don't wanna bother you but it's about family.
Reiven: want me to come?
Reiven: if that's fine?
Via: huy! wag na gagi, anong oras na, try ko nalang itulog.
Reiven: I'll be there in 30 minutes.
Via: luh
Reiven: ayaw?
Via: no, see you.
After that, I just left a heart reaction and decided to get changed into my hoodie and sweatpants.
Alas 3 na, di naman siguro ako mag mumukhang magnanakaw or kidnapper no?
Ganda ko namang kriminal.
Bukod kasi sa alam kong iyakin si Via, wala rin naman ako magawa and saw it as an opportunity since parehas naman kami di makatulog.
Nang makasiguro na okay na, lumabas na ako nang kwarto at bumaba na.
On my way downstairs, nakasalubong ko si West na parang kakagising lang at paakyat na sa kwarto nya.
"Holy fuck!" bulyaw ko sa gulat.
Kahit si West na nagkukusotkusot pa ng mata nagulat.
"Rei? where are you going?"
"Just some friend."
She then looked at me confused bago bumaba ang tingin sa phone nya.
"It's already 3?"
"Emergency lang, I'll be back in the morning for that food you promised to cook," I said with a smile.
Tumango nalang si West at pumasok na rin sa kwarto nya.
Matapos namin mag usap ay umalis na rin ako. Saglit pa ako dumaan sa 7/11 to buy some chips on my way there nang maalala ko na meron din pala ministop sa tapat ng condo ni Via.
Pero ano magagawa, andito na eh.
Nang makarating na sa unit ni Via, nagpaalam ako na magpaparking lang and intayin nya nalang ako sa taas para di na sya mapagod bumaba, but she insisted na sunduin ako sa lobby.
Di na ako umangal.
Nang makapasok na ako sa building, I saw her from a distance. I called her out at automatic naman sya tumingin sakin at napangiti.
She's wearing the jacket I bought for her, that definitely made me smile.
"Akyat na tayo?" aya nya.
"Oum. I brought snacks, your fave." Tugon ko at iniabot sakanya ang dala dala kong plastic.
She slightly lowered her head whilst receiving them then thanked me.
"How's Kia?"
"Busy rin sa school nya, she's in 1st grade diba?"
"Glad she's doing great, how's her arm?" I asked while I tail her from behind papasok sa elevator.
Nang makapasok na kami sa elevator tumabi naman sya sakin, she looked up then smiled at me.
"How's thing going for you?"
"Hmm.. fine? kayo ng roomie mo? nag aaway pa rin ba kayo?" she said jokingly.
Natawa nalang ako remembering what happened the morning yesterday.
"Wala kang classes bukas?"
"Nope!"
Tumango nalang ako.
This isn't the first time I came here sa unit nya.
Minsan kasi tinatamad na ako kumain after ng dance practices namin and uuwi na dapat but she insists na kumain ako kahit unti.
So, dinadala nya ako rito to cook for me.
And not gonna lie, she's good at it.
Nang makapasok kami sa unit nya, agad kong napansin ang interior design.
She noticed I was looking around kaya natawa sya.
"I took your advice with the interiors, and you were right, cold toned colors fits my place better," she said while preparing the foods sa kitchen island.
I just casually took off my shoes, nilagay sa gilid and sinabit cap ko sa clothes rack at umupo sa couch sa harap ng tv which she already turned on for me.
Maya maya pa ay bumalik na si Via at umupo sa tabi ko carrying a tray of foods and some drinks.
"So, what's bothering you?" we said in sync.
Nagkatinginan nalang kami bago sabay na natawa.
"Nauna ako!" she defended, still trying to hold in her laughter.
"You gaya me," tugon ko, marahan nya naman ako hinampas sa balikat.
"Seriously tho, ano problema mo, you don't stay up late" tugon ko as I grab nachos.
She sighed bago sumandal sa couch, eyes still locked onto me.
And somehow, I was caught in a trance staring back at her.
"It's just a little something about this person I know," tugon nya.
I snapped back intro reality after realizing nakatitig na ako sakanya.
She raised her brows out of confusion na medyo natatawa pa.
"Kaaway mo?"
"Far from that."
"Tell me what's going on" tugon ko naman.
She smiled bago humarap sakin nang maayos para makasimula na syang magkwento.
Turns out, she's referring to a person na gusto nya, but she's scared to confess about her feelings kasi baka pagtawanan sya or even worse masira raw anong meron sakanila.
And not gonna lie, I feel her.
"What's stopping you from telling that person tho? you really like that person diba?"
"Hays.. bukod kasi sa di ko sya ka level, parang may iba ata syang gusto?"
"How come?"
"I don't know, feeling lang" tugon nya naman at tumayo para pumunta sa fridge nya, she then pulled out a bottle of alcohol and two shot glasses.
"Thought chikahan lang?" I said while laughing.
"Maganda masyado kwentuhan natin, you gotta stir up some fun no" she replied habang nagsasalin ng alak sa shot glasses before handing me one.
She then raised her glass and clinked it with mine.
"One for our own sufferings sa love life"
Natawa nalang ako before downing it.
Ilang saglit pa kami nag kekwentuhan and nakakailang shots na rin kami, so I'm kind of feeling tipsy na pero kontrolado ko naman.
We've already talked about lots of things na halos di ko na napansin na umaga na.
I'm way too comfortable around her, the way that I feel so comfortable telling her things and how time runs so slow when I'm with her.
"So... you're saying *hic* that pinagpalit ka?" natatawa nyang tugon na tinanguan ko lang.
"Tanga naman nun" she stated bago tumawa muli at uminom ulit.
I can't help but laugh a little sa itsura nya. Namumula na, may tama na talaga.
She's usually quiet pero ang kulit kulit nya na ngayon. I find it funny and adorable.
"Is that why ayaw mo ulit magmahal?" she asked.
"Yeah, and aside that, I can't find anyone that interests me."
I lied.
She's infront of me.
She looked at me then smiled.
"Try mo ulit, won't hurt to take a risk again, maybe, just maybe it will be better this time diba?" she said.
Akmang iinom pa ulit sya pero pinigilan ko na.
"Enough, ang lala mo na" I laughed.
Inirapan naman ako neto.
"Huy! di ah, baka si Via to, di tinatamaan basta basta!" she replied.
I was about to help her up when she grabbed me by hand and cupped my face with her tiny hands.
"Wanna know sino tinutukoy ko kanina? *hic* yung pinoproblema ko?"
I nodded.
"Ikaw." she replied then smiled at me.
Few seconds later, she fainted into my shoulders.
Luckily, nasalo ko.
"Drunk as fuck.." I whispered while looking at her.
I still can't really digest what just happened.
So all this time? she really was admiring me while I frantically revolve around someone who only sees me as a friend?
I lifted Via up into my arms carefully at dinala na sya sa kwarto nya and carefully laid her down her bed.
Lalabas pa sana ako to get a warm towel when her hand grabbed me, stopping me on my way out.
"Rei.."
"Y-yeah?"
"Why won't you try and take a chance with me?.... maybe we'd work?" she said in a low voice.
At this moment my heart was racing.
Eto na ba talaga yung final sign mo Lord?
Di ako nakaimik, mayamaya rin naman ay nakatulog na si Via, still holding my hand.
I just sat quietly sa gilid nya.
It's already 6 in the morning.
She looks so peaceful when sleeping, and honestly, really pretty too.
I've made up my mind.
I'll shoot my chance with her.
If this is the only way I'd get over my invalid and unrequited love for my own bestfriend, I will.
I do pray I'm doing what's the best right now.
Para sakin na rin to, and for her.