I woke up with 2 messages on my phone.
Steph Santos
FUCK FUCK I AM IN SO MUCH TROUBLE
CAN WE MEET LIKE BEFORE OR AFTER YOUR CLASS
LIKE IM SERIOUSLY PANICKING RIGHT NOW, MARQUIS
HELP ME!!!
I almost got nervous with Steph's texts when I realized na nagpapanic siguro siya dahil nasa tamang ulirat na siya at na-realize niya na nagkasala siya technically kay Kib. I sighed. Mahaba habang araw na naman 'to.
Ricci Rivero
Hi good morning! How was your sleep?
Rise and grind, princess!
Sorry di kita masamahan after class, we have training till 9pm 😰
I smiled at his thoughtful texts. This is his 2nd day of panliligaw and so far, so good. When I got back from the condo, I can't stop the damn smile on my face. Napansin din ni Dylan at Yaya Lucy ang pagka-good mood ko dahil nanlibre pa ako ng pizza pagdating sa bahay.
"Uyyy si Ate... for the first time nang-libre ka ata? Is it because of Kuya Ricci?" Dylan asked me as we took a bite of the New York pizza I got for him, Yaya Lucy, our two drivers and three other helpers in the house at our veranda.
I rolled my eyes and made a face. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ang pikon pikon ko na tao.
"Uyyy may boyfriend na si Ma'am..." one of our helpers also teased me and I just gave them a smile. These kind of these things make me happy. I know na sa lahat sa aming pamilya ako lang and si Dylan ang nakakasalamuha at nakakabiruan nila ng ganito and it makes me feel satisfied knowing that they trust me enough to be themselves.
"Wala pa akong boyfriend no. Na-miss ko lang talaga tumambay sa bahay ng ganito! Miss ko na kayong lahat," I told them, laughing. It's true. Parang mas naging pamilya ko na sila kesa sa mga magulang ko.
"Nagdrama pa ang alaga ko! Basta Margarita ha, pag may boyfriend ka na, siguraduhin mong mabait yan. Yung ipagmamalaki ka at ipaglalaban ka sa Daddy mo. Alam mo naman yan..." Yaya Lucy butted in and I can see that she's happy I'm spending time with them because the crinkles in her old face are glowing.
"Hoy si Yaya humuhugot oh! Baka may lovelife ka na ulit ha? Ipakilala na yan!" I teased as I grab my chicken Alfredo on the table at nagtawanan rin ang iba.
"Napaka-maloko mo talaga, Margarita. Manang mana ka talaga sa tatay mo noon..." she recollected her thoughts and napatigil kaming dalawa ni Dylan. It's weird to hear that considering we never seen our dad laugh, happy or plain satisfied since Mom was gone...
But Dylan snorted as if asiwang asiwa siya sa pagaalala ni Yaya kay Daddy.
"Dad funny? Not in a million years."
--
After Ricci & I's conversation outside our house, agad naman kaming nagka-text at nagusap about random things. First time namin magkatext talaga ng sunud-sunod. Dati, isang tanong isang sagot lang. Ngayon kahit anong makita namin, we tend to share it to each other. Ang saya lang dahil alam mong kahit ano ka-random pa yan, alam mong may taong makikinig sa'yo. Nakakamiss din. Mico & I used to be like this back when we were just friends. Speaking of Mico, I've never heard of him after that incident. What gives?
I got up and prepared my day for school. It's just Monday and I know marami pa akong dapat bunuin just to get through the day. My schedule for Monday is jampacked – almost 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM straight ako, with an hour of break during lunch time but that's it. Steph keeps on bombarding me with calls and texts and told her we'll meet at her condo at 8:00pm para private.
When I got to her condo, I was surprised to see Kib going out of her place. Nagkasalubong pa kami sa lobby area and he gave me a smile.
"Hi Marq, kanina ka pa hinihintay ni Steph." He greeted me with a beso. Bakit parang good mood parin siya? Na parang wala mali sa nangyari over the weekend? Don't tell me sinikreto ni Steph?
"Yeah, you know how she is. Uuwi ka na?"
"No, babalik pa ako sa Razon. Di pa tapos yung practice. Sumaglit lang ako. I'll tell Ricci I saw you para naman ganahan yung bata," he joked and I smiled. Kanina pa kami magkatext ni Ricci and one of our topic is what happened nga between Steph and Drei.
To: Ricci Rivero
Tingin mo sasabihin agad ni Steph kay Kib yung nangyari sa kanila ni Drei?
From Ricci Rivero
Aba, ewan ko! Ikaw kaya mas nakakakilala kay Steph. But I don't think so. We don't know nga what exactly happened.
Wait, since we have a training later, try kong mang-fish kay Drei
To Ricci Rivero
Ako din, I'll meet up with Steph later. I'll let you know!
This seems such a burden for us kasi tayo lang nakakita. Yikes.
From Ricci Rivero
Ako rin, parang nakakonsensya na idk.
Don't think about it much na! Did you eat already?
...And so on.
When I got inside Steph's condo, I found her wearing an oversized tee while munching on a pizza and buffalo wings. Yum. Buti na lang pala pumunta ako, free dinner din 'to!
When Steph saw me she immediately enveloped me with a tight hug. I know she's been confused of what happened and I know Steph when she's problematic.
"Marq, eat first. Nagdala si Kib ng food." I raised my eyebrows at her and she rolled her eyes. "Mamaya ka na mag-react, kain ka muna."
I grabbed a plate and helped myself with food. Steph sat at the couch and watched me.
"What time did you get home pala yesterday?" I asked her, yum sarap naman nitong chicken na 'to!
Stephanie sighed. "Around 1:00 pm na. Rivero's and Alexa took me home,"
I continued eating while she also continued watching me. It was so quiet – the only thing you can hear are my bites and the sound of the TV. When I finished my last bite, she began to speak.
"Kib asked me na on a date. That's why he was here. He told me that after the party he realized na we really click together."
I kept quiet.
"I don't know what to do, Marq. I mean, I woke up in Drei's room wearing nothing but his shirt. I know what happened. Bits and pieces of it I remember. Hindi ko lang alam bakit namin ginawa yun. When we entered the room, yun na agad. Di ko na alam, Marq. I was so drunk and out of control."
I sighed. I know Steph and she's not yet done explaining. So I kept it silent.
"I was about to tell Kib about it, kasi yun yung tama diba? But he fucking came in bearing the food and with that adorable smile of his! I can't bear to break his heart, Marq. And alam nyo naman na hinihintay ko talaga siya na tanungin ako. I know I should be happy dahil in-ask na niya ako. But I feel the exact opposite."
I hugged her and tried to shush her emotions. I wracked up things on my head kung paano ko papagaanin ang loob nya.
"Steph, I understand where you are coming from. Pero wag mo naman sisihin ang sarili mo. Parehas nyong ginusto yun, and you should know that the right thing is to man up. Pero please, as your best friend, don't be too harsh on yourself. Mali yung ginawa mo yes, pero di pa naman kayo ni Kib e."
I know it's wrong of me pagtakpan pa si Steph but she's being hard on herself. And I don't know what to do! I better text and ask Ricci if I did the right thing... omg! Ang dependent ko na ata sa kanya!
"But feeling ko sobrang mali! Parang nililoko ko siya! I wanna tell him the truth but I can't! He'll never look at me the same way again. Masakit, Marq."
I sighed. Masakit, pero kailangan tanggapin.
"Steph, I wish I can do something to turn back time. Pero wala, eh. So gawan na lang natin ng paraan. I think the right thing to do is just tell Kib about it. ASAP. You need to tell him agad to prevent the smoke coming out of it. At least honest ka, diba? Technically di mo naman siya niloko."
She nodded so I know she's taking my words seriously. I continued.
"If tinanggap niya yung explanation nya then we're all happy, diba? Pero if not, maybe you guys aren't really meant for each other. Sad, but true. If he really likes you, he'd accept your honesty."
She wiped her face and sighed. Well, ganon lang naman ka-simple, diba?
"I know, I'll tell him. Pero not now, please, Marq? Not when he's so happy and he finally asked me. Please just let me go to this one date. Tapos after that I'll tell him na talaga. Please talk to Drei and Ricci too. Bukod sa'yo, sila lang naman nakakaalam." She pleaded and held my right hand.
I sighed. Kailangan pa namin magtago ng secret. But Steph is my best friend.
"Yeah, I'll talk to Ricci. Pero hindi pa ba kayo naguusap ni Drei?"
She shook her head. "No, hindi ko na rin siya nakita kahapon at his house. And I certainly don't want to talk to him muna. Sobrang awkward e, I don't know what we'll say to each other. Maybe it's better if I avoid him muna."
"But still, you have to talk to him too agad. He's the one involved e. But Steph, question lang?" I asked her and she urged me to continue. "Why Drei? I mean, do you like him or something?"
I asked her the question that's been on my mind hours ago. I specifically remembered Prince's dare and curious lang ako if something have triggered the situation.
"Drei was my first friend in GA. Matagal na kaming magkakakilala. Of course at first I had a huge crush on him but when I met Kib and mas nagustuhan ko siya," she explained. A bit guilty that this has to come out now.
"Hay nako Steph kasi! Isa-isa lang kasi pwede?!" I joked and we both laughed. This is what I love about our relationship. We can turn into sad and happy after a few seconds.
"Whatever! Nagsalita. E ikaw nga e, dami mong boys! May Rivero ka na, may Romualdez ka pang sumusunod sa'yo. Tapos yung Ateneo guys nung Saturday. Nakakahiya naman sa'yo, Margarita Prieto!"
"Shut up! Speaking of boys... I have something to tell you," I started and I told her what has conspired between me and Ricci and what's the real score. I owe her a story anyway, cause she confided with hers!
"I am seriously so happy for you, Marq. I know Ricci's nice. And like I said before, di ko in-eexpect na makaka move on ka agad kay Mico and you did. You deserve a serious relationship after what happened between you and Mico," she concluded and we hugged again.
We continued our talk and I appreciate that we're having an all out conversation about our life. I have to admit, the past few weeks have been crazy, lalo na ngayong these guys have been digging up our lives, it's pretty hard to have these kind of convos all by ourselves, although may kulang.
I was about to open Steph's door and go back to my own condo when she held me by my arm.
"Marq," Steph started. "I know this is a huge favor, but I have to ask you," she cleared her throat and I nodded for her to go on. "There's a reason why you're the only one here. It's not that I don't trust Alexa, pero wala kasi siya nung alam mo na..." I gulped. "I mean, don't get me wrong though kahit naman di mo nakita, sasabihin ko pa rin naman sa'yo cause you're my oldest and my best friend. But still, I'd prefer if we'd keep this a secret muna. Kay Alexa."
I nodded, albeit confused and disappointed why we'd have to keep this to her. Nagegets ko yung point ni Steph na gusto nya konti lang makaalam but still, Alexa is our bestfriend and I think she deserves to have an idea about it.
"Sorry, Marq if I'm putting you into a pedestal. Ayoko lang kasi may makaalam pa ng iba. Mahirap na e. I trust Alexa naman but mas okay siguro kung tayo tayo na lang may idea about it."
I nodded and smiled at her. I know it's wrong but I'm not in the position to have a say about it. It's Stephanie's dilemma. Yun nga lang, I hope she knows na walang sikretong hindi nabubunyag.
-
I was at the Coffee Project when someone covered my eyes. I almost dropped my Iced Coffee when I hear a familiar chuckle behind me.
"Ano ba yan! Kailangan talaga manggulat?!" I teased and pushed him playfully.
"Ang cute mo kasi diyan e! Ang seryo-seryoso. Sana ganyan ka rin ka seryoso sa akin," Ricci replied, taking a seat in front of me.
It was 7:00 PM on a Thursday and some of our friends are of course asking us to tag along para mag Happy Thursday. I would have said yes if not for my pending paper due tomorrow morning. And of course, subject ni Terror Prof yung paper at wala pa rin nagagawa si Ricci so we agreed to meet up here and finish it tonight.
The past few days have been a blur. Everyday kami at halos oras oras kaming nagkakatext ni Ricci and I must admit, we are actually on our getting know each other level. Nothing too deep, but it's a start of something. We met up yesterday at the class and thank God, di ako masyado napagtripan ni Terror Prof though she was watching me like a hawk. Tawa naman ng tawa si Ricci at inaasar ako. Pero siyempre, ako naman si pikon.
"Ewan ko sa'yo, puro ka banat, puro ka kalokohan!" I replied, opening the word document that I'm trying to finish while he laughed and opened his laptop.
I was on the verge of continuing my paper when a barista came in, bearing a tray of food. Gulat na lang ako nang magbaba siya ng one plate of tuna pesto, carbonara, grilled cheese and cheesy fries.
"Galing ka ba sa training? Ang dami nito ah?" I commented and he opened his phone probably to take a snap.
ricci06rivero: someone finally allowed me to take her out on a pasta study night @marquisprieto 😋
aljunmelecio: Wow nagsolo 🤦🏻♀️
rasheedrivero: 🤔
brentparaiso: Daya nyo! Sunod na kasi dito!!! DD now
marquisprieto: 😲😇✌🏻
"Diba we had a promise that we'll have pasta on our 2nd date?" he reminded me. "Saka for the both of us yan! Grabe ka naman, anong akala mo sa akin?"
I laughed. "So... second date pala 'to?"
He almost puked the iced tea he's drinking at namula. It makes me smile that I made him blush.
"Um... ikaw bahala. I mean..."
"Joke lang. Yan na nga oh, we're instagram official na." I just saw that he posted a photo of me on his instagram and I was surprised that after a few minutes, it has gained a ton of comments and likes. What social media can do nga naman.
He blushed more and browsed his phone. "Ok lang ba na I posted this? If you want me to take it down, it's alright, I understand..." he rattled and I smiled at how adorable he is. Cute, cute talaga!
"No, no it's okay! Ano ka ba! Don't worry, sa third date natin ako naman magpopost ng picture," I teased him a lot more and I swear he's as red as a tomato. Ang lakas kasi mang-asar pero pag siya na!
"Grabe, lakas mang-asar. Oo na, oo na."
We stopped working for a while and ate the food he ordered. We almost shared everything and I must admit they're all good. Galing naman pumili ni Ricci ng food. Eh kung siya ba naman lagi kong kasama I guess I have to double up my hours at the gym.
"My god! Busog na busog ako! Pinapataba mo naman ako Cci, e," I commented as I took one last bite on the grilled cheese sandwich.
"Anong mataba? E baka parehas nga tayo hahatakin ng bagyo pag humangin e," we laughed. "Ubusin mo na yan, tapos I'll order hot chocolate for the both of us. Or you want cake?"
"Hoy OA na ha. Sobrang busog ko na. Later na lang, Cci. Kailangan muna natin tapusin 'to okay? Mamaya na tayo mag food trip."
He nodded and smiled. We tried to keep it silent with only a few comments and suggestions here and there if we have ideas to put on the paper. Awkward lang dahil minsan I catch him looking at me so hindi ko siya ma-observe din ng maayos.
"Ricci!!!!!!!!" we were awakened by a squeal behind Ricci. Coming are three petite girls laughing and talking with each other. Ricci stood up and smiled at them.
"Bianca? Are you okay?"
'Bianca' grabbed Ricci and gave him a tight hug. I can smell the alcohol in her system. Okay it's clear that they've been to Happy Thursday.
"What are you doing here? Sabi mo you have training that's why you can't join us tonight?" she complained as she pinches Ricci's shirt near his chest. I tried to ignore them but it's difficult when her minions are staring at me like I'm some kind of a stray kitten.
"Uh..." Ricci rattled and tumingin siya sakin na parang nagpapanic. I urged him to go on and smiled. Bianca finally looks at me and smirked.
"I see, you have company pala. What are you guys doing?" she asked, then lumapit siya sa upuan namin to see what we've been working on.
"Um... Bianca, this is Marquis. Marquis, Bianca is my classmate in PolSci," he introduced. I smiled and waved back, not saying anything because I know not to pry... lalo na pag nakainom.
"Ricci, come on na! Come back to The Barn with us. Ang daming nageexpect sa'yo don! Birthday pa ni Betts so kailangan mo humabol!" I'm gonna ignore the fact na hindi nya ako pinansin at parang di kami pinakilala sa isa't isa.
Ricci gave her an awkward smile. Yung parang pilit na ngiti with teeth. "I can't talaga. I have to finish a paper that's due tomorrow. Tell Betts na lang happy birthday."
Bianca and her friends sneered. "Sige na, come with us!! Daya naman nito e!" Ay. Makulit talaga si ate girl. Hindi pa ba obvious na ayaw nyang sumama that he had to lie and say he has training?! Can't this girl take a hint?!
Ricci sighed and looked at me. "Bianca, I can't talaga. Actually, I'm on a dinner with Marquis so I really can't leave. Maybe bawi na lang ako next time sa block niyo, okay?"
Nakita kong lumapit ang dalawang minions ni Bianca at pinakita ang phone nila. Bianca looked at it and then looked at me.
"Oh! So you're Marquis Prieto pala." She said, albeit unfriendly. "I'm sorry, where are my manners? I'm Bianca and these are my friends Marielle and Kaye. I'm a classmate of Ricci." She gave me her hand and our handshake was so stiff – muntik ko na ata mabali wrist niya. Joke. Not that harsh, Marq.
I nodded and forced a smile. Di ko alam kung bakit bigla niyang pinakilala ang sarili niya and hindi ko rin alam kung anong point bakit pinapatagal pa nila tong usapan na 'to. Ricci said no, bakit ba mapilit? And if ever naman gusto sumama ni Ricci, no need naman to be polite to me. He can come with them, I mean who am I to prohibit him from enjoying his Happy Thursday?
"Cci, if you wanna go, come with them. Birthday pa pala ng friend nyo. It's okay. Go lang, I'd be fine here. Tatapusin ko lang talaga to." I smiled at him. To be honest, naiinis ako. Kasi bakit ba parang laging nabibitin yung alone time namin ni Ricci?
Ricci sighed and he looked at me as if he's contemplating kung tama ba yung narinig niya from me. I gave him another smile and I tried to continue with what I'm working on while Bianca and the rest of her girls are just staring at us like we're in a pie eating contest.
"I'm really sorry, Biancs. I really can't. Babawi na lang talaga ako sa inyo next time. May kailangan pa kasi talaga akong tapusin na paper, mej terror yun. You guys enjoy your night! See you on Tuesday?"
Bianca and her clones finally gave up and gave Ricci a beso. Hoy, chansing yan ah! They waved at me and I waved back. Ricci looked at me as he went back to his seat in front of me.
"Grabe 'to, kung ipamigay ako. Ayaw mo talaga ako makasama?" he pouted.
"Hindi naman. E parang hot na hot kasi yung Bianca na kasama ka e, nagdala pa ng clones niya!"
Ricci smirked. "Ang cute mo pala mag-selos, grabe ka."
Lumaki mata ko sa kanya. Anong selos?! Ang yabang talaga nitong lalaking to. Hay. Kung cute ako, sana aware siya na mas cute siya!
"Ano? Grabe ka talaga ang feeler mo! Anong selos ka dyan!"
Natawa siya at nilapit sa akin ang chair. "Green na green na mga mata mo kanina pa. Ayos lang yan, Marq. Di ko naman sila sinamahan e, ikaw pa rin panalo sa akin no," he teased at umupo siya na parang ang presko.
Pinalo ko ang braso niya. "Hoy, how kapal ng face can you get? Diba sabi ko nga sumama ka na sakanila!" kinurot kurot ko siya sa tagiliran nya since ang lapit na niya sakin.
"Hey! Tama na!!! Oo na, oo na sorry na. Di ka na nagseselos," he laughed and put his hands up in surrender. "Kiss muna?" pahabol niyang sinabi at tinignan ako na parang nagpapaawa.
Hay nako, wala kaming matatapos kung ganito kami ng ganito. Pero ako naman si tanga na gustong-gusto at kilig na kilig. Kunware pa ako e! Pinisil ko ang cheeks niya.
"Kiss mo 'tong paper natin no!" I told him at nilapit ko sa naka-pout niyang labi ang mga papel na nakakalat sa table.
Parang baliw 'tong si Ricci! Pero infairness, tumatalab naman.
-
I was all smiles when I got back from our Coffee Project 'date'. Natapos na namin ni Ricci ang paper and sobrang excited na kaming ipasa ito. Inaasar pa nga niya ako na kahit naman daw galingan ko sa paper ko, sure daw siya na mababa ang grade na makukuha ko dahil hate nga ako ng Prof namin. Well, I told him this is a test dahil sobrang nilagay ko ang effort ko sa paper na 'to. Pag ako nakakuha ng uno, ewan ko na lang talaga.
I was about to reply to Ricci na matutulog na ako (hinatid nya ako sa lobby – siyempre kinilig na naman ang Ate mo! And gave him a peck on the cheek) but my phone suddenly alerted at tila nagising ang inaantok kong katawan at diwa.
From Mico Romualdez
Marquis, we have to talk. I'm finally ready to tell you what happened. Why I left. I hope you give me a chance.
--
Hallleer guys!! Another chapter from me!!! Shempre pa-bitin na naman! Well, ang tanging advice ko lang na maiibigay ay: Keep your cool whenever you're drinking!
Anyway, tell me about this chapter guys!!! I'm all up for discussion! Love y'all.