As soon as their orders were delivered, RJ started to munch on his cheesecake while Janina pushed her laptop to the side and pulled out her small notebook and pen so they could start brainstorming for their report.
"So, Faulkerson, tell me ano nang nareserch mo?" Janina asked as she sipped on her Orange Juice.
Huh? He absentmindedly answered.
"Research?! Diba sabi ko kanina magstart ka na magresearch habang hinihintay mo ko para di sayang sa oras?"
Ahhh..oo nga. Hehe! Naku, sorry, kasi may dinaanan ako kanina kaya ngayon pa lang sana ko magreresearch. I was about to pero maaga ka kasing dumating so—
He was trying to reason out but was interrupted by Janina.
"So wala?! Hay naku Faulkerson ha? Sabi ko sayo seryoso ko sa pag-aaral kaya ayoko ng na-a-out of focus. I will let this pass for today pero hindi na pwedeng ganito next meeting ha. Mabuti na lang 1st meeting lang ito."
Yes, serious din naman ako eh.
"Serious? Eh tignan mo nga yang itsura mo, mukha ka talagang heartbroken eh. Kaya ayoko ng relasyon na ganyan kasi sakit sa ulo lang yan eh. Tsaka distraction yan sa studies. Anyway, as I've said, pagbibigyan kita today pero wag na sana maulit ha? Pag natapos natin itong report, you can drown on your own miseries. Basta wag mo idamay yung report natin. Maliwanag?"
Grabe ka, ang dami mo talagang nasasabi noh? Sobra ka sa drown on your own miseries eh. Mukha ba talaga kong heartbroken? Hindi ba cute? RJ asked, wiggling his brows.
"Hoy! Wag ka magpacute, hindi uubra sa'kin yan Faulkerson. Magseryoso ka sa report natin, yun ang mahalaga sa'kin."
Hahahahaha! Baka makalusot lang kasi.
Oo na po Madam, Copy po!
"Good! At least I've made myself clear."
He shook his head and smiled as he looked at her. Somehow he was thankful that even though he was feeling unfortunate with his lovelife, at least he was lucky enough to be paired with a much focused partner for the report.
Mukhang tama nga ang sabi nila.
Kapag malas sa lovelife,
swerte sa ibang bagay. Haaaaays.
They continued discussing the topics for their report while they eat when suddenly his eyes landed on the entrance of the café. His heart beats fast when he saw a familiar lady holding the door open but looking down at her phone.
Si Nicki ba ito? Parang si Nicki. Susmaryosep RJ, malala ka na. Nag-iimagine ka na naman.
Pero bakit iba ang kabog ng dibdib ko?
He silently observed the lady while his partner was continuously talking about their report. His eyes never leaving the figure by the door when she suddenly glanced his way and their eyes met. He was stupefied. He held her gaze for a while but she quickly rolled her eyes as she walked out the door.
Shit!
Tangina! Si Nicki nga. Bahala na kung kasama man niya yung lalakeng yun. Magsosorry lang naman ako.
He kept an eye on her as he hurriedly made his way out of the café to follow her. He saw her get in the backseat of the car so he moved faster. Just when the door was about to close, his hand landed on the door handle and gently opened it. He was panting when the door opened widely, but he smiled as soon as he saw her.
Nicki!
Gahd! What is he doing here?
Tangina, bat ang gwapo pa rin?!
No Nicki, wag ka na ulit padadala
sa ngiting yan.
Hey.
She coldly answered then broke the eye contact and looked at the driver then looked down to her phone screen.
I...I finally...f-found you...
He said, still catching his breath but never looking away from her.
Jeez! Universe bakit ganito?!
Ano bang pinagsasasabi nito?
Yeah. So?
She said, still looking at her phone.
Patay! Mukhang galit nga. Paano ba?
He took a deep breath and waited for her to look at him. When she did, he mustered all courage to say what he has to say. He looked deeped into her eyes and apologized sincerely.
I'm sorry.
Her heart constricted when she heard him said those words, and the pain she was trying to conceal all this time suddenly resurfaced, making her harder to breathe. She didn't know what to say.
Tangina! Bat ganito yung feeling pag sa kanya mismo nanggaling? Hindi, Nicki, wag kang papauto sa mga tingin niya. Huhu! Sheens, SOS!
P-Pwede ba tayo mag-usap?
W-why?
Marami akong gustong ipaliwanag sayo.
"Ah, mam matagal pa po ba? Sir sumakay na kaya kayo? Sa byahe na po natin pag-usapan." The Uber driver suddenly butted in and they both looked at him.
"Hoy, Faulkerson, come back here! Bat mo ko iniwan dun? Sabi mo kanina seryoso ka diba?" RJ turned to Janina who was already by the door of the café when they heard her shout.
I just need a minute, please. He said then looked back to Nicki.
Tssss! Lakas ng loob makasabi ng "I finally found you" habang may kasamang babae? Unbelievable! Wag ka na magpapaloko, self.
She raised an eyebrow at him, eyeing him questioningly, but still didn't say a word. She then checked the time in her watch and turned to the driver and said,
Kuya, alis na po tayo.
But RJ was adamant, still holding the door open. He was addressing the driver but he was looking directly at Nicki.
Kuya pasensya na po, pero ang tagal kong hinintay yung pagkakataong ito. At hindi ko alam kung may darating pang ganitong pagkakataon sa susunod. Kaya I'll take my chances.
Ano bang sinasabi mo? Nakakahiya sa mga naghihintay sa'tin. Nakakaabala ka na. Let go of the door, malelate na ko sa training ko. Nicki said as she reached for the door and tried to pull it, yet RJ was still unmoving. He can't let this chance pass him by.
Gago ka RJ, don't let this chance slip away.
Wag mong paaalisin yan ng walang napapala.
Hindi. Ayoko. Teka lang naman Nicki. Can I, ugh, at least have your number?
What?! Why?!
Did he just ask me for my number?
Tukmol na ito, dinelete yung number ko
tapos kukunin ulit? Bakit pa?
I-I lost my phone. Long story. Kaya nga gusto kong magpaliwanag sayo. So, please, can I have your number again?
He was looking at her pleadingly as he held out his phone to her. Praying to all the heavens and the universe that she will take it. That she will give him her number. That she will give him a chance to explain.
Maniniwala ba ko? Bibigay ko ba number ko? Juskupo naman universe, anong kalokohan na naman ba ito?
What for?
Because I want to see you again...
and explain everything...
And so I could let you go to your training na rin for now. Please, Nicki, please.
Lord, tulong naman. Konting push lang kay Nicki para makuha ko lang yung number niya.
Ano ba, self, bibigay mo ba? Pero nagpromise ka kay Sheena, Nicki. Pero pwede naming hindi na malaman ni Sheens na nagkita kami today so wag na lang. Gahd! Tsaka diba may kasama siyang girl? Bat kailangan pa niya ng number ko? Nagugulu--
"Ah, mam, excuse me. Mawalang galang na ho ano. Mabuti pa ho siguro bigay niyo na yung number niyo para makausad na tayo pare-pareho. Kung ayaw niyo naman po—" The driver stopped and smirked when he saw what she did next.
Whew! Hindi ko alam kung
tama toh pero bahala na.
She thought as she took the phone in his hand.
RJ smiled when Nicki finally took his phone. And when he saw her phone lit up as she dialled her number though his phone, he uttered a silent prayer of thanks.
She looked up and quickly
shoved it to him then said,
Don't make me regret this.
You never will. Thank you, Nicki.
I'm really glad to see you again.
Isang ngiti naman dyan oh.
She nodded and held the door again so she could finally pull it close but RJ held on to it some more as he talked to the driver.
Thank you po, Kuya. Hulog kayo ng langit. Mag-ingat po kayo sa pagmamaneho. Pakiingatan na rin po itong magandang binibini na sakay niyo ha. Magkikita pa po kami ulit nito. Salamat po ulit.
He jokingly teased but when he looked at her, she still wasn't smiling. So he just nodded and bid her goodbye.
As soon as the car moved, Nicki sat back on her seat, shut her eyes and put her hands above her chest, as if that would calm the rapid beating of her heart.
Inhale, exhale lang Nicki. Wag ka masyadong matense. Wala naman nangyari diba? Gahd! Bakit ba binigay ko na naman yung number ko? Nadala na naman ba ko ng kagwapuhan niya? Bat ganito yung pintig ng puso ko? No, no, no! May kasama ngang babae sa coffee shop diba? Kainis! Di na ko magpapaloko ulit sayo. Kapal ng mukha!
It was a short ride going to their campus. Just a few minutes after and she was already heading towards their gym. She was completely lost in her thoughts that she didn't see Sheena walking to her direction.
"Huy beshie! Ano na? Anyare sayo? Sabi mo susunod ko agad eh anong petsa na oh? Lika na dali!" Sheena hooked her arm in Nicki's as she dragged her to the court.
Huh?
"Anong huh?! Wala na, patapos na rin yung practice game ng basketball in a while. Hindi mo na nakita yung mga bagong players in action. Pero if you still wanna see them..."
I saw him. Nicki stopped and faced her.
"What? Nakita mo na ba yung new players? OMG! Kanina ka pa ba nandito? Saan mo nakita? At teka nga, bakit parang lutang ka? Syeeet! Bet mo noh?"
What? No! I just arrived, Sheens.
"Oh, eh yun naman pala. Eh sino yang sinasabi mong ay homaygahd ka! Si Mr. Sparks ba yung nakita mo? Syet! It makes sense. Kaya pala ganyan mukha mo. Anong nangyari? Okay na kayo? Gwapo pa rin noh? Yummy pa rin ng biceps. Hihi! Ano nga? Magsalita ka. Anong nangyari? Dali na!"
Wait, what do you
mean "it makes sense"?
Bakit? Ano bang itsura ko?
"Ayan, ganyan. Mukha kang nagdedaydream na naman."
Sheena!
"Sabi ko nga galit pala tayo dun eh. Shut up na ko. Sige na, kwento mo na."
Yun na nga, I saw him sa—
"Ay teka, ano yang dala mo? Para sa'kin ba yan besh?"
Jeezus! Oh ayan na, bagels
with cream cheese. Ano ba?
Magkukwento ba ko o ano?
"How sweet naman my beshie! Oo na, makikinig naman ako eh. Tara na, dun tayo sa bleachers. May oras pa naman. Let's go!"
Dyan na lang tayo sa bench oh,
ayoko pang pumasok sa loob.
She walked to the nearest bench
as Sheena followed her.
"Oh sige sige, tara na dyan. Sure ka ha? Baka mamaya manghinayang ka na hindi mo nameet yung new players." They sat side by side then Sheena added, "Sige na, dali kwento mo na. Ang tagal naman!"
Juskuka! Paano ko makakasalita eh tuloy-tuloy din ang kuda mo?
"Hihihi! Sorry na nga. Kwento na dali. Sayang ang oras."
Nicki went on telling her how she saw him with a girl inside the café when she was just leaving, and what she felt when he smiled. It was like there were a hundred butterflies in her stomach.
Hindi ko alam bakit ganun yung nafeel ko. Naiinis ako eh. Galit ako sa kanya all this time pero nung nakita ko siya para kong natetense na hindi ko maintindihan. Hindi galit eh. More on inis. Hindi ko maintindihan bakit ganun.
She continued narrating how they accidentally saw each other and how fast she ran to her Uber ride just to avoid him after that. She didn't expect him to follow because he's with someone. But she was surprised when he caught up with her while she's already seated in the car. She recounted how her heart skipped a bit when he said he finally found her. And how she felt a pang in her chest when she heard the words "I'm sorry". How it brought back the memories of the past months. How irritated she was when she heard the voice of the lady asking him to come back. How confused she got when he asked for her number because he lost his phone. And how she battled with herself not to give it to him but ended up losing with her inner self when she still gave in.
Hindi ko na alam Sheens! Ano bang tingin sa'kin ni universe? Laruan? For a moment I thought okay na ko. Hindi ko na nga iniisip na magkikita pa kami. Tapos ngayon, heto na naman siya. Naguguluhan ako sa feelings ko Sheena. Bakit ba kasi kailangan pa namin magkita ulit? Alam mo naman na ngayon ko lang naexperience yung ganito. Hindi ko naiintindihan.
"Eto besh opinion ko lang ha. Maybe the reason why you're confused right now is because iba ang sinasabi ng puso at isip mo. Alam mo yun?! Oo, sabi mo galit ka dahil umasa ka. Pinaasa ka niya. Sinaktan ka niya. Pero baka naman iniisip mo lang yun na dapat galit ka. Nagegets mo ba? Ako inaamin ko naman na naiinis ako sa kanya sa nangyari pero hindi ako galit. Malalim ang galit eh. May pinaghuhugutan. Hindi ako galit kasi hindi ko pa naman alam ano talagang nangyari. Hindi kaya ganun ka rin? Baka kaya hindi mo naiintindihan yung feelings mo kasi iba yung sinasabi ng puso mo. Feeling ko ganun eh. Feeling ko yung puso mo umaasa pa rin, pero yung isip mo sinasabi na magalit ka, wag kang umasa, kasi niloko ka niya."
Totoo ba? Umaasa pa rin ba ko sayo RJ?
Sheeeeens...eh ano na ang gagawin ko?
"Well, feeling ko pakana ni universe yang pagkikita niyo eh. Akalain mo sa dami naman ng coffee shop dito sa kaMaynilaan, nagkataon pa na nandun kayo sa iisang coffee shop at the right time? Diba? It means something. Hindi pa lang natin alam kung ano talaga gusto mangyari ni universe eh pero you know what I mean beshie. Kaya I suggest pakinggan mo din yung paliwanag niya. Mag-usap kayo. Mas mapapanatag ang loob mo kung bibigyan mo siya ng chance—"
Anong chance? Walang ganun. May kadate na nga diba? Yan ka na naman kay universe eh. Closure lang yun besh. Yun lang din siguro ang hinahanap niya.
"Hindi pa kasi ko tapos eh noh, nakasingit ka agad. Yun na nga. I was saying...mas gagaan siguro loob mo kung bibigyan mo siya ng chance mag-explain. Yun! Yun kasi. Ikaw advance ka mag-isip eh. If I know naunahan ka lang ng selos dyan. Naku naku naku!"
Hoooy! Anong selos? Hindi noh...
"Naku beshie, wag ka na magdeny. Labas sa ilong oh. Namumula ka pa. Hahaha!"
Hindi nga kasi eh. Kulit nito.
"Maganda ba?"
Ewan ko dun. Nakatalikod eh.
Then she whispered the last words.
Sana hindi.
"OMG! Bumubulong ka pa ha. Hahaha! Aminin mo na kasi na nagselos ka lang kaya ka naiinis. Bakit? Tingin mo ba date talaga yun? Malay mo naman hindi."
I dunno. Pero kasama niya eh, tapos silang dalawa lang. Anong tawag mo dun?
"Ay ayan na nga. Lumalabas na ang totoo eh. Ikaw assumera ka ng taon eh noh? Oh sige na, date na nga kung date. Yaan mo na, makakadate mo na din naman si Jay soon. Yihee!"
Gaga! Hindi date yung sa'min.
Mag-uusap lang eh.
"Pero kayong dalawa lang diba?"
Oo. Gusto mo ba isama pa kita?
"Gaga, bat ako sasama? Anong gagawin ko dun? Referee? Hindi kasi yun yung point."
Eh ano ba?
"Sabi mo kasi ka-date niya yung kasama niya kanina kasi silang dalawa lang eh. So, anong tawag mo dun pag nag-usap kayong dalawa? Talk? Eh di date din yun. Hahaha."
Alam mo ang gulo mo kausap. Lika ka na nga, ang kulit mo na eh. Baka hinahanap na tayo ni Coach Patty. Mag-ayos na tayo.
"Kitams! Alam mong tama ako eh noh kaya umiiwas ka na. Hahaha! Oo na, tara na. Basta tandaan mo lang pag nagdate kayo ni RJ ha. Guard your heart na. Wag ka basta-basta bibigay. Alam ko marupok tayo pagdating sa dimples at biceps, pero easyhan mo lang ha. Syempre, ayoko naman na masaktan ka pa lalo."
I know, Sheens. Don't worry, mas maingat na ko ngayon. I've learned the hard way, remember? Pero thank you, Beshie. For always listening.
"See? Eh di tinanggap mo din na date nga yun. Hahahahaha! Let's go!" Sheena teased then ran towards the entrance of the gym, leaving Nicki.
Hoy wala kong sinabing ganun!
****************
A few hours after their meeting for the report, RJ was already riding a cab on his way back to their condo. Janina has been very understanding with him and he couldn't be more thankful. She reprimanded him for the minor interruption but didn't ask any more questions when he came back to their table after his encounter with Nicki. They just continued going over their report as he gave her his full attention, with a smile never leaving his pretty face.
He was feeling lighter now, as if a heavy burden was lifted off his chest. He didn't expect to see Nicki on the coffee shop but he was more than happy that he finally got the chance to speak to her. More so, that he already have her number.
Thank you Lord, ang lakas ko sa inyo. Finally makakapag-explain na ko kay Nicki. Sana lang paniwalaan niya ko. Alam kong posibleng huli na ang lahat, pero magpapaliwanag pa din ako. At sana kung papalarin, magkaron pa rin ako ng chance na maituloy yung nasimulan namin sa Boracay.
He got off the cab and happily went to their unit.
"Uy, Kuya RJ, nakasalubong mo sila Kristoff? Kakauwi lang nila eh. Hindi ka na nila mahintay kasi pagod sila sa training. Kita na lang daw bukas sa school."
Ganun ba? Ayos lang yun. Nagdinner ka na ba?
"Ay oo kuya, nagpadeliver na lang kami nila Je. Andun yung sayo sa may table. Reheat mo na lang."
Okay, sige. Thank you.
He replied then walked to the kitchen, whistling.
Josh noticed something different in his aura so he followed him to the kitchen.
"Aba, parang may iba sayo ha? Anong nangyari? Parang maganda mood mo ngayon ah. Sumisipol-sipol ka pa ha. Bakit?"
Ha? Wala naman. Bakit, bawal ba?
"Hindi naman kuya, nakakapanibago lang. Parang masaya ka eh."
Oh, eh di okay. Mukha na pala kong masaya eh. Hahaha!
"Luh! Anong nangyari? Bat ganyan ka? Siguro may pinopormahan ka ng bago noh? Siguro yung kasama mo gumawa ng report yan..."
Ano bang sinasabi mo dyan? Wala kong pinopormahang bago.
"Talaga ba?"
Wala nga.
"Sige na di na ko mamimilit kung ayaw mo pang magkwento. Pero masaya kong makita kang ganyan. Nakakagoodvibes. Hahaha! Oo nga pala, eto pandagdag GV mo. Niremind ni Kristoff yung game sa Sabado. Tuloy na tuloy na ha. Confirmed na daw yung Benilde. Finally, makikita mo na si Ate Nicki."
Ah oo, nabanggit na din niya sa'kin kanina. Salamat naman.
"Bat parang di ka naman excited? Sabi ni Je maghanda ka na daw ah. Papogi ka na. This is the moment! Tagal mong hinintay toh diba?"
Sira! Palagi naman akong pogi diba? Hahaha!
Oh sige, sabi mo eh. Kumain ka na lang nga dyan. Tsaka, kung anuman yang dahilan ng ngiti mo ngayon Kuya ipagpatuloy mo lang yan. Pasok na muna ko sa kwarto, ayusin ko pa yung web design ko. Good night."
Okay, sige. Thanks, Josh!
Ganun ba kaobvious na masaya ko?
Sino ba naman hindi sasaya eh bago
pa mangyari yung plano namin,
nakita ko na siya. Kahit di siya ngumiti
sa'kin maganda pa rin talaga. Sana pumayag
na siya makipagkita bukas. Haaaays.
He went straight to his room after dinner. He excitedly pulled out his phone to send a message to Nicki but he didn't know what to say. He lost count on how many times he typed a message but then deleted it because it was too formal or it sounded as if he was feeling close or being too aggresive. He was really having a hard time.
Maghehello lang ba ko? Eh panu kung di magreply? Dapat yata may itanong ako eh. Pero ano naman itatanong ko? Baka sabihin niya feeling close agad eh. Pano ba? Ano bang tamang sabihin? Teka baka kasama niya yung mayabang na yun, mapahamak pa sa text ko. Di rin siguro kasi di naman niya bibigay yung number niya kung bawal eh. Hays! Ano ba, RJ? Umaatake na naman pagkatorpe mo. Basta kay Nicki natatameme ka eh. Naku bahala na nga.
****************
A/N: Eh yung nagkita na nga?! At nagkapalitan na ng number ha... Ang tanong, replyan naman kaya siya ni Nicki? Bigyan kaya siya ng chance mag-explain? Tama ba si Sheena? Nagselos nga kaya si Nicki kaya siya naiinis o sadyang naiinis lang siya sa presensya ni RJ? Ano sa tingin niyo?!
Thank you for reading guys!😘
Busog tayo buong weekend ha! Kahapon, buong EB airing magkasama. Ngayon naman, launching ng I will be here single ni Tisoy sa iTunes at Spotify. Tapos SPS. Tapos later si Laura Patola naman sa DKNLK.😍
Support natin sila ha! Happy 1st of July! Anniv Month na! Let's stay in love with the two!😍😍😍
Walang iwanan. Hanggang Forever!😘
Pordalab,
tinkybella16