Nicky drove away from the campus as soon as they were settled in her car. The ride was shared in an awkward silence as both were lost in their own thoughts. RJ's thoughts flew to the familiar car that Nicki's currently driving as he sat on the passenger seat while her mind was filled with questions as she drove away, asking herself if she made the right decision to join him for dinner.
NMF 716. Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali.
Tandang-tada ko yung plaka nung dilaw
na kotseng muntik na makabangga sa'kin.
Ito yun eh. Sure ako ito talaga yun eh.
Bakit parang pinlano niya toh? Mali ba na
sumama ko sa kanya for dinner? Bakit
kinakabahan ako? Sino bang niloloko mo Nicki,
eh magkikita nga dapat kayo bukas diba?
Napaaga lang ng konti pero ganito pa rin yun.
Relax ka lang, self. Drive ka lang.
Teka, saan nga ba kami pupunta?
Saan tayo?
She asked, breaking the deafening silence between them.
Ha? Ahhh, di naman ako mapili
sa pagkain, kahit saan okay ako.
Ikaw? Saan mo ba gusto?
Are you saying na mapili ako sa food?
Uy, hindi ganun, Nicki. Ang sa'kin
lang naman, dun tayo kumain sa gusto
mo. For sure naman may mapipili
din akong food dun.
Ah, okay.
So she took him to her favorite ramen house. There were only a few guests inside the restaurant when they entered. They chose the table at the far end corner, beside the floor to ceiling glass walls. As soon as they were seated, the waiter came to show them the menu and take their orders. After taking their orders, the waiter placed two glasses in front of them and poured some water. She asked them to allow a few minutes for their orders to be prepared then left.
As soon as the waiter left, both fell in awkward silence once again. They were sitting face to face, RJ's hands were clasped together on top of the table as he stares at Nicki. She, on the other hand, was looking outside and watching the cars passed by while her right hand rested on the table as her fingertips unconciously tap it. She's just waiting for him to start. He didn't know how or where to begin.
Ano ba RJ? Heto na tayo, wag kang
titiklop. Andito na si Nicki sa harap mo
baka mamaya isipin pa nyan ang boring
mong kasama biglang magbago ang isip,
at sumama na lang dun sa isa. Bilisan
mo na mag-isip. Lakasan lang ng loob
yan, self! Pinromise mo diba she'll
never regret this? Gawin mo, tsong!
Strike a conversation! Kaya mo yan!
So he gathered all his might, took a deep breath, swallowed an invisible lump in his throat and opened his mouth to speak.
Palagi ka dito?
Yan, ganyan nga. Kunin mo
muna yung atensyon.
She looked at him before she answered.
Ha? Yep, favorite
ramen house ko toh.
Ah, kaya pala alam mo na agad
anong oorderin.
Oo. Why?
Wala lang. First time ko lang
dito. Hindi kasi mahilig kumain
sa labas sila Josh.
Ah, i see.
She said then glanced outside once again.
Silence.
Konting push pa RJ!
Paano ko ba itatanong?
Pinlano niya talaga toh eh.
Pwede magtanong?
Can i ask you a question?
Both smiled as they asked at the same time.
Sige, mauna ka na.
No, ikaw na lang.
Ladies first diba?
She nodded and look straight into his eyes before she asked her question.
Uhm, curious lang ako kasi
kung...pinlano mo ba toh?
What do you mean?
This. Yung kanina sa campus.
This dinner.
Us seeing each other today.
Why do you ask?
Wala. I just have a feeling
that this is not plain coincidence.
Will you get mad if it is
indeed planned?
So pinlano mo nga?
She raised her eyebrow, asking.
Sagutin mo muna yung tanong ko.
It depends.
Saan?
Sa reason kung bakit.
What if I tell you it is planned
but not really?
Ano ba yun? Ang labo naman.
Yes or no lang kasi yung sagot
pinahihirapan mo pa.
Hay. There's no point in lying
naman. Yes, it is. But we planned
this way before I chanced upon
you sa coffee shop the other day.
Tsaka yung game lang yung nasa
plan, initially.
So? Bakit may ganitong plano?
That time, wala pa kong any other
info about you aside from your name,
which by the way is not in FB, Twitter or IG,
and your school. Hindi rin kita
matyempuhan sa labas ng campus nyo.
So Kristoff suggested it kasi nalaman
nila na yung dating teammate nila sa
basketball nagtransfer ng Benilde.
Wait. Let me get this straight.
You've been waiting for me outside
our campus. You've searched for my
social media accounts. You planned
this game with your friends. You
clearly sound like a stalker. Gahd!
Why? Why are you doing all these?
Because i'm so desperate
to find you. To talk to you.
That time when I saw you sa
coffee shop was actually not
the first time I saw you, though.
Nakita na kita before that kaso i
didn't get the chance na makalapit.
W-when?
Shit! Nakita ba niya ko nung
muntik ko na siyang mabangga?
She held her breath.
That same day, only a few hours
earlier siguro. Bago ko pumunta ng
coffee shop I went on my daily routine
to chance upon you sa labas ng campus
nyo. Nagbakasakali lang ulit. Sinwerte
na sana eh kasi sakto nakita kitang
lumabas ng gate pero nung lalapitan na kita,
i saw your boyfriend came to fetch you
so hindi na ko tumuloy.
She subtly heaved a sigh of relief.
Hay salamat! Pero teka, ibig sabihin
tama ako. Siya nga yung nakita ko nun.
Boyfriend? Joaquin's not my boyfriend.
Hay, salamat!
What?!
Ha? Ah ano, salamat sabi ko.
Ayan na kasi yung food natin oh.
Gutom na ko eh. Hehe!
Aaaahhh...
Just in time, their food arrived.
Saved by the ramen, yes!
Wow! Mukhang masarap nga.
Tara, kain na.
Yes, masarap talaga yan.
Oh, tuloy mo na yung kwento.
Di mo pa rin nasagot yung
tanong ko e. So bakit nga?
Ayun nga. Nauna yung plan for
the tune-up game before i
found you. Nasched na kaya hindi
na syempre mabawi.
Aaah, so bakit nga?
Kasi nga i'm so desperate
to find you. Kasi gusto kitang
makausap. Kasi nangako ako sayo
when we were in Bora pero hindi
ko natupad yung pangako ko. Kaya
hinanap talaga kita. Kasi gusto
kong magpaliwanag.
Don't you think it's a little too late for that? What if sabihin ko sayo na i don't need your reasons? It doesn't matter to me anymore. You already said you're sorry and i accepted it. Case closed na dapat diba?
Tama, Nicki, ganyan nga. Pwede naman
hindi mo na marinig kung anumang alibi
niya sa hindi pagpaparamdam sayo.
It's better late than never. I just wanna
give it a try. God knows how I prayed so
hard for this day. Kaya hindi ko na
palalampasin. I'll take my chances. Nicki,
hindi mo alam kung gaano ako kasaya
ngayon na nandito ka. Na kausap kita.
Wala naman sigurong masama
kung mag-explain ako eh.
Hindi ba pwede?
Pwede naman. Hindi ko lang kasi
magets yung point kung bakit
kailangan mo pa magpaliwanag.
What for?! Eh wala ka naman
obligation sa'kin. Natanggap ko na
na what happened before was just
a one time thing. That i got played.
So i really don't see the need for you
to still explain things to me.
What? No! Nicki, hindi ganun.
It's not a one time thing for me.
I swear I've been honest with you
back then. Kaya nga i wanna really
talk to you kasi i know there's a
possibility na ganun yung isipin mo.
How about your girlfriend?
Anong sabi niya about this? Does she
even know you wanna see me?
Girlfriend?!
The one in the coffee shop.
Naku, si Janina?! Eh sinesermonan
nga ko nun. She's not my girlfriend.
Partner ko siya.
She was wide-eyed in shock.
Excuse me?!
Jeeezuuus!
Oo, nung nagkita tayo 1st meeting
namin para sa report. Nasermunan
ako kasi mukha daw akong heartbroken.
Sinwerte nga ako siya nakapartner ko sa reporting. Magaling kasi siya tsaka
mabilis gumawa. Natapos na nga
agad namin kanina yung report.
Aaaahh reporting partner pala.
Teka lang, bakit kinabahan ako dun?!
Talaga ba, reporting partner lang yun?
Oh, i see. Mabuti naman...
natapos nyo na yung report.
Yeah. So ayun nga. Basta gusto ko
lang magpaliwanag talaga sayo
Nicki... tsaka ano...
Ano?!
Ano kasi... uhmmm ano sana...
gusto ko kasi patunayan na ano...
lahat ng sinabi ko sayo nun, totoo.
Na seryoso ko...
Tsssss! Okaaaay...
Nope, Nicki, wag basta
basta maniniwala!
Go on, then.
He took a deep breath then began to recount to her what happened in Boracay that fateful day. He looked at her straight in the eyes as he started.
I don't want you to think na
pinaglaruan lang kita. Hindi ganun,
Nicki. Hindi ako ganung klase ng
tao. Hindi kita niloko.
Tssss... naglaho ka na lang na parang
bula after that night. It made me think
na I was just your summer fling. Inisip ko
nga na maybe pagkagising mo hindi mo na
naalala what happened. Na sanay ka na kasi
ng ganun. Now, you're telling me hindi ka
ganun? How am I supposed to believe that?
You were not just a summer fling
to me. Please don't think that way.
You're more than that to me. Maniwala ka
sa'kin. When I came to you, malinis
talaga ang intentions ko. God knows
how much I wanted to reach out to
you even when you left the island.
Pero hindi mo ginawa. In fact, out of
reach ka na nga eh. Anong gusto
mong isipin ko? You knew it was
all new to me. Sinabi ko naman
sayo na hindi ako sanay sa mga
ganung bagay diba? You made me
feel like i'm good for a one time
thing lang, and that sucks. Shit!
She started to feel uneasy. Tears were already
forming in her eyes so she quickly took a tissue
and wiped it before it falls down.
Hindi ka iiyak. Don't show him that you're weak!
He tried to reached her hand from across the table. But when his free hand touched hers, she easily removed from his hold.
Nicki, I'm sorry if I made you feel
that way. Please know na hindi
ko talaga ginusto yung mga nangyari.
Hindi ko kayang manloko ng babae
dahil pinalaki ako ng maayos ng
Mama ko. Hindi ako katulad ng Papa ko.
Kahit kailan hindi ko yun magagawa.
That night in Bora was probably
the first time I ever did that to someone.
Hindi ko talaga gawain yun. Sayo ko
lang nagawa yun. Hindi ko alam kung
bakit pero the first time I saw you iba
na yung feeling ko. I have this intense
feeling in my heart. For You. Sayo ko
lang naramdaman yun. Tulad ngayon,
grabe yung kabog ng dibdib ko oh.
He paused for a while. His hands felt clammy that he had to put down the chopstix and stop eating. Nicki saw the beads of sweat already forming in his forehead so she pushed the tissue holder to him. He gave her a tight smile then reached for the glass of water. He gulped some, hoping to somehow pacify the fast beating of his heart, then he continued.
When i promised that i'll find ways
to get to know you more, to make
you feel as if we're not apart,
hindi ako nagbibiro nun or paasa lang.
Seryoso ko nun. But things just
really got out of hand that night.
Everything happened so fast.
Hindi totoo na pagkagising ko hindi
na kita naalala. Truth is, when I woke up
in the hospital, ikaw agad hinanap ko.
H-hospital?!
Susmadre! What joke is this?
Really, universe?! Anong kalokohan ito?
Yes, paggising ko nasa ospital na ko.
But i'm too weak to even move.
Buong katawan ko masakit. Even
my friends can attest to this. Kaya
pinapunta ko agad si Josh at Jerome
sa resort na pinagstayan nyo tsaka
sa airport, hoping na maabutan pa
nila kayo ni Sheena. Pero late na rin.
W-what happened?
B-Bakit nasa hospital ka?
You should've texted me
to let me know.
Totoo ba toh? Gahd! All this time
I was wrong? Bakit parang ayokong
maniwala? Ano bang ginagawa
mo sa'kin universe?!
If only I could, Nicki. Kaso walang
natirang gamit sa'kin sabi ni Josh.
They found me lying on the shore
that morning. Putok yung labi,
maga yung mukha, walang malay
at wala din mga gamit.
Walang wallet, walang phone.
Akala nila napagtripan ako, naholdup.
Hindi ko rin agad narecall what
happened to me when i woke up.
Ang naalala ko lang, ikaw.
Na kailangan kitang puntahan.
He looked at her sincerely and she returned his gaze with equal intensity. She didn't know what to feel. She didn't want to be deceived again. She was making sure that what she's hearing is the truth. That he's not just making up a story to get her attention again.
Hindi porket sinabi niya maniniwala na
tayo agad, okay? Pwedeng totoo,
pwedeng hindi. Bakit ba ganito toh?
Nope, pigilan mo muna, self! Wag kang
padadala agad sa sinasabi niya sayo.
I'm sorry, i didn't know.
Be still, my heart. Bakit ba ang lakas
din ng kabog ng dibdib ko?
She remained skeptical, even when she saw the sincerity in his eyes and her heart wanted to believe him.
No, please, Nicki. Kung may dapat humingi ng sorry dito, ako yun. I'm sorry kung hindi ko natupad yung promise ko sayo. Maiintindihan ko rin if after this, hindi mo na ko kausapin. Ang gusto ko lang naman talaga malaman mo yung totoo. Na hindi kita pinaglaruan. Kaya thank you. Thank you kasi pinagbigyan mo pa rin akong mag-explain. Pinakinggan mo pa rin ako. God knows how long i prayed for this day. Na masabi ko sayo lahat lahat. Ang hirap kasing kumilos everyday knowing na may isang tao na alam mong umasa sa mga pangako mo tapos hindi mo natupad. Gusto ko lang malaman mo na hindi ko sinadya na ganun ang mangyari. The last thing I would want to do is paasahin ka. Kaya i'm sorry, Nicki. I'm really truly sorry.
He said those words with tears streaming down his face. And Nicki couldn't help but feel sorry for him too. She lost it. She broke down in tears with him because she felt it deep in her heart that he's telling the truth.
Bakit ang hirap magalit sayo?
Bakit hindi ko kayang hindi maniwala?
Nasaktan mo na ko eh. Umasa na ko noon.
Pero bakit ang sakit makita na ganyan ka?
Bakit hindi ko matanggap na mali ako?
Bakit universe?! Bakit sa'min dapat mangyari ito?
He reached out to her and tried to hold her hand. This time, she let him and didn't protest anymore. He looked at her lovingly.
Nicki, please don't cry... sorry na...
say something please... Anything...
I... I don't know what to say...
Can we just go? I wanna go home...
He wanted to stop the time and just be with her because he felt that this might be the last time she'll agree to meet him. But he knew it's impossible. And though it pains him to let her go, he respected her decision.
S-sige... finish your meal
lang so we can go...
H-hindi na... o-okay na ko...
I just wanna go home...
Okay, wait here. I'll settle the bill lang.
She rummaged through her bag for her purse and gave him her share for the food. He didn't take it.
Hindi na... ako nagyaya nito...
tsaka pinaiyak na nga kita tapos
pagbabayarin pa kita dito...
Smile ka na... magbabayad lang ako ha?
She gave him a tight smile and nodded. He was still trying to lighten up the mood but to no avail. When he came back to their seat after paying in the counter, she was already set to go. She walked ahead of him towards the parking lot with a clouded mind. He trailed behind her, secretly hoping that she would still allow him to take her home. When they reached her car, she turned to look at him.
Thank you fo—
Pwede bang ihatid kita pauwi?
Huling hirit na, baka pwede naman.
He nervously asked, interrupting her.
Hmmm?
Uhmmm... Gusto ko lang sana
ano... makasigurado na...
makauwi ka ng maayos....
I'm fine. Kaya ko naman magdrive.
Hindi ko naman sinabi na hindi
mo kaya. I just wanna make sure
that you'll get home safe.
It's okay. I live nearby lang naman.
Okay lang ako, really.
Hindi na ko magsasalita kung
ayaw mo na kong makausap.
Basta hatid lang kita. Please, Nicki?
Jeez! Kulit mo din noh?
Sige na, hop in.
Thank you, thank you.
He smiled widely at him and quickly hopped in the passenger seat. Nicki could only shake her head as she inserted her key and turned the engine on.
Juskupu talaga!
When they were settled in her car, she started to drive quietly. Her thoughts went out to all the revelations she learned about. She realized she's not mad at him. After everything she heard tonight, she just felt too exhausted. But her heart doesn't feel heavy anymore. If anything, she's not feeling hurt or betrayed. But she felt a little guilty for thinking bad about him.
RJ, on the other hand, was true to his word. He didn't say anything on their way. He knew that everything he said was a lot for Nicki to take in. But at least he knew the worst is over. He already cleared things up. He could only hope that Nicki believes him. And that she would still accept him in her life.
He was taken out of his reverie when the car suddenly stopped. He looked outside and noticed that the car was parked on the street across the coffee shop were they met the other day. He wanted to ask if she would like to have coffee but hesitated because he knew she needed time to think about everything he said.
Dito na ko. That's our building.
She said, pointing at the tall building beside her.
Ah, okay. Malapit lang pala talaga.
He said, trying not to sound disappointed.
She just nodded.
Dito ka lang magpapark?
No, hindi. Uhmm...
doon pa ko sa loob.
Aaah, okay. Sige, dito na-
Paano ka uuwi?
She asked, cutting him off.
Uhmmm, magcacab lang. Actually,
pwede ko nga lakarin eh. Malapit
lang sa condo namin toh.
Talaga? Pero magcab ka na lang,
delikado na rin, gabi na kasi..
Baka mapagtripan ka dyan ulit.
He smiled because he felt she's somehow concern of his safety but both fell silent as they recalled the coversation they had earlier.
Hay, ang malas ko naman na
talaga nun pag nangyari pa ulit.
Pero pag mangyari yun, isesafety
ko na yung phone ko. Para matext
pa din kita. Para hindi ka na
magalit sa'kin.
Silence.
She composed the words in her head then took a deep breath before she speaks again.
Look, i want you to know na hindi
ako galit. I'm not mad at you. I just..
I wanna go home to clear my head muna.
Everything you said, it's a lot to take in.
Parang di pa nagpaprocess lahat sa utak ko.
Pero gusto ko rin magthank you. Sabi ko
hindi ko naman kailangan pang marinig
yung sasabihin mo pero it suddenly felt light, like a heavy load was lifted off my chest.
I guess I needed to hear it after all.
So, salamat.
No need to thank me, Nicki. You
deserve to know the truth. Ako yung
dapat magthank you for giving me
this chance. I hope hindi mo na
isipin na you're just good for a one
time thing. Because you're so much
more than that. You're too kind,
too beautiful, too precious for a one
time thing. Pangforever ka talaga.
Nambobola ka na naman eh...
Uy! Sinabi ko na sayo nun, uulitin
ko ulit. Hindi ako marunong
mambola Nicki. Seryoso ko
pagdating sayo.
She suddenly felt heat crept up to her cheeks that she had to look away to hide her blush.
Okaaaay...
Bakit ba ganito epekto ng lalaking
toh sa'kin? Ang daming alam eh.
Whooo! Kalma, Nicki!
And i hope... sana this is not the end...
sana we could start over...
Okay.
Okay?!
He didn't expect for her to agree.
Okay.
Okay as in okay?
He wanted to make sure.
Gahd! Ano ba? Unli ka? Isa pang ulit
mo, babawiin ko na. Okay na nga eh.
Wag! Naninigurado lang ako.
Thank you, Nicki. Sige na, ingat
ka ha.
Sheesh! Ikaw ang mag-ingat. Nandito na ko sa condo ko eh. Thank you din.
RJ got out off the car and walked to the side of the street. He stood there, waving at her as the car slowly moves when an idea suddenly came to his mind. He quickly ran towards the driver side and knocked on her window. She got startled and immediately stepped on the break pedal. She rolled down her window and asked.
Hey! Did you forget something?
Ha? Hindi, miss, ano lang...
Huh?
She asked, suddenly confused
with the way he's acting.
Uhmmm, hi! My name is Richard
Jay Faulkerson. RJ o Jay na lang
for short. Pwedeng makipagkilala?
She chuckled at his antics and shook her head. He's truly charming and she just can't resist.
Unbelievable ka talaga, universe!
How can I say no to this guy?
Sige nga? Paano? Hirap diba?!
Hey.
She looked up at him.
Ah, miss, pwede ko bang
malaman name mo?
He shyly asked her.
Nicki. Nicomaine Deiana Mendoza.
She smiled so sweetly.
Ang ganda pala ng name mo,
pero mas maganda ka. Hehe!
Thank you, Nicki Mendoza.
It's so nice to meet you.
He said then reached out his hand
for a handshake as he stared
directly at her.
She held his gaze as she shook his hand.
Likewise, RJ Faulkerson.
Nice meeting you too.
He gasped hearing her say his name.
Why?!
Ah wala. Ngayon ko lang kasi ulit
narinig na tawagin mo kong RJ.
Ang ganda ng tunog ng name ko
pag ikaw nagbanggit.
Sus! Nambola na naman po.
Sige na, i'll go ahead,
you can let go of my hand na.
Hindi bola yun ah...
Aaahmm sige Nicki, take care.
He finally let go of her hand.
You too. Ingat.
She rolled up her windows
then drove away.
He giddily walked towards the sidewalk and waited for a cab. It didn't took long enough for a cab to arrive. While he's on his way home, his phone beeped. A smile was plastered on his face the moment he saw her name until he sent his reply.
He closed his eyes, leaned on the head rest of the car seat as he silently thanked the heavens for the events that transpired that day. He finally got the chance to start over with her. And though they're back to square one, this time, he swore that no one or nothing can come between them.
************************************************
A/N: Ayun na nga... nagkaalaman na ng totoong ganap after Bora... anong say niyo? Hindi rin mapigilan ni Nicki eh noh?! Kaya ayan na, okay na sila. Excited na ko sa susunod na chapter hahaha!
Pasensya na medyo maikli ito today at medyo may drama pero promise, better and kilig stuff from this moment on. Hihihi!😍
Sorry na din pala kung medyo natagal ito. Medyo busy sa realidad lately eh. Ang daming kong inaasikaso. Well, timing lang din naman ito today. At least may gift ako sa inyo sa special day nating lahat.
HAPPY 3RD ANNIVERSARY,
ALDUB AND ADN!
Kayo ang inspirasyon ko sa mga kwento ko. Sana po nasisiyahan kayo sa pagbabasa. Maraming salamat po sa walang sawang pagsuporta niyo. Love ko kayong lahat!
Tuloy ang poreber ng Maichard!😍😍😍
Pordalab!❤️
Xoxo,
tinkybella16