The incessant ringing of her phone woke her up from deep slumber. With eyes closed, she reached her phone from her bedside table and answered the call without looking at the caller id.
Hello...
Rise and shine, pretty lady!
Good morning! Wake up na po!
She didn't have to look at her phone screen to check the name of the caller. She knew exactly who the owner of that deep baritone voice is from the bottom of her heart. So with a smile etched on her face, she answered him.
Jeez, RJ! Ang aga pa..
hindi pa nga nag-aalarm
yung phone ko eh..
Bangon ka na! Sabi mo last
night maaga ka papasok kasi
may usapan kayo ni Sheena diba?
7am na po, miss MVP!
9am pa yun eh... it's too early...
Sige na, bangon na please...
para makakain ka ng breakfast
before you go...
Eeehhh antok pa ko...
Gusto mo ba puntahan pa kita
dyan para bumangon ka na?
W-what?! No! I mean, sabi mo
kagabi 8am ang class mo diba?
You should be preparing by now.
Nakaayos na po ako... pwede
na kitang puntahan dyan kung
di ka pa babangon.. magkalapit
lang naman yung condo natin eh..
Gahd! Kulit mo noh?!
No need na! Okay na,
babangon na po ako...
Yey! Babangon na po
yung MVP ko...
W-what did you say?
Sabi ko yes, bangon na
po Miss MVP...
Ah, parang iba kasi dinig ko eh!
Eto na, nakabangon na po ako..
Weh?! Promise?
Yep, swear!
Okay, I trust your word.
Sige, prep ka na po ha.
Text you later, magbreakfast
muna kami ni Josh.
Okies... pakabusog ka ha...
Okay po... kilos na ha...
para makapagbreakfast ka
din before class...
Opo... thank you sa
wake up call, RJ..
You're welcome, Nicki.
Ikaw pa ba?!
Sige na, kumain ka
na dyan. Laters...
Okay. Laters baby.
The call abruptly ended and Nicki was left wondering if what she heard was right.
Did he just call me baby or
mali ako ng dinig? Hays, RJ!
Why do you do this to me?!
She put down her phone on the bed and said her morning prayer before she stood up and went to prepare for the day.
As soon as she came back from her bath, she heard her phone ringing again. She sprinted towards her bed and immediately answered her phone.
Ay, ang kulit mo po! Eto na,
nakaligo na po ako...
"Whaaaaat?! B-bakit ka nagbebaby talk?! Sinong makulit, ha?!"
Huh?
She checked her phone screen.
Oh shoot!
Sh-sheens!
"Yes, ako nga! Mukhang hindi ako ang expected mong caller ha? Sino yan? Kilala ko ba yan? Gwapo ba yan na may dimple at masarap na biceps?"
Huuuuuy!
"Anong huy?! Wag mo ko ma-huy huy besh ha? May atraso ka pang kwento diba? So sino nga?!"
Hmmm??? Wala, wala.
Sinasabi ko lang sayo
na nakaligo na ko.
Nasan ka na ba?
"Oy Nicomaine Deiana, di ka makakalusot sa'kin!"
Wala nga, kulit nito!
Sige na, magbibihis na po ako.
Ingat ka po! Babye!
Nicki let out a sigh of relief as she quickly ended the call. She tossed her phone on the bed so she could dress up. But as soon as she took a step towards her closet, her phone rings again. She picked up her phone once again, but this time she made sure to check the caller's name before she answered the call. Her lips formed into a smile as she saw whose on the line.
Hey! Pasok ka na?
Wala pa rin akong
good morning? Kanina
pinalampas ko na nga kasi
bagong gising ka eh...
Ang arte ha? Ok, fine,
good morning.
Walang kalatuy-latoy
naman. Napipilitan ka
lang yata eh.
Ay, grabe siya. How would
you want me to greet you?
Gusto ko yung good morning
with a smile. Para nakakaganda
ng araw. Hehehe!
Luh siya! How would
you know i'm smiling?
Basta, i would know.
Alright then,
She paused for a moment.
Good morning!
Pilit pa rin yun, Nicki eh.
Wala bang genuine smile
dyan kasama nung greeting?
Unbelievable!
She shook her head and before she
knew it, she was already smiling
from ear to ear as she greeted him.
Good morning, RJ!
Yan! Okay na ko. Hihihi!
Ganda na ng start ng Monday
ko nito! Makakarecite na ko
sa class at makakaperfect na ko
ng spot tests and lab exercises.
Sus! Dami mong alam
noh?! Asa class ka na ba?
Wala pa po. Kakahiwalay
lang namin ni Josh. Walking
pa lang ako to my first class.
Ikaw? Nakaprep ka na?
Ah, okay. No, not yet.
Tumawag kasi si Sheena eh.
Nag-aayos pa lang din ako. Sige
na, ingat sa class. Galingan mo!
Syempre naman,
inspired ako sayo eh.
Gahd! Umagang-umaga
humihirit ka na ha?!
Hindi lang po basta hirit yun,
Nicki. Totoo naman po yun.
Ayt! Sige na, enjoy your classes.
Mag-aayos na ko dahil baka
dumating na po si Sheena. Ingat!
Okay. Lapit na rin naman ako
sa room. Ingat ka rin. Don't
forget to eat before pumasok ha?
Wag ka po palipas ng gutom.
Have a beautiful day, my MVP!
Your MVP talaga?!
Ha? Sabi ko, Miss MVP!
Weh?! Iba dinig ko eh.
Naku Nicki, yung totoo,
naglinis ka na ba ng tenga?
Hoy! Loko ka ha? Kakatapos
ko lang noh? Bahala ka na
nga dyan. Sige na, bye!
She was grinning with their banters as she ended the call. Then she went directly to her closet to dress up for the day. She was preoccupied with preparing that she didn't hear her phone beeped a few more times. She was already sitting in front of her dresser, putting some make-up, when she saw her phone lit up as it beeps for an incoming message. When she checked her phone, she saw messages from RJ.
Jeez, RJ! Ano bang tong ginagawa
mo?! Bakit kinikilig ako?! Gaaaahd!
Naku, self, wag tayo masyado kiligin!
Mahirap na mahopia na naman tayo...
She was already on her way out of the condo when Sheena called to say she's already waiting at the lobby of her condo. She didn't bother Sheena to go to her unit because she wanted to grab a bite at the cafe across before they head to their campus. Sheena was grinning mischievously at her when she met her at the lobby.
Let's go!
"Talaga ba, besh? Walang hi, hello? Let's go agad?!"
Oh, good morning! Gahd!
What's happening to the world?
Bat ang aarte ng mga tao today?
"Ay grabe siya! Sensitive agad? Sino bang nag-inarte sayo bukod sa'kin? Hmmm?!"
Huh? Ah, wala. Tara na't
magbreakfast. We don't have
much time. My treat!
"Aba dapat lang noh?! May atraso kang kwento bukod dyan ha?"
Oo na, doon na lang
sa cafe. Sayang oras!
They crossed the street and hurriedly entered the cafe. It was a good thing there were only a few people lined up on the counter.
Ako na oorder. Get us a table
na lang besh. Anong bet mo?
"Okayssss... kahit ano na lang sa'kin. Ikaw na bahala. Thanks!"
Sheena made her way to the vacant table near the entrance while Nicki lined up. She was thinking on what to eat when her mind suddenly drifted off to that one time after she had an emotional breakdown with Sheena.
"Naku naku naku! You'll thank me pa after for convincing you. You'll see."
Sige, i will indulge you. Kung mawala ang sakit after ng sinasabi mong talk na yan, i will thank you. Sasamahan ko pa ng Caramel Macchiatto yan at New York Cheesecake...
She smiled at the thought and it gave her an idea of what to order for them. After she ordered, she went to their table and sat across Sheena as they both waited for their food to be served.
"Oh beshie, what did you get for me?"
You'll see.
She said then gave her
a beguiling smile.
"Ay, may paganyan ngiti?! Hahaha! So??? You can start making kwento na, sayang ang time!"
OMG! Ang conyo mo dun! Hahaha!
"Hoy beshie! Wag mong ibahin ang usapan. Dali na kasi! Spill!!!!!"
Gosh! Relax naman, eto na
magkukwento na. Kasi—
"Op, op! Wait, wait! Simulan mo yan dun sa iniwan namin kayo sa parking lot ha?!"
Hoy! Oo nga pala, ikaw
ang may atraso sa'kin. Iniwan
mo na lang ako bigla.
"Asuuuus! Arte pa?! Why besh?! Aren't you happy that I left you there alone with Mr. Sparks?"
No.
"Hindi ka happy?"
No. Hindi ganun.
"Ah, so happy ka nga?"
Hindi, teka, ano ba besh?
Ginugulo mo yung usapan eh.
"Grabe siya! Oo o hindi lang, anong magulo dun? Ikaw ang magulo beshie ha, wag kang ano dyan! Ano nga? Happy ka o hindi?"
Eeeehh...
"Luh luh luh, landeeee!"
Just then, the waiter arrived carrying a tray with their orders.
Saved by the bell!
The waiter gently placed two plates on their table. One was a slice of Blueberry Cheesecake and the other was a slice of New York Cheesecake. Then she put two cups of Caramel Macchiatto on their table. She asked if they need anything else and Sheena just smiled as Nicki said her thanks.
"Wow besh, sarap naman ng libre na toh. Ineexpect ko bagels with cream cheese na naman eh. Hahahahaha!"
Hmmm... actually mali eh.
Sayo 'tong New York Cheesecake.
Sa akin yang Blueberry.
She pulled the Blueberry Cheesecake to her side then pushed the New York Cheesecake towards Sheena as she eyed her meaningfully.
"Oh bat ganyan ka makatingin?"
Thank you, beshie!
Then she smiled widely at her.
Yet it seemed like Sheena didn't have any idea as to what it meant.
"Uy ano bang ngiti yan besh? At ikaw pa talaga ang nag-thank you? Sarcastic ba yan? Kilala kita eh. Grabe toh, oo na. Thank you sa pa-coffee at cheesecake beshie! Labyu! Yan, okay na ba?"
Gaga! No! What are you saying?
Seryosong thank you yun noh?
Wala ka bang naalala dito?!
She pointed at their food
then looked back at her.
"Huh?"
Sheena seemed clueless.
Wala? As in????
"Huh?! Uhmmm... ay OMG! OMG! Eto na ba yung sinasabi mo?"
Uhuh!
She nodded repeatedly.
"Gahd! Eto na pala yung cheat day na sinasabi mo! Kala ko naman after next training pa..."
Whaaaat?! Gahd, noooo!
Hindi ito yung cheat day
natin! After thursday
training pa yun...
"Eh ano ba?!"
Seriously, hindi mo maalala?
This cake?! This drink?!
Doesn't ring a bell besh?!
She enthusiasticly asked her.
"Huh?! Teka... ay syeeeeet!"
Naalala mo na?!
"Ito ba yung kinain nyo ni Mr. Sparks last Sat?"
Ughhh! Hindeeee!
Juskuka! Wag na nga!
Kumain na lang tayo.
Baka malate pa tayo eh.
"Eh ano nga?! Di mo naman kasi ako ininform na may pa-guessing game palang kasama yung breakfast mo... di ako prepared, gaaaarrrl!"
Looking defeated, Nicki shook her head as she took the fork and started to munch on her Blueberry Cheesecake. On the other hand, Sheena was left puzzled with what her best friend was trying to imply as she forked on her cheesecake. She racked her brain as she tried to recall anything special about the food and drink that Nicki ordered for her but nothing registers on her mind. Clearly, it meant something but she couldn't put a finger on it.
As soon as they finished the food, Nicki suggested that they just take out the coffee so she can already drive them to the campus. Still lost in her thoughts, Sheena agreed absentmindedly and together they walked back to her condo building. They immediately headed to the elevator to reach her parking spot in the basement.
We had dinner.
Nicki started as she drove
away from her building.
"Ha?"
RJ and I. We had
dinner that night.
"Owww! Now, we're talking. So? Saan kayo nagdinner? What happened? Kanina ko pa talaga hinihintay yang kwento na yan eh."
Sa favorite Ramen House
ko. Tapos we talked.
It was like a eureka moment for Sheena upon Nicki's mention of their talk. She suddenly remembered their conversation a few weeks ago.
"O to the M to the G!!!!! OMG! Homaygahd homaygahd homaygaaaahd!!! Niiiiiics!!!"
Nicki was startled. She glanced at Sheena and saw her held up her drink. Sheena wanted to make sure that her guess was right. She checked the label and confirmed. It was indeed a Caramel Macchiatto and what she had earlier was a slice of NY Cheesecake. She was smiling from ear to ear as she faced her best friend.
Huy Sheens, are you okay?!
W-what's happening to you???
Why the sudden wacky face?!
"I knew it! So wala na ang sakit?"
Huh?
"Wag na tayo paligoy-ligoy besh! Medyo slow lang ako kanina pero gets na gets ko na! I'm right diba? After the talk, gumaan pakiramdam mo?"
Hahaha! Anong medyo slow?
Nandito na tayo sa campus bago
mo nagets tapos medyo slow lang?
Super sloooooow! Hahaha!
"Ay grabe talaga siya! Okay ka na nga, bully ka na ulit eh. Pero di ka makakatakas sa'kin. 8:50am pa lang, besh. May sampung minuto ka pa para magkwento."
Haaa?! Mamayang lunch na lang
para mahabang kwentuhan.
Lika na, baka malate tayo.
"Sige, subukan mong bumaba ng kotse nang hindi nagkukwento. Wala ka ng beshie paglakad mo dyan."
Jeez! Is that a threat?!
"Yes! Magkwento ka na kasi beshie... Kahit yung pinaka-gist lang. Bitin na bitin naman ako eh!"
Oo na, okay na kami.
Although I still have fears.
Later na lang yung details,
maglakad na tayo papasok.
She said as she unbuckled her seatbelt.
"What the fudge! Kinikilig akoooo! So anong status nyo??? Kayo na?!" Sheena squealed in her seat as she unbuckled her seatbelt too.
Jusko! Anong kami
na? Walang ganun!
"Eh sabi mo okay na kayo diba?"
Okay as in we're starting
over. As friends.
"Haaaa?! Friends??!"
Yep. Friends. Yun
naman talaga dapat.
"Ba yan!!! Kala ko naman jowa levels na..."
Excited much besh?! I thought
we already talked about this?
You know my fears. Plus, I wanna
do this the right way. Tsaka I don't
wanna assume things. Hindi naman
niya sinabi na ako pa rin yung gusto
niya. Nag-explain lang siya. Ganun.
"Kasi naman kala ko nagkalinawan na rin kayo ng feelings. Kasi diba? If gusto nyo naman yung isa't isa, bat patatagalin pa?"
Eh wala naman ngang
sinabi na ganun.
"Pero kung may sinabi ba, aamin ka na rin?"
I don't know... Well, ganun
pa rin yung effect niya sa'kin.
He makes me feels things kahit
wala siyang sinasabi. Pero Sheens,
alam mo naman diba? Ikaw na rin
nagsabi, guard my heart. I want
to be really careful this time.
"I know. Oo nga. Sorry, naexcite lang kasi ako. Kasi iba yung glow ng mukha mo ngayon eh. Ang ganda besh, it suits you. Si Mr. Sparks lang pala makakagawa nyan eh. Bagay nga sa kanya yung codename natin. He clearly brought sparks in your eyes eh. Yihee!"
Sira! Isa ka pa eh. Dami mo din
alam. Haha! Bilisan na nga natin,
3 minutes na lang oh.
"Naku ha, wala pa nga akong alam eh. Ang dami ko pang tanong. Buti na lang nagdala talaga ako ng damit. Magsleepover ako sa condo mo tonight noh. I need all the deets, Nics! Mamaya ka sa'kin. Lika na!"
Gahd! Prepared ha?!
Nicki could only shook her head as they briskly walked to their room. Yet deep inside, she has already foreseen that Sheena would actually prepare for a sleepover. She knew her best friend wouldn't want to miss a thing about what happened to her weekend.
The rest of the morning went by in a blur. But when lunch time came, they weren't able to talk much either because, unfortunately, Sheena's adviser called and she was asked to drop by Ma'am Geronimo's office to discuss a few things regarding her thesis. So they had to cut their lunch short as Sheena headed to her adviser's office while Nicki was left to finish her meal.
It was during that time that Joaqui saw her, eating alone in their cafeteria. He hurriedly bought food and walked to her table. She was surprised when a tall figure stood in front of her, holding a tray.
"Hi Miss! Can I sit beside you?"
Uy, Joaqui! Sige
lang, go ahead.
"Thanks. Bat nagsosolo ka yata? Nasaan si Sheena?"
Ayun! Pinatawag ni Ma'am
Geronimo para sa thesis niya.
"Oh, I see. Buti pa siya nakapagconsult na. Ako hindi pa nakapagsched eh. Ikaw?"
Yep, may sched na rin ako ng
consultation this week. Mabuti
na yung masimulan ng maaga.
May upcoming games tayo eh.
"Sabagay. Kumusta naman practice last weekend? I heard ikaw daw tumapos nung game eh."
Jeez! Kanino mo naman
nasagap yan? That's not true,
sablay nga ako last Sat eh.
Buti nakarecover pa. It's a
team effort kaya nanalo.
"Naks! Ang humble talaga... kaya love kita eh. Galing mo talaga baby girl!"
Gahd! Joaqui, how many
times do I have to tell you?
Don't call me that na.
"Eh bakit ba? I always call you that naman diba? Dati pwede, ngayon hindi na? Bawal na nga magbigay ng flowers, pati yun di na rin pwede. Bakit? May boyfriend ka na ba?"
Huh?! No, wala, wala. I just don't
want people to misinterpret things.
Baka maissue na naman tayo eh.
You know I don't want that.
"Pwede naman kasi natin totohanin yung issue if you'll allow it. Simple lang naman yun eh. Liligawan ulit kita. Ano, payag ka na?"
Joaqui, diba pinag-usapan na
natin toh? I thought okay na
tayo as friends? I told you before,
that's all I can offer diba?
"I know you said that but you know it doesn't change the fa—" Joaqui was interrupted when Nicki's phone started ringing. She sighed in relief as she looked for her phone inside her bag. When she checked the caller, a smile crept up her face.
Wait lang Joaqui,
let me take this call.
She said before she
answered the call.
Hey! What's up?
Hi, Miss MVP! Sorry medyo
busy po sched ko pag Monday
hindi ako masyado makatext.
Ok lang, no worries.
It's not like it's a requirement.
Joaqui remained silent as he finished his lunch but he didn't miss the smile on Nicki's face as she looked at her phone screen earlier. He saw it clearly, so he decided to eavesdrop.
Anyway, naglunch ka na po?
Having lunch now. Ikaw po?
He was all ears when the tone of her voice was suddenly so soft and sweet. He became really curious.
Maglalunch pa lang po.
You with Sheena?
Hmmm... kanina pero
her thesis adviser called kaya
pinuntahan niya muna.
Ah okay. So nagsosolo
ka pala dyan now.
Hindi naman.
She said as she looked at Joaqui
who was still munching on his burger.
Ikaw? Kasama mo sila Josh?
She asked to sway the topic.
He was alarmed when he heard a guy's name. If his intuition's right, she was talking to a guy. He thought about his dinner invitation last Saturday and assumed that the one on the other line might be the reason why she turned him down. He needs to up his game and he needs to think fast.
Yes po, papunta na ko sa
kanila. Kasama na niya sila
Kristoff. Buti pala sabay tayo
ng lunch sched today. At least
may kasabay ka na, over the
phone nga lang. Hehe!
Before Nicki could react to that, Joaqui spoke loud enough to make his presence heard by the person on the other line.
"Nicki, baby girl, why don't you finish your food muna. Baka lumamig na yan, sige ka." He said it so sweetly as he intended to make a statement to whoever she was speaking with. Nicki looked stunned for a moment but then she furrowed her brows at Joaqui while she listened to RJ.
Aaahh, m-may kasama
ka pala dyan?
Ha? Ah, yep, Joaqui's
here with me.
She casually answered.
Oh, okay. Sige finish your
food na. Nakakaistorbo
na pala ko sa meal mo.
Ha? Hindi, okay
lang naman.
Nandito na pala sila Josh.
Sige, kakain na din kami.
Babye.
Ha? O—
RJ didn't even let her finish as he immediately dropped the call. She looked at her phone screen to confirm the call has ended as she mumbled.
—kay, enjoy lunch.
She was weirded out why he suddenly ended the call but she dismissed her thoughts. Then she turned to the guy sitting beside him as she eyed him irritatingly.
"What?!"
I told you not to call me
"baby girl" anymore.
Uulit-ulitin ko pa ba
para magets mo? Gahd!
Clearly, she sounded so irritated.
"Why are you suddenly so annoyed? Bakit? Dahil narinig nung kausap mo? Boyfriend mo ba yun, Nicki?"
She took a deep breath to calm
her nerves before she replied,
Hay, Joaquin Travinio! I don't
know what to say anymore.
Paulit-ulit na lang ako, di ka
naman nakikinig eh. Wala akong
boyfriend, okay? Just stop
calling me that na lang, please?!
"Okay, fine, I'm sorry. Hindi na, promise! Ang lambing mo naman kasi magsalita sa kausap mo, kala ko tuloy bf mo yun. Anyway, as I was saying kanina before we got interrupted, us being friends doesn't change the fact that I still like you. So please, pwede ba payagan mo na lang ako manligaw ulit?"
Joaqui, friendship is
all I can offer you.
"For now, oo. Pero if you let me court you, maybe we can change that offer into something more diba? Just give me a chance naman ulit Nicki."
Ayokong umasa ka sa wala.
"Pero ayokong sumuko. Wala ka pa namang boyfriend eh. Malay mo in time magustuhan mo din ako. Pwede na natin ituloy yung naudlot na love story natin sa Boracay diba?"
Geez! Bat ba ang kulit mo?
Wala ka ngang aasahan sa'kin!
"You know me Nicki, makulit talaga ko when I want something. And I want you. Alam mo naman yun dati pa. Makikita mo rin na tayo talaga ang meant for each other."
Ewan ko na sayo. Kulit mo talaga.
I have to go. Malapit na magstart
ang next class ko.
She grabbed her bag and stood up. But before she could walked away, Joaqui stood up from his seat and held her arm.
"Basta! Liligawan na ulit kita. I will make you fall for me, Nicki. I'll make you see na tayo talaga ang bagay. I'll do everything just for you to see that. Come, I'll walk you to your room."
She removed her arm from his hold.
Hindi na.
I know my way.
She walked away without
looking back at him.
****************
"Oh RJ, Lunes na lunes bakit parang Biyernes Santo yang mukha mo?"
Huh? Wala. Tara, kain na tayo.
"Nakaorder na kami dude. Kanina pa kasi kami nandito. Saan ka ba galing?"
"Oo nga Kuya RJ, pero ako na umorder for you para di ka na pumila dun. Excited kami sa kwento mo eh. Hahaha!"
Ganun ba? Salamat, Josh.
The three guys started to eat their food while RJ just sat there, staring at his plate, looking so deep in thought. Kristoff noticed it so he called his attention.
"Basted ba?"
Huh?
"Tulala ka eh. Ineexpect pa naman namin okay na kayo. Kasi sabi nitong pinsan mo lumabas daw kayo kahapon. Eh sa itsura mo ngayon para kang nabasted. Nagfail yung plan natin?"
Huh? And daldal talaga nito ni Josh. Okay naman, nakapag-usap naman kami nung Sabado. Salamat talaga sa tulong niyo.
"Yun naman pala, bakit ganyan mukha mo?"
Ah, wala, nag-iisip lang ako ng susunod kong gagawin.
"Bakit? Ano bang status nyo? Kayo na ba?"
Hindi. Hindi pa.
"Pero nililigawan mo na ba, Kuya?"
Hindi rin. Ang hirap kasi ng sitwasyon eh. Kakaayos lang ng gusot namin tapos liligawan ko agad. Ayokong isipin niya na nagmamadali ako. So naisip ko, I'll take what she can offer. Eh sabi niya friends na kami kaya ayun. Friends.
"Okay naman na pala. At least, you're on the right track na. Mas maganda naman talaga na magstart muna kayo as friends para mas matatag yung foundation 'tol."
Oo nga eh. Kaya lang ano eh, natatakot ako.
"Bakit naman?"
Baka kasi ano... baka maunahan lang ng iba. Kilala niyo naman si Nicki. Bukod sa maganda, matalino tsaka magaling pa magvolleyball. For sure, marami siyang admirers.
"Sus! Di pinoproblema yan dude. Kahit naman anong dami ng admirers kung sayo naman siya mahuhulog, wala din yung mga yun."
Huh? What do you mean?
"Simple lang yan. Make her fall in love with you. Diba sabi mo friends na kayo? Mas maraming advantage yang friends na yan kesa sa manliligaw."
"I agree with Jerome. Kasi pag friends na kayo mas may chance na makalapit ka sa kanya or makasama mo siya lalo na pag comfortable na siya sayo. Eh di yun ang gawin mo. Always make her feel your presence. Na nadyan ka palagi for her. Diba ganun pag kaibigan?"
Ganun ba yun? Nagegets ko naman yung point. Ang sa'kin lang, syempre may mga nanliligaw sa kanya diba? Di naman natin maaalis yun. Baka mamaya dun siya mahulog, paano naman ako?
"Kaya nga always be there for her. Yung tipong hindi na siya maghahanap ng iba. Parang nanliligaw ka rin dude. Maging sweet ka. Yayain mong lumabas. Listen to her problems. Etc. Friends do that din naman eh."
"Kung ayaw mo naman ng ganun Kuya RJ, eh di ligawan mo na."
Ayoko ngang magpadalos-dalos Josh...
"Well, then, I suggest ganun na nga gawin mo. Patatagin mo yung friendship niyo. Tantyahin mo din. Ikaw lang naman makakapagsabi kung pwede mo ng dalhin yung friendship sa next level eh. Simple lang yan Kuya, ginagawa mong komplikado eh."
Oo na, nagets ko na. Natatakot lang kasi kong maunahan. Tulad ngayon, she's having lunch with someone. Sabi naman niya last Saturday wala siyang boyfriend pero alam nyo yun? Just the thought of her with someone irks me. Pero kuha ko naman yung point niyo.
"Ayun naman pala. Kaya pala busangot yang mukha mo at di ka makakain dahil may kalunch na iba si Kapitana. Hahaha! Well, wala ka naman magagawa dun. You have to make up your mind eh. Dalawa lang naman yang pagpipilian mo. Magpaalam ka manligaw wherein pwede kang mabasted agad or be friends with her and make her fall for you before you go the next level. It's still your choice."
Hay. Oo nga. Sige, okay na. I will be a really good friend to her. Tuloy nyo na yung pagkain nyo.
"Gags pare kumain ka na rin. Baka malate ka pa sa next class mo."
He simply nodded as he reached his phone in his pocket. He realized that his friends were right. He can make his friendship with Nicki to his advantage. But he was rude earlier to her when he immediately ended the call. Friends don't do that to each other. He was just really jealous when he heard a guy talking to Nicki on the other line a while ago so he easily dismissed the call. Now that he figured he was wrong for acting like a jealous boyfriend, he quickly sent a message to her.
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She entered their classroom still feeling agitated with her conversation with Joaquin. She looked around and didn't find Sheena on their corner yet. She absentmindedly walked towards their corner and sat on her assigned chair in their seat plan. Then her thoughts went back to Joaquin. She knew how persistent the guy is but she really hoped she could change his mind. What she told him earlier was the truth. She doesn't wanna give him false hopes, hence the reason why she said she wanted them to be friends. Just friends. She doesn't feel anything towards him. At all. But knowing Joaquin, she knew he's serious when he said he would do everything he can to get what he wants. She can't shake him because he's stubborn like that.
Ugh! I need to talk to Sheens!
Hindi ko na alam gagawin ko
dito ky Joaquin. Gahd!
She was so lost in her thoughts when she suddenly felt her phone vibrates inside her bag. She was taken out of her thoughts as she rummaged through her bag and fished out her phone.
She didn't even realize that she was already smiling as she read his last message. There's a giddy feeling inside her knowing that they'd see each other today. Just like that, her thoughts about Joaqui was completely forgotten. She put back her phone in her bag just as her professor started their discussion. She only noticed her best friend beside her when Sheena leaned on her desk and subtly whispered to her ear.
"Besh, easyhan mo lang yung smile mo, baka mapunit na yang cheeks mo dyan. Hihihi!Kinikilig ka besh? Aminin mo!"
Wui! Hindi noh?
Dinner pala tayo later.
"Aba syempre naman, magsleepover nga ako diba? Ano, di mo ako pakakainin?!"
No, hindi ganun.
Nagyaya si RJ.
She said, smiling.
"Ay kaya ka pala nagbablush. Kala ko nasubsob ka lang sa blush on besh. Hehe! Bat kasama pa ako? Date nyo yan eh."
Hindi date, besh! Niyaya
talaga tayo. Kasama din
naman nya sila Josh.
"Aaahhh, may choice ba ko?"
Wala. Sasama ka, syempre.
Nakaoo na ko eh. Unless gusto
mong mag-isa kumain sa condo.
"Oo na nga, eto naman. Wala naman akong sinabi na ayoko. Syempre support ako para sa lovelife ng beshie ko. Hihihi!"
Juskuka! Anong lovelife?
Walang ganun. Friends
lang kami ni RJ.
"Naku ha, hindi tayo sigurado dyan. May kilala kong friends pero ibang klase yung closeness tsaka naghahalikan nga eh."
Sheeeeens! OMG ka,
makinig na tayo kay prof!
She felt herself blush with what Sheena said, so she instantly dropped the topic and asked her to focus on their discussion. But then her mind took her back to their almost kiss at her condo yesterday. She felt the heat slowly crept up to her face.
Friends! Friends kami ni RJ!
Don't you dare go there, Nicki.
Tandaan mo, hindi ka easy to get.
Take it slow diba? Tsaka wala
naman siyang sinabi na gusto ka
niya. Umokay din siya sa friends
lang kayo diba? Wag kang humopia!
Pigilan mo yang feelings! Haaaay!
She shook her head to erase the thoughts in her head. She turned her focus back on their discussion with only one thing left on her mind. She wanted this day to end soon so she could see him again come dinner time. Yep, she's excited and she can't really hide it.
**************************************************
A/N: Excited na ba kayo sa dinner? What do you think about their status? Tama ba ang friends ni RJ sa suggestion nila that they should stay friends for now? Or should RJ take a leap of faith kahit na posibleng maisip ni Nicki na minamadali siya?
What do you guys think? Let me hear your thoughts ha. Please feel free to comment, vote, whatsoever. Hehe!
Thank you po for reading. I'm really sorry na natagalan ng bongga ito, kasi naman nagkasakit talaga ko then natambakan ng work after. Sana nakabawi ako kahit papano sa long update. Medyo nabusy lang po talaga.
Namiss ko kayo guys! Lovelove!😘 Follow me on twitter kung bet nyo lang at dun tayo magchikahan about Kismet with our ALDUB hashtag for the day ALDUBBeyondKilig. Sayang ang tweet count ih. Hehe! Love you guys!😘
Xoxo,
tinkybella16