Nicki was having a conversation with her teammates, talking about their game schedule and laughing about some random stuff when all of a sudden Sheena caught her attention, nudging her then stepped closer and whispered to her ear.
"Nics, si RJ..."
To say that Nicki was surprised was an understatement. Her heart instantly thumped fast and her breathing became ragged upon the mention of his name. She slowly turned to look at his direction only to be dumbfounded with what was happening before her very eyes. Nabitawan niya ang hawak niyang bola.
Oh my gosh!
Okay na sana eh. Kikiligin na sana si Nicki. But then her forehead creased and her brows furrowed upon seeing how the cheerleader wrapped her arm around his boyfriend. It was like she was watching a scene from a movie where the girl flirtatiously forces herself into a guy who seemed to be annoyed and anxious at the same time as he dismisses the girl.
So this must be the cheerleader
Kristoff's talking about. Hmmmm...
She needs to know her place.
RJ is mine! Only mine!
Hindi niya alam kung matatawa ba siya dahil sa iritableng itsura ni RJ o lalong maiinis dahil ayaw pa rin itong tantanan ng babae at talagang pilit dumidikit sa nobyo niya kahit na obvious naman na lumalayo na ito. Pero mas nangibabaw ang pagkainis niya hindi lang dahil sa kakulitan ng mahaderang babae kundi dahil nagseselos siya sa ginagawa nito.
Aba! Akala yata nito single and ready to mingle yang nilalandi nya. Kung makapulupot sa baby ko kala mo siya ang girlfriend? Who does she think she is?!
She raised her brow as she pinned her gaze on them.
Then without a doubt, she started to move towards her target. Hindi pa nagtatama ang paningin nila ni RJ pero nagsimula na siyang maglakad papunta sa kanila. When their gaze met, she saw the play of emotions in his eyes. Mula sa pagkairita, nagulat ito at pagkatapos ay namutla at kitang-kita ang takot sa mga mata when he opened his mouth and tried to speak but no words came out.
She wanted to laugh at how cute her boyfriend could look like when he was scared and stunned. It was as if all the color in his face just vanished.
Ang puti-puti na nga, namutla pa!
Jusko! Pero ang gwapo pa din!
She thought.
When she saw how the girl started to caress those big biceps of his boyfriend, she instantly saw red. Though it was too obvious how Rj tries to ignore the girl and dismiss her, she couldn't help but feel the jealousy creeping up her skin.
No, no, no! Not his biceps, girl!
Those are mine too! Hintayin mo lang
na makarating ako dyan, girl,
makikita mo ang hinahanap mo!
She was determined to reach them so she walked faster. But then she felt somebody held her arm, stopping her for a while.
"Nics, besh, wait lang. Relax ka lang, beshie. Hindi pa nagsastart yung liga baka masuspend ka na. Malalagot tayo kay Coach Pat nyan, Nics. Please don't make any scene. Mamaya na lang after opening, ako mismo titiris dyan sa nakakairitang babaeng yan!" Sheena whispered as she was trying to pacify and stop her best friend.
But Nicki just glanced at Sheena only to give her a knowing gaze and a silent nod as if saying that she will not back down. Then she continued to walk towards RJ and Andy's direction with fire burning in her eyes. She fiercely walked with an intense stare at her target like a bull determined to reach the red flag.
Sheena and her teammates could only hope that she wouldn't really make a scene and end up suspended. They knew that when Nicki's determined at something, her will cannot be bent. She's headstrong like that. So they all watched and waited on the sidelines for what was about to happen.
Ayaw mo talagang tigilan ang baby ko ha?
Pwes, humanda ka sa makikita mo!
She walked even faster and her gaze was pinned on RJ alone. And when she was just a few steps away from him, she quickly glanced at the cheerleader and gave her a devilish grin before she launched herself at her boyfriend. She grabbed him by the nape and, in a flash, pulled him in and captured his lips in a searing lopsided kiss.
As soon as their lips met, people started cheering and clapping in their background. There were some who even screamed in glee and some who were hooting and whistling. But then there were two who were truly annoyed and irritated with what was happening. The one was standing beside the kissing couple, looking so pissed off, and the other was just staring at them from afar with dark eyes and furrowed brows.
RJ was completely surprised that he wasn't able to respond at once. But when Nicki started to move her lips, he was able to respond and deepen the kiss. They were both lost in the moment, not minding the cheers and hoots of their surroundings, until Nicki heard Andy gasped on their side and speak up as she tapped her shoulder.
"Oh gosh! Excuse me, miss, who do you think you are?" Andy suddenly uttered, irritatingly.
Nicki pulled away and looked at RJ with a piercing gaze before she turned to Andy with seething eyes and a raised brow. RJ immediately wrapped his arm around her waist and moved closer to her ear.
Babe... Wag mo na
siyang patulan please...
He whispered.
But Nicki didn't falter. She just turned her head back to RJ and gave him a questioning look. Namutla naman lalo si RJ sa takot dahil sa matalim niyang tingin kaya nanahimik na lang ito, pero nanatiling nakakapit sa bewang niya. Mabilis na binalik ni Nicki ang tingin niya kay Andy ng magsalita itong muli.
"Miss, I'm sorry to burst your bubble but he's with me. I invited him here." Andy said, raising her brow at Nicki.
Ha? No, hin—
RJ was trying to defend himself
but Nicki cut him off.
Oh, i'm sorry to interrupt then.
Ikaw ba nag-invite? Pasensya na ha.
Ang gwapo kasi, hindi ko napigilan.
If you don't mind me asking,
kaano-ano mo siya?
"He's my schoolmate. Kaya nga siya nandito eh. I invited him yesterday and he said he will support us today. So back off na. Nakita mo na ngang may kasama diba? Sino ka ba?"
She's really testing my patience! Gahd!
Ah, talaga? Sorry hindi kita nakita agad.
Hindi ka kasi pansinin eh.
Anyway, I'm Nicki pala.
"What did you just say? Hindi ako pansinin? Tsss! Who do you think you are, miss?"
Ah, Andy, siy—
RJ tried to butt in but Nicki
subtly nudged him as she
replied to her.
Yes, hindi ka nga pansinin...
tsaka medyo bingi ka rin pala noh?
Kakasabi ko lang, I'm Nicki.
"I heard your name. Ang tinatanong ko kung sino ka sa inaakala mo. Tagalog na yan ha para magets mo."
Oh, i get it! I get it alright.
But let me throw the question
back to you. Who do you think I am?
"I don't know... maybe just a random volleyball player na nagwapuhan dito sa ka-date ko?! Girl, wala bang guys sa college niyo?"
Ha? No, Nicki, hind—
He was stopped when Nicki
removed his hand from
her waist all of a sudden.
Ah, re-really?! So, i-ikaw ang
pinunta niya dito today?
She stuttered, suddenly feeling
unsure kasi baka nga naman di
siya ang pinunta dito ni RJ.
"Of course! Who else would be the reason why he's here sa dugout? Eh ako lang naman ang nag-invite sa kanya sa mga nandito." Andy confidently replied then looked at RJ and added, "Jay, tell her nga. Sabihin mo kung bakit ka nandito. Diba I invited you yesterday? Diba sabi mo manonood ka?"
The two ladies looked at him, waiting for his reply. RJ was already red in the face and his heart was beating erratically against his chest. Kasi baka mamisinterpret ni Nicki. Baka lalo niyang maisip na may namamagitan sa kanila ni Andy. Hindi niya alam kung paano pa siya mag-eexplain kay Nicki at mukhang lalo lang nadagdagan ang kasalanan niya dahil sa mga sinasabi ni Andy kaya kailangan niya magsalita. Kasi halos lahat ng schoolmates nila nakatingin at nag-aabang na rin ng mga susunod na mangyayari. Alam niyang ayaw ni Nicki ng ganito. Yung caught in between, lalo pa dahil si Nicki ang lumapit at napapaligiran siya ng mga taga-PNU. Kaya naman hindi na siya nag-atubili na magsalita para sa girlfriend niya.
I came here for Nicki.
RJ said, pulling Nicki
by the waist again.
To say that Andy was shocked was an understatement. Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata at hindi siya agad nakapagsalita dahil hindi siya makapaniwala sa sinabi ni RJ. While Nicki, on the other hand, couldn't contain the smirk that crept upon her face upon hearing Rj's response.
Why am I even doubting my baby?!
Mahal ako ni RJ! He came here to
see me. Beat that, girl!
Nicki thought.
"Wh-what did you say, Jay? You're joking right?! Teka, ki-kilala mo ba talaga siya, Jay?!" Andy stuttered, biglang napahiya sa sagot ni RJ.
Sasagot pa sana ulit si RJ but before he could even speak, inunahan na siya ni Nicki. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves before she looked straight into Andy's eyes, stepped closer to her and said,
Again, my name is Nicki.
Nicki Mendoza.
Oh, and I'm not so sorry to
burst your bubble but
I am RJ's GIRLFRIEND.
So he's not kidding, girl.
He came here for me!
You heard that?!
FOR ME!
So, you back off!
She said every word with conviction then removed herself from RJ's hold as she walked her way back to her team. Hindi na niya hinintay sumagot si Andy dahil sa mukha pa lang nitong napanganga sa gulat, solve na solve na siya. Sumunod naman si RJ sa kanya ng walang alinlangan pero natatakot siyang magalit ito lalo sa kanya kaya hindi niya muna kinulit.
Mukhang nadagdagan pa
yata talaga ang kasalanan ko...
Huwag naman sana...
Susmaryosep naman!
Hanggang makarating sila sa teammates ni Nicki, halos hindi siya tinatapunan ng tingin nito. Kaya nanatili lang siyang nakatayo sa likod ng grupo nila bitbit ang isang bouquet ng bulaklak. Hindi na niya alintana kesehodang pagtinginan siya ng iba at magmukha man siyang tangang nakabuntot kay Nicki. Ang nasa isip lang niya kailangan niyang magsorry kay Nicki at kailangan nilang mag-usap.
Pinansin naman siya agad ni Sheena at ngumiti ito sa kanya. Kaya kahit mukhang tuod siyang nakatayo sa likod nila, kahit papaano nagkaroon siya ng konting pag-asa.
"Besh, pansinin mo naman yung gwapo sa likod mo. Kanina ang bilis mong sumunggab, ngayon dedmabels na siya. Aba, iba ka beshie!" Sheena whispered towards Nicki's ear but the latter didn't budge so Sheena continued. "Kawawa naman si Jay, muntanga na oh. Sige ka, pag yan napuno baka umayaw din yan sayo. Madaming hahabol dyan Nics, naku sinasabi ko na sayo. Nangunguna na dun yung babaeng iyon oh, nakatingin pa din dito sa inyo." Sheena added, looking at Andy who was intently eyeing them.
Nicki threw a glance at Andy too and saw that she was indeed looking back at them. It was as if she was waiting for another opening to get close to RJ.
Oh gahd! The nerve of that girl!
Hindi pa rin natakot talaga ha.
Hindi niya makukuha sa akin ang baby ko.
Hindi! Hindi ako papayag.
Medyo kinabahan din siya at napaisip sa sinabi ni Sheena. Hindi naman kasi siya galit kay RJ. Dumidistansya lang siya dahil naiinis pa rin siya. Ayaw lang niyang may masabing hindi maganda dahil sa inis niya at lalo lang silang magkalabuan. Pero sa isang banda, naisip din niya na baka sa sobrang pag-iinarte niya, tuluyan ng sumuko si RJ at mawala na sa kanya.
"Go na beshie, lapitan mo na si Jay bago pa tayo tawagin papunta sa loob ng court. Pag yan naiwan dito ng hindi mo nakakausap, sureball ako mahuhurt yan. At eto namang si ate girl to the rescue yan sa kanya panigurado. Tandaan mo, mauuna tayong tatawagin bago yung university nila kaya maiiwan dito si Jay kasama niya kung di mo pa papansinin yan.
She thought about it deeply. She knew Sheena was right at posible talagang mangyari yun kung mag-iinarte pa siya. Kaya naman kahit medyo iritable pa siya dahil sa nangyari, nakaramdam din siya ng takot. Alam niya na wala naman talagang kasalanan si RJ. Naalala niya yung nangyari kagabi at yung mga narinig niyang sinabi nito nung nasa bar. Deep inside she knew he won't let go and she could really feel the love he has for her. She knew hindi siya magagawang iwan nito. Ganun din naman siya. Hindi rin niya kakayanin makita si RJ na may kasamang iba. Lalo na ang mapunta siya sa malanding babaeng yun. Hindi talaga siya makakapayag.
So she took a deep breath then turned to face him. As soon as their eyes met, a small smile crept upon RJ's lips and with a heart already wanting to get out of his chest, he swallowed the invisible lump in his throat as he began to move closer to her without losing her gaze.
Baby, i'm sorry...
He mumbled as he handed
her the flowers.
Naghiyawan naman ang buong paligid na para bang nanonood ng pelikula at nakatutok talaga sa kanilang dalawa nang tanggapin ni Nicki yung bouquet. Naconscious tuloy si Nicki lalo na nang marinig niya yung pagtili ng mga teammates niya. Magsasalita na sana siya ngunit hindi siya hinayaan ni RJ at nagtuloy-tuloy ito.
Baby please let me explain...
Mag-usap tayo please...
Baby mo pa rin naman ako diba?
Baby diba hindi mo naman ako iiwan?
Alam mo naman na ikaw lang...
Walang iba, baby...
Sayong-sayo lang ako.
Ikaw, akin ka pa rin ba?
He asked him in a soft voice,
quite anxious of his question.
He knew that the answer he will get upon asking that question would either make or break their relationship. But he just had to ask. Kasi hindi na rin siya mapakali at natutuliro na siya. So he held his breath as he waited for her response. His heartbeat raced as Nicki remained silent while she looked deep into his eyes. Hindi naman mabasa ni RJ ang mga mata niya at halos malagutan na siya ng hininga dahil hindi pa rin nagsasalita si Nicki. Until they heard some cheers from the arena and Sheena tapped Nicki's shoulder, making him lose her gaze as she turned her head to Sheena.
"Ah, sorry to interrupt lovebirds, pero tayo na next beshie. Pila na daw ng maayos sabi ni Coach."
Nicki just nodded then turned her head back to RJ as Sheena added, "Pasensya na Jay ha, later na lang. Tinatawag na kami eh."
Okay lang, Sheena.
Hindi naman ako aalis.
Hihintayin ko talaga kayong
matapos. Salamat.
"Don't worry, akong bahala dito kay Nics. Hindi ito malalapitan ng kung sinu-sino. Ikaw din, make sure hindi ka malapitan ng kung sinu-sino dyan ha kundi lagot ka talaga sa akin!"
Oo naman, Sheena.
Behave naman ako eh.
He shyly replied.
"Oh pano, wag na kayo magtagal ha. Baka mapagalitan kami ni Coach Pat. Pasunurin mo na agad itong beshie ko. Later, I'm sure marami kayong quality time. Hihi!" Sheena teased before she left the two.
Ah, sige na Nicki, later na
lang siguro tayo mag-usap.
Baka mapagali—
Thank you for the flowers.
She cut him off.
Ha?
Sabi ko salamat dito.
Nag-abala ka pa.
She repeated then her lips
curved into a sweet smile.
Napangiti naman agad si RJ at parang nabunutan ng tinik sa kanyang dibdib nang ngumiti sa kanya si Nicki. He smiled back at her.
Okay na ko. Nasilayan ko na
yang ngiti sa mga labi mo eh.
Sus! Bolero ka talaga!
Uy, hindi ah! Pero baby,
I'm really sorry ha...
for last night... kung
anuman nagawa ko,
I'm sorry baby...
Let's just talk about it later...
He heaved a deep sigh and tried his hardest not to frown with the coldness of Nicki's response to what he said. Napansin naman agad ni Nicki yung lungkot sa mga mata niya at medyo nag-alala siya na baka hindi sila nagkaintindihan.
Ah, sige, Nicki baka they
need you there na po...
He uttered sadly.
Nakumpirma niya na iba nga ang pagkakaintindi ni RJ sa sinabi niya dahil bakas sa mukha nito ang pagkadismaya. He was even looking down and avoiding her gaze. It was a good thing she was able to come up with a good idea to change his demeanor before she went back to her team.
He stood frozen on his spot as his eyes slowly opened. As soon as it opened, he saw Nicki's back so he just stood there and remained staring at her back as she walked to her teammates. She saw her lined up with them.
Totoo ba yun?!
Nangyari ba yun o
nag-iimagine lang ako?!
He tapped his cheek again and again then shook his head just to make sure he wasn't dreaming. Then he glanced back at Nicki and he was surprised to see her looking back at him with a sweet smile on her face. His dimple showed as he smiled widely back at her. He couldn't contain the giddiness he's feeling as Nicki waved her hand and winked at him before they started entering the Arena.
The wide smile never left his pretty face even as Nicki and the rest of her teammates disappeared from his sight as they went inside the Arena. He couldn't believe what just happened. It felt like the universe was really on his side. Earlier, he woke up feeling anxious because everything seemed uncertain about his relationship with Nicki. And then the incident with Andy transpired and he was even more worried that he won't be able to redeem himself from Nicki anymore. But the universe had its funny way of turning the tables around. And all it took was just one kiss. A kiss to keep his hopes up. A kiss to make him believe that things will get better. That he will not lose her.
It's just so unbelievable.
He thought.
Pero thank you Lord... Di pa
man kami nakakapag-usap
ng maayos, sapat na yun
para malaman kong mahal pa
rin ako ng mahal ko.
He then turned around and walked in daze as their kiss continuously played on his mind.
"Hoy Pokerson! Anong itsura yan?!"
He was taken out of reverie when Je hit the back of his head as he passed by them.
"Tol, anyare na?! Nakaquota ka lang ng kiss kay Nicki, lutang ka na dyan. Hahahahaha!" Kristoff added jokingly.
Huh?!
He asked, still a bit
lost in his thoughts.
"Naku po! Wala na, malala ka na talaga tol! Hahaha! Pero nakita namin yung kanina ha? Sasalbahin ka na sana namin kay Andy kaso dumating si Nicki. Mabuti na rin at nasampolan niya si Andy. Ang lakas ng arrive ni Nicki, tol!"
Hoy gago! Anong malakas ang arrive?!
Girlfriend ko yung tinutukoy mo, uy!
"Chill dude! Di ka naman namin aagawan. Hahaha! Totoo naman, ang bangis ng girfriend mo kanina. Tiklop tuloy si Andy! Hahaha!"
Mabuti na yung malinaw... Pero I agree. Ang hot niya kanina pero nakakatakot din! Tsaka nakakaproud. Kinilig kaya ako nung sinabi niyang girlfriend ko siya.
"Ay sus! Para kang binabae, may pakilig kilig ka pa dyan samantalang kagabi iiyak-iyak ka!Hahaha! Pero happy ako tol na okay na kayo. Sana tuloy-tuloy na yan. Oh siya, tinatawag na din kami tol. Mamaya na tayo mag-usap. Panoorin mo na dun yung girlfriend mo. Alam naman namin na siya ang pinunta mo dito eh. Geh!"
Geh, salamat! Baka di ako makasama sa inyo mamaya. Susuyuin ko muna yung girlfriend ko. Ide-date ko muna kaya pass muna ko later.
"Yan! Ganyan nga tol! Sige lang, basta si Nicki ang ka-date mo ayos sa'min yan! Oh sige na, manood ka na dun sa bleachers. Bantayan mo na si Kapitana! Lalabas na din kami."
"Dude, yung Kapitana ng Volleyball Team ng Benilde ang tinutukoy namin ha." Je added.
Malamang! Wala namang iba eh.
"Eh, naninigurado lang. May isang Kapitana din kasing umaasa yata na magustuhan mo. Eh maganda din naman tsaka sexy, pre! Baka lang naman..."
Not gonna happen! Wala ng ibang mas gaganda at sesexy sa Kapitana ko. Si Nicki lang ang gusto ko. Siya lang mahal ko.
"Yun naman! Iba ka talaga, Pokerson! Oh sige na, kumekeso ka na eh. Pupunta na kami dun at baka dagain na tayo dito sa kakesuhan mo. Hahaha!"
****************
Silipin naman natin ang mga kaganapan sa loob ng MOA Arena. Hindi nakalampas si Nicki sa panunukso ng teammates niya habang nakahilera silang pumarada paikot ng court.
"Ang haba naman ng hair ng team captain natin! Hihihi! Parang abot na yata hanggang Timbuktu yan Nicki! Ibang level ka talaga friend! Hahaha!" One of their teammates teased.
Hala! Grabe kayo!
"Sus! I agree! Yun ba yung boyfriend mo, Nics?! Grabe, ang gwapo nga! Papable talaga! Kaya pala napasagot ka agad nun eh! Hahaha!" Another one of them added.
Huy, hindi ah!
"Naku, wag na magdeny. Totoo naman gwapo talaga si Jay. Ang sarap kay—" Sheena joined the teasing but Nicki cut her off.
Whaaat?! Anong masarap?! Ha?!
Ayusin mo yang sagot mo beshie ha!
"OA much besh?! Patapusin mo muna kasi ako. Hahaha! 'Pakapossessive nito! Ang ibig kong sabihin, ang sarap kayang magkajowa ng tulad ni Jay. Gwapo na tapos gentleman pa. Tapos inlove na inlove pa sayo, juskupu!"
Huuuuy! Nakakahiya ka,
hinaan mo nga yung boses mo!
"Aba ngayon ka pa talaga nahiya ha? Eh kanina kung makakiss ka sa boyfriend mo parang kayo lang ang tao dun eh."
Eeeeeehhh... nakakahiya pa din!
"Susmadre ka! Bakit ka ba nahihiya? You should be proud besh! Hay naku, di na ko magtataka kung landiin o lapitan man si Jay ng kung sinu-sinong babae kung ganyan ka."
"Tama si Sheens, Nicki. Wala ka naman dapat ikahiya. Hindi naman masamang tao ang boyfriend mo diba? Tsaka wala naman kayong ginagawang masama, so bakit ka mahihiya? Isa pa, ikaw ang girlfriend so you should act like one. Pakita mong hindi mo ipapaagaw ang boyfriend mo. Ganern!"
Hindi pa ba enough yung ginawa ko kanina?
"In all fairness to you, ang fierce mo kanina besh! Kinabahan lang kami ng very light kasi mukhang kakainin mo ng buhay yung babaitang yun pero you handled it pretty well."
"Yes, oo nga Nics! Tama naman yung ginawa mo kanina. Para alam ni ate mo gurl kung saan siya lulugar. I guess all we're saying is hindi ka na dapat mahiya. Kumbaga sa pageant, nasa iyo ang korona. Ikaw ang nagwagi. So claim it!"
Okay, okay, i get it na.
Actually I didn't know what came
over me kanina. Pero nung nakita ko
kung paano haplusin nung babaeng
yun si RJ, I saw red! Yung tipong, I just
wanna show her na ako yung girlfriend.
Hindi ko na naisip yung ibang tao na
nandun kanina. Kaya nagawa ko yun.
"Then that's what you should be doing. Always. Hindi mo iisipin yung ibang tao para hindi ka mahihiya. Kayong dalawa lang ni Jay, besh. Relationship niyo yan eh. Kung palagi mong iisipin yung ibang tao, baka it might affect your relationship sooner or later."
Hay, oo nga noh. Pero alam niyo,
it really feels good after I did what I did
kanina sa babaeng yun. Kaya lang
di ko maitago yung inis ko kaya hindi
ko agad pinansin si RJ kanina.
"Oo grabe ka Nicki, kala namin dededmahin mo na talaga eh. Magvovolunteer na sana kaming lapitan. Hahaha! Pero hindi namin aagawin ha? We'll just ask kung meron pa siyang kapatid. Ganda ng lahi eh! Hahahahaha!"
OMG kayo! Pero sorry to say girls,
wala na siyang kapatid na lalaki.
Yung sumunod sa kanya are two girls eh.
Although, he has friends na mga
gwapo din. Diba Sheens?! Hihi!
"Op! Op! Op! Bago kayo magpunyagi, babalaan ko na kayo ha. True yun, may friends yan na gwapo din pero hands off na dun sa isa ha. Naku kayo, lagot talaga kayo sa'kin!"
"Aba gurls, mukhang may lovelife na din si Sheena oh? Pakilala mo na sa'min yan!"
"Wala pa! Wag nga kayong ano! Baka mamaya maudlot pa eh. Kaya wag na muna natin pag-usapan. Hush hush muna!"
Hahahahaha!
Kung makapagbanta ka kala
ko jowa mo na agad si Kristoff.
Bakuran na ba besh?
"Opkors! Mabuti na yung maibakod ko siya bago pa may biglang lumapit dun noh? Aba, mapapalaban din siguro ako tulad ng ginawa mo kanina. Idol kita beshie eh. Gusto ko yun. Ang fierce eh!" Sheena answered as she mimicked Nicki's fierce look earlier.
Homaygahd ka!
The rest of the girls burst out in laughter with the way Sheena tried to imitate how Nicki looked and walked earlier. When they finally reached their designated spot inside the court, they all sat on the floor as the opening ceremonies began.
********
RJ found a spot on the bleachers alotted for their university along with his other schoolmates as the program started. As soon as he's seated, his gaze zeroed in on Nicki and found her laughing along with her teammates. Even until now that Nicki was already his girlfriend, he was still mesmerized with her charm. Especially with the beauty of her smiles, it's truly captivating him. As his eyes were only pinned on Nicki, he can't help but smile and wonder how he got so lucky to have her as his girl.
Naalala niya yung unang pagkakataon na masilayan niya ang ganda nito sa Boracay. It was almost the same scenario, it's just in a different setting. Hindi niya malilimutan kung papaano siya pinilit ng pinsan niya noon na tumigil sandali at pagmasdan ang nag-gagandahang dilag na kalahok sa nagaganap na beach volleyball tournament nun. Napangiti na lang siya nang maalala niyang hindi niya talaga ginustong tumigil at magmasid pero dahil sa kakulitan ni Josh ay wala na siyang nagawa. At mas lalo siyang natawa sa sarili nung maalala niya kung paano niya dineny na wala naman siyang nagustuhan ni isa sa kanila.
Now he just realized, that was one of the best decisions he has ever made. Yung magpapilit kay Josh at pagmasdan ang mga manlalaro sa Boracay noon. Kundi kasi siya tumigil at sumama kay Josh, malamang hindi niya nasilayan si Nicki sa unang pagkakataon. Malamang hindi niya makikilala ito. At siguradong ngayon, hindi sana siya ang kasintahan nito.
He was taken out of reverie when the hosts started to speak as the Opening program officially begins. Pero hindi pa rin naalis ang tingin niya kay Nicki. Lalo naman siyang nakahinga ng maluwag dahil bakas na sa mukha nito ang saya habang patuloy ito sa pakikipag-usap sa mga kasama niya.
At least hindi na siya badtrip tulad kanina. Mukhang okay na siya. Tsaka hinalikan ka na nga kanina diba? Kinindatan ka pa. Pero wag muna tayong masyadong kampante. Sabi niya mag-uusap kami mamaya eh. Sana lang talaga mas maging okay na ang lahat pagkatapos. Sana umayon talaga sayo ang kapalaran, RJ!
It only took about an hour or so for the program to finish. It was actually quite uneventful. Just a few speeches from some officers, ice breaker games and an oath taking ceremony for the players and participants of the tournament. Then all the players left the court as the participants of each university prepared for the highlight of today's event, the Cheerleading Competition.
RJ remained seated as the crowd started to stand up and go wild when the first cheerleading team began their routine. First time niya din kasing manood ng ganitong event at nagulat siya na pati yung mga schoolmate niya na katabi niya sa bleachers nakikisama din sa pagsigaw at pagchicheer. University kasi nila ang unang magpeperform. Naaliw naman siya hindi dahil sa mga babaeng nagsasayaw, kundi dahil ramdam din niya ang excitement sa panonood ng mga stunts. Subalit wala pa man sa kalahati ng routine ang napapanood niya, naramdaman na niyang nagvavibrate yung phone sa bulsa niya. He quickly fished out his phone from his pocket and saw a message notification from Nicki.
Halos masubsob na siya sa pagtakbo maabutan niya lang si Nicki. Nasa 2nd floor pa naman siya kaya mabilis talaga siyang napatayo nang mabasa niya ang text ni Nicki. He tried to call her but she was not picking up. Hindi na rin kasi ito nagreply sa kanya. Makailang ulit niyang tinawagan habang nagmamadali siyang lumabas ng Arena pero wala pa ring sagot. Mabuti na lang naisipan niyang tawagan si Sheena.
Hey!
Sheena... nasaan kayo?
Dito na naglalakad palabas.
Si..si Nicki kasama mo?
San banda na kayo?
Ah, yeah. Kausap lang si Coach while walking. Nasaan ka ba? Eto na palabas na nga mismo ng Arena. Sa may side entrance near the church.
Di sinasagot ni Nicki tawag ko. Nandyan na ko, malapit na. Please don't let her leave...
Naku, sabi niya mas gusto mo pa daw panoorin yang cheerleader kaya uuwi na siya. Badtrip na naman yata.
Huh? No! Akala ko tatapusin niyo kasi. Please, Sheena. We need to talk. Please just stall time para maabutan ko kayo.
Oh sige, bilisan mo na at baka makahalata pa ito pag nagpatagal ako. Go!
As soon as Sheena ended the call, RJ ran fast towards the exit near the church. Mabuti na lang malapit lang talaga yung napwestuhan niya dun kaya hindi siya natagalan sa pagbaba mula sa ikalawang palapag.
True to her word, Sheena tried to while away the time by taking a stop every now and then while Nicki waits for her. Nandyan yung nag-ayos ng sintas kaya tumigil. Tapos maya-maya nalaglag yung hawak kaya napatigil na naman. Mabuti na lang hindi napansin ni Nicki ang makailang-ulit na pagtigil nila. Kada hihinto pa naman, napapatingin talaga siya sa likod na parang may hinahanap.
"Jusko Jay, bilisan mo malapit na kami sa shuttle! Juskuka! Nakasakay na yata lahat ng teammates namin." Sheena thought to herself when she didn't see any signs of RJ yet.
They went on walking while Nicki kept on ranting about RJ choosing to watch the cheerdance competition instead of being with her. Hinayaan naman niya na magkwento lang si Nicki at maglabas ng inis nito sa kanya habang papalapit sila ng papalapit sa sasakyan. Hanggang sa natanaw na niya si RJ na tumatakbo mula sa likod.
"Hay salamat!" Sheena mumbled.
Hmmm? Ano yun besh?!
"Huh?! Wala, wala. Sabi ko salamat nakarating din tayo sa shuttle. Tara na besh, tayo na lang hinihintay." Sheena said then quickly ran towards the coaster, leaving Nicki behind.
Uy besh, sandali naman!
Hintayin mo ako!
She was about to ran after her but she was stopped on her tracks when someone held her wrist and turned her around.
Aaaaay!
Kinakabahan siyang napatingin sa kamay na nakahawak sa kanya. But she was even more dumbfounded when she looked up and saw the face of the person holding her wrist.
Hindi niya alam kung matatawa siya sa itsura ng binata. Humahangos pa kasi at halos lumawit na ang dila sa hingal. Hindi nga agad ito nakapagsalita.
RJ...
Bh... bheh.. bhabyhhh.
Hingal na tawag nito.
Naawa naman si Nicki dahil naghahabol pa rin ito ng hininga sa layo marahil ng pinanggalingan niya. Alam naman niyang kasalanan din niya kung bakit tumakbo ito. Hindi na niya kasi nireplyan at hindi rin niya sinagot yung mga tawag.
Breathe... sige...
Hinga ka muna.
Thaanks..
Why are you here?
Hinahabol po kita.
Bakit? Kala ko manonood ka pa?
No, hindi. Mag-uusap pa tayo diba?
Eh mukhang mas maganda naman
yung pinapanood mo. Okay lang naman.
I can go home by myself.
Ha? No, hindi.
Sabi mo maganda diba?
Maganda naman talaga.
Eh di dun ka na nga.
Maganda pala siya eh.
What?! No! Maganda yung
routine ng school namin. That's
what I meant.
Oh, eh di go! Watch it.
Bakit ka pa nandito? Sabi
ko naman okay lang diba?
Hindi na. Mas importante ka
kesa dun, baby. May next time pa
naman yun eh. Akala ko lang
kasi tatapusin niyo rin yung
competition.
Eh pinayagan na kami umuwi
ni Coach kasi galing pa kami
sa training last night.
Hindi ko naman alam eh.
Hindi mo naman sinabi.
I'm sorry...
Eh akala ko gusto
mo pa manood eh.
Nanonood lang ako
kasi hinihintay kita.
Okay lang naman talaga na tapusin
mo yung competition. Uuwi lang naman
ako sa condo. May shuttle naman kami.
Shuttle?! You mean that one?!
RJ pointed at the coaster that was
already leaving from the entrance.
Hala, iniwan na ako.
Ikaw kasi eh.
Ha? Bakit ako?
Eh kasi pinigil mo ko tapos
kinausap mo pa ako.
Naiwan na tuloy ako.
Sorry na baby ko... wag ka na
po mainis... nandito naman ako.
Ihahatid naman po kita sa inyo.
Pwede na ba tayo mag-usap?
May choice pa ba ako?!
Meron po. Pwede naman hindi
mag-usap kung ayaw mo. I'll just
take you to your condo if you want.
I'll respect your decision baby. Kaya
nga po nagtatanong ako kung pwede.
RJ held his breath as he waited for Nicki's response. Nicki noticed his uneasiness and the sadness in his voice with the way he asked her. Medyo nakonsensya naman siya. She reprimanded herself sa sobrang pag-iinarte dahil ang totoo, syempre gusto naman talaga niyang makasama at makausap si RJ.
Okay na po. Sige na. Halika na.
Halikan na?!
What?! No!
Ang sabi ko, let's go na.
Ikaw, puro ka kalokohan.
Ay, sorry sorry... nagtatanong
lang po para malinaw...
He said as he grinned at her.
Akin na yung bag mo, baby.
Ako na lang magbibitbit
para di ka mabigatan.
Nicki didn't argue anymore and just let RJ get her duffle bag as they started to exit the Arena. She knew he would do that. But what she didn't expect was when RJ slowly slipped his hand in hers and intertwined their fingers as they began to walk side by side.
She smiled at the gesture but she didn't let it show. RJ also felt good inside when she didn't remove her hand and even tightened her grip. They thread along the path towards the parking lot in silence.
As soon as they reached the car, RJ led her to the passenger side and guided her to settle in the seat before he placed her duffle bag in the backseat. Then he ran towards the driver side and quickly got in the car.
As soon as he closed the door, he checked on Nicki but he smiled when he saw that she was already putting her seatbelt on.
Mukhang ayaw pa magpakiss
ng baby ko. Kung anu-ano kasi
iniisip mo RJ! Focus ka muna
sa pag-uusap niyo.
Hey!
Hmmm?
You're spacing out, babe.
Hearing her call him by their endearment made him smile so sweetly at her.
Huy RJ, ano ba?
Ha? What?!
What's with that face?
She asked, but at the back
of her mind she thought,
Jusko naman, nagpacute na
agad itong mokong na ito.
Pigilan mo muna ang gigil
mo Nicki!
Ha? Ito?!
He asked, pointing at his
grinning self.
Yeah.
I'm.. i'm just...
happy... Narinig ko na
kasi ulit na tinawag
mo akong babe...
I love you, baby!
She felt her face blushed but
tried to ignore what he said.
Tara, let's go na!
Wala ka bang sagot dun baby?
RJ, aalis ba tayo dito o
dito na tayo mag-uusap?
Sige na po, let's go na.
Balik na ulit sa RJ eh.
Sorry po kung makulit.
His smile instantly turned
into a frown with what she
did. He even pouted.
Jusko talaga itong boypren ko parang bata!
Magpapout pa talaga eh alam naman
niyang gigil na gigil ako dyan. Urghhhh!
He started the engine without a word and was about to drive away but Nicki suddenly held his arm making him look her way. Before he knew it, she was already leaning closer as she gave him a quick peck on the lips.
It was just one sweet chaste kiss but it took his breath away. When Nicki pulled away, she stared into his pretty face and chuckled because RJ was beaming widely at her.
Ok na ba? Nakuha
mo na ba yung sagot sa
tanong mo babe?
He nodded repeatedly with his wide smile still plastered on his face. He held her hand and put the back of it on his lips. She smiled at the sweet gesture.
I love you, baby!
I love you too, babe!
Pwede na ba tayong umuwi?
No! Hindi pa tayo uuwi.
What?! Babe naman,
don't tell me dito talaga
tayo mag-uusap?!
Syempre, hindi baby...
Yun naman pala eh.
Tara na, uwi na tayo.
Hindi pa nga pwede.
May pupuntahan pa tayo.
He said as he started to
drive off the parking lot.
Saan pa ba tayo pupunta?
Sa langit baby...
Dadalhin kita sa langit!
****************
A/N: Ayun na nga, makarating kaya sila sa langit?! Hahaha! Naexcite tuloy ako sa susunod na chapter. Hihihi!
Thank you po ulit sa lahat ng sumusuporta pa rin sa fic na ito. Sorry na kung medyo sabaw update. Talagang pinipilit ko pong makasulat ng maayos na story kaso hirap po talaga ako sa oras sa ngayon. Sana po nagugustuhan niyo pa din. Sabihan niyo lang po ako kung hindi na kayo natutuwa ha. Open po ako for suggestions and comments. Promise po!😊
Anyway, gusto ko na rin itake ang time na ito para bumati ng happy 184 weeks sa ating lahat, ADN! Meron pa rin bang nakikicelebrate kasama ko? Alam kong madami tayong kinakaharap na issues ngayon. Patibayan lang talaga ng loob eh. Pero gusto ko lang sabihin na kahit kelan hindi na siguro mawawala yung love ko for RJ and Maine. Mahal ko sila as a pair and as individuals. At patuloy ko silang mamahalin no matter what! Solid Maichard fan ako, at hindi na magbabago yun. Ever!😍
Thank you sa pagbabasa ha. I hope this chapter was worth your while. Hanggang sa muli, ADN! I love you all as much as I love them.😘
Lovelots,
tinkybella16
PS. Hindi ko na po naproofread. Deretso publish na eh. ✌🏻😊