Territorial
"So, ano?! Is he courting you?"
I sneered at Mia— at the same time thinking about it. Weeks passed after that night; Third and I didn't talk about it seriously since that. It's been also five days up to now that I'm not seeing him. He would just text me and ask me if I have taken up my food and if I'm home already from school.
I don't really know what's the real deal now. He hasn't asked me any serious questions naman kasi... Basta! I just know I'm above dancing in clouds knowing we both like each other! Like. But I don't know if that was the right word to say.
From what I know, crush means 'paghanga'. And liking someone has a much different meaning. It was like the second stage after crushing. The feelings were more developed. I'm not only admiring Third by his physical look. I consider now non-physical attributes by liking what personality his soul has. It has all leveled up.
I like him. It's given. At the beginning pa lang, alam kong 'yon na ang nararamdaman ko. Hindi ko maipaliwanag pero mayroon sa kaniya.. something special that awakened my heart and cheered my system to be this lively like there's always a thing now that puts me to excitement.
Was it his quietness at our first meeting?
I remember during my teenage days how I'm attracted as fuck to those silent guys with a certain disposition for dramas and stories. If going to compared them to loud persons na oftentimes ay playboy as character, naniniwala ako na sila ang may mas clean na intention dahil ang dating ng mga tahimik sa'kin ay matino. They were the ones who don't do jokes and give a serious tone to different matters.
Pero I concluded na hindi 'yon ang dahilan. Hindi naman pala si Third quiet katulad ng pag-aakala ko. He likes teasing me and making fun of my reactions. Hindi gano'n ang mga tahimik. Masiyado silang torpe to do speak!
Katulad ko.. siguro ay ganoon din si Third sa mga new acquaintance dahil pagdating lang ng following days, masasabi kong nakapag- palagayan na kami ng loob. Madalas niya pa nga akong tawaging babe sa message because of our landian stage. That's when I realized he's a sweet and a waggish person.
"Hope I know. Wala naman siyang sinasabi sa'kin." I passed the paper to Mia. We're in the class right now and doing a pair work activity.
"Hindi ba counted ang pag- deliver ng flowers araw- araw na may kasamang nakakakilig na notes?"
She's right. After that night, Third started delivering flowers every day. It has notes with it na laging nagpapasigla ng day ko. He would say, 'Your charm is like a flower, you captured my eyes.' 'Have a bright day ahead my finest.' 'You have the most beautiful smile when you bloom.'
Lagi tuloy akong inspired sa pagpasok. My blockmates and parents would always notice the spark and bright plastered on my face every morning.
Speaking of parents, they were very much aware of it, making Mom and Tita Yelena jump in so much happiness with their all-out support. To my dad.. though he's univocally serious about it, I can feel that it's perfectly fine to put him in peace and trust. He isn't worried and strict dahil malapit ang family namin sa isa't isa. Of all people, he knew Third well.
Nagkibit- balikat nalang ako kay Mia at maya-maya lang ay tumayo na siya para i- pass ang paper namin sa front. Magkatulad kami ng schedule this day kaya magkasama kaming dalawa.
I gathered up all my things from the table when the bell rang. Hinintay ko si Mia na matapos sa gamit niya before we stepped out to the hallway. Malapit na kaming dalawa sa gate when my heartbeat voluntarily raised after viewing Third from my sight here. What is he doing here?
I suddenly think of my face, do I look okay?
Hindi pa ako nakikita ni Third kaya lumingon muna ako sa naka- smirk kong kaibigan. "Do I have wetsuit?" I sounded so serious and worried.
"Booger lang, nakasabit sa nose mo."
I immediately scrunch my nose, eager to release my compact mirror from the bag to really check when Mia cracked her laugh.
I furrowed my forehead. "Hindi kasi nakakatawa!"
Just wow! Sobra na nga akong nabo- bother dito dahil gusto kong magmukhang maayos at presentable kapag humarap ako kay Third!
"Tara na, naghihintay na ang ka-crush relationship mo!"
I exhaled first and do the finest position of my baby hairs. We are on our fifth step when Mia stopped me. I looked at her.
"Wait, we can check your breath first if you want. You don't want Third to be offended by your amoy santol na breath!"
Right! Kumain kami kanina ng santol dahil may dala si Ralph from their hacienda. Ka- scheduled ko siya kanina sa core subject and I grabbed the opportunity nang mag- spread siya sa'min ng santol. It was so often to me eating fruits like that kaya nakarami talaga ako!
"Excuse me?! Nag mouthwash ako kanina sa comfort room. Baka sayo ang gusto mong i-check! Your style... come on!" Iniwan ko na si Mia na tumatawa, pero hinabol din naman agad ako.
Third looked up from his feet and our eyes instantly met. He smiled and I smiled too. Nararamdaman ko na namam ang distortion ng tummy ko! Lalo siyang gumaguwapo all the time na nag- ssmile siya ng ganiyan.
He got something from the back of his car and when I saw it's flowers, agad na namang nag- start ang race ng kilig ko all over my body! I'm biting my lips so hard para naman hindi ako masiyadong obvious. Kinurot ako ni Mia sa side belly.
Her eyes were shining too while carefully pulling the end of my hair down, teasing me. "Can I ask for your shampoo? Brand reveal."
I almost scoffed. If my suspicion were right...
I shook my head and focused my attention on Third when he cleared his throat.
"Hi. Flowers?" He handed me.
I flashed my sweetest smile. "Thank you!"
When Third turned to Mia, who was beside me, I took the chance to simply smell the alluring roses. His scent was also there! I can't stop myself from grinning too much.
Mia and Third formally greeted each other. Afterward, my guy offered my dear friend to come with us and grab something to eat.
"You can come... if you want." Such a man of generosity.
I'm not surprised when my best friend thoroughly agreed, katatapos pa lang magsalita ni Third. If I know, gusto niya lang sumama to arouse her curiosity how do I act around Third and make this fun for her.
Napa- stop ako nang may mapansin. Most of the students, especially the girls, would stop and look in our direction. Women are flocking on both different sides of the way while we're here in between. They're shamelessly surveying Third from head to toe in a very.. Oh my, my cheeks heated.
I mean... I'm aware of the look. They're giving stares at Third in a very malicious way!
In an instant, my blood boils. Surprisingly, my 'at all times' calm nerves betrayed me dahil naiirita ako ngayon! Why would I! My instinct impulse just told me to reach Third's hand. So that's what I did, making the latter go surprised.
I heard Mia burst out a laugh. I just couldn't care now of what she would think about me, kahit si Third! I literally could feel my ocean breathing now! This can't be a joke. I want to show the girls what they want is restricted. They need to back off!
"Let's go."
The irritation in my voice was undeniable. I pulled Third and he slightly chuckled making me stop.. for a while, and think back.
"I can't." He's foolishly smiling.
I easily got rid of his hand and covered my face. Fuck. What on earth were my outbursts all about?
I can also hear Mia's laugh from the background. I get it, I'm a weirdo!
"I can't come to you in the shotgun seat... unless you want to sit on my lap and Mia's the one who's going to drive."
I feel heated. I'm all burning and I know it was obvious with my white skin! What was he saying.. me? sitting.. Oh, I just want the solid land to eat me this now! I'm scolding my brain dahil naging submissive na naman siya sa emotion ko! Ngayon ko lang na- take in kung ano ang ginawa ko! I blushed, lagi nalang... The man is just so good at making me!
I was so embarrassed that I scratched my forehead. "Oh. I-I'm sorry... gusto ko lang umalis na."
"It's okay, gusto ko na ring umalis," pagsakay ni Third. The smirk was still smothered on his side lip.
Third opened the door for me and Mia. My bella giggly made herself occupy the back seat. Before Third could close the door, I heard some of the concerns of women from outside.
"Oh, no! He's going to leave agad? I hope he comes back tomorrow!"
"He's already the man of my dreams!"
"Pero taken na ata... Damn, that girl is one hell lucky!"
"Oh wait! si Avi ba? I saw!"
"Luh, oo nga! They have Mia—"
The voices hollowed when the door closed and Third turned around to go to the driver's seat. Before he could totally get in, mahina akong hinila ni Mia sa hair, laughing.
"Alam mo ba ang territorial mo!"
I just arched a brow and straighten my back when Third got himself in.
"Seatbelt."
I put on my seatbelt and waited for him to start the engine. I watched the girls from the mirror patiently waiting also the car to move. Just for real?! Hindi pa rin sila nagle- leave, ah!
Umirap ako at naririnig ko pa rin ang small tawa ni Mia sa back. I then received a message from her.
From: My bella
You two are still not a thing and he still hasn't done anything to clear things for u to be official, pero sobra ka ng magselos! What more kung kayo na nga and u two have already set your boundaries and rules. Hayy Avi, I never expect na ganito ka pala towards a man. Im surprised, but keep up the good work hahaha.
Jealous? No! Nairita lang ako how women gape at Third. You name that pagseselos na ba?
To: My bella
I'm not.
I saw Mia smirking in the rearview mirror. She already put back her phone to the bag kaya tinago ko na rin ang akin.
"Who are you texting with?" Napaangat ang tingin ko kay Third. Mia coughed at the back kaya napalingon kami sa kaniya. Sinamaan ko siya ng look.
"Sorry, my throat's itchy."
Tinaasan ko si Mirabella Alaine ng kilay.
I returned my gaze to the front and for everything to be back normal, I answered Third's question. "Ah, si Mom lang, nangangamusta."
I checked Mia on the mirror and she was biting her lip to stop herself from laughing. I rolled my eyes on her. Hindi ko pwedeng sabihin na si Mia 'yon dahil magtataka lang si Third, for the time being na magkasama lang naman kaming dalawa sa car!
"Tita Claire?"
I nodded.
When we passed the school gate, Third comfortably shifted and asked us.
"Where to? Where do you guys wanna eat?"
"Ako, okay na ako sa fast-food," I replied. Finally, it's a normal conversation now!
"Me too." Mia at the back seat.
Nanliit ang mata ko. Wow. Just.. wow! This is the first time I heard Mia doesn't want to go to a fancy restaurant. She sounded fake though!
"Are you two sure? How about some restaurant here? I searched good places." Third swiftly maneuvered the car left after peeking from the side mirror.
I caught na napalunok si Mia. Hah! I knew it. Always knew it!
"No, we're fine... Fastfood talaga namin lagi gustong kumain ni Mia."
Lumingon ako sa likod. "Right my bella?" I smirked at her.
"Ah, sure.." She sweetly smiled at me, but the pair of her eye says otherwise.
Liar. We would always have a commotion every time we were going to eat at the mall. She would always make a ruckus.
Mia wouldn't skip a chance of choosing a perfect dining restaurant because the food there's said to be more nutritious, compared to fast food in which only instant cooking was done. She's right! I just can't help sometimes but be impatient to wait for the food until it was served. There's a time I'm in hungry mode!
It takes me an hour to sit, while the only thing placed on my desk was service water. And I don't drink service water! It frustrates me I know. And..one fast-food chain lang naman ang nagpapawala ng patience and control ko, ah... Kahit I couldn't help but grasp, at least Mcdo lang.
"How about you? Is it okay with you? Kumakain ka ba sa gano'n?"
Third answered fast like he was waiting for it to be asked.
"Honestly? No," he chuckled. "Mom wouldn't allow me. You do know that foods there are not so nutritious?"
Mia sneered and I grimaced. So, I'm a bad influence now?
"Uh... oo nga! Minsan lang din naman akong kumain sa fast-food," pagbawi ko.
"I don't think so..." He grinned. "Am I right Mia?" Bumaling siya saglit sa back seat.
Mirabella has this smug look. "For sure."
How funny the situation changed. I'm the one who's fooling my best friend earlier and yet we reached the switching point. I shook my head. I can't believe Mia's against my back instead of sustaining me!
"I changed my mind. Let's just eat in a restaurant," I lastly said. I think that's their same preference. They share the same interests on this one. Ako nalang ang mag-a-adjust, 'di ba? Nakakahiya maging VIP over the two. One lang naman ako!
I just smile awkwardly when I heard them laugh in the background.
"Your treat?" I smirked at Third. He just made himself back from the comfort room.
He returned my smirk. "I told you. I don't let women pay."
Nasamid si Mia habang umiinon ng water. I gave her my powerful glare.
"If you're waiting for the waiter, aren't you the waiter?" Third abruptly asked after the waiter took our orders. Beside me was Mia.
"Should've asked it before when we were still waiting for one." I chuckled at him. "But in fairness, you think bright."
A phone rang. It was certainly Mia's dahil hurriedly niyang nilalabas ang cellphone niya. "Excuse me, I'll just take this."
Tumango lang si Third kaya tumayo na rin siya agad. Wow. Her purpose of leave-taking was only to consult him. Hindi man lang hinintay ang violent reaction ko!
I saw her back following the way to the comfort room. Napalingon agad ako sa harap when Third cleared his throat.
"It's Sunday tomorrow... You don't have classes, right?"
My eyes zoomed in. What's he trying to foretell? I nodded my head very slowly. I'm also thinking if I have something needed to be done tomorrow. I secretly smiled when luckily I can think of nothing. Oh, nice!
"Did your Mom tell you about the party tomorrow night?"
"She didn't speak a thing. Why?" I answered.
Before he could reply to a single word, I received a text from Mom at the exact same time.
From: Mommy sugar pie
Baby, dito ka sleep mamaya. May party bukas sa hotel. We didn't expect it will be moved early I haven't got the time to inform you soon. Were going to launch the project by tomorrow night and Vilienthal's gonna be there..I already hired your stylist and make up artist. I can't wait for you to fit all of this shimmery night dress. Be home early ah, I love you! Take care
I replied to confirm and she at once sends me another message when it has been delivered.
From: Mommy sugar pie
Has Third already asked you to be his date? I can't wait to see you two looking good together!
I chuckled. Did Mom just ruin it? I think that's what Third was going to say about a time earlier. She spoiled it!
"I guess I didn't have to ask you now. Looks like your Mom already informed you." He sensed it.
I chuckled.
"Might want to still hear out my proposal?" Third has this waggish frame written all over his face.
I smirked. "Sure I want to hear it."
"Can you please be my date?"
I chuckled. "You're not supposed to say please though. As if I'm going to say no... but yes, of course, I'll be."
He chuckled. His face was full of gleam and delight. It screams ravishing, gorgeous, and drop-dead features. Third can never be more handsome right now.
"At least I discover you're a hundred percent sure. You never want to say no." He smirked at me.
I grinned from ear to ear. "You can say that's the purpose..."
I grabbed the glass of water and drink to compose myself when I saw Mia was already coming out of the comfort room. She'll just go and make fun of me when she sees my face full of romantic excitement.
"Who called you?" I put down the glass when Mia took again her seat.
I glanced at Third and saw him still smiling. I bit my lower lip and wrapped up my emotions. Unluckily, Mia spotted me doing that so she arched her brow and gave me a baffled look. When she turned to Third, that's when she realized why I am like this.
She smirked like a dog. I'll be punched until there's no chance for me to get up with her frisky attacking words later, that's for sure. "Si Mama lang," she still answered.
We started devouring food after the waiter served our orders. The conversation goes on between the three of us talking life about school, college, and all random stuff.
"Yeah... That's actually the first time my eyes were introduced to the beauty of this country." Third further said after Mia asked him about his first day in the Philippines.
"Wasn't it hard? I mean, kahit ako... To think na mapupunta ako sa hindi ko kilalang country to study.. parang ang hirap at ang sad?" I asked.
Third fell his broad back against the backrest of the chair. He shrugged. "I get your point. Of course, it's hard. But I still chose it though I do have so many options. When I was a kid, dito ko na talaga gustong mag-aral. In my early childhood, Dad would never miss a day telling me weird but amazing stories from his original country. So when my Mom told me that we can stay here for good, I felt real excitement. I set aside my fear and doubts because this is finally my chance to wonder what I'm divining for so long."
Mia and I nodded as we were both eager to hear Third's account. I'm actually proud of him. He has a strong spirit to discover new things even if it was very unfamiliar for him to experience. He has passion.. and purpose.
"You won't think but I actually had a rough sea searching for friends to be with. They say I'm too picky."
He shook his head as he continues. "But Dad's right. Filipinos were no doubt welcoming. My words. Blockmates.. speaking of Eli, he would always break punching jokes to me no matter how hard it could take to make me laugh. He and his friends.. always check on me... Inviting me to eat with them... Befriend with others as well to whatever extent." He then took a spoon of his food.
"Wow. I'm impressed," I said.
He chuckled. "Why?"
"Wala lang, ang galing mo lang."
Mia laughed. "If you put her in your shoes, she will not survive. Napakatahimik! Hindi 'yan mabubuhay ng wala ako."
"Oo nga, hindi ako kinakausap dati. She wouldn't even give me a glance," Third chortled.
How can I? Except for my normal silence, he himself is the cause of and frost. Duh!