#MMIM10
"BIBO SEA! BIBO SEA!" the crowd cheered as we entered the gymnasium.
Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Vale pero tinignan niya lamang ako habang nakahalukipkip. We walked up to some empty seats, which were hard to find kasi ang daming mga nanunuod!
"Sino ba naglalaro ngayon?" tanong ko kay Vale.
"SEA versus SAMCIS," he answered.
Tumaas ang kilay ko. SAMCIS made it to the finals?
Honestly, where have I been? Para akong tumira sa ilalim ng bato. Wala na akong alam sa mga ganap dito.
"Bakit ka ba nanunuod? Eh hindi mo naman gusto manuod ng mga gan'to. BBEAL nga, ayaw mo, diba?" tuloy tuloy kong tanong kay Vale.
Kumunot naman ang noo niya at tumingin siya sa akin. "How'd you know that?"
"Duh?!" I said. "Nung may tune up game ang UB tska SLU dito? Ako yung tinawag mong loner!"
Nanliit ang mata niya. "I don't remember anything."
"Whatever." I rolled my eyes and looked at the score board. 58-49. Mukhang lamang ang SAMCIS. "So bakit nga tayo nanunuod?"
"My bandmate's playing," he answered nonchalantly.
Nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita ko si Ven na pinapasok sa court, but I shook it off. He looks nice, I guess. Siya yung nag-chat sa'kin noon... diba? Am I wrong? Nag-reply ba ako sa kanya? Sana pala inayos ko mga reply ko. Gwapo naman pala, eh.
"Go, Salazar!" I shouted and clapped my hands.
Biglang tumingin sa akin yung babaeng naka-upo harap namin. Naalala ko tuloy na nasa side pala kami ng SAMCIS, eh SEA pala si Seven.
"You know him?" tanong ni Vale.
"Nag-chat siya noon," I answered. "Pero once lang. Tska nakita ko siya last year noong intrams rin."
Hindi na ako sinagot ni Vale at nilabas niya na lang yung phone niya para mag-laro habang kinakain yung peach mango pie niya. Hindi naman ako gaano ka-gutom kasi kinain ko na yung Jollibee sa sasakyan ni Vale. Mukhang kabado pa nga siya nung kinakain ko kaya bigla akong naalala kanina yung sinabi ni Valir na ayaw ng kuya niya kapag may pagkain sa loob ng sasakyan niya.
I carefully watched the game and observed Ven's movements. Mataas yung talon niya, tska sobrang bilis niya pa gumalaw. I think throughout this entire quarter, hindi pa siya nakaka-miss. Lahat ay pasok, kaya naman nahabol kaagad ng SEA ang lamang.
"He's good." I told Vale. "Bakit hindi siya nag-varsity?"
"Busy," sagot ni Vale habang naglalaro. I wasn't sure if he was talking about Seven or himself. He didn't even give me a glimpse!
Umirap ako at humalukipkip. Nanuod na lamang ako ng laro habang nagpapatuloy na mag-ML si Vale sa tabi ko. The only thing that made him stop was a phone call from Raffy.
"Hello?" sagot niya sa tawag. "Akala ko umuwi ka na? Diba may report kayo bukas?"
I looked at him and mouthed, 'anyare?' but all he did was place his hand on my face to shoo my face away.
"Nasaan ka?" he asked. I couldn't exactly hear what Raffy was saying, but I knew Vale wanted to go. "Puntahan na kita."
Tumaas ang kilay ko. Magtataxi na lang siguro ako pauwi, since Raffy really needs him. I fixed my eyes on the scoreboard and tried my best to not listen in on his conversation, which was pretty easy since he ended the call pretty quickly.
Vale cleared his throat and stood up.
"Tara na," he said.
Kumunot naman ang noo ko.
"Saan?" I asked. "Mag-taxi nalang ako pauwi. Puntahan mo na si Raffy."
"Sunduin natin sina Lia, pinuntahan na siya nina Raffy," he said and picked up my bag. "Let's go."
Before I could even answer, he already started walking down the stairs para maka-alis dito sa bleachers. I groaned and followed in pursuit.
Malamig na hangin ang bumati sa aming dalawa pagkalabas ng Prince Bernard. I immediately shivered while we walked down the stairs. Kita ko rin na medyo mabilis ang pag-lakad ni Vale, but he kept his cool.
Pumasok kami sa sasakyan niya at umalis na rin kaagad. He passed by Upper Bonifacio, I'm guessing we're going to Jungle Town, or Leonard Wood.
"Panalo rin lang ang SEA," sabi niya habang pumipili ako ng kanta.
I chuckled and shook my head. Lumingon siya sa akin habang naka-patong sa kaliwa niyang kamay ang ulo niya. 'Yung kamay na 'yon naman ay naka-patong rin samay bintana.
"Sorry. Kailangan natin sunduin, eh."
I looked away.
Why is he saying sorry? I am not his responsibility. I could have easily taken a cab all the way home.
Then I realized—this is not the first time I've tried to take a cab on the way home because of Raffy. I mean, I don't blame her. But Claude was much different. He was willing to let me take a cab. Vale didn't take no for an answer.
Umiling ako. Hindi ko dapat kinukumpara. Tska, di ko naman gusto si Vale! Why would I even think of comparing him with the guy I used to like?
"Kumusta kayo ni Raffy?" I smiled. "May improvement na ba? Isang buwan lang ako nawala, ah! Mamaya kayo na pala!"
"Hindi ba dapat ikaw nakaka-alam niyan?" He chuckled. "You're her leader, after all."
"Eh wala siyang nakkwento! Tska hindi naman lalaki pinaguusapan namin sa fellowship, hello?!"
Umiling siya ulit at inayos ang upo para mag-park malapit sa The Camp. I looked outside and saw the number of people already inside some of the resto-bars. Tuesday palang, ah?
"Araw araw bang parang Friday dito?" I asked. "It's only 7. On a Tuesday night."
Vale chuckled and opened his phone. Umiling na lamang siya habang magttype sa phone niya.
I let out a sigh and observed his car. Sobrang linis. He seems like a decent guy nga.
I wonder if he drinks? Sinabi rin nina Raffy na Kristiyano siya, so does he drink and party like their friends?
"Do you drink?" I asked out of nowhere.
Napatigil siya sa pag-type at napatingin sa akin.
"No," he firmly said. "Minsan lang."
"Ah," I nodded. "Bawal ba sa Church niyo na pumunta sa mga ganitong lugar mga leaders?"
"Uh..." He squinted his eyes. "Oo? I guess. It's discouraged. Siyempre, leader ka. Ikaw naglilead ng mga taong dinidisciple mo. Alangan naman na i-lead mo sila sa inuman?"
"Same, same." I shrugged. "Leader ka ba sa Church?"
"Interrogation ba 'to?"
I laughed and shook my head. "Curious lang naman."
Huminga siya nang malalim. Bago pa siya maka-sagot ay nagbukas bigla ang pintuan sa likod. There I saw Raffy and Mage giving their best efforts to carry Lia inside the car.
Agad na lumabas si Vale at tinulungan silang buhatin si Lia. Nakita ko rin ang gulat ni Raffy nang makita ang mukha ko.
"Hoy! Sinama mo pa talaga yung cell group leader ko dito sa inuman! Bad influence!" sabi ni Rafaela kay Vale.
"Hindi naman kami lumabas ng sasakyan," Vale defended as he carried Lia in.
Sinamaan lamang siya ng tingin ni Raffy habang si Lia naman ay mukhang tuwang tuwa sa mukha ko.
"Hi, Natalia!" She hugged me, obviously drunk, even if she was in the backseat. "Long time no see!"
"Hello!" I laughed. "Oo nga, eh. Sumama ka sa intrams this year?"
"Yeah! Ang hina nga namin ngayon dahil wala ka." Lia laughed.
Parehas kaming napatingin sa labas pagkasara ni Vale sa pintuan. It looked as if he and Raffy were fighting like an actual couple! Napangisi si Lia at sumandal sa upuan.
"LQ naman na 'yung dalawa," she said and took out her phone, trying to take a selfie. "It's a good thing I didn't bring the car, 'no? At least nakapag-away pa si Raffy tska Vale!"
"Lia, umupo ka na nga lang," ani Mage.
"Tingin niyo ba crush ni Vale si Raf?" I tried to chuckle so it wouldn't seem like I wasn't being nosy.
Lia laughed and looked outside once again. Vale was now scratching his head while Raffy spoke.
"The only people who don't know about Vale's feelings for Raffy are Vale and Raffy," ani Mage.
I nodded and laughed. Oo nga naman. Sobrang halata naman nga na may gusto si Vale kay Raf! Sa ganda at bait niya ba naman. Matalino pa.
It didn't take long for the two of them to enter the car. Nginitian ako ni Raffy at sinubukang yakapin kahit na medyo malayo siya sa akin.
Vale was just silent as he started driving. He didn't look angry, but he didn't look happy either.
Lumingon siya sa akin nang i-connect ko yung phone ko sa speakers ng sasakyan niya. I gave him a smile and he forced a smile back.
"Saan punta?" I asked, since it looked like Vale wasn't speaking any time soon.
"Uwi na ba?" Lia asked. "You guys could eat at my place! I'll call one of my kuyas na para mautusan niya sina manang na mag-luto."
Umiling si Raffy. "Uwi na ako, el. May report pa ako bukas ng 7:30, eh."
Sumimangot naman si Lia at tumango. "Next time! Nat, sama ka ha!"
I smiled at Lia and nodded, kahit na hindi ko alam kung kailan yung next time na 'yon. For sure hindi ko rin lang mapupuntahan.
It would probably be so awkward! I mean, Vale adjusted so easily to our squad kasi he had a lot in common with sina Lance, but I'm too shy to socialize with Raffy and her girls.
Una naming hinatid si Mage, at si Vale na rin ang nag-buhat sa kanya papasok sa building. Raffy remained quiet as Lia kept talking about the deliveries she got from Lazada the other day.
Tumingin ako sa paligid at natuwa sa ganda ng pinags-stayan na condo ni Mage. It looked like a place for rich people talaga. I wonder how rich she is? Siya kaya yung tipong jowa na bibilhan ka ng apple phone kung naka-android ka kasi gusto niyang sa iMessage nag-uusap? I wonder.
"Lia, hatid na kita?" sabi ni Vale pagkapasok ng sasakyan.
"Me agad?!" Mukhang gulat siya. "Eh tayo nga yung magkalapit yung bahay, eh!"
Umiling na lamang si Vale at diniretso yung sasakyan patungo sa Bakakeng. Lia didn't seem bothered by it, though. Medyo tahimik talaga sa sasakyan, lalo na nung nahatid na si Lia. I could cut the tension with a knife!
"Bye, Nat," sabi ni Raffy sa akin pagkarating namin sa tapat ng bahay nila.
I can't believe we spent 15 minutes in the car with just the music from the speakers.
"Bye, Raf!" I waved. "See you sa Friday!"
Tumango si Raffy at ngumiti. Si Vale naman ay tumikhim at tumingin sa likod niya.
"Bye."
Tinanguan siya ni Raffy at sinara yung pintuan. I couldn't help but smirk at him.
"Parang para sa mag-jowa yung away niyo, ah!" I chuckled. "Ang laki na pala ng progress mo, di mo ako inuupdate!"
Ginulo niya lamang yung buhok ko at umiling. "Shut up."
"Nye nye nye," I mocked. "Sa bahay ka na mag-dinner! Wala akong kasama."
"Ayoko nga." Umiling kaagad siya. "Ako ipaghuhugas mo, eh!"
"Tamad ka talaga!"
"Ako pa tamad!" He looked amused, which was a big change from his mood just a few minutes ago. "Ikaw nga tong ayaw mag-hugas!"
"Kasi nga tine-train kita. Mas magugustuhan ka ni Raffy kapag marunong ka mag-hugas ng pinggan."
"Can't we just order?" he suggested. Ngumiwi kaagad ako.
"Nag-Jollibee na nga tayo, eh!" reklamo ko.
"Nag-Jollibee ka," he corrected. "What do you want to eat ba?"
"Tinola."
"Yuck." He scrunched up his nose. "Walang lasa."
"Excuse you! Masarap kaya 'yon!"
Umiling siya at patuloy na hindian mga suggestion kong ulam. In a hopeless resort, I grabbed his hair once we got to my house.
"Wag ka na kumain dito!" I said and unbuckled my seatbelt.
He laughed and took his keys. "Tara na nga."
"Racing!" I said and immediately ran towards the door.
Pagkarating ko sa pintuan, I turned around and saw him shaking his head, as if he was watching a kid play on a park. Binelatan ko na lamang siya at binuksan yung pintuan.
The house is usually always clean, but this time, my reviewers and papers were all over the living room.
"Sorry, magulo," I nonchalantly said and removed my shoes.
Nag-suot ako ng tsinelas at dumiretso sa kusina para ilabas yung frozen pork. I immediately got other ingredients from the refrigerator, too. Ayaw ni Vale ng tinola o adobo, kaya sinigang nalang!
Mukhang wala akong naririnig sa living room kaya nilabas ko yung ulo ko para tignan kung ano yung ginagawa ni Vale. Sa laking gulat ko, wala na yung mga kalat kalat kong crumpled na scrap paper sa floor, at mukhang naka-ayos na rin yung mga libro ko sa coffee table.
He quietly placed some kitkat wrappers and scrap paper in the trash can and looked at me. Pinasok ko kaagad yung ulo ko at binalik ang utak ko sa pag-luto. Nung malambot na yung pork, sakto ay pumasok si Vale sa loob ng kusina.
"Nag-saing ka?" he asked.
Napatigil ako nang tanungin niya 'yon.
Oo pala! Sisimulan ko nang lutuin yung ulam, hindi pa ako nagsasaing ng kanin!
"Where's your bigas?" tanong ni Vale.
Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Marunong ka mag-saing?"
"Do you think I'm completely useless?" he asked while pulling his sleeves up to his elbows.
"Oo, actually." I smirked.
He gave me an obvious fake smile and started to look for the rice cooker. Ngayon ko lang naka-sweater pala siya. He looks like a k-drama leading man tuloy.
"And'yan," Turo ko sa kabilang counter. "Nasa ilalim yung bigas."
Tumango na lamang siya at kinuha yung kaldero. Nagulat ako dahil marunong nga talaga siyang mag-saing! Last time I checked, sobrang rich kid niya. I wouldn't have thought of him as a guy who knows how to cook rice, much less offer to cook it.
"Mali naman 'yung pagka-cut mo 'yan sa gabi," sabi niya bigla. "Ano ginagawa mo, chips?"
"Shut up!"
Kinuha niya kaagad yung kutsilyo at tinulungan na rin akong magluto ng ulam. I crossed my arms and watched his actions.
I wonder if he shows this side to Raffy, too? Siguro kung oo, may pag-asa na 'tong si Vale!
"Manunuod ako ng The Notebook," paalam ko sa kanya. "Ikaw na bahala jan!"
He threw me a look, pero nginisian ko na lamang siya. I immediately ran towards the couch and lay my entire body down. Sobrang sarap humiga dahil wala nang mga papel na naka-kalat!
Bayaran ko kaya 'yang si Vale na mag-weekly cleaning dito sa bahay?
"Dito tayo sa sala mag-dinner!" I shouted.
Sinimulan ko na yung The Notebook at niyakap yung isang unan. I could honestly watch this forever, and I'd never get tired.
"Yan nanaman?" I heard Vale's voice after around 40 minutes. Napatalon ko sa bigla niyang pagsalita.
I almost forgot that he was here!
"Ano ka ba!" I clenched my hand on my chest. "H'wag kang nanggugulat!"
He innocently looked at me and sat down. "Okay na ata 'yon."
I left him there to go to the kitchen and almost immediately smelled the food. I smiled and took out the wooden tray that ate always used to use when either of us were sick. Nilagyan ko na ng kanin ang dalawang maliit na plato, at ulam ang dalawang bowl. Mabilis akong bumalik at ngumiti nang makitang hindi pinalitan ni Vale yung pinapanuod ko.
"Yay! Let's eat!" I grinned.
Pinagpray ko yung pagkain at agad na rin kaming kumain. Mukhang mas gutom pa siya kesa sakin dahil hindi nga naman siya nag-Jollibee kanina, peach mango pie lang.
"Ano ba pinagaawayan niyo ni Raf kanina?" I asked with my eyes still glued to the TV.
"She scolded me for bringing you to a bad place." He chuckled. "Hindi niya ata alam na ikaw yung demonyo sa ating dalawa."
Tinapon ko yung isang unan sa kanya kaya agad siyang nabulunan sa sinubo niyang kanin.
"Ikaw nga yung kampon ni satanas, e!" I defended. "Para kayong mag-jowa, in fairness!"
Umiling na lamang siya at uminom ng tubig habang umuubo. I suppressed my smile while he still coughed. Ngayon ko lang naalalang ito na ata yung unang rest day ko in what felt like forever.
"Thanks," I quickly smiled at him. "For today."
He blinked a few times and started eating again. "No problem."
"Crush mo talaga ako," I said and ate from my plate.
He chuckled and shook his head. Sabay kaming nanuod at kumain, pero bigla akong napatigil nang makita kong may notification sa cellphone ko.
Seven Salazar: Hahaha! Nandoon ka pala kanina. Thanks :)
I quickly smiled and put down my plate.
Oo nga pala! Chinat ko siya nung nasa sasakyan kami kanina ng congrats sa panalong game.
Natalia Samson: Galing nga ng SEA eh
Natalia Samson: Galing mandaya
Natalia Samson: Joke
Seven Salazar: Kayong mga SAMCIS sore loser talaga! Joke hahaha
Pinakita ko kaagad yung phone ko kay Vale at ngumiti. "Crush ko na ata kaibigan mo!"
"Crush ka ba?" he said without even looking.
Nainis tuloy ako! Siya 'tong may ayaw sa The Notebook pero mas focused pa ata siya kesa sa akin, e!
Hindi pa natatapos yung movie ay inexit ko na yung netflix. Aangal na sana siya, pero in-on ko yung play station at binigay sa kanya yung isang controller. I immediately smiled.
"NBA!" I said. "Lakers ako, oh."
"Lakers na ako!" angal niya. "Warriors ka nalang."
"Ayoko nga!" angal ko rin. "Ikaw na lang mag-Warriors!"
He sighed and rolled his eyes. "Kung matalo pa kita dito..."
"I doubt it!" I smirked.
Once our game started, I immediately got frustrated.
I underestimated his gaming skills! Magaling pala 'to! Akala ko parang sina Lance lang siya kalaro. Or... were they just letting me win on purpose?
"Stop cheating!" Sipa ko sa kanya. "WAG MO NANG TAPALAN! WALA PA NGA AKONG NASHO-SHOOT!"
He laughed and continued to play while receiving my kicks. Wala talaga siyang patawad!
Sa sobrang inis ko ay kinuha ko na yung buhok niya at hinila 'yon hanggang sa bitawan niya yung controller.
"ANG COMPETITIVE MO! GUSTO KO LANG NAMAN MAG-SHOOT!"
"Aray!"
"TUMIGIL KA NA KASI! IPA-SHOOT MO LANG, EH!" tuloy tuloy kong pag-sigaw.
"Nat!" Hila niya sa kamay ko.
Agad kong sinipa yung kamay niya para hindi niya ako mahila, pero napahiga lang ako sa sofa. Sabay kaming napatingin sa TV. Kulang na pala sa oras.
Tapos na! Siya na panalo! Apat na quarter, wala man lang akong na-tres!
"Bwisit ka," I muttered while fixing the plates and bowls.
He smiled and helped with the glasses. Dumiretso kaming dalawa sa kusina at sabay na nag-hugas. Nung tapos na kami, doon ko lang na-realize na inuto niya pala akong racing daw kung sino mauunang matapos mag-hugas.
Ako rin lang lugi!
Sabay na rin kaming lumabas para ihatid ko siya sa sasakyan niya. He went inside his car and pulled the windows down to look at me. Binelatan ko na lamang siya kaya naman umiling siya bago umalis.
I went back inside and felt happy with how clean it was. I've been really, really messy and scattered these past few weeks. Good thing Vale was here to help clean up.
Umakyat ako at dumiretso sa banyo sa kwarto ko para makapag-shower at palit na rin. Pagkalabas ko ay tinignan ko kaagad yung notification na nasa cellphone ko.
Vance Lawrence Enrique: hey
Vance Lawrence Enrique: rest ka rin
Vance Lawrence Enrique: panget mo