Taking Chances

All In

Three weeks passed since the end of the music video shoot. Matt was busy juggling work and training.

He felt so blessed for all the work that kept him busy. It took his mind away from Sarah, it gave him something else to think about other than the fact that they hadn't been in touch since the last day of shoot.

But God how he missed her.

He would think about her during his morning trainings. He would check his phone every time in the hope that there will be a message, a tweet, or a facebook post from her. He would look for her at every crowd... Maybe, just maybe, he'll see her face again.

"Pare, I want you to meet a friend." Xian said. They were almost done with their work out. "Met her at a party... Sexy, makinis, nice legs, angelic face. Mga 9.3."

Matt continued working the kettlebell. "Ok. When?" Might as well, he thought. Seeing someone should help him stop obsessing. Then he could finally move on with his life.

"Awesome!!! Tonight?!"

"Sure."

With that Xian began texting the guys and the girls, his fingers happily flying over his phone.

Matt saw a couple of girls after Maya. No one really made him care enough to take seriously. And Xian's friend Inna was no different. She was a very beautiful mestiza. With her looks and brains she could captivate any man. But not Matt.

It wasn't her fault. She was a really cool girl. But she didn't have the smile, grace, humor, or the spunk that turned his world around. She wasn't Sarah.

The group was enjoying dinner in a popular Italian restaurant. Xian sat beside Kim while Matt sat beside Inna, listening to her talk about her dogs and her paintings. Then he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.

A text message from Her.

Chickenjoy tonight? (:

Matt would've jumped for joy. For the first time in weeks the sun shined in his life. And on account of a "stomach ache" Matt took leave and drove to Sarah's place.

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Sarah felt bad about not keeping her promise sooner. She was so grateful to Matt for everything that he did, especially when she got an update from Direk Coy that the video was turning out to be her best yet.

She opened her closet and thought about what she should wear. She wanted to look pretty without looking like she was trying too hard. After 20 minutes, she stopped and thought to herself, "Just why the heck am I turning my closet upside down for a friendly dinner?"

Maybe because it was the first time that she would go out with a guy since Bernard. She told herself that it couldn't be because she wanted to look nice for Matt. "Wala namang mali na mag-ayos... Syempre gusto ko naman magmukhang tao."

She chose a white sleeveless top and jeans with satisfaction. Nothing too fancy, but she knew that she would look presentable in it.

Because this was not a date. Of course it wasn't.

"Sarah!!! Nandito na si Matt." She heard her mom shout.

Sarah felt her hands sweat suddenly. "Pababa na!"

She put some perfume on, checked herself on the mirror, grabbed her bag and went out.

There he was standing at her living room, hiding both hands in his pockets. He was obviously nervous.

"Hi."

"Hello." Sarah almost choked. She was startled at how handsome he looked in his white button down shirt. She was feeling nervous too. "It's not a date... Stop stressing!" She scolded herself.

"Nagdala ng cake si Matt." Her mom said. "Thank you sa pag-alaga kay Sarah ha. Nakwento sa kin ni Mayette. Alam mo naman yang anak kong yan medyo lampa."

"Wala po yon." Matt answered.

"Ma, kain lang kami. Balik kami agad."

"Sige ingat."

Sarah followed Matt to his car. They were walking side by side under the starry sky. She was glad to spend time with him again. She kind of missed him. She missed his silly jokes and the little things he did to make her feel... special. She hasn't felt that way in a very long time.

Her mom and dad watched them from the window.

"Yan na kaya ang mamanugangin natin mommy?"

"Hay... Bahala na ang Dyos. Ok naman yang lumalabas na sya para tuluyan ng makalimot."

"Yang anak natin mahilig sa Inglisero. Tsk tsk. Mapapalaban na naman ako."

Her mom hit his dad's arm. "Puro ka kalokohan."

"C'mon mommy. Let's go in and eat cake."

"Sira! Tara na nga."

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Matt was crazy nervous. He wanted Sarah to have the best time. He wanted to make a great impression. He kept on checking the time, wondering why the clock moved so fast. He wanted to stretch every minute so he could be with her longer.

"KFC o Mcdo? If you're really hungry and there's no Jollibee within 10 miles." Matt asked. They spread out a blanket and were having their drive-thru chicken at a local park.

"Mali naman ang tanong mo. May Jollibee sa buong Pilipinas."

"Safe ka masyado."

"Hehe... E ikaw ba?"

"Syempre Jollibee din. Ikaw endorser non e."

"Bolero!"

"Totoo nga. Now that I know what a wonderful person you really are, I just wanna support you more."

Sarah looked away. "Kumain ka na nga lang dyan."

Matt was on his third piece. It was the best meal he's ever had because he was with her. "Haaay sarap ng buhay."

Matt looked at her. The moon was shining down on her face. She was a vision in white, with her long hair hanging down.

"What if we do this more often?" He heard himself say. Uh-oh... He shouldn't have said that. But then again, it was what he really wanted. Be a man Matteo. He told himself. It's now or never.

Sarah looked shocked. Her mouth was left open, obviously at a loss.

Matt's heart fell.

"You mean..." Sarah's voice trailed off.

There's no backing down now. He wants to spend lots of time with her, he wants to be the one who calls her and checks up on her, he wants to miss her and know that he'll see her again and again. "Let's date."

It was the longest, most nerve racking minute of his life. She was looking at the ground searching for words to say.

"...Ok." She whispered.

Matt wanted to scream. But with the tumultous feelings in his heart "Ok" was all he managed to say.