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V. Falling Deep

(Aga)

It was a few days after we wrapped up filming for "Sana Maulit Muli". The entire team met up for a cast party to celebrate the smooth filming process and to pray for good box office returns.

When I arrived (late as usual), it seemed obvious to me that everyone was trying very hard to match-make Lea and I at the restaurant, and at that point in time, I really didn't know whether to thank them or not.

Also as usual, she was already there. They made sure that all the seats were occupied, except the one next to her, and made me sit there. It was particularly tight because of the confined space (or not) due to the restaurant's layout. I could tell that everyone else was pretty comfortable, and had a lot of space for themselves. It forced us to sit so close that we were constantly rubbing shoulders and thighs throughout dinner, not forgetting the constant elbowing that she had to endure from me.

Afterwards, desserts were ordered in shares for two, and again, we were pushed to share a banana split together.

And in a strange twist of fate, the restaurant ran out of utensils, and we had to share the same spoon to eat the same dessert. I was definitely suspicious of the whole cast that entire night, but decided to just feign ignorance and play along, since Lea seemed bent to do the same. Well, I have to admit that I secretly enjoyed it.

One thing after another led to my sudden confession to Lea after dinner. We were walking to my car, which I had parked quite some distance away as all the lots were occupied, so that I could give her a ride home.

"Our dear crew was pretty cheeky back there, huh?"

"Yeah, how could a restaurant possibly run out of utensils? It's just hilarious!"

"They were obviously trying too hard," she laughed at the thought.

"They feel like we should be a couple, don't they?"

"Well, we've worked together on two films, so I guess we can be pretty believable as a pair. Besides, I'd like to think that our chemistry is good," she winked at me as she said the last sentence.

"It could be better -"

"Really? I thought we were pretty darn convincing already."

"- if you become my girlfriend."

Lea was visibly stunned and could not react for a couple of seconds, before breaking the silence with awkward laughter.

"Time to break out of Jerry, Aga! This is not Agnes you're looking at anymore."

Knowing that she is purposely trying to evade my sudden outburst, I had no choice but to laugh it off as well. Deep down, I thought that she did that because she didn't have feelings for me. And she probably didn't want any awkward feelings that would definitely arise between us if she were to reject me outright.

"Caught you! I bet you believed me for a second there!" I painfully assumed my usual playful attitude, making a grab for her face, and smacking a fat, sloppy kiss on her cheeks.

"You seriously are a joker, Muhlach!" She complained, fervently rubbing the spot where I kissed her, while ensuring that I was not let off without a good smack on my upper arm.

(End Of Flashback)

After the short exchange, both of them have expectedly lost their appetite for dinner, so they decided to settle the bill and head out.

The wind was particularly chilly that night, perhaps due to the tension between them. After all, this definitely wasn't any normal or typical day for either Lea or Aga. Many things have happened tonight. Too many, maybe.

"Sorry."

"It's not your fault."

"I didn't know you were serious. I thought that you were pulling my leg."

"Except I wasn't." He looked away to the night sky, unwilling to face her.

Lea never once had a doubt that she liked Aga, but after his surprising revelation, she couldn't help but think, was it Aga or his characters she fell in love with?

She took a sideward glance at him, his face bathed in the moonlight, accentuating his features. The creases on his forehead that suggested a man in pain. Her gaze floated downwards. The eyes that pored into her soul every time he looked at her. The nose she instinctively traces every time they film an intimate scene. The lips that sent waves of shock down her spine every time it met hers. And the face that she had woken up to many days of her life.

She had never seen him so downcast all her life. What had happened to the usual joker who played pranks on everyone? What had happened to the person who always brought sunshine to wherever he was? Who is this person she is looking at? The usual playful, carefree, humorous guy was gone, and in his place stood someone else - melancholic, depressed and well, heartbroken.

Instinctively, while acting on complete impulse, she reached out to cover his hand, and tiptoed to peck his cheek. Somewhat startled by her actions, Aga took a step back and studied the face before him.

She shot him a weak smile and before she knew it, his lips came crashing down on hers. Exactly like all the times they kissed before. Lea didn't try to stop it. Her hands found their way to his broad back, hugging him close to her, while his one hand ruffled her hair and the other curled around her waist protectively. Neither of them wanted an end to this, as their inner desires took over their ability to think.

Although the rational side of her knew that she shouldn't be letting this happen, her heart would not allow it to stop. "Just let me follow my heart this once," was all she thought. She had a cardinal rule of not getting romantically involved with an actor. But Aga now became an exception, as he always is.

On top of it all, Lea realised one thing - that she didn't mistake her feelings for Aga. They were real, and so real, that it scared her.

This was precisely the reason she built a wall around her heart in the past, to block him out and to stop herself from falling in.

Falling in love with him would be like falling into a deep pit - there's going in, but there's no coming out. She knew his ways and she also knew that he was a lady-charmer. She wouldn't and couldn't possibly be the single woman in his life. Could she handle such uncertainty in love? She didn't think so. And why would he choose her, out of the hundreds and thousands of other ladies out there, waiting in line?

So it wasn't just Aga that was feeling unconfident about himself. Lea wasn't confident in herself either. She was afraid that if the relationship doesn't work out well, they won't even be able to remain the good friends as they are now. And if that's the case, she'd rather they remain best friends, for life. At least he'd be a sure keep.

More so, she thought that the feeling was one-sided - but now she knows it's not. That's why she never took his words seriously when he confessed years back. That's why she managed to move on. Or so she thought.

But now she knows for a fact that she hasn't.

-----

I sense the end of this story drawing near. Perhaps by some stroke of luck and genius, I could carry this on for a while more, but personally, I don't think I would, because wishy-washy stories are kinda boring, don't you think?

HOWEVER, if anyone has any brilliant idea and would like me to spin that into this story (or another one if I can't weave it in now), drop me a message and I'll be more than willing to give it a go!

While that goes on, how about casting a vote for our sorely-missed love team? Right here: http://starcinema.abs-cbn.com/latest-news/what-love-team-needs-a-second-chance

Thanks everyone for reading and for giving me a chance! Hope you've enjoyed it thus far!