In the Midst of the War

Kabanata 18

KABANATA 18.

Serious.

“WHAT DO you mean?”

Kinakabahan ako. He just told me that we should date. Dating is like the early stage of a relationship, right? But not really in a relationship. This is confusing me. I thought he likes Sister Clare, why would he say that we should date?

“I want to try this with you. I want us to… try dating.” He said. I looked at him, confused and flush at the same time.

“But, you said you like Sister Clare. Are you, perhaps, trying to date me to get over her—,”

“No, the answer’s no, Rafaela. I will never do that to you,” he said sincerely. I know he’s telling me the truth but…

“Why? Why would you try to date me? Because I like you?” I asked again. Vale sighed and leaned to me to hold my hands. He, then, looked at me.

“No, not because you like me. I want us to try dating. Not just because I feel irritated when I’m seeing you with other guys but because I’m starting to feel something for you,” ani niya.

Napalunok ako. Gusto kong isipin na hindi siya nagsasabi ng totoo. But the sincerity in his eyes is telling me to believe the words that are coming out of his mouth. I still can’t believe what I’m hearing now. But the sincerity in his eyes makes me want to believe him.

“Please think about it. I know your feelings about me, but I’ll let you think about it, okay? But I won’t wait for too long, Rafaela. I am serious with you. Always, serious.” That’s the last thing that he said before leaving my unit.

Nang mawala siya sa paningin ko ay doon ako nakahinga ng maluwag. What just happened? Nawala na ng tuluyan ang kalasingan ko. I don’t know if I should thank Alonzo or just kill him.

IT’S BEEN three days since that incident happened. I was surprised that my friends know about Vale coming to my condo. Turns out, Vale called Alonzo to ask where I am, and that freaking Alonzo told the girls about it. After spilling the beans with the girls, palagi na silang nagtatanong saakin kung nagpakita na raw ba ulit si Vale.

Of course I said no. Tatlong araw na ring hindi nagpapakita si Vale pero palagi niya akong pinadadalhan ng pagkain. Mukhang sineryoso niya talaga ‘yong sinabi niyang bibigyan niya ako ng oras para makapag-isip.

I didn’t waste the time that he gave me. I really thought about it, I also asked the girls if I should give it a try. Their answer is yes, saying that if we try to date, we may work out. I thought about it too. I want it, I want to date him. I like him so I guess there’s nothing wrong with that?

I’m only worried because he still likes someone but I’ll set that thought aside. Naputol ako sa pag-isip nang biglang may umakbay saakin. When I saw whose shoulder it is, agad ko itong tinabig.

“Aray naman! Inaano ka ba?!” reklamo ni Alonzo habang sinasapo ang braso niya. I rolled my eyes on him.

“Ang gago mo, Lonzo! OMG, you posted my video on your story!” inis kong sigaw sakaniya. Hindi ako mahilig manigaw, I like to say things on a calm manner but I just can’t with this guy! He’s too asshole to talk to with calmness.

“Sus, ayaw mo no’n? May ambag na ‘ko sa lovelife mo!” ani niya at saka humagalpak ng tawa. I kicked his leg to stop him from laughing but I missed that made him laugh more. Nauubos na ang litid ko sa lalaking ‘to!

“Why are you here ba? Wala kayong training?” I asked him when he finally stopped laughing. He faced me.

“Sabi na nga ba, nakalimutan mo. May game ngayon si Adi, kung mananalo sila, pasok na sila sa final four!” agad na nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Shit! I totally forgot!

“OMG, I don’t have tickets pa!” I was about to run to my car but Alonzo took out two tickets from his pocket and waved it in the air.

“I figured that you forgot about the game kaya ako na kumuha ng ticket para sa’yo.” Ani Alonzo. I almost hugged him for being such a life saver pero naalala kong may kasalanan pa siya sa’kin kaya I stopped myself. Well, he got the ticket for me so I call it quits.

“Kain muna tayo tapos punta na tayo sa MOA arena. Alas-tres pa naman start ng game.”

And we did. We had lunch and texted Fita and Spica to just meet at the arena. After lunch, we drove to the arena. Nag-convoy nalang kami since dala naming pareho ang car naming. When we arrived at the arena, marami na agad tao sa labas. Of course, DLSU Lady Spikers are playing, the fan base is crazy.

Nakita agad namin sina Fita at Spica sa labas ng Arena kaya sabay-sabay na kaming pumila para makapasok. I was surprised when I saw Apollo Fuentes standing beside Alonzo and they’re chatting. Right, they’re friends. Pero wala namang laro ang Ateneo ngayon, what is an Atenian doing here?

Alas-dos nang makapasok kami sa loob ng Mall Of Asia Arena. I texted Adi that we’re already here. Fita and Spica are comfortably sitting beside me. On my other side is Alonzo and Apollo. We’re sitting near the court and in the middle, this is a good view actually.

I received a reply from Adi that we’re allowed to visit on the waiting room. I told my friends about it kaya sabay-sabay na kaming pumunta roon. On the way to the waiting room, the hallways are packed with people doing their own business.

Abala ang lahat. I even saw a DLSU basketball varsity visiting his DLSU volleyball varsity girlfriend. Of course I know them, the guy is a famous UAAP player, so is the girl. In fact, they are the talk of the town because they just revealed their relationship last week, I think?

The shippers almost threw a party, but they didn’t, sayang. May mga hindi rin sumangayon sa relasyon nila pero ano nga bang magagawa ng mga tutol? Wala, dahil hindi naman sila ang magde-desisyon para roon sa magkarelayon. They are just mere commentator.

Bago pa man kami makapasok sa waiting room ay lumabas na roon si Adi at hinila kami papasok sa loob. Hindi gano’n kalawak ang waiting room pero sapat na ang espasyo nito para sa buong team. Most of Adi’s teammates are not here, maybe outside, also talking to their love ones.

“Lakasan niyo cheer niyo sa’kin ah, para ganahan naman ako!” Adi exclaimed. Nakatayo siya sa harap namn habang kami ay nakaupo sa upuan na naroon.

“Kahit naman hindi kami nanonood, palagi mo namang ginagalingan,” baliwalang sabi ni Alonzo. Natawa kami ro’n dahil totoo naman. Adriana is passionate on playing volleyball.

“At ikaw, ba’t ka nandito? Walang laro ang Blue Eagles!” Adriana turned to Apollo who’s now smiling from ear to ear. Ngayon ko lang din siya napansin. They started bickering until Adi was called to stretch. Bumalik na rin kami sa upuan naming kanina.

Marami na ang tao nang makabalik kami. My head turned to Alonzo and Apollo, they are talking about their expectations on the game. I can’t really relate. Kahit na may alam naman ako sa volleyball, iba pa rin talaga kung tototoo kang atleta.

Siguro iyon din ang dahilan kung bakit naging magkaibigan sina Adriana at Apollo despite of the fact that their schools are labeled as “rivals”. They are both athletes that share the same goal, that’s why they get along.

I suddenly thought about Vale and me. We are almost the polar opposite of each other. Mayroon kaming pagkakapareho pero hindi naman ganoon karami. I really think that music taste is one of the reasons why people get along. Vale’s music taste is different from mine but he managed to open my heart to his music.

Which is really amazing because it made me realize a lot of things. His music is often described as ‘loud’ and ‘disturbing’. But that music has meaningful lyrics. Under those screams and beat of drums, lays an emotion that can touch the heart. Under those loud beat, is a music that can save you.

I was never attracted by a person’s music taste until Vale came. He just set the standard. I wonder what is he doing? Seeing the couple earlier made me missed Vale even more. We’re not a couple but still, I missed him.

Kailan kaya siya magpapakita sa’kin? I know he’s just giving me time to think, I already thought about it. I want to try this, try us. But why is he not showing up? Ako pa ba ang pupunta sakaniya? Pero malayo pa ang Biyernes!

Nang magsimula na ang laro ay nalunod ako sa hiyawan ng mga tao. I watched Adi’s every move in the court. I am not an athlete, but I watched Adi and Alonzo play since we were in high school. Adriana has the same eyes as before. He still have that eyes while playing, eyes full of passion.

Halos hindi ko namalayan ang laro. Everything was too fast and the next thing that I knew, me and my friends are on the way to a bar to celebrate Adi’s win. They entered the final four and it calls for a celebration.

Next week is their game for the semi-finals, of course we are watching. Wala nang mas wild pa sa crowd ng final four.

Ilang minuto pa ay naging wild na ang mga kasama ko. Normally, I’ll join the craziness of my friends but I just can’t do it now. Kahit si Spica ay nakikisaya ngayon. Adi, Fita, Alonzo and Apollo are on the dance floor. I almost lost my sight on them when they started dancing.

Spica on the other hand excused herself to the powder room. I doubt if she will puke. Mataas ang alcohol tolerance niya, she can’t be drunk. At ako naman ay panay ang tingin sa phone ko habang umiinom. I am hoping that Vale would text me but two hours later, there’s nothing.

And I almost throw my phone when I ran out of battery. Seriously, IPhone sucks. I should use android next time.

Napatuloy lang ako sa pag-inom. Nakailang balik na sa wash room si Spica pero ako ay hindi pa umaalis sa kinauupuan ko. I feel a little dizzy when I stood up. Nagpaalam ako kay Spica na pupunta sa wash room, I feel like peeing.

Pasuray-suray akong naglakad papunta sa wash room. I am not drunk, I know that. I just feel dizzy but I am not drunk. After freshening up, lumabas na ako ng wash room at bumalik sa couch namin. Wala parin doon sina Fita, wala na rin si Spica pero may nakaupo roon.

I guess Alonzo’s back, huh?

“Oh, you’re back na? Where are the others?” I asked without looking at him. I grabbed a glass of drink and was about to drink it when Alonzo spoke.

“I’m pretty sure I am not with you earlier,” he said. No, that is not Alonzo.

Gulat ko siyang tinignan. Agad kong naibaba ang baso. I am probably drunk. I am seeing Vale on my mind right now. Gosh, did I missed him this much?

“Gosh, I’m drunk,” I said out loud. I heard a chuckle that made my eyes grew bigger. Gulat akong tumingin ulit sa tabi ko.

Shit, it is really Vale! And he is grinning ear to ear! How dare him seduce me?!

“You’re probably drunk, Rafaela. Wanna go home?” tanong niya habang nakangisi. I almost dropped my heart. I haven’t seen him for days, and I missed him. I want some time with him, I want to look at his face longer. I… I want to date him.

“Hey Rafa?” untag niya. Lalo akong natulala. Damn, he’s so perfect. Perfect for me.

“Let’s date,” I said without blinking. And I almost lost my entire sanity when he chuckled sexily. Boy! This guy can brighten the day with the sound of his laugh.

“You really mean that? You’re not drunk anymore?” seryoso ngunit may bakas nang pang-aasar na sabi niya. I unconsciously nodded. It made his smile widen. Napakurap-kurap ako nang lumapit siya saakin, his arm is behind me but not touching my back.

“Are we dating now?” he asked again on a playful tone. I bit my lower lip and nodded, trying to surpass a smile. When I looked at him, I saw him pushed his tough on his right cheek, I think he’s alsp trying not to smile too wide.

My heart fluttered at his little action. And it flutters more when he suddenly put his head on my shoulder, his face facing the couch. Naduko siya kaya hindi ko nakikita ang mukha siya. My heart was beating so fast. Mas lalo siyang lumapit saakin but strangely, I did not feel uncomfortable.

“Is this real? Are we really dating?” he said, his head still on my shoulder. I chuckled a little. I tried to lift up his head but he didn’t let me.

“Come on, Vale. Are you shy right now?” I teased him. Pero hindi parin siya humarap saakin. Instead, he let his arm encircled my waist. Nahigit ko ang hininga ko sa ginawa niya. Gosh, this guy will be the death of me!

“Don’t tease me. I didn’t saw you for the past three days, I missed you.” Mahinang sabi niya pero sapat lang iyon para marinig ko. I let out a smile.

“Sino ba ang hindi nagpakita ng ilang araw?” I countered.

“So it’s my fault now?” he lifted his face and looked at me. Nakasimangot siya na ikinatawa ko.

“I didn’t said that,” I teased him more. And I am not disappointed. Lalo siyang suminangot na mas ikinatawa ko pa. Who said handsome guys can’t be cute? Dude, Vale is both.

“’Wag mo na akong asarin. It’s my first time to court a girl,” natigilan ako. He also became serious. “Dating is different from an actual relationship, Rafaela. Do you really think we’ll be together without me, courting you? I’ll court you until you completely fall for me. Like isn’t enough, I want you to love me. I am serious with you, Rafaela. So fucking serious.” Dagdag niya pa.

Napaawang ang labi ko sa sinabi niya. I really thought that’s it. Yeah, we’re dating. But I really didn’t expect him to think like that. I never thought that he is that serious about me. All I wanted was to give it a try, but him, he wants this to work.

“But for now let me hug you, okay? I missed you. I’ll just start courting you tomorrow.” He said then pulled me close to him.

I laughed when he hugged me again but this time, he hugged me tighter. My smile didn’t left my face on the whole night. This must be Vale’s effect. He said he is serious about me. And guess what, I am also serious about him too. Come to hell and water, Vale will my guy.