FRIEND OF MINE (2nd Generation HUGS)

Chapter 5 -First Date

Chapter 5 -First Date

I am ecstatic to see Bella loose dito sa one on one namin. Of course I will win, ako ang nagturo sa kanya so it's but definite that no student is greater than its teacher. Nag-iisip na ako hindi pa man ng pang-aasar ko mamaya sa kanya after our game. Sakto naman na walang naglalaro sa kalahati ng court, the other half ay may ilang teenagers who plays. I am carrying the ball while Bella place her backpack at one of the seats sa bleachers. I am dribbling the ball as warm up when she turn around and stare at me while smiling.

'Warm up muna tayo baka kinakalawang ka na sa tagal mong hindi naglaro!' natatawa kong sabi as I pass her the ball. Hindi na ako nagulat when she catch the ball firmly and on point. Yan kasi ang unang tinuro ko sa kanya before so she won't get hit ng bola kung pasahan siya.

'Okay.' I watch her dribble the ball and make a move. In fairness kahit payat siya ay kaya niyang dalhin ang bola. My head raise at sinundan ang bola ng tin-ry niya itong i-shoot sa ring. 'Yes! Kita mo yun? Hahahaha!' she said boastfully while I shrug my shoulders and nod with amusement.

'Just a lucky shot Bella. Game na tayo! Anong bet?' she pause for a while at halatang nag-iisip siya.

'Ikaw na ang magsabi ng bet natin. Race to 5 lang. First to score 5, wins.' napaisip ako ng magandang bet na gusto ko, a bet that will favor me syempre. Tutal ako naman for sure ang winner ngayon.

'Sige! If you win, name whatever it is that you want at gagawin ko!'

'As in anything?' she arch her well-shaped eyebrow then grin.

'Oo! Anything you want or wish for. Gagawin ko, promise!'

'And if you win?'

'Well if I win, which I am definite that I will...' huminto ako for a while to think. Nang maisip ko na ang gusto ko ay nilapitan ko siya and whisper it to her ear. 'Hindi ka pwedeng magpaligaw kahit kanino without me knowing it and without my consent.'

'WHAT! ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FREAKING MIND ZIGGY!' natawa ako sa reaction niya. 'Bakit naman ganun? Iba na lang ang deal mo, that's below the belt!' I shake my head in disapproval while grinning.

'Yun ang gusto kong deal ko, bakit ba? Defeat me para hindi mangyari yun!' I walk away from her. 'So, game na tayo?'

'Wait!' napatingin ako ulit sa kanya. 'I'll change my deal na lang.'

'As you wish Princess. Name it.'

'If I win... Pwede akong magpaligaw sa kahit sino even without your consent, and even without you knowing it.' she crossed her arms in front of her and stared at me.

'That's sleek Bella, really sleek. Hahahahaha! It's a deal then! Let's start!' hinagis ko ulit sa kanya ang bola.

'One more thing! The winner will be treated to breakfast!' I raise my thumb to her.

At first ay hinayaan ko lang siya na maka-score, a head start kung baga. I closely watch her moves, searching for some improvements and I must say na malaki nga ang improvement niya from the last time we've played. She have tricks now na hindi ko itinuro sa kanya before. Although it's a man's game yet she manage to play it well and still with grace. Nang maka-shoot siya sa fourth ball niya ay nginitian niya pa ako ng mapang-asar. She even flipped her hair that made me chuckled. Lamang siya ng one point. Those who are playing kanina sa kabilang side ay nanonood na ngayon sa amin. When it's my turn sa bola, she guarded me well. Bawat turns ko ay sinasabayan niya. She has improved alright.

'You won't make this shot Ziggy.' She teasingly murmured but I just smirked at her before releasing the ball sa right side niya then mabilis akong lumusot sa left niya and swiftly grab the ball before aiming it at the ring. Napasuntok ako sa hangin when I scored my fourth.

'TIE! Now we are even! 4 all! It's the moment of truth Bella! Pwede ka pang umayaw if you're having cold feet! Hahahahaha!' last na ito at bola pa niya, dito na malalaman who will win. She is sweating already and so am I. Pero wala sa mukha niya ang salitang quitting. She look so determined to win at hindi rin ako makakapayag na matalo niya ako. Never pa akong natalo sa kanya, even once. And this won't be the first. Kung kanina I have underestimated her, iba na ngayon. Honestly ay nagulat ako sa stamina niya ngayon and her quickness, haluan pa ng pagiging alert niya sa mga galaw ko. Mukhang minaliit ko ng husto ang nalalaman na niya sa basketball. It seems naging favorite niya ito in the States judging by the way she plays now.

'Tutupad ka sa deal natin Ziggy ha! Walang bawian yan! Or I'll wring your neck if ever!'

'Feisty huh? You're so sure you will win over me? Hahahahaha! Mukhang siguradong-sigurado ka na mananalo ka Princess! Baka you are forgetting, you're wearing my favorite jersey.'

'Kaya nga I will win this game because I am wearing my lucky charm.' napahinto ako when I heard what she said. Parang may humaplos sa heart ko all of a sudden. I don't know where does this comes from but I can feel my heart is warming up. 'Give me the ball Ziggy! Magdasal kang hindi ko ito ma-shoot!' that's when nagbalik ako sa senses ko na nawala ng sandali. She take her time in dribbling the ball, slowly but precise. Each move is calculated at alam kong may pinaplano siya. 'You don't think I will win this right?' mayabang pa niyang sabi then immediately jump and try to shoot, pero hindi niya nag-shoot ang bola that made me grin. Mabilis kaming tumakbo papunta sa ring for a rebound and because I am taller than her ay positive ako na ako ang makakakuha ng bola. But just like kanina sa mga naunang tricks niya, nagulat ako na imbes na saluhin niya ang bola pagtalon niya ay tinapik niya lang ito pataas using her long fingers bago ko pa ito mahawakan and it miraculously enters the ring nang walang sablay. 'Hahahahaha! So pano ba yan Ziggy. It looks like beauty won over the beast! Hahahahaha!'

'That's cheating!' natatawa kong sabi habang hindi makapaniwala na natalo niya ako for the first time in our history of playing together.

'Ayan tayo! Kapag natalo ka, cheating agad! That's absurd best friend! Hahahahaha!' she walks ahead of me papunta sa bleacher where her bag is. Nang makalapit ako sa kanya, I quickly rest my arm sa shoulder niya.

'Where did you learn those tricks huh?' I messed her hair with my free hand that made her screech. 'I never thought you could defeat me Princess.'

'Ganun talaga! I told you, I'm wearing my lucky charm.' she gaze up at me. Pero nagtaka ako kung bakit slow motion ang galaw niya bigla. Was it me or she did that intentionally? And just like kanina ay nahinto na naman ako in awe while staring down at her. We are just inches away at kitang-kita ko ang ganda ng mukha niya even if she is sweating. The shape of her face, her eyes are so expressive na mas gumanda pa because of her long curly lashes, they way her cheeks are flushed in pinkish red because of exhaustion, her slight messy and damp hair and those smile of hers that is so contagious. I didn't blink when she move an inch closer to me pa, akala ko ay hahalikan niya ako kaya napalunok ako. 'Ganyan pala ang effect sayo pag-natatalo kita? Natutulala ka dahil hindi ka makapaniwalang I have defeat you. Hahahahaha! We should have video this game para may pang-asar ako palagi sa'yo Ziggy!' she press her towel at my forehead saka ito pinunasan. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag sa ginawa niya. I thought she will kiss me kanina dahil ang lapit na ng face niya sa akin.

Bakit ka naman hahalikan ni Bella? It's not like you two have a relationship right? May girlfriend ka na pati Ziggy, wake up. Besides, you don't fancy her, remember? You are not her type. So stop daydreaming Ziggy. my inner self lectured me.

I wipe her sweat as well at pati likuran niya ay pinunasan ko ng pawis then using my undamped towel, nilagay ko ito sa likod niya para hindi siya matuyuan ng pawis. Nakaakbay ako sa kanya when we went out the covered court. She is thinking where to eat breakfast but I suggested na sa bahay na lang kami mag-breakfast which she agrees. We just walk papunta sa mansion since naglakad rin naman kami kanina sa covered court. Pagpasok namin sa loob ay sinalubong kami ni Zinnie.

'Kuya! Where have you been? Kanina pa andito ang girlfriend mo! She's at the backyard with Mama!' kaagad kong tinignan si Bella who timidly smile at me before acknowledging my sister with a chaste wave.

'I think I better be going home na lang. I smell already narin. Saka mo na lang ako i-treat ng breakfast Ziggy.'

'No Princess, stay. Dito ka na mag-breakfast.'

Why do I have this feeling na ayaw ko siyang paalisin? Was it because ayaw ko lang talaga or was it because of the knowledge na pwedeng any moment ay yayain siya ni Triton lumabas on a date?

'Kaya nga Ate Bella, stay here for a while. I'll also show you my new LV bag collection which just arrived yesterday from France.'

'Some other time na lang siguro Zinnie, I forgot kasi that I am waiting for an email this morning about sa updates ng mga heads ko. Baka napadala na nila so I have to check on it.' I know that she is just making an alibi, wala naman siyang binanggit na ganon kanina sa akin sa court. But whatever the real reason why bigla na lang niyang gustong umuwi at umalis ay hindi ko alam.

'Are you sure you don't want to stay, best friend?' I gently held her arm.

'Marami pa naman next time Ziggy. Besides, Phoebe is here so I think it is much better if mag-usap kayong dalawa to settle things between the two of you.' She smiles genuinely.

'Alright. I'll walk you home na lang.'

'Huwag na. Ang lapit lang ng samin dito. I can manage already.' mas malapad pa ang ngiti niya.

'Ihatid na lang kita hanggang sa gate. Pwede naman siguro yun ano?' I didn't wait for her reply. I swiftly but gently held her wrist and guide her out. Habang naglalakad kami papunta sa gate, I clasp my hand at her. Ginagawa naman namin ito before pero iba ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. Hindi ko talaga maintindihan ang nangyayari sa akin, kahapon pa ako ganito na talagang ipinagtataka ko sa sarili ko. I am acting a bit strange that I didn't knew why. I glance at her pero parang natural lang sa kanya na magka-hawak ang kamay namin ngayon. Dapat naman talaga ay natural lang since we always do this stuff way back before pa. Pero bakit ganito ang pakiramdam ko ngayon? Why all of a sudden I feel odd towards her? Anong meron sa akin that suddenly nag-iba ang system ko when it comes to her?

Pagbalik ko sa loob ay nasa living room na si Phoebe, she's alone and obviously waiting for me. Sinabihan ko lang siya that I'll just take a quick bath saka iniwan ko na siya mag-isa. While at the shower ay hindi pa rin mawala sa isip ko ang biglaang pag-uwi ni Bella. It's pretty obvious na may iniiwasan siya, was it Phoebe? Because I don't see any reason why bigla na lang nagbago ang decision niya. Maybe she just wanted na makapag-usap kami ni Phoebe at magkaayos just like what she have said earlier. Siguro nga ay yun ang talagang reason niya. Ang bait talaga ng best friend ko kahit kailan, she always look after my welfare kahit pa ngayon na may girlfriend na ako. After showering at makapag-bihis ay bumaba na ako. Naabutan kong katabi ni Mama si Phoebe sa sofa.

'I'll leave the two of you alone so you can fix things up.' yun lang ang sinabi ni Mama then she left us. Instead na tabihan ko si Phoebe ay umupo ako sa single seater sofa and waited for her to say something.

'I was informed that you've left early kanina because may usapan daw kayo ni Bella this morning. Was she with you a while ago?' malumanay niyang tanong pero hindi nakaligtas sa akin ang bitterness sa tone ng voice niya.

'She was. We've played basketball.'

'I see. I want to apologize Babe for acting like a child the other day.'

'Forget about it.' I heard her sigh.

'Are you still mad at me Babe?' I shake my head. Honestly ay hindi naman nagtatagal ang galit ko, I am not a man who dwell on anger ng matagalan. Lumilipas kaagad ang galit ko especially if nag-sorry na sa akin. 'Then why are you not sitting beside me?' huminga ako ng malalim before standing up at lumipat sa tabi niya. She immediately wrap her arms around my waist and lean at my chest. 'I'm really sorry for what I have said that day Babe. Sorry dahil I cursed on your best friend, I didn't mean it.'

'You should stop thinking negative things about her Phoebe. Hindi ganun babae si Bella. She's harmless at mabait siya. She was here kanina after our game. Supposedly ay dapat dito siya mag-be breakfast because that's part of our deal since natalo niya ako sa laro namin. But she have decided not to stay longer when she knew that you were here.' agad siyang sumulyap sa akin. 'You know why?' I pause then stare back at her. 'Because she wanted us to talk para magkaayos tayong dalawa.'

'Sinabi mo ba na nagtalo tayo because of her?'

'I've told her na nagtalo tayo but I didn't told her kung bakit. You see, Bella is a dear friend of mine. Bago ka pa dumating ay mag-best friend na kaming dalawa. So hindi ko siya pwedeng kalimutan or i-disregard just because you came into my life Phoebe. I hope you get my point.'

'I understand Babe. I am deeply sorry talaga for acting such a b***h that day. I just got jealous over her.'

'Why would you be jealous of her? Ikaw ang girlfriend ko although I admit that madalas ay mabanggit ko siya sa'yo, but that doesn't mean that I love you less. Mahal ko si Bella but in a different angle, and I love you sa ibang angle rin. I don't want you to feel jealous of her because there is nothing to be jealous about.'

'Alright Babe.' She kisses me quickly at my lips before hugging me tight.

---

I am at my room, kakatapos ko lang mag-shower. Nakaupo ako sa tapat ng dresser ko looking at the jersey na sinuot ko kanina. I smile bitterly nang maalala ko ang laro namin kanina ni Ziggy. I was happy that he have invited me to have a game with him and I won for the very first time, sayang nga lang at short-lived dahil nasa kanila si Phoebe pagdating namin dun. Honestly, I really didn't want to leave pa sana kanina. Gusto ko pa sana siya makasama ng matagal pa. Pero mas minabuti kong umalis nalang and make an alibi para makaiwas sa sakit that my heart will feel if I have chosen to stay there longer. Alam ko naman na masasaktan ako kapag makita ko ulit ang closeness nila and their reconciliation which I knew na mangyayari dahil kilala ko si Ziggy. Kaya it's way better na umiwas na lang ako sa sakit just like what daddy have told me. Palabas na ako ng room when my phone rings. Tumaas pa ang kilay ko when I saw Triton's image appears at the screen.

'Wala akong natatandaan na atraso ko sayo Triton for you to call me this early.' napangiti ako when he burst in laughter at the other line.

'HAHAHAHAHA! Anong wala! Remember the favor you've asked me when you were at REIZ AIRLINES? The time you and Ziggy fetch his girl? It seems you have amnesia Bella!'

'Oh so why have you called?' I left my room and headed downstairs.

'I'm in your living room now.'

'What! Why?' mabilis akong naglakad and saw him sitting comfortably at one of our sofa. Pinatay ko na ang call then walk towards him. 'Anong ginagawa mo dito Mr. Mark Triton Stern?' I even raise an eyebrow at him and watch him intently.

'Wow ha! Kapag may favor ka sa akin na hihingin ang bait-bait mong makiusap, tapos ngayon kulang na lang that you shoo me out palabas ng bahay mo! How rude of you Ms. Pretty Bella Smith.' he grin mischievously.

'Oo na nga! Ano nga kasi ang ginagawa mo here at this very moment?' I slouch at the sofa beside him.

'Sama ka sa akin now.'

'Saan naman? Halos kakarating ko lang, aalis na naman ako?'

'Where have you been to kanina?'

'Sa covered court. Nag-basketball kami ni Ziggy.'

'Natalo ka syempre.' he grin again, this time even wider.

'Sorry! I won kaya! 5 out of 4.'

'First time ever yan ha! Sayang I wasn't there to see his reaction. Hahahaha! So ayun nga! Sama ka sa akin. Labas tayo.'

'Where?'

'Kahit saan.'

'Sinong kasama?'

'Tayo lang!' bigla akong napatingin sa kanya. 'It is not like I'm asking you out on a date Bella! Samahan mo ako, may bibilhin lang ako for a certain chick. I know you for being meticulous so ikaw ang naiisip ko na isama.'

'Wow! Salamat ha! Ayoko!' I slump further at the back rest. 'Tinatamad ako!'

'Kapag ako tinatamad ka na pero kapag si Ziggy magyayaya sayo...'

'Alright! Alright! Jeez! Ang daldal mo Triton para kang babae!' I quickly stand up. 'Magpapalit lang ako ng damit.' He chastely held my hand kaya mapahinto ako sa paghakbang.

'Huwag na! Ayos na yan outfit mo! Kahit ano naman isuot mo maganda ka parin naman!'

'Bolero! I'll just get my purse baka may nakita akong gusto kong bilhin also. Wait for me here.'

I don't know where we are heading, hindi naman sinabi ng lunatic na ito where. But my stomach crumbles when I saw the huge signage of our favorite fast food chain. Naalala ko na hindi pa pala ako nakapag-breakfast.

'Kanina ko pa naririnig ang stomach mo, nagrereklamo na kaya dito muna tayo to eat before we head to the mall. I haven't had breakfast either.'

While eating, he told me about this chick he wanted to court na taga village lang rin pala. Nagsabi na raw siya sa mga siblings nito even to its best friend na he will ask her out nga on a date. Hindi daw niya alam what to give to her sa first date nila. Ayaw daw niya ng flowers or chocolates dahil very common na daw yun. I've asked him kung ano ang hilig ng girl, he answered na mahilig daw ito magbasa so I've suggested him to give her a book instead. So after we ate ay we went straight ahead sa mall, at a bookstore to be exact. Nagtataka ako why he ask me to pick a book instead na siya. But he just said na wala siyang alam sa mga gusto ng girls na books. So I pick three books which I find interesting, english novels at pinakita ko sa kanya.

'Maganda ba mga ito?'

'Maganda para sa akin so I've picked them. I just don't know if these are her taste.'

'Ayos na yan.' we grab the books from me then nagpunta na sa cashier.

'Who's the girl by the way? Hindi mo pa na-mention sakin if who she is. Sabi mo lang taga village rin. Kilala ko ba?'

'Yeah you knew her.' he paid the books then lumabas na kami. 'Wala ka naman ibang pupuntahan today right? Or may usapan pa kayo ni Ziggy?' he said nang paakyat na kami ng escalator.

'Wala. He's with Phoebe now, nasa bahay nila kanina.' he just nod.

'Tara let's watch a movie. There's this new movie na suspense thriller, panoorin natin. Then after watching, stroll tayo sa mga boutiques.' since wala naman akong ibang lakad today and instead of staying at home, I've decided to spend this day with him na nga lang than mag-solo ako.

'Treat mo ba ako Bella?' I chuckled with what he says pagdating namin sa ticket booth.

'Naghihirap ka na ba Triton for a lady to treat you at a movie house?' natawa rin siya sa sagot ko.

'I was just joking Bella. Ikaw pa ba? Gusto mo sagutin ko pa ang shopping mo for today. Sky’s the limit pa.'

'Yabang! Baka ma-max out ang credit limit mo sa mga bibilhin ko if ever.'

'Oh don't underestimate my pocket sweetheart. Try me.'

'Ang dami mong alam! Just pay for our tickets then I want buttered popcorn and a diet soda.'

'As you wish for your highness.'

The movie we have watched was great. In fairness ay nagustuhan ko ang palabas although I seldom watch talaga, I'd rather read books than spend time in front of a television. Right after sa movie house ay nag-late lunch muna kami then off we go sa mga boutiques. Masaya naman kasama si Triton, hindi boring dahil ang hilig niyang magkwento ng kung anu-ano. Kaya nga mabilis naging at ease ang loob ko sa kanya before because he is easy to be with and has lots of sense of humor. He can manage pati ang mga tantrums ko and even my kaartehan. Tinupad niya ang sinabi niya kanina sa akin that he will shoulder whatever I will buy, siya ang nagbayad lahat ng mga binili ko although I have protested pero he wouldn't let me pay for it. Pabalik na kami sa mansion, pumasok pa siya sa loob for a glass of water daw. Dinala ko muna sa room ko ang mga paper bags then head back to him at the kitchen.

'Alis na ako. Nag-message si Nanay, I need to go home.'

'Alright sige. Thanks for the treats.' I pat his arm lightly.

'That's nothing. Next time ako naman ang i-treat mo ha!' sabay pa kaming tumawa as we head outside. I wave at him as he went in his car. Pagpasok ko sa loob ay napansin ko ang books na binili niya, it was laying on top of the center table.

'Kakamadali naiwan na niya ang books na binili niya para sa chick na liligawan niya. So stupid of him talaga.' I get the books at nagpunta sa room ko. I immediately grab my phone to call him at para sana pabalikin siya for his left items. When I open my phone, I saw a message coming from him. Binuksan ko ito at binasa.

I don't have the guts to give those to you personally so I left it instead. I had a great time Bella, it's always a great time kapag kasama kita. I hope you won't get mad at me but, thank you for our first date. I enjoyed the time with you talaga.

My eyes bulge when realization hit me. Ako ba yung girl na tinutukoy niya na gusto niyang ligawan? Kaya ba he let me choose ng mga books na ito because these are really for me? This can't be real! This can't be true right? Binasa ko ulit ang message niya twice and it struck me like a lightning. Ako nga! Oh effin s**t! Ako nga!

'OH MY GOSH TRITON! I'M GONNA WRING YOUR NECK WHEN I SEE YOU AGAIN YOU UGLY PIG!' my scream fills the entire room.

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