Beyond The Square One (BTSO2)

S q u a r e N i n e t e e n ( H E )

"Seriously? Two versus one na nga, matatalo pa kayo ni Cash?"

"Shut it, Gwi-Yomi," Jace shouts back.

For the nth set, magkakampi na nga kami ni Jace, natatalo pa rin kami ni Cash. THIS IS JUST VOLLEYBALL, FOR CHRISSAKES. I wipe my forehead with my sweatband and wait for Cash to serve the ball. After the serve, Jace and I stare at each other and the ball lands freely on our base. WHAT A NICE GAME.

"Ayoko na. Nakakapagod, ang galing niyo masyado," Cash says with overflowing sarcasm, walking towards the benches to grab his water bottle.

"This is a good exercise," Jace says as we walk towards the benches, too.

I gotta admit, it's a good exercise and a great distraction. What better way to bond with your brothers than just fool around and play something you've not played for a very long time? For a moment, I want to stop overthinking and try to focus on things I have before Ariel came. I never had a great time with my family than now.

"Alin? Ang magpulot ng bola? Pfft!" Cash laughs off.

"Varsity ka na rin ba ng Volleyball ngayon, Cash?" Naomi asks, obviously amused by Cash, standing from the tall chair she's sitting at to hand Jace his towel.

Jace's face twitches into a scowl. I don't know if it's just me or he's somewhat jealous of Naomi's soft affection to Cash, too, like how I feel about Cash with Ariel.

"Hindi, 'no. Wala akong oras para mag-varsity pa. Subsob na 'ko sa Academics at extra-curricular ko sa Dance Class. Ayoko nang sumali sa Sports," Cash says with a shrug, not having a clue how ideal of a person he sounds like while saying this.

Naomi pouts. "Sayang naman 'yung talent mo sa Sports. All-in-one ka talaga, 'no?"

"Where's Michelle?" I ask, trying to steer away from Cash-is-such-a-perfect-guy subject.

"She's home. Nagre-review. Why do you ask?"

I nod. "Ano na bang lagay niyo ng Michelle na 'yan?"

He snorts. "Okay lang. Mag-bestfriend, ganoon. Why the sudden interest?"

With a shrug, I sit next to my gym bag, and drink plenty of water. "You're my brother. Everything that concerns you interests me."

"That's not how you were, James. We all know that," Cash says nonchalantly.

"You may not know it, Cash. But I'm usually the one who silently cares," I reprimand.

Nagkatinginan sila ni Jace, pause for a moment, and laugh boisterously that I actually feel dumbfounded for not finding anything funny.

Naomi taps my shoulder. "What is happening to you? Are you sick?" She even checks my temperature with the back of her hand for effect.

I narrow my eyes at them but eventually join in their laughter, shaking my head. What a great way to spend my Sunday.

As I drive us home back to Fuentebella Mansion, we all sing to Radiohead's Creep. This is how it used to be before Papa announced Jace's fixed engagement to Naomi. Come to think of it, that's where all the conflicts started. It was never their fault that I became out of place. It was always the timing.

"Hi," a familiar lady says, approaching us as we enter the first living room.

"O, kakahatid ko lang sa'yo kanina, ah? Anong ginagawa mo dito?" Cash says, wrapping his arms around her.

Wait, isn't this Michelle? You really call someone your bestfriend despite the hugs?

"Busy ka ba? Tulungan mo 'ko sa review," she says.

Cash shrugs. "Medyo family day, e. Gusto mo mamaya na tayo mag-review. Madali lang naman 'yang bukas, e."

"You can join us for lunch first and have your review in the study room upstairs," I say, smiling at her.

You should have seen their faces. I mean Jace, Naomi, and Cash are all gaping at me in disbelief. As if the idea of James Eric, being nice to a visitor, never crossed their silly minds. Natawa na lang ako sa kanila and smile even wider when Michelle laughs, too.

"I take that as a 'yes'," sabi ko sa kaniya. "Mother dear, where art thou?" I call out as I walk upstairs with a smug face.

I hear Naomi saying something like, "Naka-drugs ba 'yan ngayon?"

Jace saying something like, "Anong nangyari do'n?"

And Cash responding with the smartest remark, "Pabayaan niyo na. Gusto niya sigurong sumaya kaya ganiyan siya."

After a nice, warm bath, I walk into my old closet to find something to wear. I choose the gray tee that Naomi gave me last year and a pair of white shorts. I look at myself in the mirror and thoroughly check my damp, long hair. Smiling, I take off my clothes again and walk back to the bathroom when a smart idea crosses my mind.

After about fifteen minutes, I quickly wash up myself again. Not that Ariel and I broke up, but I think it's time to let the world see something new in me. With a last satisfied glance at myself in the mirror, I walk out of the room wearing my choice of clothes.

"Hay naku, Jim. Akala namin nilamon ka na ng— Oh my gosh! James, is that you?"

I just smirk at Naomi's reaction. "Thank you for the compliment," I jokingly say.

Actually, all of them are surprised. It's just that, Naomi is the only one who has the voice to say something on the first glance.

"Something is definitely wrong with you," Jace says, shaking his head with a perplexed smile.

"I'm very much baffled, too, Jace. I find it amusing that no one expected me to do this change to myself."

"O siya, tama na. 'Wag niyo nang masyadong ipahalata na gwapo siya, baka lumaki ang ulo. Bumaba ka na dito, James Eric. Kayo na lang ng papa mo ang hinihintay, kakain na," Mama says as she walks into the dining room with a platter of what looks and smells like Shrimp Gambas. I throw an arm over her shoulder and everyone is staring at me with absolute gaiety.

"What?" I ask, puzzled.

"Impostor ka. Nasaan na ba ang totoong James, ha?"

I can't help but roll my eyes at Cash who's feigning a look of horror in his face but fails miserably.

"Bakit parang ang dami nating bisita ngayon? May okasyon ba?"

Finally, Papa walks into the dining room, with a thick broad sheet news paper in his hands, saying that. He folds them and looks around, stopping only to stare at me with bewildered eyes.

"Is this serious?" he asks, an eyebrow raised with that signature lopsided grin I inherited from him.

"Okay, you guys are making it awkward for me now," I say with an impassive face.

They all laugh at me. And suddenly the family lunch becomes a day filled with series of jokes and laughters. I guess this is what Ariel is trying to make me realize. That life is possible to live without her. But with what I know, it really is possible. Except that life is stuck in a cookie jar filled with cookies. And without a little hand to get you out, you'll never know what's out there. Ariel is that little hand.

The week passes by so quickly and everytime Ariel and I see each other in the office, I greet her as casually as I could. She's still wearing our engagement ring, thank goodness. She always gives me a thoughtful smile and it's enough to keep me going everyday. I have less time in the mortgage, focus on resolving the issues in the bank, and plan to visit the real estate office every Saturday after gym.

No, I never talk to her nor bother asking what's wrong or what's happening. I can always see in her eyes the same love, maybe she just needs a little time and I can give it to her as long as she does not run all too far away. I try my best to look as composed as possible and much as I can, I steer away from doing something that will need her involvement. I want her to see that I'm not depending anything on her, but it wouldn't hurt to have her back into my life. My everyday is dull, but with just one smile from her, it gives me the hope I need to be inspired the whole day.

Oh, and also, I text her every night. To say, 'I love you and good night, my one and only little mermaid.' But I never ask her nor force her with threats to get back like I'm used to because I know she's expecting that. For a change, I want to do something different.

And she never fails to make me smile everytime I receive a text message from her in the morning saying, 'I love you and have a great day, my one and only prince Eric.'

Every morning, she leaves me a thoughtful reminder of her love for me. A cup of Caramel Macchiato with a smiley and an initial '—A' on my desk whenever I arrive. Also, I cannot forget that Monday morning, just the day after I spent the whole Sunday with my family, when she actually stopped midway along the hallway after she saw me for the first time since she left. I greeted her, she greeted me back. And that small, apologetic smile she slowly gave me then was priceless. Perhaps it's the new look.

No, I'm not initiating any conversations between us. I want her to be ready for me, and I'm trying all my best to be as patient when it's the least of my being. Not until this morning, when fate finally finds its way to get us talking unexpectedly after a week of hell...

"Madam, once in a lifetime experience lang 'yon. At saka si boss, bihira magpa-team building 'yan sa buong office nang sabay-sabay. Laging per department. Kaya sumama ka na," I hear a familiar girl saying to her, standing in my way.

"Ayoko nga, Monica. Kapag nagsi-alisan kayong lahat, walang matitira para gumawa ng trabaho dito," she answers in an annoyed tone.

"Saturday 'yon, madam. Sunday afternoon, nakauwi na tayo. Ang dami mong excuses. At isa pa, sa tingin mo papayag ang fiancé mo na wala ka do'n?"

"Excuse me," I politely say and they both look up to see me.

"B-boss? I-I didn't—"

"It's okay," I cut off the girl, I think her name is Monica. "Pwedeng makidaan?" I ask, still with utter politeness.

Actually, I find it funny na maraming napatingin sa'min. First, I'm speaking nicely. Second, I'm speaking in vernacular. Third, I'm speaking to an employee. Oh, and, did I mention? I'm speaking nicely with a smile.

"O-okay..." she answers nervously, stepping aside. Napalingon siya kay Ariel who's gaping at me and I just smile at them.

"Oh, before I forget," I say, looking back at them about three steps away. "Were you guys talking about the team building? I'm sorry, I can't help but hear it. You were pretty loud," I joke.

Now, really, everyone stops doing what they're doing and they all look at us.

"Well?" I follow up.

And I'm so surprised that Monica gains even more attention when she starts crying out her apology. "Oh my gosh. Boss, I'm so sorry if I spoke in vernacular. I know I'm supposed to do my job during business hours but please don't fire me. I promise to—"

"No, really, it's okay. Calm down, will you?" And I even tap her shoulder to assure her that I'm not gonna do that. "Nagtatanong lang ako. Ayan. Parehas na tayong speaking in vernacular, does it make you feel any better?"

I keep my eyes on her and finally, she nods. "A-ang totoo niyan, boss, tinatanong ko lang naman po si Madam kung sasama siya sa Subic..."

Napatingin ako kay Ariel and I can see that she's worried. I know they are all expecting me to do something mean or say something harsh but of course, I have to show them I'm spontaneous. For her.

"Sasama ka ba?" I ask Ariel.

And like the days of our first encounters, she turns red as if she cannot believe I'm talking to her. Hindi ko napigilan ang ngiti ko. It feels like the first time and it's so stupid how I find it nostalgic to reminisce about that day in the hospital after my attempted suicide in Magsaysay, to that day when she had her final interview with me. Maybe that's what's wrong, the spark is untimely. But I'm so happy to know that this could be the best way to start anew, to make everyday as if it's the first and cherish it as if it's the last.

"A-ako ba, boss?"

I laugh at her reaction. An honest laugh for the first time today. And that makes her turn into an even brighter shade of red. It's so adorable it hurts. "In my office, Ms. Inoue," I say to her. I look around the production floor. "Everyone, get back to work so we can prepare for Saturday's activities. From now on, we'll spend the afternoons planning for Saturday's team building. Alright?" They all gape at me in disbelief and I take that chance to give them a genuine smile, saying... "Je te dis merde!" (Break a leg!)

I walk into my office with a smile plastered on my face. On my way, I come across Sarah Medina who's holding a bunch of folders in hand.

"You okay?" I ask.

"Boss! Thank goodness. Can you sign these, please?"

I stop walking and scratch my temple. "Sorry, Ms. Medina, but you have to go through the process. Send it to Pamela, my secretary, and she will send it either to Ms. Inoue or into my office, whichever becomes available first."

She doesn't answer. She stares at me— No, scratch that. She's gaping at me.

"Or if you want, you can ask Ms. Inoue a really big favor to sign it for you. The only paper documents that should reach me are those that Ms. Inoue cannot approve of."

Still no answer.

"Is everything okay?" I ask, confused.

She nods, lost.

"Can I go?" I ask politely.

She nods again.

"Seriously, Sarah, are you alright? Do you need to go to the clinic?"

"I-I'm alright. It's just... I'm not sure if it's just me or you're really being nice." She shakes her head, looking down. "I'm sorry. Don't mind me, boss. I'm just surprised. Thank you."

With that, I eye her as she walks into the production floor and she has a smile on her face now, too! Wow. I guess possitivity really is contagious.