My Chinese Marvel

Chapter 15

Tamang Panahon

It's Saturday. Kasalukuyan na akong nagha handa sa event namin ni Jeron. Nandito ngayon sa dorm sina Ate Cha at Ate Aby. Pati din pala si Achi Mel. Actually, tinawagan sila nila Majoy at Kianna para matulungan ako sa pag aayos. Graduate na sila, mga dating member team at may kani-kaniyang personal commitments pa pero isang tawag lang sa kanila ni Majoy, pumunta agad dito sa dorm.

Sina Majoy ang kasama ko sa mall kahapon para bumili ng perfect gown. Tas ngayon, ang nagme make up naman sa akin ay sina Ate Cha at Achi Mel. Nakaka hiya nga eh. Kasi pareho nang mga busy tong sila tas pinapunta pa nila Joy dito sa dorm para lang ayusan ako?

"Mga Achi naman eh. Joke lang kasi eh. Sineryoso niyo pa talaga ang pag punta dito." Nahihiyang sabi ko at yumuko.

"Ano ka ba, Ye. Okay lang. Alam mo namang hilig namin to." Natatawang sagot sa akin ni Ate Cha habang nilalagyan ng spray net ang buhok ko.

"Pero yung totoo, nagta tampo na kami sayo ha." Patampong sabi ni Achi Mel. Agad naman tuloy akong napa tingin sa kaniya.

"Hindi ka na nagku kwento!" Natawa nalang ako. Pano ako magku kwento kung pareho silang busy sa mga works nila?

"Eh kasi po, ayoko pong maka istorbo sa inyo mga office girls." Sagot ko at bumelat.

"Eh hindi na bali yun." Sagot ni Ate Aby.

"Pero Ye, isang matinong tanong at isang matinong sagot." Nagsi lapit sina Ate Aby sa akin nang sabihin iyon ni Ate Cha. "Kayo na ba ni King?" Nagulat ako kasi biglang napa tili sina Ate Aby and Achi Mel na nasa tabi ko lang at malapit pa sa tenga ko.

Napa ngiti ako sa tanong ni Ate Cha. Kami na ba?

"W- We're getting there, 'chi." Naka ngiting sagot ko.

Around 6pm nang matapos akong ayusan and I'm ready to go. Iniintay ko nalang si Jeron actually. Lumabas na ako ng kwarto ko, at naabutan ang ibang lady spikers na nanunuod ng movie sa sala.

"WALANJO. MAY NAKA PASOK NA MAGNA NAKAW." Paghi hysterical ni Majoy nang makita akong bumababa sa hagdan.

Napa lingon tuloy sina Ara. They seemed surprised dahil naihulog nila ang chips na isusubo sana.

"Gaga. Si Ate Ye yan!" Sabi ni Kianna with matching batok pa kay Majoy. Lumaki ang mata ni Joy at nag blink ng three times.

"Oo nga! Ate Ye. Ang ganda mo!"

"Gandang di mo inakala!" Sabat pa ng rookies.

"Wushu. Tigilan niyo ako. Nag biro pa kayo. Osige na. Ililibre ko kayo bukas." Natatawang sagot ko pero inirapan lang nila ako. Seriously?

"Hindi kami nagbi biro, Ye. Ganda mo talaga!"

"Alam ko naman yun." Sabi ko at nag kunwaring nag flip hair kahit wala naman akong ifi flip. Nabatukan tuloy ako ni Ate Aby

"Over confidence, ha Ye." She said. Nag peace sign naman ako.

"Jokeee. Sa ganda at galing ba naman ng mga stylist ko?"

Maya maya pa nang marinig naming may bumusinang sasakyan sa labas. Nagmamadaling binuksan nina Kim ang pinto at nakita si Jeron na naka sandal sa sasakyan niya at naka tux. Naks. Ikakasal na ba kami?

"Hello to earth, Jeron Teng?" Sabi ko at wave sa kaniya. Natawa naman ang spikers.

"Ah- ha? Ang ganda." Bigla akong siniko ni Ara nang sabihin iyon ni Jeron. Napa yuko tuloy ako bigla para maitago ang namumula kong mukha.

"Gandang di mo inakala, no Je?" Dinig ko sabi ni Kim. Umiling naman tuloy si Jeron.

"Mali." He sighed, looked at me in the eyes. "Gandang di nakakasawa." Then smiled.

Sandali akong napa tahimik, hmm.

"Tara na nga. Gaya gaya ka naman ng line eh." Sabi ko at hinampas pa siya sa braso.

"Totoo naman eh!" He argued. "Yung ganda mo, hindi talaga nakakasawa. Unique eh." Then he smirked. Muli nanaman tuloy akong nag blush.

"Che. Tara na nga. Nang matigil na ang pagbi biruan natin dito." Yaya ko sa kaniya. He offered his hands at nilingon sina Ate Aby.

"Mga achi, spikers, una na po kami ah." Paalam niya. Ngumiti naman sina ate Cha.

"Ingatan mo yan ah." They said.

"Iuwi mo yan ng buhay ah!" Sigaw ni Kim.

"Oo naman boss. Mamahalin ko pa ito eh." At muli siyang nag smirk sa akin.

He opened the car door for me before going to the other side to start the engine. He started driving. We were quiet at first pero agad ko itong pinawi nang buksan ko ang radio.

Then a song started playing,

You look so wonderful in your dress

I love your hair like that

The way it falls on the side of your neck

Down your shoulders and back

Nagka tinginan naman tuloy kami ni Jeron at tumawa.

"Oh. Tingnan mo, pati yung kanta sumasangayon." Sabi niya pa.

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes after.

We later reached the venue. Ang hotel kung saan gaganapin ang preview ball. Pero hindi pa kami bumababa. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at tiningnan ako sa mata.

"Let's just enjoy this. Okay? Just think of me and you tonight." Then I sighed and nodded.

This past few days, muli nanamang kumalat yung issue. Binuhay nila yung issue na kaya kami nag split ni Kiefer dahil nag cheat ako. Muli ko nanamang nakita at napanuod yung video na sinasabi nilang dahilan ng break up. Yung video na kung saan, nasa bar ako, nakikipag halikan sa ibang lalaki.

Hindi ko nga alam kung saang lupalop nila nakuha yung kwento na cheater ako, malandi, s**t. Hay. Ewan ko sa kanila! As long as alam ko sa sarili ko na hindi yun totoo at alam naman lahat ng mga kaibigan ko na hindi naman talaga ako yung nag cheat. 

The internet can be a dangerous place. Mabilis kumalat ang fake news, at ang mga tao naman, mabilis din magpaniwala sa mga fake news. 

Lumabas na siya sa sasakyan at pumunta sa side ko para buksan ang car door. He offered his hands then smiled.

"Ready to go, Miss?" He asked. I just nodded.

We started walking on the red carpet while waving at the same time. My hands wrapped around his arms, while my other hand waves to the reporters. We reached the center part, stopped for a while to let the photographers do their job.

After a minute, we continued walking as another pair is about to arrive. We got inside the venue and were greeted by a very familiar face.

"The King and Queen Archer!" Masayang bati ni IC at nakipag beso pa sa amin ni Jeron.

"Okay na yung King and Queen eh. Nilagyan mo pa ng 'the.'" Pagjo joke ni Jeron sa kaniya at tumawa.

"No ka ba. It's alright. Deserve niyo naman kasi yung title. Ako nandito lang. Kayo nandun!" Pinakita niya yung kamay niya dahil habang sinasabi niya yun, may matching gestures pa. "Hindi ko kayo ma reach! Ang high niyo pareho eh." And we all laughed.

"Ye, this is IC. I know you know him, right?" Then I nodded. IC offered his hands then smiled at me.

"IC. Nice to finally meet you, Queen Archer." Nag smirk pa siya at siniko si Jeron. "Girlfriend mo na ba to tol?"

"Uy! Hindi pa ah. We're friends." Sagot ni Jeron. IC seemed like he was asking for more, so Jeron smiled. "But we're getting there. Soon."

"Ayun naman! Yan ang hinahanap kong sagot eh." He laughed. "Alam mo Ye, bagay na bagay kayong dalawa. Kaya nga nag taka ako eh. Mahilig ka pala sa unggoy?" Then we all laughed.

"Noon yun. Mas enjoy ko na ngayon ang hopia at siopao." Then I smirked. Nakipag apir naman si IC sa akin.

"Siopao nalang, Miks. You know our fans hate hopia." Then Jeron laughed.

"What's wrong with hopia? As long as we both know na hindi na hopia yung 'love team' natin. Na hindi na natin sila pinapaasa. Kasi, totoo na tayo. At eto na yung right time natin." Sagot ko naman dahilan para tumili ng mahina si IC

"Hay nako! Tigilan niyo nga ako. Mag pakuha nalang tayo ng picture para matigil na ang kilig. Jusme." Tumawa si IC at inikot ang ulo. Mukhang naghahanap ng mauutusan. "Ayun." He smiled. Napa lingon tuloy kami ni Jeron sa direction na tinuro ni IC. Uh oh. We're screwed. "Joseph!" Tawag niya kay Joseph. Joseph Marco.

"Hey, IC! Long time no see." He laughed then broke their hug "rhyme yun ah." He added.

"Sira. Oh, nga pala, Jeron and Mika, this is Joseph. I'm certain that you know him, right?" Jeron nodded.

"Hi Bro. Nice to finally meet you." Joseph accepted Jeron's hand at nakipag kamay pa.

"You too, bro." Tumingin naman sa akin si Joseph at ngumiti. "Finally, nice to see you mga idol!" Sabi niya. He offered a hand then I accepted it. I was surprised when he kissed my hand kaya napa tingin ako agad kay Jeron we he quenched his fist.

"Ah, Seph. Baka pwede namang pa picture. Picture an mo naman kami." I felt that IC saw what Jeron just did kaya sinabi niya iyon.

"Oh sure. No problem." We positioned ourselves, nasa gitna namin si IC. We all smiled as Joseph took a picture of us. Then, he excused himself.

"Wag kang masyadong seloso, tol. Crush lang yun si Joseph. Ikaw ang mahal." Then IC laughed and patted Jeron on the shoulders. He excused himself at nilapitan naman kami ng ilang staff at dinala kami sa table namin.

Jeron was quiet. Kanina ko pa iyon napansin. Kaya naman, hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at hinarap siya.

"Do we have a problem?" Umiling siya. "You sure?" He nodded at tumahimik na. Ganun din ang ginawa ko. Ayokong mainis siya sa akin.

"Ugh. Fine. Nagselos ako." He said that made me chuckle. "I'm not joking, miks." Sabi niya at kumunot ang noo. Ako naman, uminom ng wine at nag smile.

"Go on." I said.

"Eh kasi naman, diba crush mo yun? Tas hinalikan pa yung kamay mo. Kung pwede lang sinabihan ko na yun ng 'bro, akin yan. Tigilan mo. Respeto naman oh'" inis niyang sabi at nag cross arms pa.

"Tapos ka na?" I asked.

"Ha?" Kunot noo niyang tanong.

"Anything more to argue?" Umiling siya at saka uminom ng tubig. Then, I smiled. "Wag kang mag alala. Crush lang yun. Pag hanga. Alam naman natin pareho kung sino yung gusto ko diba." Napa bigkwas siya sa kinauupuan at naka ngiti akong hinarap.

"Sino ba?" He is even wiggling his eyebrows now. Ang bipolar talaga. Tsk.

"Confidential eh. Bawal sabihin." Binelatan ko siya. "Tsaka alam niya naman yun."

"Ang alin?" Naka ngiting tanong niya.

"Na mahal ko siya." Then he smiled, widely.

Nagka tinginan kami bigla ng may kantang tumunog. Tumayo siya then offered his hands.

"Can I have this dance?" I nodded.

He lead me to the dance floor at naka ngiting nilagay ang mga kamay niya sa bewang ko. We just enjoyed the song until another song started playing.

We're only getting older, baby

And I've been thinking about it lately

Does it ever drive you crazy

Just how fast the night changes?

He looked at me straight in the eyes na para bang may sinasabi. Today is the day. Today is the right time. No. The perfect time. Sasabihin ko na ba?

"3 years ago, I met this simple girl in the sports complex of Wesley." He started. "She was so simple. Walang kaartehan and napaka down to earth. We became close. We were gym buddies. We were each other's crying shoulders. We became each other's best friend." I stopped for a while, trying to realize what he's trying to do.

Everything that you've ever dreamed of

Disappearing when you wake up

But there's nothing to be afraid of

Even when the night changes

It will never change me and you

"Until one day, we found out that we don't just love each other as friends. We wanted to be more than friends." He stopped to wipe my tears then continued with what he's doing. "But I guess, it wasn't the right time. No. Not yet. We both chose to let go, we both gave way to better opportunities." Tumingin siya sa mga mata ko.

Chasing it tonight,

Doubts are running 'round her head

He's waiting, hides behind a cigarette

Heart is beating loud, and she doesn't want it to stop

"And so I thought, maybe, it's not yet our right time. And if we're really meant for each other, the time will start ticking again until it finally found its right time." Napa sigh siya bigla. "And so I waited. Until this day finally came. Until I finally felt that it is now our right time. I wouldn't miss the opportunity. Now that destiny was the one who made a way." He wiped his tears. Pulled me closer, and whispered to me the words that I want to hear kanina pa.

Moving too fast

Moon is lighting up her skin

She's falling, doesn't even know it yet

Having no regrets is all that she really wants

"Will you be my girl?" He asked while holding both of my hands. My tears finally found its way and continued flowing down. I smiled. Then I nodded.

"Yes. I'm willing to be your girl, yes Je." Sinabi ko at niyakap pa siya.

We're only getting older, baby

And I've been thinking about it lately

Does it ever drive you crazy

Just how fast the night changes?

He hugged me back and kissed me on the forehead. The next thing I knew, he grabbed me and we were already here at the garden of this hotel.

"Paki ulit nga yung sinabi mo kanina." He smirked.

"Tss. Kulit talaga ng boyfriend ko." Napa tingin ako sa kaniya ng sabihin niya iyon. Ang sarap namang pakinggan.

"Ang sarap pakinggan." He said. "Sabi sayo eh, just wait for the right time." He kissed my hand then smiled.

"You were worth it. You were worth it the wait." Naka ngiting sagot ko sa kaniya.

He faced me, placed both of his hands on my cheeks, and slowly got closer. I can already hear my heart beating loud and fast for him, because of what he’s doing. But it calmed down, giving me the feeling of home as his lips touched mine.

 Everything that you've ever dreamed of

Disappearing when you wake up

But there's nothing to be afraid of

Even when the night changes

It will never change me and you

We let go of the kiss when we felt our phones vibrating. He got his phone from his pocket then checked it. Ganoon din ang ginawa ko.

Ic. Mendoza- nag mukha akong gasul sa tabi niyo. So kayo na ba? Haha. @reyesmikaaa @jeronalvinteng #preview20 #animo #jemik(with our picture)

We just laughed and ignored it. He shook his head, then offered his hand as we find our way back inside the function hall.

It’s getting late so we decided to leave, but we asked someone to take a picture of the two of us, as a souvenir before going home.

jeronalvinteng- #animo ? (with our picture)

I smiled at the picture that he posted. Our fans will surely like this.

We safely arrived back at the dorm around 10PM. Nasa labas na kami ngayon ng dorm at iniintay niya nalang akong pumasok.

"Thank you for today, baby." He smirked.

"No, thank you Je." He kissed me on the forehead before asking me na pumasok na.

"Good night, I hate you." Then I laughed.

"I hate you too. Drive safely." Pumasok na ako at siya naman ay pina andar na ang sasakyan niya. Hay.

We may not be able to tell the world that we are together now, but I'm sure, that when the clock finally finds its right time, everyone will know who I truly love.