The Benefit of Us

Four

It is Saturday and it has been 3 days since Ivan and I had our little fight. We still haven't talked yet. I didn't avoid him but I was really busy. I also don't want to reach out, it's just really annoying that if I don't make the first move, nothing will really happen. It's okay with her we haven't gotten along until now while I'm paranoid about what she's doing or where she is. I need to distract myself, ASAP.

It was still 9am and I've got nothing to do. I called my Mom just to check on her. She answered on the second ring.

"Hello son! How are you? I miss you!" I can hear the warmth of my mother's voice, I instantly smiled.

"I'm okay ma, you? Don't overwork yourself." 

"Don't worry about me, I'm the mom here lest you forget." she joked, I could hear her laughing. I just rolled my eyes. 

"How is your research going? Will you be home next week?" I asked

"My son, I'm not sure yet. It's not just my paper that's the problem here, I already have a patient. But I'll try booking a flight next Saturday but maybe I'll go home by Monday too. Is that okay?" 

"Yeah, dont worry, I'm fine here. Just call me often." I said, I miss my mother but it's selfish if I just send her home because I don't.

We talked some more till she was paged by a fellow doctor. I roamed my eyes around the house and I got nothing to do. I remembered na may bagong libro yung isa sa mga favorite authors ko kaya I decided to go to the mall. 

----

I was scrolling through the shelves of National Bookstore holding 4 books in my arms. Isang libro lang talaga ang plano kong bilhin pero ang daming new releases! I was debating on the 3 books that I'm buying when I caught sight of someone outside NBS. It was Carly and she seemed to be waiting for someone. 

I paid the books and headed out of the store, I was planning on ignoring her just to avoid the dreaded small talk but she saw me. Worse, she saw me seeing her too. ugh. Guess it would be rude not to say hi at this point. 

He half-runned towards me with her biggest smile as always. 

"Vera! Nice to see you here!" she's waving in front of me. This girl feels like a burst of sunshine and optimism. The very opposite of me.

"Hi, nice to see you too." I smiled, the realest I could give. 

"Are you going somewhere? wait did u eat lunch na? you want to join me?" she said excitedly.

"Uh, I don't really have plans today. You looked like you were waiting for someone." 

"Ah... actually nagplano kami nina Allison at Jerra about this movie na showing ngayon but.. uhm they didn't tell me na they watched it na yesterday." she said shyly. 

Oof, this is awkward. So she basically was left out. I never liked those girls anyways. I dont understand why she's friends with them but then again she's friends with everyone. 

"They didn't tell you till now?" I asked, slightly annoyed. the least they could do was inform her. 

"Yeah.. but its okay! I understand, nakalimutan lang talaga nila and besides hindi nila ako naisip imbitahan kahapon cause I was busy rin naman." she's even making excuses for them, is this woman a saint? I sometimes wonder if this is all an act. Can someone really be this kind?

I dont know what possessed in me, I guess it was pity or i dont know.

"Okay, So lunch. Where do you want to eat?" Woah, that came out so naturally. Naawa lang ako sa kanya okay? 

She was beaming when I said that.  "Okay so I have a few restos in mind. Do you like Korean food? or maybe japanese?" damn she's even skipping as she guided me around the mall. 

" I'm fine with anything."

She was babbling and I was only half listening but I just let her talk and I would say yes from time to time. She had so many stories, hindi ata to nauubusan ng kwento. I feel like she basically told me the history of her whole family, relatives included. 

We sat down at this eat all you can samgyupsal place. Thank God she wasn't the type who eats just 'salad'. Nung narinig ko na ang pag sizzle ng pork ay nagutom rin ako. We were eating and just chilling, the food is good I'll give her that. Carly was telling me things and I just listened and nodded for the most part. 

"So V, you know I was really intimidated by you at first but then  I saw you laughing at one of sir Romualdez' jokes and you know what? you look really approachable when you smile." she was cooking some bulgogi while I mostly eat what she cooks. " Am I talking too much ba? You can tell me to stop if your annoyed ha, I wont be offended pramis!" 

"Nah its fine, I really just prefer listening."  I said. "So are you still watching that movie?" 

"eh, wag na siguro. I don't really like it anyways. Gusto ko lang talaga makihang out sa kanila." she laughed. 

We talked some more, about classes and other stuff. She is so animated when we talk and its kinda good cause I dont feel pressured to keep up with the conversation. She was fine even though I am just listening, giving small comments here and there.

I'm kind of enjoying her company to be honest. 

------

"Thank you so much for today V! ulitin natin to next time ah? my treat!" Carly said, naghihintay kami nang taxi para sa kanya at naghihintay din ako ng shuttle para makauwi na. 

"Yeah sure" I smiled, I actually enjoyed today. She was hmm, okay to be with I guess. She was game for anything, I actually thought na mapili siya sa activities at pagkain but she was cool. 

"Here's my ride, Take care V! thanks again." she waved as she entered the taxi, I waved back too. 

I was about to sit at the waiting area when I saw someone in my peripheral vision. I looked to my right and saw a man coming towards me, he was wearing a black graphic tee, jeans and a white cap. 

"So you have other friends. That's nice." Lucas said as he stopped in front of me. 

"She's my classmate, we just me kanina." I looked at him, "Hi by the way" I sarcastically said.

He chuckled. "Hello" he waved a little. "Pauwi kana?" 

"Uh yup. walang magawa eh." Isa din siguro to sa downside of living alone. I guess magbi-binge watch nalang ako ng movies sa bahay. "Kanina ka pa dito?" I asked.

"May binili lang." he raised the paperbag he was holding. It was an audiophile paper bag. 

"You play music?"

"Sometimes, hindi to para sa akin, may gig yung kaibigan ko mamaya, pinapabili lang nya." he explained. 

"Wait, wala ka bang gagawin? do you wanna come?" he asked. 

I was  skeptical about the offer. I mean I know Lucas, he is not the type who would harm me, not that I would let him though. I know enough self-defense to knock him unconscious. 

"You don't have to though, but ikaw din, you need to branch out. Para hindi nalang Ivan palagi yang utak mo." he was mocking me. 

I scoffed. "As if! eh ikaw din naman ah. Kung makatitig sa babaeng yun parang nahypnotize, yuck."  I acted like I was disguisted. 

Tumawa siya, "okay, okay you don't have to be so defensive." he was raising both his hands up, still laughing. 

I looked at the time it was almost 7pm. 

"What time does it start?" I asked.

he lagged for a moment, I think he never really thought that I would agree. "around 9 pm" 

"Okay, but I need to grab dinner first." I said nonchalantly. 

"May Mcdo near sa bar venue." he said. 

Ah screw it, I dont have anything to do anyways. Magmumukmok lang din ako sa kwarto. 

"Okay then." 

"Okay" he said.  "My bike is at the parking lot." 

"Your what?" I said, narinig ko ba siya ng tama?

"My bike, motorcycle? motor? 2 wheels?" he sarcastically said as he started walking towards the parking lot. 

I mean, I was wearing jeans and sneakers so its fine I guess. But I only rode a motorcycle twice in my life. Am I scared? yeah, no s**t. 

"You scared?" he asked, squinting his eyes at me. Is he really teasing me right now? 

"No." I denied. I'm a grown-ass woman besides, how bad can it be?

I followed him to the parking lot and saw a black motorcycle, its kinda big for a motorcycle?  not gonna lie I think I'm about to s**t my pants. 

"I present to you, the love of my life. My literal, ride or die." he looked so proud as he showed his bike. 

"eh, its fine."  I deadpanned.

The look on his face is priceless, he looked at me as if I said something so scandalous. I stopped myself from laughing. 

"unbelievable" he murmured. 

He handed me his spare helmet. I wanna ask if he was planning on going with someone hence the spare helmet or he just brings one always. Well, not my business.

"Okay, you do know how to ride a motorcycle right?" he asked as he positioned himself and adjusting his helmet. 

"Of course, I do" I rolled my eyes. Nah, I'm just gonna wing this. 

I finally sat on the motorcycle but I dont know where to place my hands. 

"Put your hands on my shoulder." he said. "Did you put your helmet on?" 

"yeah." I was so nervous now. 

"Okay then, off we go." 

The motorcycle roared and I tightened my grip on his shoulders. I heard him chuckle and I lightly punched him in the back. Lord help me, what have I gotten myself into.