Just One Date

Chapter 11 - seal the deal

"Anong sinabi mo? Did you say yes?" Bethany asked eagerly, tugging on my arm while sitting beside me on the bleachers. She looked genuinely interested when I told him about Ethan's date proposal.

"Wala. Sabi ko nasisiraan na siya ng ulo," I replied with a shrug, not taking my eyes off the ongoing Soccer game.

May Reunion Games ang mga dating varsity ng Basketball, Volleyball at Soccer ng Perpetual University. Fund Raising Project iyon ng Student Council for this school year. Whoever thought of this idea to have the old varsities compete with the new ones is very clever, I'd say. The jam-packed soccer field and basketball court proves it.

"Anong klaseng sagot iyon?" reklamo ni Bethany.

"Aba, anong gusto mong isagot ko?" kunot-noong tanong ko pabalik sa kanya.

May sasabihin pa sana siya pero biglang tumigil nang maupo si Kuya Brett sa kabila ko. Hinihintay niya ang iba pa dahil pagkatapos ng Soccer Game ay susunod na ang game nila.

"Anong masasabi mo sa laro ni Ethan? He's still the best midfielder, don't you think?" he asked, prodding me with his elbow.

It's been a while since I watched Ethan play, last year pa yata noong pinilit akong sumama ni Kuya Brett para manood. But I wasn't paying attention back then. Ni hindi ko na nga matandaan kung ganito na ba talaga siya kagaling maglaro dati pa.

"I guess so," I simply replied much to his dismay. Ayokong aminin sa kanya na nagagalingan ako kay Ethan.

"You know nothing about Soccer, Sis. Take note, Ethan is the Center Midfielder. That's the toughest, most demanding, most crucial position in Soccer. He's playing both offense and defense. And to think that being a center midfielder requires a lot of movement, he doesn't seem tired at all-," he boasted, obviously very proud of his best friend, but i cut him off mid-sentence.

"I'm simply not interested Kuya, okay?" I shook my head and heaved a frustrated sigh.

Ang totoo I was starting to enjoy watching the game. It's probably the first time I really watched kahit ang kulit kulit ni Bethany sa tabi. Ang alam ko kasi walang practice si Ethan since before he took the LET but he's undeniably good in Soccer, kaya pala ang dami niyang fans. But Kuya's invasive way of pointing out Ethan's greatness, as if that should be reason enough for me to fall inlove with him, is annoying.

"You should. Para ma-appreciate mo naman ang pinapanood mo," he insisted as he went on to explain the different soccer positions and their respective duties.

I tuned him out and looked around to focus on something else. And I succeeded when I saw Tyrone across the field. Beside him was Tyler who waved with enthusiasm when he saw us. He jogged around the bleachers and exchanged high fives with Kuya Brett.

"Ready for the game?" he asked Kuya.

"Of course! Nasan na si Gavin?"

He chuckled.

"Parating na iyon, sinundo lang ang lucky charm niya. Alam mo naman iyon, sira ang laro kapag wala si Syndell ng buhay niya sa audience."

I smiled. That was sweet of Gavin.

"Did that hurt?" I nudged Bethany. Kahit ilang beses na niyang sinabi na tanggap na niyang ikakasal na si Gavin kay Syndell, hindi pa rin ako naniniwala.

"Shut up," she hissed and narrowed her eyes at me. Noon ko lamang nalaman na nagtatago pala siya sa likod ko para hindi siya makita ni Tyler. And with her thin frame, that's possible. Unless of course I turned.

"Bethany, my love! You came to watch me! I'm so happy to see you here!" Tyler exclaimed as his eyes widened with surprise.

"Ang kapal ng mukha mo, I'm not here for you! I'm here or my cousin Brett kaya tumahimik ka," saway naman ng pinsan ko habang pulang-pula ang mukha.

We all laughed at Bethany's response and I met Tyrone's eyes. They continued with their banter but this time nothing else mattered but Tyrone's smile.

"Hi, Fenella."

That's all he has to say to take my breath away.

We held each other's gaze for a while at bumalik na lamang ang attention namin sa soccer field nang magsigawan ang mga tao sa bleachers as the game ended. I immediately looked over the score board and found out that Ethan's team won, which was expected, of course.

Kuya Brett was ecstatic. And as he jumped down the bleacher to greet Ethan, Tyrone took his seat beside me.

"Good to see you here," he told me.

"You too. I didn't know you'd come," I replied while trying to hide my excitement.

"Sabi kasi ni Kuya Tyler malamang pumunta ka dahil sa kapatid mo so nagbaka-sakali ako. I'm glad he's right."

I was about to say something when I heard Kuya Brett calling my name.

"Fen! Aren't you going to congratulate Ethan?" he hollered.

I threw Tyrone an apologetic look.

"Go ahead," he prompted.

"Come with me?" yaya ko sa kanya.

Hindi naman siya nagdalawang-isip. He even held my hand for support as I walked down the bleachers.

"Congrats, Ethan," I said casually when we reached him. Kinalabit ko pa siya para makita niya ako dahil sa dami ng mga nagco-congratulate sa kanya.

His eyes lit up when he saw me. He pulled away from the madding crowd and on impulse, lifted me up in an embrace.

"This is for you, my Lois!" he yelled triumphantly, instantly grabbing all the attention and making my cheeks turn beat red as everyone around us cheered.

"Put me down. Ethan!" I commanded, wishing the ground would open up and swallow me.

Thankfully, he obeyed.

"Congrats, pare," Tyrone suddenly told him as he put me down.

I saw how Ethan's wide grin slowly turned into a frown as Tyrone held out his palm in an attempt to shake his hand.

After staring at Tyrone's hand with tensed jaw for what seemed like forever, Ethan reluctantly shook it.

"Thanks," he muttered in a not so happy tone without looking at Tyrone.

Awkward silence followed that scene until Gavin finally came, holding hands with his fiancee.

"Late ba kami?" he asked, breaking the ice.

Tyler clapped his hands to lighten the mood.

"Buti alam mong ikaw na lang ang hinihintay. But it's okay, you're just in time, Tol!" he exclaimed, giving his best friend's shoulder a pat.

"Just in time bago magkaroon ng suntukan," Bethany whispered, leaning close to my ear before I stepped on his left foot.

"Hayaan ninyo, babawi si Gavin. He's worth the wait. Diba?" Syndell turned to Gavin, obviously being his number one fan.

With that, Gavin winked and held her waist.

"Are we still talking about basketball?" he asked with a lopsided grin.

"Hoy, umayos kayong dalawa! Late na nga, dito pa magpi-flirt!" saway ni Tyler sa kanila bago kami sabay sabay na nagtawanan.

"Inggit ka lang, Tol," Gavin gave him a playful punch.

"Teka, sinong nanalo sa Soccer?" Syndell asked afterwards, excited with the results.

"Sina Ethan, of course!" Kuya Brett replied as he draped an arm around Ethan's shoulder like a proud bestfriend would.

Ethan forced a smile as he looked up.

"Walang kupas, pare!" Gavin beamed at him and raised a hand which Ethan gladly met for a high five.

When Tyrone's phone rang, he seemed to have found a way to get out of the crowd. He looked relieved to take the call.

Syndell hooked her arm around Bethany's and I wonder once again how she could stay friends with the girl her first love is marrying.

The rest of the guys made their way to the basketball court, leaving Ethan and I behind.

"I didn't invite him here, Ethan. He tagged along with Tyler. And he meant well, you know that," I said, wondering why I'm even bothering to explain.

He nodded.

"I know. I just need more practice not to care," he replied and finally looked me in the eye.

"Iyan ba ang lalaking nag-aalok sa akin na gamitin ko siya para pagselosin si Tyrone?" I started a joke, remembering his stupid offer a few weeks ago.

He chuckled and shook his stubborn head.

"Forget it, baka ako pa ang maunang mamatay sa selos," he responded and we shared a laugh.

"I'll give you this shirt later," he added, pointing a finger to his jersey when we stopped laughing.

"You really don't have to," I tried to refuse.

"But I want you to have it. I played hard for you," he insisted and I know he wouldn't stop unless I say yes.

"Okay," I finally said with a nod.

Thing is, I already have about a dozen of them. Sa tuwing nananalo sila ay ibinibigay niya sa akin ang jersey niya after the championship eversince he started playing Soccer. Not that I ever used any of it. Aside from the obvious fact that his size is way too big for me, it would of course feel like he's embracing me if I would wear it and that always give me the creeps. I wanted to return them but Kuya got mad, saying it's a big insult so I just kept all of it at the back of my drawer. That yellow jersey he's wearing now will just be an addition to the stack.

When the whistle blew to signal the start of the basketball game, we both ran across the field to watch the game. Tyrone tried to catch up with us and I ended up sitting between the two of them in the bleachers, much to Bethany's amusement.

I didn't know who's question to answer first kapag sabay silang nagtatanong. Hindi tuloy ako maka-concentrate sa pinapanood ko, ang gu-gwapo pa naman ng players.

Tyrone by nature is very competitive, being a member of a well-known family running multiple businesses. He would argue about anything Ethan comments on.

Ethan, on the other hand is quirky smart. And being the hard-headed guy that he is, he would neither accept defeat and wouldn't allow Tyrone to have the last say.

When I finally got tired of being their referee, I left my seat and searched for my cousin.

It was Syndell who spotted me and waved a hand while Bethany was busy making faces because Tyler kept on winking at her and yelling her name everytime he scores.

"O, nasan ang leading men mo?" she asked when I slumped on the seat beside her.

"Iniwan ko para makapag-bonding naman sila," I replied loudly over the noisy crowd.

"Go Gavin!!!" Syndell yelled, making me jump on my seat.

"I didn't know she could be that loud," I commented, making sure only Bethany heard.

"Only for Gavin, actually. She's Gavin's personal cheerleader," my cousin replied with a hearty laugh.

Kuya Brett's team won but unlike the Soccer game na dominated nina Ethan ang kalaban, the basketball game was a close fight.

I gave Kuya Brett a playful punch before handing him his towel.

"Kita mo na how your presence affects my performance? I couldn't help but be awesome!" Tyler told Bethany, looking exhausted but happy.

He tried to put an arm around her shoulder but Bethany slapped his hand.

"Ang kapal mo rin, two points lang naman ang lamang ninyo. Tsaka ilang beses ka bang naka-shoot? Lima? Free throw pa nga ang dalawa."

Tyler smiled and waved a finger at her playfully.

"Aha! You're counting! Sabi ko na nga ba, ako ang tinututukan mo the whole duration of the game. Huling-huli ka!"

"Kung makapagsalita ito akala mo siya ang nagdala sa team, panay naman ang foul!" giit naman ng isa.

"Oo nga naman. Ano ba Ty, diba pinagsabihan na kitang bawasan mo 'yang kayabangan mo para makapasa ka rito sa kaibigan ko?" saway sa kanya ni Syndell habang pinupunasan ng pawis ang mukha ng nakangising si Gavin.

Nagtatawanan pa kami sa angilan nila nang lumapit si Ethan at Tyrone kaya nagyaya na akong umalis. They're both quiet for a change habang papunta kami sa parking area kung saan kami naghiwa-hiwalay. Kakain pa sila sa labas to celebrate at sumama naman ako kay Bethany.

I stayed at Bethany's house until she had to leave for her night shift sa Saint Michael Hospital. Nagbihis lang ako pagdating sa bahay bago dumeretso sa Frozen Dreams kung saan naririnig ko na ang boses ni Kirk na kumakanta.

"Buti naman dumating ka na. Maghapon na nagbantay dito sina Mama at Papa, pagod na sila," ani Kuya Brett nang pumasok ako sa shop.

"Okay Kuya, I'll tell them na magpahinga na sila."

I walked over to the counter kung saan nagta-tally ng collection si Mama bago ko pinuntahan si Papa sa kitchen.

"Magbabalanse lang daw si Mama tapos kukuha ng food si Papa at sa bahay na sila magdi-dinner dalawa," I reported to Kuya when I got back.

"You take over the cashiering, I'm going to help with the food orders," he said before attending to the customers who just got in.

Kakaalis lang ni Mama after leaving me with some change when Ethan came in.

"Bro! Kakanta ka mamaya ha!" Kuya told him before he walked over to the counter.

"Here's the shirt, my Lois. Nilabhan ko na 'yan, kasing-bango ko na," he said as he handed me the jersey he was wearing earlier at the Soccer game.

Without looking up from the invoices I was checking, I signaled him to the put the shirt on top of the table.

"Kakanta ka ba? We can sing a duet if you want," he offered.

"I can't, I'm the cashier tonight. Kirk covered for me. Katatapos lang niya kumanta, actually."

"Oh. Okay. We'll then I'll just sing for you again," he replied.

I didn't bother to reply and he just stood there watching me make a summary of today's sales. I think it was pretty obvious to him that I'm not in the mood for conversation.

"I'll just help Brett for a while. But listen to the song I'll be singing, okay?"

I just nodded without looking at him.

He has already turned around when I remembered something.

"Ethan, wait! There's something I have to tell you."

I went out of the counter to meet him halfway.

"What is it?" he asked with an eager grin.

I took a deep breath.

"I've been thinking about your date proposal," I started.

"And?" he sudenly looked nervous.

"And I realized that if that one date would end our daily freak show, then-"

"Then do we have a deal?" he asked as if challenging me.

I took another deep breath.

"Deal!" I replied on impulse.

He was taken aback.

"Talaga?!? Payag ka?" he asked after recovering from shock.

"Yup. If it will end this courtship dillema, then let's do it."

Tumahimik siya.

"Hey, did you hear me?"

"Oo. Courtship dillema, huh?" he repeated with a humourless laugh.

I don't know why I expected him to shout "Woohoo!!!" while doing the chicken dance and throwing his fist in the air. But he didn't. If fact he looked a bit sad.

"That's your idea, right? You set the rules yourself," I reminded him.

He nodded with a sigh.

"Hindi lang ako makapaniwala. Hinihintay ko lang mag-sink in na pumayag kang makipag-date sakin."

"That's what you want, right? And today I realized I want the same. After that date you can move on with your life and I can move on with mine. It's a mutual - "

"You want to get rid of me that bad, huh?" he cut me off mid-sentence.

I couldn't tell if he was joking or not because I couldn't read his expression. Hindi ko maintindihan kung masaya siya o hindi.

Awkward silence filled the gap between us. He put both hands inside his jeans' pockets while I looked down on my flip flops.

When the door chime jingled, we both turned to look to see who just came in.

I gasped when I saw Tyrone.

He's wearing a red shirt, gray jacket and faded blue jeans. His eyes searched the stage and the tables, obviously looking for someone.

Me. He finally stopped looking around when he met my eye.

He caught me looking and then smiled. It was a confident smile. Iyon bang parang alam na alam niyang pleasing ang presence niya. Na totoo naman, in fairness. Sa gwapo ba naman niyang iyon, sino ang hindi matutuwa na makita siya?

"It was easier to make a decision with Tyrone in mind, right?" a voice in front of me interrupted, dragging me back to reality.

Right. Ethan. Siya lang ang alam kong hindi natutuwa na makita si Tyrone.

I refused to comment on his conclusion.

Akmang may sasabihin pa siya but Kuya appeared out of nowhere and tapped his shoulder.

"Your turn to sing, Bro."

Ethan turned to me while Kuya greeted some friends who came in.

"Let's seal the deal. Save tomorrow for our date. I'll pick you up at seven. Wear something comfortable," he said to me with poker face.

After saying that with a heavy sigh, he got up on stage.

"Mokong na 'yun, sabi niya All of Me kakantahin niya, bakit kaya bigla niyang iniba?" Kuya muttered more to himself than to me before going back to some of his college friends on the table in front.

"I didn't know an ice cream shop could pack in a lot of people," Tyrone suddenly appeared on my side.

"Highly possible, especially on weekends," I replied with a smile.

"But I was able to single you out from the crowd. I guess my heart led me to you?"

My heart skipped a beat at what he said.

"You need ice cream. Badly," I said with a chuckle and went to scoop some Salted Caramel Truffles on a boat-shaped bowl.

"Try this. It's my favorite flavor," I offered as he pulled a chair to sit closer to me.

I found out later that he preferred chocolate flavored ice cream but for someone who doesn't dig caramel as much as I do, he sure made an effort to finish the bowl I gave him.

"Will you be very busy even during Sem Break?" he asked after a few more minutes of conversation.

"Not everyday. Why?"

He cleared his throat before saying the words I want to hear.

"I was just wondering, maybe we can go out one of these days kung hindi ka busy?"

Oh my god! he's asking me on a date!

"Sure, I'd love to."

Di na naman nagpakipot?

"So how about tomorrow?"

I thought of Ethan.

"I already have an errand scheduled for tommorow, sorry."

"Sunday, then," he suggested hopefully.

"I'm leaving for Ilocos. Sasama ako sa pinsan ko, si Bethany."

He nodded thoughtfully.

"So when you get back. How long will you be in Ilocos?"

"A week," I replied, nervous that he'll take back his offer. Yung mga tipo niya, alam kong hindi sanay na pinaghihintay

"That's okay. I can wait," came his response much to my surprise. I tried to be discrete when I heaved a relieved sigh.

When the audience applauded, I turned my attention back on stage and found out that Ethan just finished his song number. Ni hindi ko namalayan kung anong kinanta niya.

After Ethan left the stage, hindi ko na siya nakita. Hanggang sa magsara kami ng shop, wala rin kahit anino niya. Dati ay tinutulungan pa niya kami ni Kuya sa paghuhugas ng pinggan at pagliligpit kapag sarado na ang shop pero ngayon, ni hindi siya nagpaalam na uuwi na siya. O baka hindi ko na rin lang napansin dahil katabi ko hanggang closing ng Frozen Dreams si Tyrone.

Di bale. Anyway, makikita ko naman siya bukas for our closure date.

What I don't understand is why I feel uneasy about this whole thing.

It's just Ethan.

I just have to get through one day with him. I just need to tolerate his presence for a day.

Just think. After that date, my life will be so back to normal.

It can't be that bad.

I think I'll survive.

After all, it's just one date.

It's doesn't mean anything.

And there's no way that one date is going to change my feelings for him.

Right?