Becoming The Man (COMPLETED)

Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Busy pa akong mag-basa ng eighty pages of reading but I couldn't keep my focus because Bailey has been staring at me like crazy.

"Take a picture, it'll last longer," I said, rolling my eyes.

He shook his head. "Wala. Mine-memorize ko lang mukha mo."

"You're memorizing my face because...?"

"Because ang tagal mong mawawala..." Bailey grunted and ran his fingers through his hair. I frowned and pinched his cheeks kaya nag-blush agad silang pareho.

This became our routine—pag walang class or group works, we study together either sa campus library or in a coffee shop. I know it sounds kinda boring, but when I'm with him, it's like I'm escaping from stress.

"Ang OA mo. It's one month lang naman," I replied. I clicked my pen and went back to taking notes.

"Kung pwede lang akong sumama sayo..." he said, frowning.

I chuckled. "Why don't you file for a leave? Even for the coronation night nalang?"

"Ekis," he said, shrugging. "Naka-ilang excuse na 'ko dahil sa practice. Napaka-demanding naman kasi ng mga kagrupo ko! Palibhasa mga privileged kaya 'di kailangang kumayod, e."

I raised my eyebrow.

"Uy, 'di ikaw, bub, ah?" he convinced me.

I smiled in awe. "Alam ko namang apologist kita. Eme!"

"Tama! Kaya kahit 'di ako makaka-attend nang live, manonood kami sayo sa coffee shop. Tsaka ide-defend kita sa lahat ng bashers mo!"

Natawa ako. Aware naman ako sa bashers ko and sa lahat ng nagsasabi na I didn't deserve to win my title dahil unseasoned pa ako. I heard it all but I didn't let it get into my head. I learned to tone them down by putting myself in a safe space—a bubble.

And that's whenever I'm with Bailey. Kaya I call him my "bub". Ginaya nalang niya cause he's a copycat!

"Kailan pala flight mo?" Bailey asked.

"I'm leaving in two weeks, kaya I'm finishing all my backlogs na rin," I replied. May sasabihin pa sana siya but I quickly stuffed his mouth with marshmallows. "Shh, mag-aral ka na!"

After studying for four hours, we decided na umuwi na.

After a month here, we found na hassle 'yung uwian everyday so we just go home sa rest house namin here sa Quezon. Na-try ko na rin kasi mag-condo when I was still in Manila and super expensive niya! Kuya Bobby's staying with us too, just so my parents can make sure we don't do miracles. My gosh, diba?! Advance mag-isip parents ko!

"Dito ka ba mag-dinner later?" Bailey asked while watching Netlix sa living room.

"Uh... nope, I guess?" I said. I was already in my white shirt and black leggings while wearing my bag because I'm going to my rehearsal. "Just ask Kuya Bobby what to eat—if he's not on a date with Nora."

"Alright. Take care, bub," he said.

Lumapit ako to make beso with him tapos pumunta na ako sa car. Complete na 'yung glam team ko when I got in the studio our sponsor lent for us to use. This was one of our final rehearsals kaya everybody came to the set prepared and nagsimula na agad kami.

"I think this one's better," I said when they make latag the collection of earrings na designed by our sponsor.

I wanted kasi na may input ako in every decision we make. We had a mutual understanding rin naman sa team na if there's something we can suggest to make my performance better, ibuhos na.