Find me in your pages | THE WATTYS 2023

Chapter 8:

He did change and we started to spend more time ever weekends. I was actually happy dahil nakakasama at nakakabonding ko na sya nang maayos unlike before na may distractions. "So...How's the business talk with your father pala?" I asked habang nakaupo kami sa library, nagrereview for the coming exams this week. A study date with him was all that I could ever ask for.

"It was fine naman. Dad understands my reasons for not being able to answer the calls and...It's actually fine with him."

"You should still focus on it more than me, spending so much time with me might be bad too you know? I mean for the work. After all, it's just the weekends I'm asking for."

"And you're all I could ever ask for, okay? So don't worry too much about it. I can manage." He pinched my cheeks at agad naman akong namula. He was such a great guy. Tiningnan ko ang kanyang mga mata and I know from there na he was actually sincere about the words he was saying. "Now, you should focus on studying for your exams okay? If you need help you can tell me."

"Yeah yeah...I know that Niko." I admired him silently before I went back on reading my text books for some of my subjects, mostly math dahil doon ako nahihirapan. 2 months, been dating him for two months now and we really did get closer with each other as the time goes by. Maybe opening up to him wasn't really a bad thing. Sadyang takot lang ako noon.

I continued to review and asked help when I need to gaya nang sinabi nya. It was fun experiencing something like this with him. "Ah...I hope I don't fail my exams. Tingin mo ba I will pass?" Tanong ko sa kanya pagtapos ko mag review. He gave me a reassuring smile like he always does.

"Of course. Now, we should go and get something to eat sa canteen." Aya ni Nikolai sa akin at agad naman ako na tumango as I picked up my things and left the library with my boyfriend. God it feels good to be in love. Bulong ko sa aking isipan dahilan kung bakit ako biglang napangiti.

I suddenly received a text from Silvestre which I instantly checked habang naglalakad kami ni Nikolai sa may hallway.

[ Silvestre: Are you free later? You can come with Nikolai. Nandito ulit sila Syg mamayang gabi.
Xerena: I'll ask Nikolai first. Message kita mamaya.😁
Silvestre: Mga magjowa nga naman. ]

Natawa na lamang ako sa nireply ni Silvestre sa text at agad ko naman na tinapik si Nikolai. "Tres asks if we can go daw sa bar nya later. Can we?"

"Of course, as long as di mo makakalimutan inaral mo kanina then that's fine." Sagot nya naman na may ngiti habang pumila kami sa canteen para makabili nang snacks namin. We ordered only some chocolate chip cookies and some milk, something that we both love eating together. "So...we've been dating for two months? I'm happy we stayed this long, with Eicelle it was just—"

"You're no longer with her, Niko. I'm Xerena. Not Eicelle, and whatever happened with her will never happen with your relationship with me, okay?" Bulong ko sa kanya at hinanapan ko na lang nang pwedeng maupuan sa canteen. "Niko, if you're worried about me leaving you, I would never do that, sana alam mo yon, dahil pagiimagine pa lang na Wala ka sa tabi ko naiiyak na ako."

"I'm glad. I'm not expressive enough but I'm trying my best." Bulong sa akin ni Nikolai.

"Niko, what good am I kung yan lang ang habol ko. If you love me, then that's more than enough for me to do and offer the same kind of love with you." Umupo kami sa isang corner dala ang tray nang pagkain namin. Umorder din naman kasi si Nikolai nang carbonara na hilig nya na kainin.

Nikolai was the only one who actually understood me and my strange character. Well some guys, even some girls always complain about how sharp my tongue can get pag galit ako. And Nikolai, he always manages to tame me whenever I get too upset about literally anything. Nothing could ever make me happier than him understanding and accepting me for who I am. Dahan dahan, nagbabago ako in a positive way.