We Could Have Been (Could Trilogy #1)

#WCHB11

#WCHB11

Sharyn's POV

I wasn't sure what's the best date or if there's really a best date ever. Tingin ko naman na best date lahat basta comfortable ka sa taong kasama mo.

It was awkward during the first and second dates with Owen. Nagkakapaan pa kaming dalawa. May parte na hindi ko talaga alam kung paano magre-react. Siguro kasama na rin 'yong dahilan na alam naman niya talaga kung sino ang gusto ko.

But since he's doing an effort, I should do the same. Gusto ko rin naman na mag-work. Ayoko na parehong masayang ang oras naming dalawa. After all, nakikita ko naman na possible.

So I was the one who initiated the third date. Nag-comedy bar na kami sa una. I enjoyed it. Akala ko nga corny pero masaya pala. Pagkatapos noon ay nag-bowling at rock climbing kami kasi iyon ang nabunot ko sa maliit na box niya. I wondered ano pa ba ang mga nakalagay doon.

"Peach ulit?" ani Owen. "You wanna try other fruit tea?" He suggested habang nasa Just Valle Coffee Shop kami. One of his favorite coffee shop. Dumaan na muna kami rito bago kami pumunta sa foundation.

Halos madalas kaming magkasama ni Owen tuwing Sabado at Linggo dahil sa dami ng charity events ng pamilya ko. Sa weekdays, Friday lang kami nagkikita dahil pareho kaming busy sa school.

"Uh, what do you suggest?" Tumingin ako sa menu.

"How about Lychee?"

"Sure."

We waited for our order. There was silence between us and it was awkward again. Ewan ko kung ako lang ba? Okay naman kami kapag magkasama...may mga panahon lang talaga na para bang hindi naman kami magkasama kahit magkatabi lang kami.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated. I checked the message and it was Jhules.

Fr: Jhules

I have your thesis paper. Prof. Mercado already marked it. Want me to give it to you today or you'll just get it on Monday? Your partners didn't come, either, so they gave it to me. Let me know.

I immediately replied.

To: Jhules

Shocks! Does it have a lot of red marks? If yes, then I would be needing it tonight. Medyo walang kwenta ang mga partner ko, isama mo pa na si River ang isa sa kanila.

Fr: Jhules

Hahaha. Yeah, it has. Not that much. Are you home? I can give it to you now.

To: Jhules

Nope. I'm still outside. Probably arrived at home around 8 or 9.

Fr: Jhules

That late? You with Owen?

I paused. Why am I hesitating? Why is he asking if I am with Owen? Here I am again with those thoughts. As if he cares about it. Well, he does but as a friend.

Saka may Eve Ryn na siya. I know it's bad of me pero naiirita talaga ako sa kanya—o baka kasi insecure lang ako dahil gusto siya ni Jhules. Still, pakiramdam ko ay sasaktan lang niya si Jhules.

To: Jhules

Yeah.

He didn't reply as fast as he did a while ago.

Natawa na lang ako sa sarili ko. Bakit ba iniisip ko na dahil si Owen ang kasama ko? Uh, I should really kill my thoughts. Malamang kasama niya si Eve or baka nasa bahay nila si Eve dahil kay Jelai.

"Something up?" Nilapag ni Owen ang fruit tea sa harapan ko habang seryosong nakatingin sa akin.

"Thesis paper," sabi ko lang dahil nahalata niya yata na nag-iba na ang mood ko.

"Right, kelan defense niyo?"

"In three weeks," I said, checking my phone for his message again.

He didn't reply.

Fine. Tinago ko na lang ang phone ko. Nag-focus ako kay Owen. Ako ang nagyaya ng date namin ngayon kaya dapat lang na ibigay ko sa kanya ang atensyon ko.

"Let's go? Daan na tayo sa foundation para makapag-date na tayo." Tumayo na ako.

"This is considered a date for me already, Sharyn, so thank you for your time." Ngumiti si Owen. "I hope you're not bored of me yet."

"No. I like serenity."

It was the truth. Others may see me as loud and extroverted or someone who has a lot to say, but I am also those ones who crave silence.

Hindi naman sa lahat ng oras ay gusto ko ng maingay. Gusto ko rin maging boring minsan…tipong uupo lang ako para magbasa o di kaya magbibilang lang ako ng bituin.

"I like you." Owen confessed. Tumingin siya sa akin, waiting for my response.

"Crush kita."

That's all I could say at the moment. Syempre, ayoko naman na magsinungaling. Although, I am getting there. Nandoon na ako sa like…but still needed time to develop it.

Ayokong magmadali. Owen doesn't seem like he's in a hurry, either.

After that, there was silence again. Nakatitig lang sa akin si Owen. I didn't look away. I wasn't sure what he was thinking. Was he thinking of the future? Or was he admiring me?

I observed him, his features, those curves in his eyes,  and imagined having a future with this man. Could it be possible?

Honestly, I want my first to also be the last. Kaso sa panahon ngayon, parang ang hirap na yata. Baka kay Owen, pwede?

Nandoon na siguro ako sa parte ng almost, tipong naglalakad na ako sa altar habang hinihintay niya ako kaso may mga grupo ng lalaki na pumasok sa kapehan.

Sobrang lakas ng boses nila kaya pareho na natuon ang atensyon namin ni Owen.

"Tangina. Panis naman siya kay Hunter. Ang gago."

"Akala mo naman may panama siya. Kahit yata magdala pa siya ay kaya ni Hunter mag-isa."

"Parating na ba si Hunter?"

"Oo, kasama niya yata si Gael."

Nag-echo ang boses nila kaya halos lahat ay napatingin. Napansin ko na medyo nairita si Owen sa ingay kaya niyaya ko na siya na umalis.

"Tara na." Tumayo na ako.

"Yeah." Sumunod sa akin si Owen. "By the way, where are you taking me this time?"

"Not that far," ani ko. Binuksan ni Owen ang pinto tapos pinauna niya iyong lalaki na pumasok dahilan para mas maging maingay ang kapehan.

Buti na lang nakalabas na kami. Nakakairita. Alam ko na public place ang kapehan pero hindi naman yata sila ang may-ari para mag-ingay.

"Saan ang not that far? And what are we going to do?" Bakas ang excitement sa boses niya.

"I remember that you like white wine."

He nodded. "Yes, specifically from your family's winery."

"Yes. That is why I'm taking you in our cellar."

"Really?"

I smiled. "Oo naman. I will teach you how to make white wine but you have to teach me something in return."

"Okay, spill."

"I want to learn pottery making."

He grinned. "Consider it done, love."

He said love so naturally that I didn't cringe, instead my stomach curled.