Niki and Andy

Chapter 9: Thank You for Reminding Me What Butterflies Feel Like

Before the test date, Andy asked Niki about the details of the actual date first. Saan daw siya planong dalhin ni Jake, ano yung vibe, anong oras, etc. Thankfully, Jake didn't spare any detail so Andy knew exactly how to prepare Niki for the date. May bukas na establishments naman na, kaya lamang ay kailangan ng reservation o di kaya ay kakaunti lang ang pinapapasok.

Since semi-casual ang date, Andy helped Niki rummage her closet for an appropriate getup. They agreed on a powder pink pleated midi skirt paired with a baby pink camisole. Tapos papatungan ng structured and oversized cream coat. Niki would pair it with her slightly dirty white and tan skate shoes.

Naka-ready na rin ang tan crossbody bag ni Niki na paborito niyang gamitin pagpasok sa opisina last year. She would wear her hair in a half updo because she was still conscious with the curls that were starting to come out. Hindi pa siya sanay maglugay nang hindi unat na unat ang buhok.

The day before the actual date, Niki stayed in her room all day while Andy made preparations. He seemed excited with the test date. He probably missed going out. Simula nang tumira ito sa unit niya, hindi na ito gumala. Dala na rin siguro ng restrictions.

Niki would text Andy before she went out, even if it was just to go to the bathroom. Noong umaga, pwede pa siyang lumabas nang walang piring sa mata dahil nagtatrabaho pa si Andy. Nang dumating ang hapon, kailangan na niyang magpaalam. He would cook something for dinner at mag-pretend na lang daw sila na sa labas sila kakain. He was also preparing something in the living room. Pero hindi sumilip si Niki para masurprise naman siya.

She took a bath in the morning and spent the afternoon preparing herself for the test date. She took the opportunity to try different hairstyles para malaman kung ano ang babagay sa suot niya kinabukasan.

Hindi naman na niya kailangang mag-ayos nang todo dahil si Andy lang naman ang ka-test date niya, but she did miss putting on makeup. When she was done coloring her face, she almost cried with joy because she finally looked like the person she once knew in the mirror.

Andy knocked on her bedroom door at exactly 6PM.

"Close your eyes," he instructed before opening the door. Niki closed her eyes and opened the door.

She immediately reached out for Andy, para maakay siya nito palabas ng unit without taking a peek at his preparations. But Niki waited for a few seconds. "Dy?"

"Here. Sorry." He took her hand and closed the door behind her. "Let's go."

Niki could navigate the unit in the dark, but somehow couldn't walk without a guide when her eyes were closed. Thankfully, Andy was there to guide her where to step and how far they were from the door.

She opened her eyes when he said so. Nakalabas na sila ng unit noon.

He was wearing a black crew neck shirt underneath a soft brown unbuttoned sweater. He paired it with gray slacks and white shoes. Kulay puti rin ang suot nitong mask. He has longish bowl cut hair that was slightly parted in the middle. Sa malayo, mukha itong Koreano, lalo na't matangkad din ito. Pero sa malapitan, makikita ang kayumanggi nitong balat at bilugan nitong mga mata.

"Are you done gawking?" he teased.

"I've never seen you so dressed up before," she told him.

"What do you mean? This is how I usually dress for work," he pointed out. "Shall we? Or do you still have to dissect my outfit?"

"Okay. Let's go." Truth be told, with all the preparation he was making inside the unit, she was a bit confused kung bakit pa sila lumabas.

Andy must have seen her confusion so he offered her some explanation. "Since you will be spending the date outside, I thought that we should at least make it a bit more realistic."