Between Forever and Nothing

Chapter 9

Chapter 9: "Loving you is like chasing shadows in the dark, every step uncertain, yet ignited by a spark."

"You look so beautiful, anak. That dress suits you," Mom said as she pushed open the door to my bedroom and entered, looking at my outfit. I wore a pink floral dress and matched it with a denim jacket. As for my hair, it was tied on a ponytail with a ribbon. My make-up was light, too. "I baked brownies. Bring a box of them to DJ's parents."

"Thank you, Mommy! Actually, kanina pa ako nag-iisip kung anong dadalhin." DJ's parents invited me to have lunch with them at their rest house in Tagaytay. 

"DJ is a decent man. I like him for you," she said, fixing my ponytail. "Your dad likes him, too, obviously."

Even before I introduced him to my parents, I was certain they would like him. DJ is exactly the type of man all parents wish their daughters would introduce to them.

"DJ and I are just friends, Mom," I said, blushing.

"I'm just saying. DJ is a perfect gentleman. I understand that this is a different generation, but I still prefer traditional men like DJ. He doesn't really need to ask for our permission every time he takes you out on a 'friendly' date, but he does, and I appreciate it," she said, emphasizing the word 'friendly'. "Kapag siya ang kasama mo ay kampante kami ng daddy mo."

My mouth curved into a smile. Although DJ and I are just really friends, it feels great knowing that my parents approve of him.

DJ picked me up with his BMW. His car smells great like him. Light but expensive. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa suot niya. He was wearing a pair of cropped trousers, white shirt, and loafers. He looks so clean and expensive all the time. I quickly looked away when his head was about to turn towards me. 

"Can I turn it on?" I asked, glancing at his car stereo. I needed a distraction from his sinfully gorgeous face. 

"Go ahead."

"Oh! It's one of my favorite songs!" I exclaimed as soon as I heard the Japanese song that I like. Umayos ako ng upo at tahimik na pinakinggan ang kanta pero sa huli ay hindi ako nakatiis at sinabayan ko na.

"You are always gonna be my love . Itsuka dareka to mata koi ni ochite mo.. I'll remember to love. You taught me how. You are always gonna be the one. Ima wa mada kanashii love song. Atarashii uta utaeru made."

This song never fails to touch my heart. 

"Ashita no imagoro ni wa. Watashi wa kitto naiteru. Anata wo omotterun darou. You will always be inside my heart. Itsumo anata dake no basho ga aru kara. I hope that I have a place in your heart, too," I sang, turning towards him. 

Pero natigilan ako ng makita na nakaharap siya sa akin. "I didn't know you could speak Nihongo. Utsukushiku utaimashita ne," aniya bago muling ibinalik ang tingin sa daan.

"Sorry?" Nahihiyang ngumiti ako. "I don't speak Nihongo. I just made an effort to learn this song since I like it."

He glanced at me. "I just said that you sang beautifully."

"Oh. Thank you. You speak Japanese fluently?"

He nodded. "My parents made sure that my brother and I would learn other languages."

"Aside from Japanese may iba ka pang alam na language?" He just nodded. "Pero yung Japanese mahirap ba siyang aralin? I'm into animation so I really want to learn."

"I can teach you if you want."

My eyes widened. "Talaga?"

He glanced at me with a smile. "Why not?"