Game Plan (COMPLETE)

11

arviste
Are you free, 14:00?

ferrera08
Yeah, why?

arviste
I'll return your jersey.

ferrera08
Why not just bring it mamaya sa training?

arviste
I won't train. I have a meeting later.

ferrera08
Oh, okay.
Olivarez sounds good?

arviste
Yup

ferrera08
See you there :]

I turned my phone off to sink it in. It has been like this for whenever we have a conversation. I have to turn my phone off to let it register in my head what just happened.

Ah, what the hell is happening to me?

Binuksan ko ang phone ko nang may notification ulit na dumating.

ferrera08

And stay safe.

After showering and putting light makeup on, I commuted to get there. I wore a grey fitted V-neck dri-fit shirt and black maong shorts. I also added a white cap, matching with my white sneakers. Ang init nanaman kasi sa labas eh, tapos mag-cocommute pati ako.

We agreed to meet at Teaza because I mentioned that I already ate lunch and I'm not hungry yet. Siya rin naman daw. Kaya drinks na lang ang bibilhin namin.

He was standing in front of the stall, but he was on the phone with someone. I walked up to him. When he saw me, I heard him telling the person on the line, "Yes, uuwi na lang po ulit ako... Bye."

Then he turned his attention to me. "I'm sorry about that."

"It's fine." I assured him. "Here's your jersey." I was handing him the paper bag.

He got it. "What flavor do you want?" He asked, now walking towards the stall.

"I'll have strawberry."

"Okay." He ordered for the both of us. But when he was about to get his wallet from his pocket, I pulled out a 500 peso bill to pay for both our drinks. "Wait, no." Protesta niya.

He was too late to object because the cashier already accepted my money.

"Hindi mo ako pinagbayad noong nag-Burger Garage tayo. I'll cover this one." I said with finality. Nakita niya na wala akong intensyon na magpatalo, kaya pumayag na lang siya at sinarado ulit ang wallet niya.

When we got our drinks and walked around. "Arrie, I'm sorry, but hindi ako makakatagal. My mom is asking me to pick something up back at the house."

"Oh, okay lang. I just wanted to give your jersey back to you personally."

"Hatid na lang kita sa school—"

"No, okay lang. I can commute."

"Mmm," he thought about it. "No, I'd rather you be safe."

"Wow, sabi ng mabilis mag-drive. Baka nga ikaw pa maging cause of death ko."

"Edi hindi ko bibilisan."

He dropped the argument about me paying for our drinks, but I guess he wouldn't be letting go of this one. It was my turn to surrender.

And, shit, I guess I have to do it now.

I made a deal with myself. If Ven offered to drive me back home, I would... confess. I'm already graduating, about to enter college—I don't want this feeling to forever be stuck in the back of my mind.