Cheer Up, Captain

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

The pessimistic part of me was whispering na soon, something bad will happen... I mean, that only makes sense, right? Things have been going well for me lately—really well. So, the universe has to balance it out...

But then again, I'd argue na sobra naman na 'yung nangyari sa family ko! Imagine being 17 and being left alone in Manila! Kung anuman iyong good things na nangyayari sa akin ngayon, well-deserved sila.

I just needed to tune out the negativities in my head. Ayoko makipag-argue kay Finley. The past few weeks have been very good between us! Tapos malapit na iyong birthday ko. Finley's playing dumb, but knowing him? He's a secret romantic! I knew na he'd do something special for my birthday and honestly? I couldn't wait!

"What's my gift nga? Wala bang clue?" I asked him nung hindi ko na ma-contain iyong curiosity ko.

He just got to the condo after the practice. Tapos na ako sa lahat ng homeworks ko. I really try talaga to finish everything kasi gusto ko na pagdating ni Finley, we can just... bond. I knew myself na, noh! I knew na kapag hindi ko tinapos iyong schoolworks ko, there's no freaking way na I would be able to finish them! Kasi kahit umalis na si Finley, my traitor mind would just keep on replaying what happened.

So, yeah. I needed to be strict with how I manage my time. I didn't want my relationship to negatively affect my grades, noh. I didn't want to be one of those teenagers na na-in love lang—

Oh, my god.

Anong in love ka d'yan, Maia Celine?!

Like lang! Like!

"How dare you daydream when I'm right in front of you?" Finley playfully asked as he poked my forehead with his index finger.

I wrinkled my nose as I slapped his hand away. "I was just thinking about your gift," I said na lang. "Clue? Is it cute? Is it pink?" I asked again.

Finley rolled his eyes. "Why are you so convinced na may regalo ako sa 'yo?"

If he said this before, I'd frown at him and maybe even pick a fight with him. But sanay na kaya ako sa kanya. He'd just say dumb things like this... but he'd really give me a gift! I was so sure!

"Why? Are you saying na wala?" I replied, arching my brow.

He shrugged.

I grinned.

"I'm so excited!"

Finley just rolled his eyes at me... the funny thing was, before, I'd think na he's irritated with me whenever he'd roll his eyes... now? I see it as a sign na he finds me adorable. Tsk. Beyond saving na ata ako. Kahit eyeroll lang, ni-ro-romanticize ko na.

After eating, we just stayed on the couch. We were watching a series. Kailan kaya namin matatapos 'to? Kasi we made a pact na papanoorin lang namin together. Ilang seasons 'to and ilang episodes! Minsan, super tempted ko ng panoorin kahit wala si Finley... but I must resist since I made a promise.

Right after finishing two episodes, Finley got up from the couch. We were so comfy. Since lagi kami sa couch, Finley got a new couch—'yung nagiging bed din. But we don't do anything other than make out! We just really like to cuddle. Ang sarap kaya yakapin ni Finley.

"What?" he asked nung tumingin siya sa likuran niya and he saw me frowning.

I shook my head. Kasi ano naman sasabihin ko? Na I was sad na uuwi na siya sa bahay nila? Hindi pa naman ako nababaliw to ask him to sleep over!

Tsk. I always call Finley clingy, pero mas clingy pa ata ako sa kanya... Malapit na rin ako magselos sa basketball kasi anong oras na siya nakakarating sa condo because of practice. More Maia time sana kung walang basketball practice.