Bruised (A Thomas Torres Fanfiction)

Fourteen

The box of supplies, photos, and fairy lights felt heavier than they should be in my arms. My heart was pounding quickly as I climbed up the stairs of to Tina's room. It was just Angel and their house helpers that were home at the moment. I was following Tina's stepsister up to her room when she asked how I was able to convince her dad about this.

"Actually, I talked to your mom too," I honestly replied. "But she didn't say anything. I asked if I could talk with them. Tito George was open to the idea naman and I think he already had a hunch about it. Pero kahit ganoon, medyo na-grill pa rin ako,"

"Oh?" Angel seemed surprised when I mentioned that I also talked to her mom about it. She stopped in front of Tina's door. "Bakit mo naman naisipan na sabihan pati yung mom ko? I mean hindi naman sila ganoon ka-close ni Tina. Pero it's no surprise that dad asked you questions pa rin even if he did have a hunch about it. Dad can get really protective at times," she chuckled.

When we entered the room, Tina's bed that was pushed against the opposite wall was neatly kept. Her study table was also arranged properly. Then again, there was hardly anything on it considering that she almost always stays at their dorm room. To be honest, it felt like she wasn't attached to her room at all. There were no photos aside from the picture of her mom on her desk. The books that were neatly arranged were all novels. The opposite wall from her bed was absolutely bare. It was just painted sky blue just like the rest of the other walls.

"Let's start," I grinned as I set down the box near the bare wall. I just hope this works, I prayed as I glanced at my watch. It was only 10 in the morning. Angel and I have about 4 to 5 hours to set everything up before Tina comes back.

I had to pull a lot of strings just to make this happen. It was just a coincidence that Mrs. Huang was out of the country because of the long weekend. Tina wasn't home because I asked Kiefer, Von, Alyssa, and Denisse to keep her busy as much as they can. I don't know what they're planning to do but I hope that Angel and I finish everything before they get back. They all know what I was planning and thankfully, they were all willing to help me with it.

Today, I'll be asking her to officially be my girlfriend. It's been months since that night we went to UP and with each day that passed, I knew that I made the right choice when I decided to fall for her. Then again, it's not like I had a choice. When the heart falls, it falls hard. But I don't regret it. I never did.

"Tina's lucky, you know," Angel said when she was browsing the photos that we'll be hanging on the wall. "Kasi kahit na nakita mo yung ginagawa sa kanya ni mommy, you decided to look past that. I can say the same for her other friends pero kasi minsan, masiyado silang nag-aalala para sa kanya and I know Tina hates that. But you, on the other hand, you worry but you don't always show it that much. Instead, you try to make her feel better,"

I couldn't help but smile. "Natuto na ata ako nung nag-away kami dahil masiyado akong nag-alala. Truth be told, I worry about her a lot. I can't help it but I know that it wouldn't do any good to just worry. Siya na yung nagsabi dati... Masiyadong nakakasakal kapag doon na lang ako nag-d-dwell,"

Angel nodded. "Anyway, let's start just in case they come back earlier than planned,"

----

"It's a long weekend and you guys decided to just barge into my room and drag me out of my house," I complained as I sat in the backseat of Kiefer's car in between Aly and Denden. "Ang sarap-sarap ng tulog ko, alam niyo yun?"

They just chuckled at my complaints.

"You'll thank us later," Von grinned. It was almost as if they were planning something behind my back.

"Besides, don't you miss this? We always end up just hanging around Katipunan when we have the time. Tapos ever since nag-confess si Thomas sa iyo, lagi na lang kayo yung lumalabas," Aly pouted and gave me those puppy dog eyes that I can't say no to.