The first morning light tickled my senses, and I couldn't help but smile before my eyes were opened. I leisurely stretched on my bed, and right on cue, my phone rang.
My smile couldn't get any bigger than this!
I reached for my phone and slowly sat up in bed.
"Great morning, Besh."
"Good morning," I returned his greeting, a bit shyly. There was an awkward pause, mostly from my end. I bit my lower lip as I try to wrack my brains with what to say to him.
"You know what's the best part of waking up in the morning?" he asked cheerfully.
I nodded and asked, "Ano?"
"Hearing your voice."
I laughed. "Kiefer Ravena, ang galing mong mang-uto! Kaya siguro ang bilis mong mapasagot mga nililigawan mo dati ano?"
"Eto na naman tayo e... para namang ang dami kong niligawan..."
"Ay, hindi ba?" I asked, standing up and mentally preparing what else to bring for my trip home to Batanggas tomorrow.
"Grabe ka naman, Ly... kaya pala di tumatalab charms ko sa 'yo, ganun pala tingin mo sa akin..." he said, pretending to be hurt.
"Achuuu... alam mong di mo ako madadaan sa ganyan, di ba?" I smiled at myself. And darn proud! I'm beginning to learn all this verbal sparring with him.
"Hirap na ako, Ly... help naman o... paano ko ise-save ang sarili kong image sa 'yo? Mukhang nabahiran na ng kung anu-anong intriga..."
That made me laugh out loud again. I placed my phone between my ear and shoulder as I try to make up my bed. "Alam mo 'yung kasabihan na 'nasa huli ang pagsisisi'? Yan, yan, yan..."
"At tandaan mo rin yan. 'Pag ako biglang nawala na lang sa buhay mo isang araw, dahil napagod sa kakaantay..."
That got me. I got my phone back in my hands, and I squeezed it tight, willing to vanquish that thought away.
"Grabe ka naman... ang alam ko lang, mga lovers lang ang biglang naglalaho... 'di ako informed pati mga bestfriends pala...," I lamely struck a joke. But that definitely felt like a good dousing of cold water over my head.
I heard him sigh dramatically, and said, "Sige, pagta-tiyagaan ko muna ang Bestfriend Ticket na 'to. Hanggang masanay ka na sa akin na iikot ang mundo mo."
I laughed, and we ended the call.
Just like the good old times...
Except this time, things have changed between us.
I pondered on what happened last night as I was taking my morning shower. All that feeling of mixed emotions came rushing through me all over again - giddiness, hope, dread, confusion...
* * * * * * * * *
I stood rooted on the ground with his confession. I'm not sure how to react. A part of me felt giddy and overwhelmed with the emotion, yet another is disbelief, telling me to take it slow, to be sure of his feelings, and mine... this time.
Kiefer must have sensed my shock, held my shoulders, leaned towards my ears, and whispered, "You asked for it. Ngayon, matutulala ka. Walang ganyanan, Baby."
That broke the spell I was in. I softly pushed him away, and I couldn't stop the smile that is creeping on my face. "Baby ka diyan! 'Di ba pwedeng nag-hang lang utak ko sa sinabi mo, at pinaprocess pa lang niya ngayon ang sinasabi mo?"
I turned my back on him and started walking towards his car. "At may pet names agad? Baby kaagad? 'Di pa naman tayo, right? 'Di ka pa nanliligaw, so 'di pa kita sinasagot..."
BINABASA MO ANG
The Space Between
Hayran Kurgu(A Kiefer Ravena and Alyssa Valdez Fanfiction) They have been friends for the longest time. And they wanted it that way, they have been comfortable with it that way. But sometimes, life has a funny way of making them realize that maybe, just maybe...
