The Space Between

Chapter 16: I Love You, Sabado! Pati Na Rin Linggo!

It's too early for human beings to be awake.

I put on my earpods and tried to fight the sleep that is still in my head, and at the same time, trying to fight the boredom on our way to Las Piñas for the opening of another branch of Jollibee. Momager can't come along with me, so she had Ate Pat helping me along.

It's gonna be a very busy weekend...

I closed my eyes, trying to invite sleep, when someone patted me on the arm.

"Wag ka ng matulog. Walang traffic. Mabilis lang 'to."

I smiled, but did not dare open my eyes. I'm not gonna invite him to do whatever he wants to do. I want that piece of me who can do whatever I want, that piece of me that does not get affected by his boyish charms and smile.

"Ly, naman... wala kang paghihilamusan dun. Yung laway mo...," he tried touching my cheek, as if trying to erase whatever it is on it.

I just shrugged his hand away, still not opening my eyes.

I then felt his nearness, as I could hear him breathing close, "Sige ka, 'pag hindi ka nagising diyan..."

I opened my eyes before he could say anything, removed my earpods, and then sat up straight on my seat. "Kief, anong meron? Hindi ba pwede maidlip lang, kahit konti?"

He handed me the shirt that we were supposed to wear for the event. "Naka-red daw tayo. Eto sa 'yo, ang mas malaki. Kasya ka naman diyan siguro."

"Kapal ng mukha mo!" I tried hitting him with the shirt he just handed.

"O, magpapalit ako, wag kang manilip...," he said, going over to the back of the van to change. I just got back to my earpods and closed my eyes.

I guess sleep finally visited me, and before I know it, we were almost there at the venue.

I was the last one to alight out of the van with Ate Pat, as she had to put some semblance of privacy while I was trying to wear the red shirt. When I got out of it, Kiefer was there, waiting for me. The venue was still closed, so we had to stay outside for the meantime.

I guess it was too early for some people as we could see a sprinkling of crowd gathered outside. Slowly though, the people started coming in. I could see some who were discreetly taking pictures of us, and just then, Kiefer tried to catch my attention. "Ly, nakita mo na 'to?" he asked, referring to a social media site.

I just smiled and shook my head. He showed me his phone, pointing to the site. I read it, and somehow, it was funny that I chuckled.

"'Di ka na pala ganun ka-active sa social media ano?" he asked.

"Oo, medyo labas muna ako sa radar. Habang online ako at active, parang mas maraming taong gustong sunugin ang pagkatao ko."

"E 'di wag mo silang pansinin! Yun naman ang gusto nila e, yung pansinin mo sila. Ikaw pa nga nagsabi sa akin na 'wag patulan, 'di ba? That they thrive and exist on our reaction."

"Oo, pero I don't want to provoke them, or give them any reason to. Tipong, kung pwedeng iwasan, iwasan altogether. Ayokong makadagdag sa dami ng mga hate threads."

"Wow naman... pero may point ka," he replied, going over his phone again. "Pero 'di ka ba naawa din sa mga fans mo na nag-aantay ng any word or whereabouts sa 'yo? 'Di ba parang unfair din 'yun sa kanila, na sila naman e puro love lang pinapakita sa 'yo?"

"It's unfair really to them, pero sila din, napapasubo din sa mga hate threads once may nagsimula ng nambato sa akin. So I think it's better na limited muna ang exposure ko sa social media. It hurts everyone, pero it's a small sacrifice to make for our peace of mind. Oh hi, AVO!" I exclaimed when I saw Arnold.