Gravity

7

"Come on, James, it'll be fun.. you said it yourself, you need a distraction.."

"Sam, I didn't mean that kind of distraction. I was just with her the other day!"

He understood his friend. He was just trying to make it better for him. But this wasn't the way. His fingers pressed against his eyes, frustrated, having no idea what to do anymore.

"So.. hindi tayo tuloy?"

"No, you guys go... I'll just.. stay in. I need to catch up on sleep anyways.."

After the phone call he walked to his room, falling on his bed, wanting it to swallow him whole.

Soon enough, he drifted off to sleep.

*****

The rest of the day was vacant for Nadine. And it was days like this when she just wanted to sit back and play some video games.

She was on her 5th game when she noticed Bret just staring at her. Distracted, she forgot about the game, which got her character killed.

"Bret.. kanina ka pa dyan. Baka naman matunaw ako.."

"I can't help it.." he said, pinching her cheeks. "Nakakatuwa ka panuorin... super concentrated.."

"Are you sure you don't want to play?" she asked, handing him another controller.

He shook his head with his hands held up. "Like I said, not my thing.."

"Well, I feel bad just making you sit there.."

"You're not making me do anything. Aside from fall deeper and deeper for you.."

Her eyes squinted at this guy in front of her. "Ang corny ah.."

"Corny ba? Sorry..."

"Lika, bake nalang tayo, para naman di ka nabobored..."

They spent the rest of the night like that. With each other's company. While someone else was spending his night alone, wanting her, but giving up hope.

As the days passed, Nadine was now used to Bret being around. She's grown fond of him. And he's proven that what he feels for her only grows deeper.

It's been more than a month since he asked her if pwede siyang manligaw.

Today, he offered to drive her to their shooting location, wanting to spend more time with her after their trip to the aquarium earlier that day.

When he got there, he helped her settle her stuff in the tent. Noticing James reviewing his script.

"James.. bro.." he greeted.

"Hey.. what's up?"

He's mastered it now. The art of faking it.

His voice more convincing, the pain barely visible.

"Nothing... we just went to the aquarium today.. and, this is so funny, Nadine, thinking she's so tough-"

"Hey! Malay ko bang gagawin nung shark un!" she interrupted, trying not to laugh at the story untold.

"Well, if someone kept tapping your face like that.. anyways, bro, she kept tapping the glass kasi nga the shark was there.. tapos ayun, it faced her and she yelped so loud everyone looked at her.."

"Tawa ka nanaman dyan.. Kanina ka pa. Di ka maka-get over?" she giggled.

"Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun.." his voice lacking the enthusiasm needed for his sentence.