Change of Hearts

Chapter 4

Kanina pa n'ya kasama si Kiefer. Mula pagkatapos ng training nila, hanggang after classes. Kasama nya ito sa mga breaks, hanggang ngayong dinner. Para n'ya itong anino. Kasama kumain, nakikilaro sa iPad n'ya, nakikiusyoso sa ginagawa nila ng blockmates n'ya. At ngayong gabi na, tahimik lang ito habang sinasabayan s'ya pabalik ng dorm.

"Are you sure wala kang ibang gagawin?" tanong n'ya dito.

"Wala naman. Why are you asking? Do you want to have another dinner? Or go somewhere?" tumingin ito sa suot na relo. " We can still go naman, though medyo late na."

"No, no, no. I'm okay. I just wanna ask. Kasi halos buong maghapon na kita kasama, every single day. Baka magtampo na sa'yo team mates mo or friends mo. Or baka magtaka family mo kasi nababawasan na oras mo sa kanila. You know, those stuff. "

"Why? You don't want me to be with me?" tanong nito.

"It's not..like that." hindi n'ya alam kung paano magpapaliwanag dito.

Dumaan ang mahabang sandali. Hindi n'ya pa rin alam ang sasabihin dito. Ito man ay tahimik lang habang naglalakad sila, hanggang nakarating na sila ng Eliazo.

"I'm sorry." sabi n'ya rito.

"Why are you saying sorry?" nakangiting tanong nito sa kan'ya. Although she can see something in his eyes. Sadness? Worry? Confusion? She can't tell.

"Feeling ko lang I should say sorry." sabi n'ya. "Kiefer, I want you to know that I really really appreciate you and the things you are doing for me. I enjoy being with you, exploring places around Manila. It's just..you know ayoko lang masyado masanay."

"Is that a bad thing, Bea? It's okay. I'll be glad if you get used to me. That means you're comfortable with me." sabi nito.

"Kiefer, you are welcome in my life. But I also want you to know that I will always keep this side of me; a side that I will never ever let myself attach to you." sabi n'ya. "I've already lost so many people in my life, and one thing I realized is, we can let them into our lives, but we should always prepare for the worst." she stopped walking few feet from the dorm's entrance. Hinarap n'ya ito. "I'll enjoy..this..but the door will be constantly open, Kiefer."

"Like preparing for the worst, yet hoping for the best?" tanong nito. Napangiti s'ya.

"Like tomorrow.." balik n'ya rito.

"Ha?"

"'Tomorrow', the thing we expect to come every single night without really knowing if it will come." ito naman ang napangiti sa kan'ya. Tila naintindihan naman nito ang gusto n'ya iparating.

"Bea, thank you for..this. I know, I know, sobrang nabibilisan ka sa'kin. Or baka minsan, na-annoy ka sa'kin and I'm sorry. Gusto lang talaga kita kasama. Just tell me kapag sumosobra na ako, or kailangan mo ng space. Maiintindihan ko naman. I'll appreciate the honesty, because that means you really care for me. Kung paano ko tatanggapin 'yong kind ng care mo for me, it's up to me. Akin na 'yon. So just be honest lang lagi." hinawakan nito ang kamay n'ya at pinisil. Ngumiti s'ya rito.

"Goodnight, Bea."

"Goodnight, Kiefer."

"See you—

"Tomorrow."

"Yeah, tomorrow." nakangiting sabi ng lalaki. 

"Pasok ka na."

"No, I'm okay na. I'll watch you go." Tumango ito at tumalikod. Tinanaw n'ya ito habang naglalakad palayo.

She don't know why his goodnights always felt goodbye to her. And she's starting to have this hope in her that she's wrong; that no matter what happen, Kiefer will come back. He's starting to be a part of every 'tomorrow' she thinks every night.

Guard your heart, Bea. Guard your heart.

———

Luk Yuen, 8PM

For the last time, Thirdy glanced at his watch. Dismayado s'yang tumayo nang magulat sya sa babaeng umupo sa tapat n'ya.

"I'm sorry.." naka-peace sign pa ito. Kahit pigilan n'ya, napangiti nalang s'ya sa babae.

"3 hours—

"O wag mo na ako sermunan, Thirdy. Dumating naman ako di ba? Sorry na. Libre ko na Beef brisket mo, may dimsum pa kung gusto mo."

God, why do you have to be so adorable, Alyssa?

"Okay. You're forgiven. But I won't let you pay."

"Gotcha! Hahahaha! Sabi ko na nga ba, you'll forgive me because I'm cute. Less gastos pa." natatawang sabi nito habang tinatawag ang waiter.

"I'll have seafood congee, machang, sesame balls and fresh watermelon shake. Ikaw Thirdy?" tumingin ito sa kanya.

"He'll be the one to pay, ha? Take note." sabi nito sa waiter. Napapailing na natatawa s'yang umorder.

Kung ano-ano lang ang pinagkwentuhan nila habang hinihintay ang order. He and Alyssa already developed a comfortable kind of friendship na minsan taon ang binibilang para mabuo. It's because she's really a genuine person, she managed to bring out the talkative part of him. And he managed to bring out the playful side of her. He can say that the past few months were some of the best ones he had since he was born. OA na kung OA pero he really feels that way.

"So bakit ka nga late?" tanong nya rito in between bites.

"Akala ko naman nakalusot na ako! Hehehe. Kidding. Ayun nga, I was getting ready to come here when the admin called me. They have to talk to me raw. Sobrang kinabahan nga ako eh." kwento nito.

"O, what happened?"

"Turns out, they are sending me pala sa isang leadership camp this coming December. Will be with various players from other schools. One week yon. So yeah, ayun. They gave me instructions, e syempre kaunting kwentuhan pa. Kamustahan sa mga preparations for the games, about kay coach, sa mga bagong players.  Inabot na ako ng gabi."

"Leadership camp, wait let me guess, sa Baguio to no?" tanong n'ya. 

Nagtataka itong tumingin sa kanya. "Huh? Pano mo nalaman? Don't tell me kasama ka?"

"Nope. Pero si Kief, oo."

————————

A/N

What's up, madlang people?

Hehehehe. Pasensya naman at nawala na ako sa schedule. Sisihin nyo ang paglalasing ni Bea sa Sober! Charotssss. One week pa lang pero bakit parang ang daming nangyari? Nakakaloka! Sabagay, no'ng chapter 3 nga iba pa presidente ng Pilipinas eh. JOOOKE.

Anyway, oo, ipapadala ko si Kiefer at Alyssa sa Baguio. Bakit di sa Singapore? E sorry na wala akong budget! HAHAHAHA.

Comments? Suggestions? Tell me, but please be gentle. My heart is very sensitive. HAHAHACHAROT ulit.

Pwede nyo rin akong bulabugin sa Twitter: http://twitter.com/JacketNgKiefly

Nagmamahal pero minsan napapamura rin,

J.