I Wouldn't Mind

Chapter 11

Last Saturday night, I called David, I was feeling uneasy before I sleep. I was thinking about how would the Sunday afternoon with Jino will turn out. David ensured me that everything was going to be alright. I slept with the phone call on. It just felt better with David around.

We're on our way to Frederico's point, tiningnan ko si David at seryosong-seryoso siya sa pagd-drive but I'm...I'm just so confused, no girlfriend since birth pala itong si David. I can't believe it! Gwapo si David, madaming nahuhumaling sa charisma niya, pero higit sa lahat napaka-bait niya, at ang sweet niya pa. Napatingin ako sa wristband na binigay ni David sa akin. Sobrang sweet na ni David sa akin at bestfriend pa lang ako ah. Siguro kapag nagka-girlfriend na siya, nakooo mas sweet pa iyon tsaka mas may effort siya duon. Kailan kaya yun? Sana naman kapag nagkaroon siya ng girlfriend makakasundo ko perop... baka naman... ilayo niya sa akin si David.

"Hey Gaby?"

Natauhan na naman ako sa tawag ni David, tinuro niya ang sign na "WELCOME TO FREDERICO'S POINT"

Nandito na pala kami, Frederico's point is much like Manila Bay. I remember going to Manila Bay as a kid, Daddy used to bring me there. I missed those days with my dad, I just, I know I can't bring them back again, I sighed.

But Manila Bay was different from Fredrico's point. Aside from being owned by someone named 'Frederico Rosales', it was peaceful here, it was public yet so clean. There are bars, restaurants, eateries and so on. But the main attraction was the beautiful horizon by the bay.

"Gaby bakit may Iceberg's dito?" pagtatanong ni David na parang bata. "Ha? Eh ewan ko" natawa ako ng kaunti kay David. Kahit slim itong si David, sobrang hilig nito sa pagkain. Kapag may time nagfo-foodtrip kami, minsan kasama sila Joan, minsan kaming dalawa lang. Matagal nang hinihiyaw sa akin ni David na kapag nakakita siya ng Iceberg's sisiguraduhin niyang kakain siya duon.

"Gaby kain tayo dun" kakalagpas lang namin sa Iceberg's at para siyang bata na nakaiwan ng laruan. "Babalik tayo dito ha? Not today David. Pigilan mo muna ang galit mong tiyan." I giggled. David laughed and nodded in approval. I already saw Jino standing by the bay. Nakaupo siya duon sa mga blocks ng cement na madalas ay nilalakaran ng tao, tinatayuan, pinipicturan dahil mula sa block na ito ay ang dagat. Bumaba na ako sa kotse at nagpaalam na ako kay David and he wished me luck.

Naglalakad na ako at malapit na ako kay Jino, nang mapatigil ako sa ganda ng view. Ibang-iba nga dito kaysa sa Manila. Kung duon makikita mo mga batang naliligo, dito puro dagat lang.

I think Jino felt my presence, he found me standing behind his back and he smiled.

My God, Jino has grown up and he sure looks more handsome than the last time I've seen him.

I moved closer to Jino and I sat beside him. Our feet were hanging, and I was swaying my feet. All along I was nervous on how this talk will turn out. As I was staring at my feet, I just thought that I really can do this, no doubt I can. Jino's beside me now, and I don't feel anything weird, I don't feel nervous, and I'm not mad at all. After everything we've been through, hindi ako galit sa kanya. I finally understand everything. Kahit na saktan ka ng taong mahal mo ng paulit-ulit, mapapatawad mo pa rin ito.  I really loved Jino and--

"Gaby, whatever it is that is in your mind right now... just tell me. Wag mong kausapin sarili mo, haha" I looked at Jino and he was smiling so kindly at me. "I have something to say too, you know" dagdag niya pa.

"Uhm, Jino, I'm sorry." Now I feel it, all my feels coming through my throat. 

"Gaby, let me speak first okay." Jino said. He was looking at the horizon while he was talking. "I know you're not good at expressing yourself" he smiled again.