21 Minutes

Fifth

What was your reaction, Mika?

J: Violent.

M: (slaps Jeron's arm)

J: Mas malala pa kaysa dito. (chuckles)

M: Nung una hindi talaga ako nakapagsalita. Basta sobrang lutang nga ako that night. If you were in my shoes, maloloka ka talaga sa eskandalong ginawa ni Jeron. (shakes head)

J: Feel na feel ko yung mga lines ko that night eh.

M: Yeah. It was like watching the real Popoy. And artista talaga peg niya nun. Kasi acting-acting lang. Pati yung sinabi niya na he'll go out with me, acting lang. (dramatic voice)

J: (turns to Mika in an instant) Were you hurt?

M: (laughs) Joke lang! No, I wasn't. Wala naman akong gusto sayo that time eh.

J: Pero ngayon patay na patay ka na sa akin.

M: (rolls eyes)

J: But honestly, that night, I was hoping she would deflect it, which she did. And she knows this (points at Mika). Napag-usapan din namin 'to nung kami na. I told her na ako mismo, nagulat sa sinabi ko. Maybe that's what my heart felt kaya ko nasabi yun, but I was certain na at that point in time, hindi ako ready.

M: Talagang di siya ready. In a relationship pa siya nun.

J: Yeah, I was. Good thing Mika remembered. (laughs)

M: See, he's a pretty bad guy 'no?

J: (pouts)

M: But he's a changed man now. And I'm really proud of him. (smiles)

Aww guys. I wish you would've seen the genuine schoolboy smile on Jeron's face when Mika said those words.

What happened after that evening? Was there a change in your friendship?

M: If anything, I'd say na we got closer. Kasi from there, nagkaroon ako ng utang sa kanya (laughs). So ayun, he had a reason para kulitin ako.

--- Flashback ---

"Uy anong ginagawa mo? Ako magbabayad!", Mika exclaimed when she saw Jeron paying their bill.

Jeron immediately moved the bill holder away to prevent her from getting it.

"This one's on me. Ubusin mo na lang yang cake mo.", he commanded.

"Pero paano yung deal natin? I haven't done my part. Usapan libre ko 'to, diba.", Mika asked.

"The deal's still on. But I've changed my mind in terms of the payment.", Jeron replied.

"Ha? What do you want this time?"

"Since I helped you with your date, you gotta help me with mine, too."

"Ano, gagawin mo akong mascot sa next date niyo ni Jane? No way!"

Jeron shook his head.

"Find me a girl to date."

Mika's eyes almost popped out of their sockets when she heard his request.

"ANO?! Gusto mo sapakin ulit kita? Paalala ko lang ULIT sayo Teng ha. Hindi ka single. Mag-memo plus ka nga."

Jeron stared straight at her before he spoke.

"Not until tomorrow."

"Seryoso ka?!"

Mika helped herself to a glass of water and drank it straight.

"It's not working out between us. She's too busy.", Jeron explained.

"Alam mo namang celebrity eh."

"Excuse ba yun? Marami din naman akong commitments ah. But I still make time. Pero siya, lagi na lang niya akong pinaghihintay. She even cancels on the last minute. Ang sakit kaya non."

"Popoy, ikaw pa rin ba yan?", Mika joked.

"Ye naman eh. Seryoso ako. Si Jeron 'to.", he replied in a sad tone.

"Haha, joke lang. Parang iiyak ka na eh. You know, for someone who's known to be a jerk, di ko alam na ganyan ka pala ka-serious."

"Myth lang naman yun. Ang bait ko kaya.", Jeron answered with a pout.

"Tsss, oo na. Tigilan mo na nga yan. Di bagay sayo."

After finishing her cake, Mika turned to the guy in front of her.

"Akala ko ba sabi mo, kapag lalaki, siya dapat yung naghihintay? O diba sinabi mo yun kanina."

"Oo nga, pero wag niyo namang abusuhin. We also have our limits, you know."

Mika nodded, agreeing with him.

"So... Makikipag-break ka na talaga sa kanya bukas?", she asked.

"Bakit, sasama ka?"

"Asa! Napanood ko na yan 'no! At ayoko nang ma-witness pa ulit.", she answered, folding her arms across her chest.

"Come to think of it... You were there pala when Jas and I broke up. And you're here now that Jane and I are about to break up. Siguro... Ikaw yung malas sa love life ko."

"Hoy ang kapal mo ha! What about your other break ups? Wala akong alam dun 'no. Kagagawan mo yan. Saka ikaw na nga 'tong hahanapan ng date eh."

Jeron's eyes lit up when he realized that she seemed to have agreed with their new deal.

"So payag ka na nga? Wala nang bawian 'to ah.", he confirmed once more.

"Oo nga. May magagawa ba ako eh nabayaran mo na kinain natin."

"I'll give you one week then."

"One week?! Ang bilis naman!"

"Tagal na nga nun eh. Kayang-kaya mo yun."

"Aiiissshhh, ayaw talagang pa-bakante eh.", Mika whispered.

"You were saying?"

"Wala! Tara na, hinahanap na ako sa bahay."

"Sabihin mo kina Tita, ako kasama mo para hindi ka hahanapin."

"Ulul!"

Although Mika knew it's true. With their parents being great friends, her Papa and Mama have developed their trust in the person who saved her tonight.

And at that moment, she felt that she did, too.

--- End of Flashback ---

Author's Note:

Short lang! Sino kayang iseset-up ni Mika for Jeron? XD