"I Love You Nerd Part 1"

Chapter 19: Confession

Zoey's POV

Pumunta kami sa garden para mag-usap. "Okay ka lang?", tanong niya. Tumango ako. "Gago 'yon."

"Hayaan mo na Ram. It's also my fault. Binalaan niyo na ako ni Kuya pero sumugod pa rin ako. I can't blame him totally."

"But that's still wrong.", sabi niya. Hindi na ako sumagot. "Zoey, can you just stay still?"

"Ha?", tanong ko.

"Just, stay still. When I'm observing you, there's a lot of things going on with you." 

"What can I do, that's my life."

"You make things complicated in your life.", sabi niya ng seryoso.

"Are you here to make that sermon because if that's your purpose, cut it out. I've already heard tons from Kuya." 

"No, I'm sorry."

"And, why are you here?", tanong ko. 

"I'm here to tell you the truth.", sabi niya. "Zoey, I like you." Parang nag blanko 'yung utak ko at nakatitig lang ako sakanya. "Matagal na." Why the hell is he saying this to me now?

"Okay.", sagot ko. Mga isang minuto kaming nakatayo in silence doon. "Why are you telling this to me now? Is it because Nathan and I broke up?" 

"Sabi ko na mukhang magiging ganoon 'yon eh."

"Ram do you remember the time when I told you that I liked you before? You're my first crush ever in my life. You're my role model. Your way of thinking, your leadership, your coolness and everything about you is likeable. But the thought of you not being in my life is worse than the thought of trying to get over my feelings for you."

"What does that mean?"

"It means that I will never risk ruining this friendship just because of this feelings. Maybe, if we're already adults and we still feel the same thing, we can try. Pero ngayon Ram, I can't lose you. Gets ba?", tanong ko. Tumango siya. "Your timing is the worst."

"I did not confess because I expect you to respond and love me back. I confessed because I can't handle it anymore. I want to protect you freely without me overthinking kung halata na ba 'yung feelings ko at baka ma-awkward ka. We promised to each other that we will be honest no matter what. This is me being honest.", ngumiti siya. "I don't expect you to love me back Zoey. I just want you let me continue to do the things I did when we were still kids, protect you. 

Parati kaming magkasama noon ni Ram pag nagm-meeting parents namin. And from the day we met until now, parati niya akong prino-protektahan. 

"Okay." sabi ko at sinuntok siya ng mahina sa braso. "Bumyahe ka para sabihan 'yan na pwede mo namang sabihin through phone?"

"Oo, para mas dramatic."

"Ulol.", niyaya ko siya sa dinner namin nila kuya. Nagulat si kuya nang nakita niyang nandito si Ram. 

"Ano? Nagtapat ka na rin ba?", tanong ni kuya. Nagulat kami sa tanong niya na wala kaming nasabi. "Don't give me that face, I know everything.", seryosong sabi ni Kuya.

"Don't worry kuya Karlo, there's nothing between us. I'm still going to do the things I did before.", tumango lang si kuya. 

"Si ate Rhia kuya?"

"Magkita nalang daw tayo doon sa restaurant, may ginagawa pa daw siya eh. Tatawagin ko nalang kayo kung aalis na tayo. Saan ka pala tutuloy Ram?"

"Kung may bakante pa sana dito kuya, mag overnight stay lang ako.", sabi ni Ram.

"Nako, wala na eh. Dibale, two rooms naman 'yung suite namin. Doon ka nalang sa isa."

"Eh saan ka matutulog?", tanong ko kay Kuya. 

"Uuwi ako sa bahay, purgang purga na ako dito eh. Kung dito pa ako matutulog, babangungutin lang ako.", sabi ni kuya. Tumawa kami. Itinuloy namin ang pag-iikot ni Ram sa paligid ng hotel. 

"Anong feeling maging mayaman?", tanong ni Ram. 

"Wow, alam kong nararamdaman mo din 'to noh, 'wag ka ngang pa-humble." Tumawa siya. "Ewan ko, pero hindi naman kasi tayo pinalaki na spoiled eh. Si mama lang naman ang maarte.", sabi ko. 

"Oo nga si Tita, sakanya mo namana 'yong temper mo.", sabi ni Ram.

"Hoy, sumbong kita." Nagkwentuhan pa kami hanggang sa tinawag na kami ni Kuya Carlo. Pupunta daw kami sa isang famous na restaurant na may craft beer. 

"Ate Rhia!", pasigaw kong sabi nang nakita ko si ate. Ilang taon na din kaming hindi nagkikita ng personal, puro video call. Ilan pang yakapan at tawanan hanggat sa maihain na ang pagkain. 

"Zoey, the reason why I also want to meet you today is to offer you a role. We are planning to hold an engagement party a day on December 31, but it will also be unique since this will be a fashion show themed party.", sabi ni ate. Na excite ako.

"Yes ate?"

"I want you to be be one of my main models. This collection is called Metamorphosis.", inexplain ni ate kung ano ba ito. "This is my first ever full collection and I want to showcase transformation. It's in 2 weeks though, will that be okay?" 

"Wow, ang ganda naman ate! Sure, I'm more than happy to participate, ikaw pa."

"Thank you dear." Kinakabahan ako pero excited. Tamang tama ang opportunity. Babangon ako. 

"Mukhang sobrang excited ka.", sabi ni Ram habang nakaupo kami sa mga sofa sa lobby area ng hotel.

"Oo, sobra! Ram, sa susunod na pasukan hindi na ako magsusuot ng mga fake stuff sa mukha ko.", natigilan siya. 

"Really?", tanong niya. Tumango ako. 

"I'm not going to hide anymore.", ngumiti siya sa akin at ginulo ang buhok ko. "Ano ba?!"

"You should also work on your temper.", sabi niya. Binato ko siya ng unan at nagtawanan kami.