The Second Bride on the List

Chapter 10

Where the hell is she?

Kiefer was getting annoyed, waiting for her. They have a family dinner at MOA, and she was supposed to meet him after her game.

He tried calling her up again, and this time, she picked up. "Ly-"

It's not her, "Ay, Kiefer? May laro kase si Ly."

"Sino 'to? I thought matatapos to ng 6PM," he asked.

"Ah... nadelay kase ang pagstart. Magsa-start pa lang ang last set."

"Sige, punta ako diyan. Saang side ba kayo?"

It turns out she was Ella, and she gave him directions.

He walked briskly, with her bag containing clothes for dinner. Not really formal, but if you leave it to Alyssa, she'd just be wearing a shirt and a pair of shorts.

The Sands By The Bay has full spotlight on, that despite the dusk at hand, it was enough to see the action.

For the time they have been together, he hasn't seen her play. Although it was weird when some people would approach them for a picture with her. Fanatics. Or maybe she is really that good.

And maybe it's time to find out.

He could see a cluster of people, and they were ooh-ing and aaaah-ing, and clapping. He tried to move forward...

And he saw her.

Her bronze skin glistening with sweat. Her long hair tied high, with a cap. She was wearing a sporty two-piece, showcasing her beautiful toned abs, and her long endless firm legs. Her shoulders were much emphasized by the cut of her bra, and her biceps are to-die for.

She was at the end of the court, her eyes focused as she released the ball to serve. The ball floated in the air, and suddenly dropped.

"Ace. Valdez."

She was grinning and jumping in the air. Her partner went over to give her a hug before she went back to position to serve.

And Kiefer could not help but appreciate her lithesome body. Long and beautiful. He wonders how soft her skin could be, and how firm.

And before his thoughts could wander far, the same sentiments are being shared by guys watching her.

"Puta, pare, ganda talaga ng katawan niya!"

"Swerte ng makakauna sa kanya!"

"Pare, kahit makailan siguro, swerte pa rin! Ang sexy, bro!"

Kiefer gritted his teeth. He definitely is offended with how these guys are looking at Alyssa right now.

And why does she parade herself in a two-piece like that? She could have gotten herself a more decent, less daring two-piece.

"Pare, babae 'yan. At atleta. Sana galangin niyo man lang, kahit yung laro niya," he shoved past them, to where Ella said he can wait for Alyssa.

He watched her play some more, and it seems they were at match point. Kiefer seems to find himself enjoying the game, enjoying watching her being happy on the sand playing volleyball.

Her eyes squinting in concentration, it was her partner's turn to serve. The ball floated, over-received by their opponent.

"Ara!" he heard her sweet voice calling her partner with a commanding tone, as she dove to receive the first ball. And he was surprised on how dominant she can be on court.

Her partner was just in time to set the ball to her, and he could see her pull up, and soar only to hit the ball in mid-air, sending it booming down the line, where no one was there.

And that was it! They won!

Ella ran towards them and hugged them, and they were jumping up and down like giggling little girls. They in turn approached their opponents for the customary handshake by the net.

He could see them laughing, victory making it all the more merrier. They were now moving towards him, when Alyssa saw him.

"Kief!" she called out, and moved towards him, "Dala mo yung damit?" Kiefer nodded, and handed her the bag.

Alyssa was a bit surprised with his behavior, as he was trying to avert his gaze. She just took the bag, and thanked him, so she can take a quick shower and change into something fancy.

"Sino yun, Ly?" Ara, one of her teammates, asked, pointing towards Kiefer. Alyssa just shrugged her shoulders, and said, "Ah... Ano... uh, ano ng pinsan ko..."

Ara dropped the subject as they entered their tent, while Ella rolled her eyes. Ella knows the whole story, and just like her father, she thinks Alyssa will be in the losing end.

Alyssa hurriedly got into shower and dressed up quickly. For the time they have been together, she learned that Kiefer does not have enough patience.

Her hair still wet, she hurriedly combed her hair and bade Ella farewell.

"Hep, teka, wait... Wala ka man lang makeup?" Ella stopped her. Alyssa just stared back at her stupidly.

Ella sighed, "Alam mo, Alyssa, hanggang ngayon, takang taka ako kung ano ang nakikita ni Jovee sa yo, at bakit patay na patay siya sa yo. E hindi ka nga marunong mag-ayos!"

"Kelangan talaga halungkatin ang nakaraan? Matagal na kaming wala a," she muttered, trying to squeeze water from her hair.

Ella rolled her eyes, "Kaya nga e. Ang tagal na, pero ikaw pa rin ang binabalikan." She took out a cheek and lip tint from her bag, and faced Alyssa. She pushed her to sit down and started applying some color on her lip and cheek, "Try mo rin umayos na parang babae. Mag-makeup, ganun."

"Effort, Bes," she just replied, and when Ella was done, she looked at the mirror to see if Ella has overdone it. "Thanks, Bes," she kissed Ella, seeing that she looks better now, and picked up her bag.

"O siya, siya. Enjoy, and wag masyado magpauto," Ella waved her off.

She stepped out of the tent, and Kiefer could not believe the transformation. At home, she'd just wear cotton shirts and shorts, and she'd look like a bum. But today, she was different.

On the sands, she was like a goddess of war.  Her bronze skin and fit physique standing confidently amidst a sea of pressure.  Her body poised for action, taut muscles all over the place.  She is battle, glory, and oozing with sex appeal, like a dominatrix.

And right now, in a simple white dress with that rounded collar that makes you think of dolls, she looks timid, fresh and innocent.  Like a budding flower, in the morning.

He shook his head mentally.  What the hell?

He has started to be fond of Alyssa, like a sister.  Their voluntary exile in the house that his grandfather gave seem to be a challenge, of living with a complete stranger who he doesn't have interest in.  But with the days they have been together, he has started to give it to her for being a good sport, for playing her part.

And their trip to Batangas has cemented his fondness even more of her. Like finding a friend in an unfortunate circumstance.  Someone who understands him even if he doesn't have to spell it out, and in the right time and moment.

It was as if the moment opened a door for them to discover something worth keeping.

She made their exile bearable; she never questions his judgment.  Well, sometimes she does, but still, she is very discrete and able to keep secrets.  Like how she would cover up his trysts with his FUBUs from his grandfather, or how she would keep away whenever he comes home with his ladies.

But right now, all he wants to do is cover her the next time she plays beach volleyball.

He sighed.  The hell is happening with him?!?

Alyssa saw him clench his jaw, "Okay ka lang, Kief?"  Kiefer just gave her a once over and said, "Let's go." He turned around and started to walk.

"Wait," she grabbed his arm, and something electric passed between them. "Tangina," he grumbled, and rubbed his arm.  Alyssa was surprised, she just stopped and looked at her hands. "May kuryente?" she asked stupidly, and Kiefer reached for her hand and rubbed them, "Static."

And as he was rubbing her hand, he started to feel something-

"Besh, Wednesday ha? Text mo ako," Ella yelled at her, eyeing her, then waved goodbye.  Alyssa removed her hand, and gripped on her tote bag, "Ah, yeah-yes.  Basta, sige. Text kita, Besh."

"What were you saying again?" Alyssa looked at him.  Kiefer wanted to smile at her cluelessness, and said, "Tangina?"

She sighed, pulled her hand away from him, and pulled her tote bag up on her shoulders, "Ako pala ang may sinasabi."  She looked at him and asked, "Pwede paiwan ng bag sa loob ng sasakyan?"

"'Wag na," he said, "medyo malayo ako nakapag-park dito."  He grabbed her bag and carried it for her, "Di naman mabigat a."  Alyssa was surprised with what he did, and she took her bag back, "Okay lang, ako na lang. Mukha kang ewan na may bitbit na bag ng babae."

"Magaan naman pala, ba't ayaw mong bitbitin?" he asked, as they moved forward towards the mall.  Alyssa sighed, "Wala lang. 'Di ako sanay na naka-dress tapos napakalaki ng bag ko."

"E ang layo-" Kiefer remarked.

"'Wag na nga-"

"Ano ba?" Kiefer chuckled, "nag-aaway ba tayo na parang magjowa?"

"Ha," Alyssa said, moving forward, walking fast, "dahil babae ako, lalake ka, jowa agad? Dahil ba nagtatalo, away agad?"

Kiefer was trying to catch up, "O, e bakit pag lumakad ka parang nagwo-walkout?"

Alyssa stopped, and looked at him, "Kasalanan ko ba na mabagal ka?"

"Are you having your period?" he sneered, "Ba't ang init ng ulo mo?"

"Kiefer, 2 things," she said, raising her index finger, "Pag galing sa practice, gutom ako."  She smiled sarcastically, and raised her middle finger with her inder finger, "Pag galing sa game, gutom ako. In both instances na gutom ako, ang focus ko lang is makakain."

"Alam mo, kung ipipikit ko lang mata ko, I would imagine you obese," he teased her.  She now placed hands on her hips, "So ano gusto mong palabasin?"

"Na gutom ka na," he grabbed her arm, and pulled her on the opposite direction, "At nalagpasan natin ang resto kung nasaan sina Mama at Grandpa.  Nagmamarunong ka kase."

Alyssa shrugged her arm, and Kiefer just grinned.

Somehow, he is now in a good mood.

His family was waiting at the resto, and they had to play the part of a couple in love again.  But this time, Kiefer has every intention of annoying Alyssa.  He'd squeeze her cheeks, he'd playfully hug her closer, he'd steal food from her plate, or feed her off his fork.

Alyssa is turning red, from annoyance and embarrassment.  Grandpa is looking at them with that devilish grin on his face, with "make babies" on his eyes.  His mother has that surprised look on her face whenever Kiefer tries to overdo their "sweetness".  Dani is just silently observing them, being civil and all.  While Bong has his attention on his father-in-law.

They talked about anything, and everything, and Kiefer shared Alyssa's feat at beach volleyball, to which Mozzy and Dani seem to be impressed.

When she thought nobody was looking, her hand slowly moved over the outside of his thigh, and pinched him. "TANGINA, ANG SAKIT," Kiefer almost yelled, but loud enough to attract the attention of his parents and grandpa.  He played it cute, "Kinurot ako ni Alyssa! Ang sakit! Cute na cute siguro sa akin!"

Alyssa almost choked on her drinks, while his grandpa's smile is getting wider by the minute.  "Mozzy, Bong, I guess we can let the lovebirds go.  They have some… business to do," and he winked at them, with Kiefer winking back, exaggerating it, and Alyssa trying to hide the cringe from her smile.

Kiefer noticed that Alyssa has been yawning for the past half hour, so he accepted the offer, "Let's go, Babe.  We have a lot to do!"  His grandfather laughed out loud, and said, "I like it when you are being amenable, hijo! That's why you are my favorite!"

"How many grandchildren do you want, Grandpa?" Kiefer loves playing the part tonight, "I'm in the mood."  His grandfather's booming laughter reverberated across the room, "Go! Give me as many as you can!"

Alyssa could not decide whether to drop dead, or snatch the security's gun and pull the trigger on her head.  She pasted a big smile instead, "Masyado po tayong hopeful. Baka lang po masaktan tayo-"

"Walang masasaktan," Kiefer said to her ear, but loud enough for everyone to hear. "Andito ako," he added, capping his dramatic highlight for the night, and Alyssa just sighed, and kissed everyone goodbye.

Kiefer's hand was on her back, like a perfect gentleman, and as soon as they were out of sight, he chuckled, "Pwede na akong mag-artista, don't you think? Move over, Piolo!"

Alyssa sneered at him, "Kapal ng mukha mo-"

She stopped.

Kiefer sensed something was wrong when she just totally stopped walking, as if her whole world has stopped.  Literally.

Curious, he looked at what she is looking at…

She knew it was bound to happen.  After all, they have made the decision more than a year ago.  Even if Jovee would sometimes drop by their place and try to talk her into giving him a second chance.

But seeing him with another girl…

Kiefer could see her paralyzed, frozen, and he seems to understand.  There was a guy sharing an ice cream cone with a pretty girl.  A crush? Her boyfriend? An ex-

"Let's go," Alyssa murmured, turning the other way.  But it seems that the guy also happened to look their way.  "Too late," he whispered back, and pulled her to him, in the act of an embrace.  The guy seems to be moving towards them.  "Breathe," he whispered to her ear, before he pulled her away and smiled.

She smiled back, forcing herself, and nodded, trying to understand.  Then she heard his voice.

"Alyssa?" he called out to her.  He was not all over the girl now.  There is a distance between them now.

"Jovs," she acknowledged, smiling at him.  Even if it hurts her face so much.

"May beach volleyball ba?" he asked, looking at her from head to toe.  He then looked at Kiefer, and suddenly said, "Ay, Ly… si Aurora. Aurora, si Ly.  Uh… special friend ko."

She felt a tight squeeze in her heart. Would she rather hear him say she's the ex?

She extended her hand for a handshake, "Gir-girlfriend mo?"

Aurora looked at him shyly, and he dropped his head, "Ah, e, oo."  Alyssa looked at her, and tried to swallow the pain in his heart, "Wow.  I'm happy for you, Jovs."

"Salamat," Jovee said, then started to stare at Kiefer, "Boyfriend mo?"

Alyssa was about to shake her head, when Kiefer extended his hand, "Kiefer, pare.  Boyfriend niya."

He looked at Kiefer, and addressed Alyssa, "Ulol mo, Ly! Basketball player talaga?"

"Ex-basketball player," Kiefer responded, to which Jovee continued, "Di ba sabi mo sa akin dati, ayaw mo ng basketball player, kase player?"

"Hindi ko naman mapipili kung sino ang mamamahalin ko," she wanted to weep inside, "May mga bagay talaga na hindi mo ini-expect."

"Brad, nice meeting you.  Iuuwi ko lang si Babe.  Pagod na kase 'to," Kiefer cut her off, and pulled her to the parking area.  "Sige, see you!" Jovee said.

"Wag kang lumingon," Kiefer whispered to her, pulling her towards the parking area, "Wag kang pahalata na in love ka pa sa kanya."

"Ex na nga, di ba? Tapos na kami.  He can pretty much find a new love!" she said, stressing every word. But hating them.

Kiefer took a glimpse of her, but they continued walking, "Sa tagal na nating nagsasama sa isang bubong, alam ko if you're upset and pretending not to be."

They were silent, until they reached his car.  He opened the door for her, and she got in.  But as soon as she was in the confines of the car, tears started to fall.

Kiefer saw her sobbing silently.  He just sat beside her, not starting the car.  Just listening to her.

When she has cried a good 5 minutes or so, Kiefer handed her the tissue.  "Sorry," Alyssa mumbled, and pasted a smile on her face, "Pasensiya na sa drama ko."

"Mahal mo pa rin siya," he just simply stated.  Alyssa stared outside, and sniffed.  She took a deep breath, and sighed.  "Matagal na kaming wala, at okay na ako," she opened up.  "Ilang beses pa siyang dumaan sa bahay, para lang suyuin ako na magkabalikan kami.  Pero sabi ko, kelangan na namin mag-move on.  Wala nang "kami" na babalikan," she murmured.  "Pero nung makita ko siya na may kasamang iba, parang nabuhusan ako ng malamig na tubig.  Akala ko mahal pa niya ako? Akala ko gusto pa niyang makipagbalikan? Bakit may kasama na siyang iba? Bakit ang saya niya?  Niloloko ba niya ulit ako?" she shook her head and hid her face in her palms. "Okay na ako e…," she murmured.

"Baka hindi ka pa ready i-let go ang idea na wala na kayo? Baka sinasabi mo lang?" he said.  Then looked at her. "Baka akala mo lang okay ka na, pero mahal mo pa rin siya?"

Then he looked outside, "or baka akala mo lang din, mahal mo pa siya, but you just find comfort living in the past, in your memories."

Alyssa nibbled on her lower lip.  Does she still love him?

Or is she just afraid to let go of the memories?

"You're right," she said, and sighed, "masakit man ito aminin ngayon, pero ramdam ko na tama ka."

"Ang alin dun?" he asked, smiling in the hopes she'd smile back.  And true enough, she smiled despite the sorrow mirrored in her eyes, "hindi ko pa alam.  Baka all of the above.  Baka dalawa dun sa nabanggit mo.  Seryosong gusto mong malaman?"

"Oo naman," he straightened up, and started the car. "Para alam ko kung ano ang isisingil ko."

She laughed, "May bayad talaga, ano?"

She has a beautiful smile.  "Kahit ice cream lang," he smiled back.

The sparkle in her eyes are back.  "Game," she grinned.
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