The Second Bride on the List

Chapter 24

Kiefer has never been nervous his entire life.

He looked at the mirror for the nth time, checking on his clothing, making sure he does not look overly dressed, but not too casual as well. He tried to run his fingers on his hair for a final check...

"You okay?"

He turned around to see Alyssa by the door, with a book on her hand. He just smirked, hiding his worry, "Bakit naman? It's just an ordinary-"

"You're going back to one thing you have always loved," she softly said, and used her book to make a point, "Grabe ka kung maka-effort sa itsura mo. And nakailang tingin ka na ba sa mirror mo? Buti hindi pa nagagasgasan 'yan."

"You know what, if you really have nothing helpful to say, utang na loob," he said, moving towards the door to close it, but Alyssa tried to tease him by getting in between the door to prevent him from closing it. "Ano ba, Ly?" he said, with much annoyance. "I just wanna see...," she insisted, giggling.

He rolled his eyes, and stepped away from the door. "Don't you have practice or anything?" he asked a little brusquely. She shook her head, and pointed at the bed, asking for permission. He just gave his back on her, and she laughed, sitting on the edge of the bed all the same.

"I think you are more in love with basketball than with any other girl," she teased him. And Kiefer was looking at her from the mirror, "Di rin. I'm just having too much time on my hand waiting for Luigi Ugok who is running late..."

Alyssa smiled, and looked around the room, "Excited ka na ba?"

"No," he denied. Alyssa laughed, "Bakit kelangan mo pa i-deny? Halata naman."

"Okay, fine," he sighed, "I'm petrified. I mean, it has been a long time..." He ran his fingers on his hair, causing it to go in disarray. Alyssa patted the space beside her, and Kiefer sat down. She immediately tried to arrange his hair with her fingers, carefully trying to move the wayward strands, while he let out all the worries in his chest. "I don't like the hype... Parang ang laki ng pressure na I have to pick up where I have left my career. I... I just want to play and..."

"You'll do great, Kief," Alyssa said, happy with how she has put some semblance to his hair. She looked straight into his eyes, "It's just there in you, waiting to be freed. You are giving yourself unnecessary stress though. Siyempre, marketing din that they have to build up the hype." She reached for his hands, and squeezed them, "You'll be fine, Kief. Just block the unnecessary noise. Focus on your goal. The rest do not matter."

Kiefer looked at their hands, feeling the warmth in hers, drawing strength from her words...

"I... I want you to come," he said, looking at her. "I know the invitation is too late. But I want you there, Ly."

"Nakakatamad, Kief. And parating na si Luigi," she averted her gaze. "And besides, ano gagawin ko dun, di ba?"

"I... I need you," he stammered, "your support..." He held her shoulders, "I... I just feel that it is appropriate that you be there. I... I want to share this with you."

She smiled, eyes confused, but open,"Kief, thank you. But..."

"But what?" he asked, searching for her eyes. She dropped her gaze, and let it stay on the floor, "Ayoko... It's too much kung andun ako... I'm not part of-"

"But you're my...," he stopped himself from blurting "wife", and continued, "...my friend. My special friend."

She sighed, and almost laughed, "Na friendzoned ako ng supposedly asawa ko."

"Bakit? Gusto mo bang totohanin?" Kiefer asked, straight into her eyes. Alyssa stared back.

And the silence was so think, but warm, and inviting.