Change [Ricci Rivero, Completed]

Kabanata XXIV

After that night sa dorm ng Archers, he'd pick me up na araw araw sa condo ko. Hatid sundo siya sakin hangga't kaya niya. He'd make me laugh and dinadalhan niya ako ng food kapag lunch. A month in and finally dumating na yung araw na convinced na ako.

Ewan, it just happened. Pag gising ko isang umaga, I knew everything was bound to be different para sa aming dalawa. When he realized nga na ganun na, boi, he panicked and was hyperventilating. Such a scene nung nasa library kami at tinutulungan niya ako maghanap ng books!

We have a weekend escape and we'll stay sa isang hotel in Manila. I'm with Elliana na nagkakaroon ng Grand Batch Ball and apparently dito rin magaganap. She wanted me to come along with her and Donny na date niya dito para I can join them sa mga kwentuhan after.

Ricci's busy with his endorsements. After the announcement na he'll be taking a leave sa basketball to honor his commitments like endorsements and contracts, naging busy na siya sa shoots, contract singings and the like. Madalang narin kami magkita pero ofcourse he makes sure to see me kahit once in a week.

As for us, wala kaming label label. Everything just came in naturally and we're both happy with what we have now.

I dressed up rin for this Grand Batch Ball pero siyempre hindi ko na balak humalo pa sa crowd just to get in. I planned nalang na I might have dinner alone somewhere then babalik ako pag natapos na yung ball. I'm wearing a smart casual attire, blazer tas white shirt then shorts na not too short.

"Oh, so gwapo naman ng bestfriend ko!" kanchaw ko kay Donny na pinagbuksan ko ng door sa kwarto namin ni Elliana. "Bagay kayo talaga! Kayo nalang?"

"Huy! Shhh, nahihiya ako!" sabi ni Donny sabay kamot sa ulo and tumalikod.

"Ngayon ka pa nagiinarte! Haaaaay! Elliana, ba't ba ang tagal mo? Labas na!" sigaw ko kay Elliana at tuluyan na nga siyang lumabas at nagpakita. Donny was stunned and di maipinta yung mukha niya. As for me, di naman pwedeng hindi ako magpipicture kasi I think this is what I'm here for!

We walked to the elevator after

"Sana, andito si Cci noh? Kaso ang busy niya. Nagkita na ba kayo ulit?"

"Di pa nga eh. Di parin nagrereply. Busy si pareng artista. Hirap din kung minsan." I sighed. Donny gave me a tap sa likod and syempre ako naman, I smiled. I know this is part of being with him. I just have to be patient and learn to trust our timing.

We got down sa elevator and all eyes were suddenly on us pero it only lasted for a couple of minutes then bumalik narin sa dati. We met with all Elliana's friends na first time ko mamemeet and maybe second time for Donny.

I was starting to get a bit bored after all the social interactions kaya I took a seat sa lobby and played with my phone. I was also looking around kasi baka andito rin yung mga classmates ko noon from highschool na marerecognize ko pa.

After a few mins na pagkaupo, my phone vibrated and showed a text message. It was from Ricci. Thank heavens, I was just about to message him! Miss ko na rin siya kahit papaano. Kulang kami sa quality time together.

From: Ricci
Free ka ba tonight? Wala ka raw sa condo mo.

To:
Medyo pero totally free na kasi para naman sayo. I'm staying at a hotel overnight eh, may Batch ball si Elliana kaya I decided to join.

From:
Lets have dinner? Yiiiiii!

To:
Tara! I have a reservation ng 8 pm dito sa hotel. Halika naaaa

From:
Okay, love. I'm coming. Wag ka maexcite ha.

To:
Cheee! See you!

"Alex, we'll be heading na inside ah!" sabi ni Elliana sa akin na biglang sumulpot out of nowhere.

"Are you sure you'll be fine here?" dugtong ni Donny na worried.

"Yeah, oo naman! Papunta rin si Ricci, we'll have dinner. Wag niyo na nga akong intindihin!"

"Eh kasi naman, Alex eh.." worried na sambit ni Elliana, "Baka mamaya, malayo pala panggalingan ni Ricci, di ka nanaman makakain niyan. Magiintay ka nanaman sa wala."

"Ako na'ng bahala don. Sige na, pasok na! Enjoy ha!"

I hugged the both of them and they left narin. After a few minutes, hindi ako binigo ni Ricci and dumating naman nga siya.

"Hiiiiiiii miss mo ako?" pangungulit niya sakin habang naglalakad kami papunta sa restaurant ng hotel.

"Aba, kakakita lang natin ah?"

He stopped walking and flashed a sad face. It was only then when I realized na nakapolo shirt nanaman siya and pants, the outfit which makes him look manlier.

"You're gaining weight. Bagay sayo." I blurted, out of nowhere na nakapagpangiti sa kanya ng sobra. Napatalikod naman ako agad at hinarap na yung nandun sa restaurant na staff about our reservation.

"Ang appreciative po ng love ko. Anong nakain mo? Ibibili kita ng marami." sabi niya with sarcasm.

"Excuse me, I always appreciate you kaya. You know me. I'm not verbal pero I always appreciate you."

"Uhm, reservation po for Mr. Rivero, right?" sabi nung staff.

"Uhm, miss.. its supposed to be under Ms. Gumabao?" bigla kong sabi.

"Ma'am, Mr. Rivero insisted to change it under his name po. He reserved a city view seat po kaya we opted to obey nalang po."

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi nung staff at bigla naman akong humarap kay Ricci.

"Seryoso? Ricci?"

"Sabi niya po kasi surprise daw po, kaya di namin sinabi sayo. This way po?"

"Thank you. Sige, saan?"

He held my hand ng walang pakundangan at di narin ako umangal para mabilis na ang usapan. When we got to our seat, it was indeed a stunning view to see. Manila lights and streets.

"I missed this, Cci." I smiled warmly at him. "Iba ka."

He smiled back and bigla nalang nahiya at nagtago sa kamay niya. "Nakakapanibago! Di parin ako makapaniwala!"

We both laughed at what he did. Tinry namin na magbrowse sa menu and nagorder narin. We had talks over iced tea and city lights alone habang naghihintay ng pagkain.

We both came to a completely silent moment na hindi naman awkward. Pareho kaming nakangiti lang at di makapaniwala rin. I was fidgeting, siya naman, taking photos of me.

"Uhm, excuse me? I'm sorry to interrupt pero are you Alex, Miguel's cousin?"

Nanlaki ang mata ko dahil di ako makapaniwala kung sino ang nasa harap ko.

Boi, it was Enrique. Enrique Cheng.