Eh Yung Hindi Naman Tayo? DATI (COMPLETED)

EYHNTK- Valentine Part 1

February 14, 2018:

As we were walking away from the chapel where we heard the last mass for Ash Wednesday, I heard a familiar voice call my name.

"Maine!" He beamed when I turned to face him.

"Uy, Juanch!" I smiled back.

I couldn't say I was surprised to see him since we texted while I was shopping and he did mention he was in the area and I said I was going to hear the mass with Oreo and the others.

"Nagsimba ka na din?" I asked.

"Oo. May lakad pa kayo?" He said.

"Yes. Dinner lang. Dadamayan ko tong mga kaibigan kong walang ka-date." I laughed.

"Bakit? Ikaw may ka-date? Makapagsalita to!" Oreo pouted and I laughed harder.

"Hindi naman kasi affected ako sa Valentine's. Bakit ba kasi dapat special ang Feb 14 eh pwede namang araw-araw maging sweet at romantic at makipag-date sa mahal mo? Eto. Itong Ash Wednesday, ito dapat ang iniintindi so no meat sa dinner at baka mag-soup lang din ako." I told them.

"May point ka naman dun." Juancho agreed. "So, nakapag-date na nga kayo?" He asked and smiled knowingly.

I choked and coughed on an imaginary morsel in my throat. "Syadong madaming alam tong mga to ah. Paano nila nalaman na may pa-breakfast date na si mayor sa tabi ng bulkang Taal? Kaloka." I thought as I continued coughing.

"Uy! Okay ka lang?" My friends asked.

"Okay. Gutom na siguro." I answered.

"Inuubo na pala ngayon pag gutom? Ang alam ko lang inuubo pag bukelya." Oreo laughed.

"Ano ba? Bakit ako na ang main topic dito? Kayong mga kaibigan ko na sinasamahan kong palipasin ang araw ng mga puso ang usapan dito. Okay?" I said.

"Ikaw ang main topic kasi ikaw si Maine Mendoza." Ate Patch said.

"Oo nga naman. Pero mabuting kaibigan talaga itong si Maine biruin niyong nagagawa pa niya tayong damayan imbes na kasama niya si..." Juancho said.

"Wala yun. Busy. May shoot." Ate Patch cut in.

"Ah kaya..." Juancho nodded.

"How are they all agreeing on the same conclusion that you and I should be on a Valentine date? Wala naman akong sinasabi sa kanila. They still don't know were back together. Right? Right?" I thought.

"Hay naku kayo! Gutom na kayong lahat. Tara na nga. Juanch, sama ka? Kaibigan kita at mukhang wala kang date, qualified ka dito." I laughed.

"Grabe siya! Na-assume mo agad yun?" He chuckled.

"Eh ganoon naman kasi kayo ni Sheens eh magte-text ng 'Nasaan ka?' pag bored. Bakit ka naman mabo-bored kung may date ka?" I told him.

"Oo na! Sige na! Ako na ang walang date!" He laughed. "Kumain na tayo!"

Minutes later we were sitting around the table all busy with our phones while waiting for our order. I was trying to call you but the line only rang out three times. I sighed and though to myself. "Busy pa siguro sa shoot." I contemplated on calling Kuya Sam instead but I don't want to be much of a bother so I just texted you.

Love, dinner lang after mass with Oreo and Ate Patch. We bumped into Juancho din kaya sinama na namin. Uwi na din right after. See you soon. I love you.

We spent an hour or so eating dinner and chatting and sharing jokes and laughing. It was great to spend time with friends. Many people may not agree with the friendship I share with most of the people around that table but these are some of the people who stuck with me through it all. We may have disagreements. I may have been disappointed from time to time but I value their loyalty.

When it was time for us to part ways, Juancho asked if he could have a few minutes alone with me so he could tell me something important. We moved a few feet away from the group. They couldn't see us but we could see them behind the post we stood beside.

"Yes, Juanch? Ano yun?" I asked.

"Maine, wag ka sanang magagalit." He started.

Uh-oh! I hate it when conversations start with that statement because I actually end up getting pissed after.

"Bakit nga kasi?" I asked.

"Ano kasi, Maine. Close naman tayo noh?" He asked.

"Closer kesa dati. Why?" I was getting suspicious.

"Ayun. Kasi... Nag-assume ako na... Uy!" I frowned when in the middle of his explanation he suddenly waved at someone behind me.

"Hi." I froze, caught by surprise, when I felt your hands on my waist and your breath behind my ear when you whispered that greeting.

My eyes widened at Juancho who was grinning from ear to ear.

"Nag-assume ako na baka naman interesado ka pa ring may ka-date for Valentine's kahit sabi mo hindi ka affected." He explained. "Thank you sa pagdamay sa amin, Maine. Time for you to enjoy the rest of this night." He smiled. "Una na ako sa inyo." He then shook your hand and buzzed my cheek.

"Thank you, bro, ha?" You smiled at him. "Thank you ulit. For looking out for Maine and for texting me."

"No problem, bro. Ikaw na bahala sa Sinag natin." He said.

"Oo naman!" You answered. "Ingat sa pagda-drive."

"Thanks. Kayo din. Kung saan man kayo makarating. Ako na bahala magsabi sa kanila na umalis ka na." He smiled and waved then left.

I turned to face you and found you sporting a wide grin. "Surprise." You smiled then, out of thin air, handed me a single long-stemmed red rose as if you didn't fill an entire restaurant with the symbolic flower this morning. Okay. I may have failed to see where it came from because I was still pretty much shocked with your unexpected but very much needed presence.

"Happy Valentine's Day. Alam ko hindi big deal sa'yo tong araw na to but I'd still like to have the opportunity to make it special for you. Miss Nicomaine Dei Mendoza soon-to-be Faulkerson, will you be my Valentine?" You smiled at me, your beautiful eyes held mine, and I felt like I could melt in your arms at that very moment.

"Congratulations, Mr. Faulkerson. You have successfully made me swoon on Valentine's day." I grinned. "Yes. For you, I will always say yes." I cupped your cheek and looked into your eyes. "Happy Valentine's Day, my one and only Valentine." I smiled and kissed your cheek.

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Unbeta'ed and not proofread.

So alam na kung ano ang nanalo sa poll. 😁

Eto muna. With all these things I'm trying to juggle with my time (I'll spare you the boring details), di na kaya ng powers ko. 😅 Part 2 tomorrow or later. Whenever time allows. 😊

Thank you for reading.