"I Love you Nerd PART 2" (COMPLETED)

Chapter 16: Date

Nathan's POV

Paige is something. 

It has already been almost 1 month of us dating. Hindi mahirap makasundo si Paige at hindi rin siya nakakabagot kasama. Kumbaga, she's the girl bestfriend I never had. It's comfortable, it's fun. 

"Nathan, stop staring.", sabi niya sa akin. "Nai-inlove ka na ba?", tanong niya at sumubo ng chips. Ngumisi ako at sumandal sa sofa. Nanunuod kami ng movie sa bahay niya dahil kailangan kaming makita ni Mr. Carenas na magkasama. Between the two of us, we agreed to meet 3 times during the weekdays and 1 time during the weekend. 

"Paige, I have a question."

"Fire away."

"Do you really want to get married to me?" Tumawa siya na parang hindi siya makapaniwala sa tanong ko. 

"Hmm, let's just say that it's fine with me. It's fine with me to get married and it's fine with me especially if its with you."

"Why?"

"Alam mo namang sa PLA din ako nag-aral diba? Of course you would not remember me. I was this awkward chubby girl but I know you. Who wouldn't know you? The campus crush? THE Nathan King Reyes? But I just studied there for a total of 2 years, my 1st year and I came back 4th year, siyempre wala ka na doon." 

"So? Bakit nga?"

"Because you defended me." Nagulat ako sa narinig ko. Wala akong matandaan.

"I did what?" 

"1st year Highschool and you're a sophomore some of your bacthmates were making fun of me. Tapos binatukan mo sila at pinagsabihan." Hindi ko maalala na nangyari 'yon pero totoong mabait pa ako nung mga panahong 'yon, kami pa ni Natasha noon.

"Dahil doon?", tumango siya. 

"And I thought, ah- may mabait pa pala sa lugar na 'to. But I left PLA because of the bullies."

"Why did you came back?" Ngumiti siya. 

"I came back all pretty and thin just to show them at para mapahiya sila."

"So for revenge?"

"Kind of, but yeah. I immediately found it pointless kaya tinapos ko nalang ang year and went back to the States already."

"How come hindi ko alam na dito kayo nakatira malapit sa amin?"

"Ah, second house lang 'to ni Lolo. Kumbaga pag may bisita dito pinapapunta. Ayoko doon sa bahay nila lolo because I remember my parents. Naka move on na si Lolo pero ako hindi, so I wanted to stay here. Kaya si Lolo minsan dito natutulog minsan doon."

"Wow, ganoon kayo kayaman." 

"Let's not talk about me okay? Ikaw? Any ex girlfriends?" 

"Can we not talk about it? Any topic please." 

"Ohh- Mukhang meaty 'yang topic na 'yan ha. Okay, then let's not talk about it then. So is she pretty?" Tumingin ako sakanya ng seryoso. 

"What?", pang-aasar niya. 

"The reason why I don't want to talk about it is because there's a lot of loose ends there that I don't want to face. If I will, I might leave you.", sabi ko nang seryoso at sumeryoso ang mukha niya. 

"Alright." 

After the movies, I took her out for dinner. We walked around the park near our subdivision. "This is our second meeting, oh wait technically it's third already.", sabi ni Paige. Umupo siya sa swing at ako namang sa kabilang swing. 

"Nathan, is it okay with you to get married to me?" Hindi ko alam kung anong isasagot ko. She's the perfect girl if you'll look at it. Ngumiti ako. "What does that smile mean? Alam kong napipilitan ka lang na gawin 'to pero we've been going out for almost a month, wala ka pa rin bang nararamdaman?"

"You're great Paige, and if I will be forced to get married, I'm happy that it's with you." It's true. Being with her is like being with your bestfriend. And if I really don't have any choice, I'm happy that I get to spend it with Paige. Its not that I am in love with her but I don't see that not changing. She's great. 

Nakatulong ng malaki sa akin 'yung apat na buwan na hindi ko nakikita si Zoey.  

"Nathan, why don't we try it?"

"Try what?"

"Try working this out. I mean, let's try to fall in love." Naramdaman kong bumilis ang tubok ng puso ko. Seryosong seryoso siya na parang nags-suggest ng business proposal. "I'm not that smart and I'm not going to be helpful sa business niyo pero I'm a great cook. I studied culinary so I could cook for my future husband. I will be a great housewife. I'm pretty and sexy. Our kids will look great." Natawa ako sa enthusiasm niya."Come on, let's do it. We don't have any choice right?" 

Ngumiti ako at tumayo sa harap niya. "Paige, do you think I hang out with you just because of compliance? I hang out with you because it's comfortable. I never said that even though this is forced, everything will be forced. Let's go with the whole process and let's see okay?" Ngumiti siya at tumayo. Pinalibot niya ang braso niya sa braso ko at hinawakan ang kamay ko. 

"Let's go home, love.", sabi niya. 

Love? 'Yun din tawag sa akin ni Zoey. 

"Can we not call each other that?"

"Oh, reminds you of someone?" tumango ako. "Dear?" 

"Yes, better, dear." 

"Alright, dear it is." Nagtawanan kami at nangilabot. "Ang awkward pala, Nathan nalang.", sabi niya. 

"Bakit okay naman 'yung dear ah.", sabi ko pero nung narinig ko nang sinabi ko eh nag-cringe ako. "Now, I get what you mean. I'll just call you Paige." Nagtawanan kami. 

"Nga pala, Lolo booked a vacation for us on the holidays in Baguio."

"Why there?"

"Wala, gusto ko doon masubukan kasi malamig. Hindi pa ako nakapunta doon eh."

"Okay." Okay lang naman kasi never naman kaming nag celebrate ng holidays. Ngayong December, magt-tour si mama sa Europe kasama ng mga amiga niya kaya ako lang mag-isa. Ano pa nga ba. "Do I have to take care of anything?"

"Just fix your schedule Mr. Busyman and CEO, si lolo na daw bahala sa accomodation and all. You just have to be there. We will take my van."

"No, I'll drive."

"Really? Hindi ka ba mapapagod?"

"No, sandali nalang pumunta sa Baguio ngayon and I also want to do this for you." 

"Aww, alright. I'll tell Lolo." Hinatid ko siya sa bahay niya at umuwi na rin ako. Pagdating ko ay nakaupo si mama sa sala at mukhang may iniisip. Naka-ready na ang mga maleta niya. 

"Oh? Bakit nandito ka pa ma?", tanong ko. 

"I'm waiting for you." Niyakap niya ako. 

"Why?"

"Are you okay?" tumango ako. "This is not like you."

"What?"

"Are you really happy with Paige? This is not a show?" Ngumiti ako. Alam kong gusto niya si Zoey para sa akin at isa siya sa mga taong nasaktan nung nalaman niyang kami ni Paige. 

"Ma, I'm okay. I'm happy. Don't worry. I'll see you next month." Tinulungan ko si mama na ikarga sa sasakyan ko ang mga maleta niya at idinala siya sa airport kung saan sila magkikita ng mga amiga niya. 

"Bye anak. I'll see you." Nauna na akong umuwi.  

I'm happy. I could be happy.