No Way! Yes Way!

Signed

Aly and Den both sat up. Naka-indian seat pareho sa kama ni Aly at magkaharap. Aly has her laptop. They want to have a deal.

"What should be the first in the list?" she asked Den.

Den stroked her chin and said, "Hmm, no blackmailing?"

Aly snapped her fingers and pointed to Den and said, "That's a good one! Kailangan natin 'yan." She then typed away.

"So, you're going to erase the video?" asked Den.

"If you promise to never use that Lagot-ka-kay-Lolo card on me again."

"I promise I won't," sagot ni Den habang nakataas pa ang kanang kamay na nanunumpa.

"Ever?" tanong ni Aly.

"Ever!" sagot ni Den.

"Alright. Sige. Aasahan ko yan."

"And buburahin mo na yung video ko?"

"Yeah," tipid na sagot ni Aly.

Den would have hugged Aly dahil sa saya kung magkaibigan lang sila. Iyon nga lang hindi.

"Every copy of it," pahabol ni Aly.

Nagulat naman si Den. "What did you say?! Ibig sabihin may copies yung video?" sabi ni Den habang nakaakmang susuntukin si Aly.

"Chill, Den. Sa phone, laptop, at desktop ko lang. Nagsisiguro lang kasi ako. I didn't send it to anyone if that's what you're thinking," said Aly holding her two hands up.

"Siguraduhin mo lang, Valdez. Ipakita mo sa akin na buburahin mo yan lahat."

"Oo na. So, ano ng next?" Aly asked looking at her laptop.

"Ikaw naman mag-isip."

"Okay, sige. Next one, we should be cooperative whenever we are in front of our families," sabi ni Aly.

"And by that you mean?"

"We would pretend that we get along well. Na everything's working according to their plan," explained Aly.

"So kailangan ko magpakasweet sayo kapag nasa harap nila tayo?" paglilinaw ni Den.

"Not that we have to be showy or clingy sa harap nila. Basta kailangan nice tayo sa isa't isa, alright?" sabi ni Aly.

"Okay. Got it," sagot ni Den.

"Let's continue."

"Let's keep our arranged marriage a secret. I want it 3rd in the list," Den said.

Aly just looked at Den.

"We'll be studying at the same school. Magkakaroon ng same set of friends. Lalo na if makakapasok ka sa team --"

Aly cut Den, "About that, I don't feel like joining the team."

"May I know the reason why the great Alyssa Valdez doesn't want to play again?" asked Den na may sarcasm sa "the great" na phrase.

"I don't feel like telling it," sagot ni Aly.

Den just let out a sigh of frustration and said, "Alam mo naman siguro before na middle attacker ako and not a libero, right? Pero do you know why I accepted the position? Because I expected you to play for UST. Na kapag nakaharap kita, puto sa akin yang mga attacks mo."

Aly stared at Den.

Den continued, "I just told myself na that's the only way to compete with you in the collegiate level where mas maraming matangkad sa akin. At least if I'll be able to dig all your attacks, then you won't be able to score. At least man lang doon matalo kita."