So Into You (A JeDean / GaWong Story)

The Proposal

***
(Deanna said)

Mark sent me a message last night thanking me for the opportunity to do business with our hotel. He also invited me to the volleyball game since their company was one of the sponsors of the league. 

I was relieved to have deduced that he didn't propose to Jema yet. I know it's inevitable but at least I got more time to prepare myself to accept the fact that Jema could never be mine again.

Days before my official stint in the company, Dichi brought me to the mall to buy me some formal business clothes.

"Thanks for spending your day off with me," I told her as she handed me some blouses to try on.

"This is the least I could do Deans," she answered. "Hindi man lang kita napagtanggol kay Dad."

"Ano ka ba, matagal na 'yon." I got out of the dressing room to show her what I tried on. "I think this looks good on me."

She gave me a nod of approval before pulling me to a hug. "Tsaka namiss kaya kita."

"Of course I missed you too!" 

"By the way, I saw your photos with Natalie last night. Are you two dating again?"

Before I could answer Dichi, my attention was caught by the sight of Mark inside a store across.  "Si Mark yun ah." 

"Sino si Mark?" I heard Dichi asking but I didn't answer again.

"Bakit may kasama siyang ibang babae?" I saw with my two eyes he was holding a girl's hand--and the girl was not Jema. 

I hurriedly went to the other store and didn't think twice--I threw Mark a punch.

"What the--" Mark said. He didn't retaliate when he realized it was me.

"How dare you cheat on Jema?!" I was furious. Dichi caught up and stopped me from attacking again.

"Ano bang sinasabi mo? Assistant ko siya. I asked her a favor para magsukat ng singsing na ibibigay ko kay Jema."

The girl nodded. "Totoo po 'yon."

"This is embarrassing. We're so sorry," Dichi said. "Deanna, you have to apologize now."

"I'm sorry,"  I said, swallowing my pride. I wasn't convinced about what he said but we were drawing too much attention and I could not afford any negative publicity before I even begin with the job. I sensed something suspicious when I recalled last night that Mark already had a ring box with him.

"Hindi ko sasabihin kay Jema na nangyari 'to. You owe me one on this, Deanna," Mark answered. "Please just go."

Dichi and I left and never looked back.

***

(Jema said)

We arrived at the gym and saw Coach Ge, our team's physical therapist, attending to Deanna's hand. With what happened for the past two days, I was only able to conclude this--Deanna's path and mine will continue on crossing whether I like it or not. So I told myself to treat her as an acquaintance--nothing more, nothing less. 

"Anong nangyari sa kamay mo?" I asked Deanna out of curiosity.

"May sinapak siya dahil sa sobrang inis," Coach Ge answered. "May boy friend ka na raw kasi! Ha-ha."

"Maloko talaga 'tong si Coach Ge," Deanna said. "Na-out of balance lang ako kanina. Eh mali 'yong bagsak ko."

"I see... Be careful next time," I responded. "Coach Ge, si Deanna ang tanungin mo. Hot kaya ng girlfriend niyan. Nakita ko na. Itago natin sa pangalang... Natalie."

"Ayan yata 'yong nakita ko sa wallpaper ni Deans," Coach Ge said. "Blonde, di ba?"

I nodded in agreement. Deanna shyly hid her phone and smiled.

"Tinatawag na yata kayo ni Coach Tai," Denna said. I looked at Coach Tai as he was gesturing for us to gather around him.

"O sige start na kami ng warm up. Magpagaling ka ha." I patted Deanna on her shoulder. "See you around!"

"Thanks, Jema!" Deanna smiled again. "Good luck sa game mamaya."

***

(Deanna said)

"Mukhang gumaling na kaagad 'yang kamay mo kasi nilapitan ka ni Mareng Jema," Coach Ge teased. "Hanggang ngayon siya pa rin pala!"

What he saw as my wallpaper was not Natalie--it was my last picture with a blonde Jema.    

"Thanks sa hindi paglalag, Coach," I replied, lifting my bandaged hand. "Thanks din dito."

"I am secretly a Jedean shipper. Iilan na lang tayo." He smiled. "O siya, I need to get back to work. I'll see you in the game?"

"Yes Coach..."

Creamline won in three sets--Ate Ly was of course the best scorer but Jema was the overall best player. I couldn't help but be proud of Jema's improvement. 

When Jema was being interviewed,  it took me back to three years ago when Jema had her first career game with Creamline. Ate Bei and Synjin commentated on that game. They were teasing Jema during the interview. Jema eventually gave in, greeting me with a discreet but cute shout out even if I was just a few meters away.

'Sa kanya po... hi po...' I played the moment in my head.

"Deanna! Deanna!" Dichi was trying to get my attention as I snapped out of my daydream. "Is that the guy you hit this morning? How come he still has a perfect face?"

"Huh? Si Mark?" I located Mark walking on the court holding a bouquet. My heart started beating fast as I realized what was going on--he was finally proposing to Jema.

"Let's go, Deanna," Dichi was convincing me to leave. She too realized what was going on. 

I froze. Dichi dragged me from the bleachers and all the way to the exit. I saw a glimpse of Mark getting down on one knee. 

"Jema... you have been the greatest blessing to my life," we could still hear him say. "I could not imagine my future without you. Babe... I love you and I promise to love you  tomorrow and the rest of our days. Will you make me the luckiest man in the world? Will you marry me?"

We didn't hear Jema's answer as we walked farther away from the court... but the crowd cheered, confirming what I was dreading of.