Chapter 9:
Ivan and Devon on the other hand heard what Joe said at napalingun na din sila.
Prior to that….
Jack (just finished talking on the phone): MM, I’m so sorry. I can’t go with you to Ivan’s place. Emergency! Need to fly to Hong Kong tomorrow morning.
Devon: It’s ok. I’ll just go with Fretz and Bret.
Jack: I’ll take you to Ivan’s and alis na din ako agad.
Devon: No need na. I can manage.
Ivan heard the conversation of Jack and Devon .
Ivan: Hey Deevan, you can ride with me. Tricia’s not going me. She’s going to see Robi first then they’ll both go there together na later.
Jack: You sure Pare ok lang?
Ivan: Ofcourse. I’ll take care of her. Don’t worry.
Devon received the last message from James while she was with Ivan in his car heading to Ivan’s condo in Wackwack.
DD: Please…
MM: Bahala na…
Ivan: Hey kiddo, watzup with you?
Devon: Huh? Still the same me! Pretty pa din! Pangit ka if you don’t agree (sabay bungisngis kay Ivan).
Ivan has always been Devon ’s protector and savior. He’s always there to catch her when she’s falling by the brink. He always has good words to share and wide arms to comfort her. He’s simply just there when she needed him. At one point in her life, she wished that sana si Ivan na lang… kay Ivan na lang…. kaso Ivan means Kuya Ivan… sana nga lang….
Ivan: Hey! (Ivan snapped his fingers) Day dreaming again?
At instinct, Devon gave her signature slap to Ivan.
Ivan: Ouch! Ansakit naman (in a slang way of saying it and giving his cutest smile to Devon )
Devon: You kasi. You’re teasing me lagi.
Ivan: Khasi nga you’re day dreaming again. (sabay haplos sa tinamaang braso) But you slap like a man pa rin! Ang lhakhas lhakhas moh!
Devon: Ah ganun! You want more? I’ll give you more! (attempting to slap Ivan again)
Ivan: Hey! Hey! I’m driving! Behave! Stop! Stop! Ouch! Ahhhraay!!!!
Both were laughing their hearts out and enjoying each other’s company. And Ivan suddenly turned serious.
Ivan: Hey, I saw what happened in the meeting. Am I seeing what I’m seeing really?
Devon became silent.
Ivan: And my guessed is right! Aren’t we over this yet Kiddo? (Nakasanayan na siyang tawagin ni Ivan ng Kiddo because she always call him Kuya Ayvan)
Devon kept mum. Nakatungo lang and iniiwasan ang tingin ni Ivan.
Ivan: What about Jack? Tell me, what’s the real score between you and Jack?
Devon still didn’t move a bit. She stayed in the same position. Ivan tried to raise her face but umiwas si Devon . Ivan became persistent. Good thing it was a red light so Ivan was able to lift Devon ’s face. He saw that tears are starting to flow. Without a word, Ivan released his seatbelt and gave Devon a tight hug. Devon can’t help but cried more.
Ivan: Hush now Kiddo. (Comforting Devon )
Devon: (in between sob and sniff) Sorry… I think I got carried away kanina. Gosh. I said I’m over him but just one hug and my barricades are gone. I’m sorry… I tried to be strong and I tried resisting it but I completely forgot about it. I’m not really over him yet. Oh my God.
Ivan: (Continued driving but his right hand is holding Devon ’s hands to comfort her) It’s ok Kiddo. It’ll take time. The important thing is your happiness.
Devon: I know. (Turned to Ivan) Thank you. (Gave him a peck on the cheek and a big hug) I don’t know what will happened to me if wala you, Fretz and Bret. You guys helped me a lot!
Ivan: Ofcourse! What are friends for. Hey I think you forgot to thank someone… Jack! Oh Jack! What’s with you and Jack? I know he likes you. Are you guys an item now? He acts as if he’s your boyfriend. Is he?
Devon: Hahaha…. Oo nga. I should thank Jack too.
Ivan: Ay you didn’t answer my question yet.
Devon: Ok ok… Jack and I are….
Ivan: Are what?
Devon: Are friends… I must admit that we became an item for a while. Maybe a month or 2 but it didn’t work din eh. Mahirap diktahan ang puso. Actually we settled everything na yesterday. I think that was one of the reasons why he’s not joining us in this project. He’s going to Hong Kong …
Ivan: If so, what was he doing there kanina?
Devon: Actually dapat hatid lang nya ako. But for some reason, he stayed. Ewan ko din dun, at instinct yata when he saw James, he suddenly grabbed my hand. Honestly, I was not aware of it nga. I was so overwhelmed seeing everyone. ( Devon said with a cute smile).
Ivan: Hmmmnnnn so Jack is an actor after all! And all those sweetness and that I’ll miss you…. (Ivan let out a big laugh at tuluyang napahagikhik na rin si Devon ) And to think that someone really was about to create a scene kanina!
Devon: Secret lang to ha, pero the reason why Jack is going to Hong Kong is to meet the girl his Dad wants him to marry.
Ivan: Whaatttt????? (And napuno na naman ng tawanan ang paligid)
They reached Ivan’s condo and helped each other in setting the place ready for the gang to come and in a few minutes, the ex-housemates were starting to arrive.
When Joe was there, he took the liberty of entertaining everyone in the room. Videoke session started and drinks started to pour.
Ivan led Devon to the balcony to continue their conversation. They were standing side by side and looking at the site of the golf course right in front of them.
Devon: Hmmmnnnn ang sarap dito. You can see everything from up here. Di ka ba natatakot dito? You’re in the 22nd floor. Nakakalula sa taas!
Ivan: It’s nice here. Especially during early mornings when you can witness the sunrise. It’s so refreshing. You have to see it… huwag kaya ikaw umuwi today so that you can see it. (Ivan said mischievously)
Devon: Kuya ha! You’re a bad cheetah!
Ivan: What? I’m not gonna do anything to you! Believe me Kiddo! It’s nice here… Freshly brewed coffee, the sunrise and well bonus na if you’re here with me and extra bonus if I can hug you in the morning sun…
Devon: Ay Ser, nananaginip ka ng gising! Kulang lang sa alak yan! (Sabay hampas ulit kay Ivan)
Ivan: No really…. We should try it…maybe…
Devon: Maybe what?
Ivan: Maybe….
And that’s when they heard Joe’s voice calling James to sing with Ann. Sabay sila napalingon.
