Definitely Out of his League | published under Ukiyoto Publishing

20th League: Sa tabi ko

20th League: Sa tabi ko

IRIS WAS staring at the two dresses she placed on her bed. Hindi siya makapag-desisyon kung alin sa dalawa ang kaniyang isusuot. Bakit ba masyado niyang pinaghahandaan ang date nila ni Travis? Kapag kay Ryland naman, nagagawa niyang isuot kahit ano lang.

In the end, she wore her white, off shoulder dress. She didn't wear any expensive jewelry aside from her pair of pearl earrings.

The Loony Bar was crowded once again. Travis was waiting for her outside. Nang makita siya ng binata ay natulala ito. It was the first time he saw Iris looking very simple yet effortlessly beautiful. Hindi niya napansin na halos nasa harap na niya ito.

"Tititigan mo na lang ba 'ko magdamag?" tanong ni Iris. Travis snapped out and looked away.

"A-Ang ganda mo," he complimented.

"Alam ko!"

"Sinasabi ko lang! Baka kasi nakalimutan mo! Tss. Pumasok ka na nga," wika ng binata at pinauna nang papasukin si Iris. Iris smiled at walked in.

Tama si Travis. Dapat ay huwag na niyang isipin ang tungkol sa nakaraan ng binata. She realized she liked Travis better whenever he was being himself. The guy who could care less about anything.

Naupo sila sa dating spot kung saan nakaupo si Iris. Gig ni Travis ngayon kaya pansamantala muna siyang maiiwan saglit. It wasn't the ideal date she had in her mind but it didn't matter to her anymore.

"Is that Iris Jang?" she heard someone whispered.

"Oo, si Iris nga. Magkakilala sila ni Travis?" wika pa ng isang boses.

That was right. She was in a public place with someone. Paano kung may makakita sa kaniya at malaman ni Ryland ang tungkol dito? It would damage the image she had. Hindi niya naisip ang tungkol sa bagay na iyon.

Was she cheating on Ryland? Bakit parang nagi-guilty siya? Pero hindi naman sila ni Ryland. Katulad ni Travis, nanliligaw lang din ito sa kaniya. Pero bakit pakiramdam niya ay nagtataksil siya kay Ryland? Ang excitement na nararamdaman niya kanina ay biglang napalitan ng pangamba.

"Good evening, everyone. How's your night going?" Travis said. She didn't realize that he was already on stage. Bigla na lang nagsigawan ang mga tao sa loob ng bar. He was starting to gain a lot of fans.

"Grabe, ang guwapo mo, Travis!" sigaw ng isang babae mula sa audience. Gayunpaman, hindi nabali noon ang titig ni Travis kay Iris. It was like she was the only woman in the bar for him to look at.

"This song I'm gonna be singing is dedicated to the woman I am captivated by. I don't know why but I have already tripped," Travis said, chuckling. He began strumming his guitar.

"It's her hair and her eyes today that just simply take me away. And the feeling that I'm falling further in love makes me shiver but in a good way...

"All the times I have sat and stared as she thoughtfully thumbs through her hair. And she purses her lips, bats her eyes and she plays with me, sitting there slack-jawed and nothing to say...

"'Cause I love her with all that I am and my voice shakes along with my hands. 'Cause she's all that I see and she's all that I need and I'm out of my league once again..." Travis didn't break his stare at Iris. His eyes were full of appreciation and new emotions that Iris just saw for the first time since Travis came to her life.

"It's a masterful melody when she calls out my name to me. As the world spins around her she laughs, rolls her eyes and I feel like I'm falling but it's no surprise...