Next to You (COMPLETED)

12 - First Date

Time went by and Colton became a friend. Yes, I can say na he is now more than just an acquaintance and my cousin's boss. May mga times na din na we hung out but we were never alone. One time, we had a night out together with his team. Actually, more of pinilit ako ni Tonie and even blackmailed me na papalayasin niya daw ako sa condo niya if di ako sumama. At dahil natural na taklesa ang pinsan ko, nalaman ng buong team nila na may gusto sa akin ang leader nila. After the revelation, syempre pa, walang katapusang asaran ang nangyari at pasimuno ang mahadera kong pinsan. Bawat isa ay may kanya kanyang testimony bakit good catch daw ang boss nila. After that incident, sa tuwing makikita nila ako sa office, boss na din ang tawag nila sa akin. Boss, kasi ako daw ang boss ng boss nila. As for Colton, he did his best naman to tame his team and he was apologetic because of the teasing.

"Pasensya ka na. Sana di ka mailang sa akin dahil sa pang-aasar nila. I know my limits. I am willing to be just friends with you for the time being. Pero ayun, keep in mind too na I am hopeful I can be more than that in the future," Colton said to me one time nang makasabay ko siyang maglunch sa pantry and I swear, nagwala ang mga paru-paro sa tiyan ko nung sinabi niya yun.

May one time din na nag samgyup ang team namin at dahil pinsan ni Kat si Colton, ininvite nya na sumama yung isa. He was more than willing naman to join our group and Kat did not waste that opportunity to kind of tease me to her cousin. Nalaman din tuloy ng team ko na ako ang babae sa kwento ni Kat noon. Of course, nakaranas din ako ng walang humpay na asar sa team ko. Even Joan is teasing me and I have her approval daw.

"I approve you ate Mirianne para sa ex-crush ko kaysa naman sa taga admin na parang nakalutang ang ulo."

"Maka-approve ka akala mo may karapatan kang mag-approve ah." Kat told Joan while we are eating. She then looked at her cousin and we all cracked up dahil sa sinabi nya. "Pero kuya Colton bakit mo nga ba nagustuhan yun, eh ang arte-arte nun tapos di pa marunong magpantay ng make-up. Mukha nga syang nakalutang na ulo kasi nangingibabaw yung ulo nya talaga."

Colton just laughed along with us but he did not comment. I honestly liked how he did not say anything bad about Erica kahit pa di naging maganda ang naging ugnayan nila noon.

Speaking of Erica, that girl really has a not so nice attitude. I don't know how she became aware of me and Colton pero sa tuwing makakasalubong ko siya, iniirapan niya ako. There were times na parang nagpaparinig pa siya sa akin. Di ko nalang pinapansin dahil senseless lang din. I mean, wala naman talagang namamagitan sa amin ni Colton. We are not in a relationship and he is not courting me at kung meron man, I don't think she has any right to be bitch about it. However, one time nakasabay ko siya sa restroom and she and her friend were talking about me. They were not mentioning my name but it is so obvious that the topic was me and Colton. I was washing my hands and they are as well.

"Binasted mo kasi si guy Erica kaya ayan, naghanap na lang ng diversion."

"Ano ka ba? Not my lost naman diba? At saka, I have Dustin now and he is way more than Colton kaya okay lang talaga. At saka Colton is just not that dateable. Looks nya, so-so lang and I think I am too pretty for him. Also, I have a hunch na di sya faithful. I don't know, he has this cheater aura in him."

Wow. Wala na akong planong patulan pa ang babaeng lutang ang ulo na ito pero I am not gonna let her say ill things about Colton. I smiled at her in the mirror at sinadya kong patalsikan sya ng tubig after kong hugasan ang kamay ko.

"What the!"

"Ganda ka, ghorl? Sabagay, ganda mo nga kasi ba naman, may boyfriend ka na pero nagpapaligaw ka pa sa iba. You know what, I pity that Dustin guy if kayo pa din hanggang ngayon. You are saying that Colton seems a cheater pero ano ba ginawa mo? Letting someone court you knowing that you are already committed and in a relationship. Well, I guess it takes one to know one, noh. Alam ba ng boyfriend mo na habang kayo eh may ibang lalaki kang ine-entertain?"

Shock was evident on her face because of what I said. Kahit ang kasama niya ay nagulat dahil sa mga narinig. Even other girls na nasa loob din ng restroom ay napatingin sa amin.

"Erica, totoo ba yun?"

"Huh! Ewan ko sa babaeng yan, nag-iimbento."

Kat then went out from the farthest cubicle. I totally forgot she was with me this whole time.

"Hoy babaeng ulo, subukan mong magsinungaling. Alam ko ang baho mong malandi ka. Diba at parang nagcheat ka na din sa boyfriend mo dahil nagpaligaw ka tapos di ka naman pala single. Feeling maganda ka masyado. Maganda ka? Sino nagsabi? Imagination mo? Ipantay mo muna kulay ng mukha mo sa leeg mo. Uso din foundation sa leeg bes. Try mo para di mukhang nakalutang yang ulo mo. Tara na Mirianne."

Erica was not able to talk back. Nakakatakot na din kasi ang dating ni Kat eh. I also noticed that Erica's friend is trying not to laugh. She put her hand on her lips. The other girls naman was not able to stop their laughter because of what Kat said.

Colton learned about the confrontation between us and Erica. That night, as I made my way out of the building, I saw him malapit sa exit.

"Hinintay talaga kita. Invite sana kita for dinner."

"Ahm."

"Wait, this is just a friendly dinner, promise. My way of saying thank you for kind of standing up for me kay Erica. Sige na, please?"

"Alright. Basta libre mo?"

He smiled and I swear, he look so good! Natigilan pa ako kasi di ko maiwasang mapatitig sa kanya. Sobrang visible din ng dimple nya. Ang pogi, shet!

"Bakit parang gusto ko ng bawiin. First date nalang natin to, pede?"

Pinanlakihan ko sya ng mata while smiling. First date? Hmmmm...