Next to You (COMPLETED)

13 - Yes

It has been a year since my move sa provincial branch. Colton and I became closer but still just friends. Araw-araw naman kaming tinatanong ng mga ka-team nya at ka-team ko kung kami na daw ba. At syempre, ang president ng ship na ito ay walang iba kundi si Tonie. Walang araw din na di niya binibida si Colton sa akin. Naamaze nga ako dahil di siya nagsasawa at talagang consistent siya. When I asked him one time about it, he said

"Goal ko na maging kayo. I want you to be happy and I can vouch for Colton. He is a good man. Also, di ako papayag na maging old maid ka. Wala sa lahi natin yon kaya kalimutan mo na yun. Di ako papayag na ang isang Hernan ay maging spinster."

It is lunch time and madalas kong nakakasabay si Colton na kumain. Actually, di naman talaga dapat kami lang dalawa pero dahil shipper nga namin lahat ng ka-team ko at team members niya, they usually let us alone and naghahanap sila ng ibang table para di na sila makasabay sa amin. Mga baliw talaga.

"Parang ewan talaga yang mga yan, wala ng table na vacant pero ayaw pa din sumama dito sa atin."

Colton laughed as he arranged our foods.

"You know them. Ikaw kasi, gawin mo na daw akong boyfriend. Yun ang sabi nila sa akin eh. If maging tayo na daw, sasabay na daw sila sa atin," he said teasing me while wiggling his eyebrows.

"Isa ka pang baliw din."

Although Colton never really insisted in courting me, may mga pagkakataon pa din na nagpapalipad hangin siya gaya ngayon. Di naman ako manhid. For the past year, he made me feel special. Iba rin naman talaga ang trato niya sa akin compared sa mga talagang kaibigan niya lang. Naalala ko pa ng one time ay nakita kami ng director ng department nila at tinanong kung girlfriend na ba daw ako ni Colton. I was not able to answer! As in, natameme ako. Colton answered for me and gusto ko ng lumubog sa lupa sa naging sagot niya.

"Di pa sir. Friends pa lang kami. Pero naniniwala akong magiging girlfriend ko siya in the future. Magiging asawa din."

What the hell diba. But I won't deny, I am starting to like him. However, I don't want to rush things as well. For now, I am enjoying what we have and di rin naman siya nagdedemand sa akin. I guess we are on the MU stage, though di naman talaga namin napapagusapan yun. Also, I am still guilty because of what happened in the past. Di ko pa rin napapatawad ang sarili ko dahil pakiramdam ko, may kasalanan ako sa nangyari kay Diane. Sa nawala sa kanya.

"We have a class reunion this weekend. Halos lahat ng classmates ko may kasama sa event, baka naman pede kang maging plus one ko." Colton said while we are having our lunch. Speaking of plus one, a month from now na yung wedding ni Mary at Kelvin. I have to fly to Manila by then and I am actually thinking to bring Colton as my plus one too. Di ko palang nababanggit sa kanya dahil nahihiya ako.

"I'll think about it."

"Grabe siya. Di ka ba naaawa sa akin. Ako lang loner dun pag nagkaton. Lahat ng friends ko kasama gf or bf nila tapos ako lang single dun."

"Single ka naman talaga. Di mo naman talaga ako gf so walang difference yun kahit isama mo pa ako."

"Eh di girl space friend. Sige na, samahan mo na ako. As payment, bibilhin ko yung limang self-published books ng wattpad author na favorite mo. Deal?"

Shit! How can I say no to this offer. Matagal na kong nagcocontemplate if I will buy the books. Actually, pinagiipunan ko pa nga yun at balak ko, sa birthday ko bibilhin yung mga libro as gift for myself.

"You really know how to bribe me, noh?"

"Well."

Knowing him and being friends with him for a year, madami na din kaming nalaman tungkol sa isa't isa. He knows I like to read wattpad during my freetime and I have mentioned about my plan to buy the books of my favorite author. The very reason why he is using this to bribe me. On his side naman, he likes to play mobile legends which is normal na ata sa mga lalaki nowadays. We are also aware of each others favorites and dislikes.

"I'll let you know my decision mamayang end of shift."

Honestly, papayag naman ako even without him buying the books. In exchange, I'll ask him naman to be my plus one sa wedding ni Mary.

The shift ended fast dahil siguro sa sobrang busy na din. The system was down for almost an hour kaya aligaga kaming nasa IT para maibalik lahat sa ayos. Nag overtime pa ang team namin to make sure all system is working perfectly.

I received an iMessage from Colton na hinhintay niya ako sa may lounge. When I messaged him to go home already, he insisted na hinihintay niya daw ang sagot ko kung sasama ako sa reunion nila.

We also ate in a fastfood chain bago niya ako hinatid pauwi. We are currently inside his car.

"So ano, go na ha. Sama ka na sa akin sa weekend," he said then grab a paper bag from the back of his car and handled it to me.

"Ano to?"

"Your dress para sa weekend."

"You got me a dress kahit di ka pa sure na sasamahan kita?"

"Well, i trust my persuasive skills na mapapa-payag kita."

This guy! He even winked at me. Gosh, how not to fall for this guy. He really is trying to break my wall. I went here and had no plans of getting involved with any guy but I am having a change of heart.

"Fine. I'll accompany you on your reunion pero sana samahan mo din ako next month in Manila for my bestfriend's wedding." I said looking out of his car window. Few seconds past and I still not hear any response from him so I looked back at his direction, which I should have not done cause his face was so close to me. Muntik ko pa siyang mahalikan!

I had to pull my head back and push his' away from me.

"Colton! You are too close."

He still is not saying anything but he was smiling while also biting his lower lip. Nakakainis! Bakit pagwapo ng pagwapo tong lalaking 'to sa paningin ko!

"What! Wag mo nga akong titigan ng ganyan!"

"I am just happy. Thanks, Mirianne. Yes, I'll go with you in Manila. Yes, I'll be your date on your bestfriend's wedding. Actually...."

He stopped and bit his lips again. He then stared me at I had to put my hand on my chest cause I can't breathe properly. Shocks!

"Actually..... if you ask me to be your boyfriend, it's also a yes for you Mirianne."