SEVEN

"Lapitan mo na kasi. Walang magagawa 'yang titig mo." 

I glared at Ira, who was beside me while I was eating a sandwich outside the convenience store. I purposely went alone so I wouldn't get pressured. Nakita pa rin niya ako rito at kanina pa ako tinutulak para lapitan si Alia. 

"Tinanong mo ako kung paano mababalik 'yong ngiti niya, ang sagot ko sa 'yo ay pasayahin mo! Akala ko naman susunduin mo! Hindi ka pa rin pala umuusad!" Binatukan niya ako kaya binatukan ko siya pabalik. His face almost hit the table. "Aray, 'tangina!" 

"It's not easy. I'm trying to find the right timing." I looked back at Alia again while she was busy mopping the floors. 

"Walang right timing, Pito! Ikaw ang gagawa ng timing mo!" 

"What if she hadn't moved on yet? What if I was just a rebound? Or worse, what if they got back together?" Those thoughts swirled in my head, overthinking every possibility. In truth, I was just stalling. I was scared. I was a coward. 

I told myself I didn't want a relationship with her, yet deep down, I knew I could treat her right and make her happy. If it meant bringing back her smile, I was willing to try. But the first step was always the hardest. How was I supposed to talk to her?! 

Fuck... How do people even flirt? How do they reach the 'talking stage'? Kasi hanggang ngayon, nasa 'stranger' stage pa rin ako. 

"Hindi nga nagkabalikan! Kita mong may iba nang nilalandi 'yong gagong 'yon, 'di ba? Kawawa talaga 'tong si Alia. Kung ikaw 'yon, hindi mo siya gaganunin," pang-aasar niya pa sa akin. 

"How should I introduce myself?" I asked Ira. Hindi ko lang alam kung makakakuha ako ng matinong sagot. Hell, the last thing I wanted was for the worst-case scenario to play out—having to ask Nat or Lyonelle.

"Sabihin mo... Hi, pansin ko parang may kulang kayo sa store n'yo. Wala na ba kayong stock ng boyfriend? Gusto mo mag-restock? Last stock na ako, oh... Limited edition." He acted it out too. How... embarrassing. How could he even do that in public? 

"Nevermind. I won't get a good answer from you." Tumayo na ako at kinuha ang bag ko para maglakad pabalik sa campus. 

Ugh... I really didn't want to ask Lyonelle about this. Asking Lyonelle would be better than asking Nat. Maingay si Nat, eh. Mahahalata kaagad ni Alia na may gusto ako sa kanya. Baka isigaw pa noon kapag nagkita kami sa convenience store. 

"What? Spill it out, man," Lyonelle said while we walked to the parking lot after training. He was eating an ice cream while I had a bottle of orange juice. Nilibre niya ako kasi ayaw niyang kumain ng ice cream mag-isa. 

"Uh... There's this..." I trailed off, avoiding his eyes. "...girl-" Natigilan ako at agad napayuko at umupo sa sahig, nagtatago sa likod ng sasakyan nang makita ko si Alia at iyong ex niya na magkausap. 

Damn it! Why the hell did I do that?! Lyonelle gave me this weird look. He furrowed his brows, glancing around in confusion. I panicked, so I grabbed his arm and pulled him down to sit with me. But honestly, I had no idea why we were even hiding in the first place!

"Dude... Who the fuck are we hiding from? Did you get in trouble with loan sharks or something?" he whispered, looking like he was genuinely worried about me. 

Hindi ko siya pinansin. Sumilip lang ako para tingnan kung naroon pa rin si Alia at ang ex niya, but Grae was gone, leaving Alia standing there alone. She let out a heavy sigh, running her fingers through her hair before turning and walking away. I had no idea what had just happened, but I got curious. Did they get back together? Was I too late... again?

Lyonelle stood up, looking at Alia. Well, she was the only person in the parking lot, aside from us. "You like that girl?" he asked loudly, so I pulled him down with me again to hide. What the fuck?! What if she heard us?! 

"Tone it down!" inis na sabi ko sa kanya. 

"You didn't deny it..." His lips formed a teasing smile. This is why I didn't want to tell him. "So? What's the problem? Why are we hiding here instead of talking to her?" 

"Because she doesn't know me!" It was frustrating to me, too! 

"That's impossible. Everyone on this campus knows you." Okay... but that would only be true if everyone on the campus was interested in volleyball. Hindi ko alam kung interesado si Alia roon. I could only wish... "Okay, let's say she doesn't know you. Paano ka nga niya makikilala kung para kang gago na nagtatago?" 

I stood up, determined to prove a point, but Alia was already gone. Lyonelle followed, laughing at my face. 

"You're so obvious. How could she not know?" he teased, a smirk plastered on his face.

"She just got out of a relationship," I muttered. 

Lyonelle shook his head with a chuckle. "Oh, man... dealing with people who haven't moved on from their exes? Total pain in the ass."

"So... How do I approach her?" My voice was almost a whisper. I scratched the tip of my nose and looked away, getting shy.

"Just be cool about it. Try engaging in small talk. Ask her about her day or something... Then you smoothly say, oh, I'm Seven, by the way. We go to the same university." He even offered his hand, acting it out too. 

Can I really do that? The next day, I went back to the convenience store. My hand was trembling while I was handing her the random sandwich I bought. I realized I got the wrong one but I was too shy to put it back so I just dealt with it. Ibibigay ko na lang kay Ira. 

Ask her about her day. Got it.

"Uh..." I started, but it was as if a cat bit my tongue. "How... How are... you?" I muttered. 

Mukhang hindi pa niya narinig dahil busy siyang maghanap ng sukli. Fuck, I have to repeat it louder this time. 

"Uhm... Hey... How-"

"Here's your change po! Thank you!" she said with a bright smile, handing me the coins.

I grabbed the sandwich and the change, then ran out of the store like my life depended on it. My head was pounding. That was so freaking hard! I was so close—almost there! But, of course, I panicked and messed it up. Again.

It's okay. I'll just try again next time.

"Uh... How was... your..."

"Welcome po!" she shouted when a bunch of customers entered the store. I just sighed and walked out of the convenience store again, hiding my face. 

Next time. 

"D-do you... like sandwiches-"

"Ay, wait lang po, Sir! Kukuha lang ako ng coins! Wait lang po!" 

Next time. 

"What time... does... Uh... your shift-"

"Hala!" Alia rushed to the kids when their drinks spilled on the floor. Napasapo ako sa noo ko at kinuha na lang ang resibo at naglakad na ulit palabas ng store. 

Next. Fucking. Time.

"Papunta na 'yong gagawa ng bagong uniform natin. Susukatan niya kayo. Pamangkin ko 'yon, si Alia." 

I choked on my water, nearly spitting it all over King's face. Ira burst into laughter, clutching his stomach, while King joined in, smacking my arm and laughing just as hard. Because of that, I couldn't focus on our training. I was so nervous! I could hear my heart pounding in my chest. 

When we heard Coach's whistle, all of us walked in his direction. I stopped in my tracks when I saw who was beside him. Fuck! Our eyes met! I immediately looked away and turned around, covering my mouth in shock. Oh my god... 

"Susukatan na niya kayo. Pumila kayo," sabi ni Coach.

I was shaking my legs while waiting for my turn. Susukatan?! I watched as she took measurements for the other players, my heart racing. Fuck, how could I ever stand that close to her? Did I even deserve to be in her space?

What?! She was wrapping her arms around their waists! That means she's going to do the same thing to me! Oh my god, I feel like fainting. This is too much for me!

"Sa dulo na ako," I told them. I needed to prepare myself mentally! Shit! 

It was Ira's turn. I'm next. I'm next. Calm down... How could I calm down?! My knees were already getting weak. 

"Hello." My head immediately turned when I heard Ira's talking to Alia. Bakit niya kinakausap?! "Nakita na kita sa campus dati. Taga-Fashion Institute ka 'di ba?"

"Yes po," Alia answered innocently. 

"Kasama mo 'ata 'yong partner mo noon."

Alia's brows furrowed at the random question. Ira glanced at me, wiggling his eyebrows to show he was doing it for me. I didn't ask him to do that! 

"Huh? Single ako..." 

"Ah, ganoon ba?" Ira turned to me, making it even more obvious. I kept my arms crossed over my chest, pretending he didn't exist. My face stayed completely blank, showing no reaction at all. "Single ka nga pala! Sorry, akala ko lang!" 

Okay, I get it! She's single! Tone it down, zero-four! Asshole. 

"Next na, huy!" Tinulak ako ni Ira dahil nakatulala lang ako. I took a deep breath, calming myself before walking toward Alia, silently praying she wouldn't hear my pounding heartbeat.

Ira stayed there, clearly enjoying the show as I struggled to keep my composure while Alia took my measurements. I could barely breathe! Her perfume was intoxicating, and she was so close! It felt almost wrong to take in her scent.

"Uy, King, tingnan mo, turn na ni Seven, oh!" Ngayon, dalawa na silang nanonood. They tried to hold back their laughter, but it only came out as snorting noises. I shot them a glare, getting pissed. 

"Wow, liit naman ng waist. Huminga ka kasi, Seven," sabi ni King at tumawa na naman. 

I scratched the tip of my nose with my middle finger. When will they fuck off? Umalis na kayo! Coach, tawagin mo na sila. 

"Seven talaga ang name mo?" 

Huh? Wait... Was she talking to me? 

Malamang, sino pa ba ang may pangalang Seven dito? 

I cleared my throat before answering. I didn't want to embarrass myself. "Yes."

'Next time' really did come. At siya na ang nakikipag-usap sa akin. How could she not remember me?! I was always at the convenience store... Nakayuko nga lang palagi o nakaiwas ng tingin dahil sa hiya. Madalas, tinatago ko rin ang mukha ko gamit ang hoodie. Ugh... I regretted it. Sana pala ay nagpapansin ako.

"Ang galing naman." 

My heart skipped a beat when she smiled. 

"Ang cute ng name mo."

Fucking hell, I could hear the wedding bells. 

"Okay na." Agad akong tumalikod at tumakbo pabalik sa court. King and Ira pointed at my face because my cheeks were so red. 

I found myself staring into nothingness after training ended. Even at home, I sat on the sofa, still dazed. She had wrapped her arms around my waist... and she smelled so good. Okay, that sounded wrong. But she was everything I'd ever imagined her to be. I couldn't believe I was lucky enough to stand that close to her. I never thought something like that would actually happen! 

Napatayo kaagad ako sa gulat nang marinig ko ang doorbell. I made my way to the hallway near the door and tapped the button on the small screen mounted on the wall.

"Holy shit." I covered my mouth, nearly falling to the floor in shock when I saw who was standing at our gate.

"Wings Club delivery po!" 

What?! I didn't order anything, though! Baka namali lang.

I pushed another button to turn the microphone on. "We didn't order," I said. 

"Huh?" I saw her get her phone, re-checking the address. "Sorry, Sir, pa-check po ulit. May na-receive po kasi kaming delivery sa bahay na 'to."

Wait... I know someone who loves chicken wings so much. Is Kiel here? I thought he was still in school.

"Kiel!" I yelled. "Did you order chicken wings again?!"

I started up the stairs, but Kiel rushed past me, heading straight for the door to grab the chicken wings. Without thinking, I ran after him, grabbing him by the collar and pulling him back so I could be the one to open the door and claim them!

"Bakit?! Ako na!" pakikipagtalo pa niya at nakipag-unahan sa pagbukas ng pinto.

"Ako na," seryosong sabi ko at hinatak ulit siya, almost carrying him over my shoulders just to stop him. 

"Sige na nga! Mukhang kaya mo pa akong ikulong sa basement para sa chicken wings, 'ya. Hindi mo sinabi. Sana nag-order pala ako ng isa pa para sa 'yo!" 

I cleared my throat and adjusted my clothes before stepping out to grab the paper bag. It wasn't about the damn chicken wings. I couldn't care less about those. My only interest was in the person delivering them.

"Oh!" Tinuro niya ako.

What? After all this time, ngayon niya lang ako naaalala? 

I knew it was her outside the door, but seeing her standing right in front of me still caught me off guard. My feet felt rooted to the floor. I couldn't move, so she stepped closer and handed me the paper bag.

Naduwag na naman ako. I avoided her eyes and quickly got the paper bag in her hand. I just wanted to go back inside the house again! She was watching me so closely! It was too much for me! I couldn't handle it. Sana pala si Kiel na lang ang pinakuha ko.

"Sir! Bayad n'yo po!" 

Shit. I embarrassed myself again... and I even left my wallet. I asked Kiel to get it for me, so I awkwardly stood there in front of her, waiting. I couldn't meet her eyes! Medyo nakatalikod pa ako para iwasan siya. 

"Here..." I gave her five hundred.

"Wait, sukli po!" She handed me fifty pesos, and I hesitated, not wanting to take it from her hand. Should I just let her keep it as a tip? But then again... I kind of wanted to hold onto it since it came from her. "Thank you po!"

Pinanood ko siyang sumakay sa motor, handa nang mag-drive paalis. I stared at the helmet at the top of her top box. I couldn't let her leave like that! That was dangerous. "Hey..." I said. 

"Yes po?" Lumingon siya sa akin.

"Your helmet." I pointed at it.

"Hala! Oo nga! Muntik na 'yon! Sorry po! Pagod lang, sorry!" I couldn't count how many times she apologized. "Thank you po ulit! Bye!"

I couldn't sleep well that night. I was just looking forward to seeing her again. I smiled to myself while looking at the ceiling. Kakausapin ko na siya. At least, I will try. I wasn't a stranger to her anymore. Kilala na niya ako. It wouldn't be too hard now... Right?

"Thanks..." I looked at her name tag. I could finally call her by her name. "Alia." We finally know each other! She can recognize me! 

She smiled again. Oh, that smile... "Come again po!" 

I surely will. A hundred more times.

"Hindi mo kasama 'yong teammates mo ngayon, ah." 

"Yes." I didn't know what else to say. What should I say? Damn, I should have searched some topics to talk about before going here. 

"Sorry... Ayaw mo palang kinakausap. Sorry talaga." 

Huh?! Wait, no! That wasn't it! 

"Ano nga nangyari? Bakit distracted ka na naman? Anong katangahan na naman ginawa mo, Pito?" pangungulit nina Ira. 

"Wala," maikling sagot ko habang pinapaikot ang bola sa kamay ko. I tossed it into the air and jumped, striking the ball with the palm of my hand.

King gave me another ball. Hinagis ko ulit 'yon at tumalon.

"Si Alia, oh!" 

Shit, I missed the ball! 

"Pito, ano ba 'yan!" reklamo ni Ira, nang-aasar. I looked around and Alia was nowhere to be found! Sinamaan ko sila ng tingin at inis na hinampas ang bola papunta sa direksyon ni Ira. Ugh, they fooled me. 

We were separated into two teams to compete with each other. Everything was going well at first. Lamang ang team namin sa points at walang naka-receive ng serve ko so I served again. Hinagis ko ang bola pataas at tumalon para hampasin 'yon.

"Alia! Dito ka na maupo!" The moment I heard Coach's voice, I hit the ball too hard by accident, sending it flying out of the court.

"Sorry." I raised my hand, looking at the side to make sure it was real this time. Shit... Nandoon nga si Alia.

"Focus ka naman sa laro, baby! Huwag sa iba!" They all laughed at what Ira said. My teammates looked in Alia's direction and immediately understood why I got distracted. 

After the game, we walked to the side to drink some water or wipe our sweat. I couldn't move because my bag was just beside Alia! Inamoy ko tuloy ang sarili ko, getting conscious. I didn't want her to see me like this. So... messy and sweaty.

"Dalian mo na!" Tinulak ako ni Ira. Panira.

I sat on the bench to remove my knee and elbow support. When the towel fell from my shoulders, Alia handed it back to me.

"Nahulog," sabi niya.

Huh?! Nahulog?! Who? Me?! Paano niya nalaman?!

I heard a few people laughing, so I glanced to the side and saw my teammates struggling to hold back their teasing grins. That was when it hit me... Alia was talking about the towel.

"Alagaan mo 'yong balikat mo. Huwag mong pagurin masyado. Malapit na 'yong competition kaya..." I couldn't focus on anything Coach said next because I saw Alia... and she was walking with us! Sa kanya na lang ako nakatingin habang nagbibilin ng kung anu-ano si Coach. 

"Naiwan ko 'yong tubigan ko! Teka lang, Alia. Seven, oo nga pala, sumabay ka na rin sa amin mag-dinner. Mauna na kayo roon sa bagong bukas na Italian restaurant sa tapat." 

Wait... Wait lang, Coach! Don't leave me here! Nooo! 

"Uhm... Tara?" aya niya. I just nodded and walked beside her, deliberately slowing down so she could catch up. 

I looked at my phone when I saw Lyonelle calling. "I'll just take this call," paalam ko at naglakad paalis. 

I didn't walk away too far because I didn't want to leave Alia waiting alone in the dark. I pressed 'Answer' before putting the phone near my ear. 

"Motherfucker," I started, pissed. "This better be important." 

"What? Did I ruin your date?" He immediately knew. He started laughing when I didn't answer. "Calm down, man. I was just about to ask you out for dinner. Guess you already made plans..." pang-aasar niya lalo. 

"It's..." I looked back at Alia. My brows furrowed when I saw her talking to her ex and another woman. What the hell happened while my back was turned away? "It's not like that." I continued watching them.

"You're improving. You can finally talk to her. Ask her out!" 

"It's not that easy." I sighed, massaging my temples. When Alia's expression shifted, I quickly turned and walked back towards them. "I have to go," I told Lyonelle, ending the call. I stared at her ex since it was my first time seeing him this close. Eh... He's not all that.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I just needed to answer the call."

Her asshole ex was staring at me like it was his first time seeing a man. What's his problem? 

"Is he your boyfriend?" The girl asked, her eyes scanning me from head to toe as if she were stripping me with her eyes. Yikes.

"Wait... Ano..." Alia didn't know what to say. 

"Of course not! Impossible, ano ka ba! It's Alia! You know her naman." How could that motherfucker still talk? 

"Bakit naman imposible, Grae?"

What is happening? I was so confused.

My confusion turned to shock as Alia grabbed my arm and pulled me closer to her. Oh my god—our bodies were touching! I blinked, completely stunned.

"Boyfriend ko siya, bakit?! Mahal namin ang isa't isa! May problema ka ba roon, ha?!"

"What?" I whispered.

B... boyfriend? 

Me? 

Mahal? 

I'm... the boyfriend? When did that happen?

"Sorry, Seven... Nadamay ka pa. Iyong ex ko kasi, eh! Ang kulit-kulit! Nakakainis! Kung ano-ano tuloy ang nasabi ko! Sorry talaga!"

Oh... So she used me to get out of the situation.

What an honor!

"It's okay... I... don't mind." Hell, yeah. Fake boyfriend? I'll take that! Whatever the hell that is! 

It was my first time walking her home. I just told her I would get my car in school when, in reality, I just wanted to spend more time with her. When will I ever get the chance to do this again, right? 

"Sorry kung ngayon ko lang itatanong 'to kasi hindi ko kaagad naisip noong sinabi kong boyfriend kita... May... girlfriend ka ba?"

"Yes." I almost laughed at her reaction. She covered her mouth in shock, which was cute. I wanted to pinch her cheeks. 

"Sorry! Sorry talaga! Hindi ko alam! Kung gusto mo, ako na lang ang kakausap sa girlfriend mo-" Hindi ko na napigilan at natawa na ako. Mukhang nagulat pa siya nang marinig niya ang tawa ko.

"It's you."

My 'fake' girlfriend.

"Joke lang 'yon, ano ka ba! You don't have to play the part! Sinabi ko lang 'yon para tantanan na ako ng lalaking 'yon!"

Huh... I hated how her ex still made his way back to the conversation. 

"Are you breaking up with me?" I asked with no emotion on my face. 

"Ayaw mo ba?" Oh... If only she could hear my heart right now. 

"You should take responsibility."

"Okay, baby, babe, darling, sweetheart! Nandito na tayo. Nalagpasan mo na 'yong school. Good night."

Baby... Babe... Darling... Sweetheart. She actually called me all those things. Oh my god. And as if that wasn't enough, she even smiled at me! 

Good night?! You mean... 'Best night'! 

A smile spread across my face as I watched her smile. "Good night, Alia," I said softly, loving the way her name felt on my lips. How... beautiful.

"Crush mo si 'Te Alia 'no?" tanong kaagad ni Kiel habang nagda-drive kami pauwi. Kakahatid lang namin kay Alia after the cinema 'date.' 

"No..." I scoffed, looking away. I really couldn't lie. 

"Ikaw rin 'yong 'galing' sa 'sinungaling', 'ya," he mimicked dad's words. "Crush mo siya, eh! Dapat kiniss mo na!"

"Where did you learn those words?" I raised a brow. 

"Kung ganoon, dapat mag-order ka ng chicken wings gabi-gabi para makita mo rin siya gabi-gabi, 'di ba?" Ginamit niya pa 'yon para lang makakain siya ng chicken wings gabi-gabi. I rolled my eyes, not entertaining his idea. 

"I don't have a crush on her," I lied again. 

"Sayang naman. Mukhang crush ka pa naman niya."

My eyes widened, and I glanced at him for a second. "Really?!" 

"Hmm, asa!" He pointed at my face and laughed. "Feeling." 

I frowned and rolled my eyes again. Ugh... I thought he was seeing things. I could only dream. 

She saved my contact as 'Boyfriend ♡', which made me think long and hard about what to name her in mine. "This will do..."

'Girlfriend-ish' 

We had a chance to spend more time together when summer training started. I wasn't hoping for anything more. Just being able to be close to her and talk to her was enough. She was caring... almost sweet, even. But she was like that to everyone, so that shouldn't have any meaning to me. 

I just loved seeing her smile. That was enough. 

But...

"Nakakainis... Nakakainis!" 

I stood there, holding an umbrella, watching her cry by the beach after a phone call. My chest tightened—I could barely breathe. The sight of her breaking down, hitting herself with her fists, tore at me. I couldn't let her hurt herself any more. Without a second thought, I walked toward her and gently shielded her from the rain with the umbrella. Okay lang na ako ang mabasa. 

When she saw me, her expression immediately changed, wiping her tears and acting normal. "Kanina ka pa?" 

I stayed silent and bent down to take her hand. Her nails were digging into her palm, leaving red marks. Gently, I tried to open her hand and caressed it softly. "Don't hurt yourself..." 

Her pain feels like my own.

"Oh, bakit basang-basa ka?!" gulat na tanong ni Ira at King pag-uwi ko sa apartment. I didn't answer and just went straight to the bathroom. I took a hot shower, but I still felt cold afterward. I wrapped myself in a blanket, letting out a sneeze. 

"Nilalagnat ka, tol," sabi ni King nang ilagay ang kamay niya sa noo ko. "Bakit ka kasi nagpaulan?! May payong ka naman!" 

I hope Alia won't get sick from the rain.

"Paano ka magte-train bukas niyan?!"

Alia's not crying anymore, right? I really hope she's okay.

"Uminom ka na ng gamot, huy! Kailangan mong gumaling kaagad! May training pa tayo!" 

I wonder what she's doing right now. I hope she's not feeling cold. 

I still woke up early to join the players for a jog. I felt better with the medecine last night, pero noong dumating na ang hapon, bumigat ulit ang katawan ko. I felt so weak and my body was burning up, so Coach told me to get some rest. Bumalik ako sa apartment at natulog na lang ulit. 

Alia went there to give me some food and medicine. Having her close to me made me want to depend on her just once. Sinandal ko ang noo ko sa balikat niya. I felt weak. 

I was always the one who stayed composed... the one who stayed strong when things went wrong at home. I was the problem solver... the one everyone relied on. Everything seemed to rest on my shoulders.

But feeling Alia's touch and hearing her soft voice made me want to let go. For once, I wanted to allow myself to be vulnerable. 

"Can you... stay with me?" 

"H-huh?"

"Take care of me... Please?"

I like you, Alia.

I like you so much... that I even want to show you my vulnerable state. 

I don't know what I'll do with these feelings. I don't know how to let this out. 

But I like you a lot. 

And sometimes... I feel like you like me, too.

"Alia..." I held her wrist. "Do you... like someone right now?"

She looked at me and smiled. "Wala... Wala naman akong nagugustuhan. Wala pa akong... nakikita."

"Oh..." Dahan-dahan ko siyang binitawan. "That's... nice to hear."

But no. I was just a fool. 

I thought I would be okay with that. 

"Are you fucking crying?" Lyonelle furrowed his brows as he looked at me through the video call.

I sighed heavily and shook my head. "I don't think I have a chance, Lai."

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:)