Chapter 3

This date will turn into a nightmare, ngayong mulat na mulat pa ako at paniguradong pagdating ng lunes sa school ay mapupuno na naman ako ng pang-aasar. And I'm not ready for it.

"So are you having fun?" Tanong ni Noah sa akin.

Pasimple lang akong humihiwa sa steak kong isang libong dolyar ang halaga pero sa loob-loob ko ay gutom na gutom na ako. Kumakalam na ang sikmura ko pero kailangan kong magpakababae sa harap ng gwapong nilalang na ito. Ngayon lang ako naging babae sa pagtrato ng isang lalaki.

"I'm really having fun," hagikgik ko pang sagot sa kanya.

May tinuro naman siya sa mukha ko kaya napakunot-noo siya. Hindi ko naman sigurado kung anong tinuturo niya. Pulang-pula na ba ang mukha ko sa kahihiyaan? Nagkaroon na siguro ng natural ang blush ang pisngi at sana, hindi niya ako pinagtatawanan!

"What?" taka kong tanong sa kanya.

"You have something on your chin," he uttered and before I could wipe it on my own, kinuha niya ang sarili niyang napkin at ipinunas iyon sa aking baba. Marahan niya lang iyong ginawa at halos walang bigat ng kamay niya ang naramdaman ko. Tila dumampi lang ang ate at boom, super linis na akala mo'y winax ang aking baba. "That's better now and I'm happy that you're having fun. That's what I wanted to hear from you."

"I wanted to tell you something." I said, then I put down the knife and fork.

He nod his head, "Yeah, what is it? Do you want another gellato? I can another one for you, what flavor do you want next?"

Umiling naman ako sa sinabi niya. I've been eating too many gellato now. "No, that's not it, three gellato's were already enough. I just honestly wanted to say this..."

"And that is?" he said, searching for my eyes.

"I didn't really joined your contest, it was my best friend who put me up on it and then I didn't expect that you will choose. Nahihiya tuloy ako sa kanya kasi it was just out of fun, siya 'yong may gusto sa 'yo pero ako pa 'yong naka-date mo."

"You're not actually saying you regret going on a date with me, right?" Noah asked and I shook my head. "And you shouldn't feel bad about it. Maybe destiny brought us together and if your best friend didn't put you up to it, we wouldn't be seeing each other right now. What's your best friend's name?"

"Oh, her name's Gwen and she's been simping you a lot."

Noah chuckles, "So tell her, I wanted to meet her too. Not a date but a friendly meeting."

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi niya, "She will love it!"

"Just don't tell her yet, I'll give you notice soon, okay?"

Tumango naman ako sa kanya, "Sure, that'll be fantastic!"

"Yeah, sure it is. But I'm also happy that I chose you. So you're not the one who messaged me?" Umiling ako sa tanong niya.

"No, she done it all for me." Sagot ko.

"Well, maybe your best friend is also your fairy godmother! She made this happen and don't get me wrong, I like people who don't like me. There's a challenge in it. Wait, do you like me or not? Because I might assume you have." Ngisi pa nito.

Ang tagal kong sumagot sa tanong niya. Ilang minuto pa akong nag-isip nang maisasagot pero nag-gesture na lamang ako at pinakita ko ang daliri ko kung saan pinadaop ko ang hinlalaki at hintuturo na may isang inch na pagitan sa isa't isa..

"Well, that's not bad. I can change your mind anytime," ngiti pa nito sa akin. Gosh, don't do that, Noah. Baka malaglag na naman ako sa kinauupuan ko! "So, how was your first date with me? Aside from getting nervous, what are you feeling right now?"

I timidly showed a smile, nahihiya lang talaga ako kapag ngumiti ako ng bongga. Sabihin pa nito, bet na bet ko siya. "Just like what I said, this was fun and I didn't really expect that this will be my first date and it is with you."

"Did I make it more special?" There's a hint of playful smiles in his face. Kainis, bakit ang gwapo mo ngumiti? You're killing me with your smile!

"Slight hehe," ngiwi ko pa at hawi ng tumakas na buhok at inipit sa likod ng tainga ko.

"Slight lang? Pssh." He chuckles. "Anyway, do you want anything to ask or want me to do? Just like what I've said, I will do everything what you ask. It is your special day today and so I'm making it more special."

"Hm..." Napaisip naman ako pero walang kumakatok sa isipan ko. Pahubarin ko ba siya para makita ko ang abs niya? No. I think hindi siya magandang idea, not at this place. Siguro somewhere pero not now, masyadong ata naman ako no'n? "Wala akong maisip eh. But I just want to ask something and this is not a material thing fyi."

Noah nodded, "shoot, what is it?"

"How do you handle your fans? I mean, you have a lot of fans around the world and just around this area, sobrang dami ang gustong makakita sa 'yo. And how do you handle those people who hated you?"

He shrugs off, "Meh, I don't really entertain those bashers. They only wanted attention and if they won't stop, I'll just do what I need to do. Sometimes they will attack you personally but you have to keep yourself not to think about it. Ikaw ang talo kung hahayaan mong saktan ka nila emotionally at mentally. And for those who loves me, I'm just doing what I want and they support everything I do. If people around you support what you do, kahit anong comments pa galing sa mga basher ang makukuha mo, mas nangingibabaw ang love and support from your fans because that's what matters."

Habang nagsasalita siya, nakatitig lang ako sa mukha niya. Para akong tanga na tatango-tango habang nakatitig sa labi niya. Wala naman akong intensyon na idikit ang labi ko ro'n. Meron lang talagang nag-uudyok sa akin gawin 'yon. But I have limitations and restrictions, hindi ako pa-fall. Books before boys, that should be on the top of everything!

"Hey, Tate, are you listening?" he chuckles.

Bigla akong bumalik sa wisyo ko. Gusto kong magtago. Mabilis naman akong tumango sa kanya.

"Yeah, I get it. I'm happy for what you have right now. People do really love what you're doing."

"Sure, I always try to show positivity to my supporters. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them though." He said and I smiled, kaloka, ngingiti na lang ba ako dahil hindi ko na magawang makipag-usap sa kanya. 

Saka nakakahiya, naubos ko 'yong golden steak na inorder niya sa akin nang wala pang labinlimang minuto. Sana hindi niya napansin 'yon, mas nakakahiya iyong nakaubos ako ng tatlong gellato.

"So, do you want to be somewhere else?" He asked.

Napakunot-noo ako sa tanong niya, "Teka, wait. Is this date isn't?"

Tumingin siya sa kanyang relos at umiling, "I mean, it is still early and we can go else where and that's if you want to."

At dahil sa kagustuhan kong sumama rin ng matagal kasama at mas marami akong maku-kwento kay Gwen. She would love to hear it all at for sure, she would've take my offer na siya na lang dapat ang nakipagkita kay Noah at hindi ako. But I think there's also a good reason kung bakit ako nandito ngayon and I'm very much welcome to find it about.

"Sure, I'll just get the check." Aniya, tinaas niya ang kanyang kamay para tawagin ang server.

Pagkalapit naman ng server ay nag-excuse ako kay Noah na pupunta lang ako sa powder room. Of course, magre-retouch lang ako. Hindi na nga bongga ang damit ko, mamaya kapag may bumulaga sa aming mga paparazzi's, makuhaan pang sobrang oily ng mukha ko. And there goes the bashing, ayoko lang madawit ang pangalan ko sa hindi magagandang bagay.

Pagkadiretsyo ko sa powder room, kinuha ko ang powder sa aking purse at naglagay ng liptint sa aking labi. I'm not that kind of person who really uses make-up, napilitan lang din ako dahil iyon ang advice ni Gwen sa akin kanina and it became helpful to me now. Ano kayang tingin niya sa akin? Am I cute? Or pinapakisamahan niya lang ako dahil kailangan niyang i-fulfill ang ginawa niyang contest? Should I really hope for something or this is just some fangirl's dream.

Natapos naman ako sa pagre-retouch ko at papalabas na ako ng powder room ng may nakasabay pa ako sa pinto at pinauna ko muna siyang pumasok sa loob. Tuluyan na sana akong lalabas ng tawagin niya ang atensyon ko.

"Hey, you're the one with that online star, right?" tanong ng blonde girl sa akin, she's very sophisticated wearing that gold sequins dress.

"Uh, do you mean, Noah Beckon?" I wondered and she nodded, "Yes, I'm with him."

"Oh, okay... I really didn't expect to see him with..." and then she look at me from head to toe. And I can read from her face that she's checking me and with half-disgust in her face was present. "Anyway, thanks!" she smiled, bitterly.

Napayuko akong lumabas ng powder room at bumalik sa aming table. Nakita ko namang hinihintay na lamang ako ni Noah at lumabas ang pilit na ngiti sa aking labi ng magtama ang mga mata namin.

"Shall we?" ani Noah at tumayo sa kanyang kinauupuan.

Tumango na lamang muli ako. He reaches for my hand. Nagdadalawang isip pa akong iabot ang kamay ko dahil sa sinabi ng babae kanina sa powder room pero bumigay pa rin naman ang loka at nakipagholding-hands ako palabas ng buidling.

But as soon as we walk out of the building, we didn't expect na maraming naghihintay na paparazzi sa amin. We forget to wear our shades kaya naman niyakap na ako ni Noah at tinakpan mula sa mga intrigerang paparazzi. Napabilis ang aming paglalakad papunta sa sasakyan ni Noah at hindi talaga nila kami tinantanan dahil kahit nasa loob na kami ng sasakyan ay hindi pa rin tumigil ang pag-flash ng kanilang mga camera.

"We need to go now," ani Noah at kanyang ini-start ang engine ng sasakyan.

"Wait, Noah..." pagpigil ko sa kanya sabay hawak sa kanyang kamay. Simpleng landi lang. "I really had fun to this date and I really appreciate your kindness towards me. But I think I need to go home now. There's no reason, gusto ko lang umuwi na lang... would that be fine with you?"

With a little confusion in his face, pumayag pa rin naman siya sa suhestyon ko. "Sure, that'll be fine. It's nice getting to know you too, Tate and I really appreciate you for joining me tonight." He smiled.

We immediately drove away from the paparazzi, may ilang sinasabi si Noah tungkol sa mga paparazzi na hindi pumapasok sa utak ko. Tila lumalabas lang sa kabilang tainga dahil mas nangingibabaw pa rin ang sinabi no'ng babae kanina sa akin. I think I really should stay as a school nerd, mas bagay pa sa akin iyon kaysa makipag-date sa isang famous personality.

Hindi rin nagtagal ay nakarating na kami sa bahay ko.

"Thank you for picking me for this date, Noah." I smiled.

"Hey, is there anything going on?" Tanong naman nito sa akin at hindi 'ko sure kung paano niya nalamang may iniisip ako ngayon na bumabagabag sa akin. "You were so happy to go else where but then what made you change your mind?"

Napakibit-balikat naman ako sa kanya, "Nothing, I guess... naku, Noah. Hayaan mo na lang. Basta thank you for this date, you made it special anyway."

He chuckles, "Yeah, sure, that's what I want to hear from you. Thank you too." At dahan-dahan siyang lumapit sa akin. Napapikit naman ako ng mga mata ko at unti-unting umusli ang labi ko pero saglit lang din ay naramdaman ko ang pagyakap niya sa akin. Nanlaki ang mata ko sa ginawa at binalot na naman ako ng hiya. Sana hindi niya ako nakita sa gano'ng sitwasyon.

Binawi naman niya ang sarili niya sa pagkakayakap sa akin at dali-dali naman akong nagpaalam at bumaba ng mamahalin niyang sasakyan. Binaba naman ni Noah ang bintana ng sasakyan at may pahabol pa itong sinabi sa akin.

"We'll see each other soon, okay?"

And I don't know to response with that pero kusang tumango ang ulo ko. 

As he drove away, mabilis pa ako kay flash na pumasok sa loob ng bahay kasabay ng malakas na pagkabog ng dibdib ko.

This day gone crazy, paano na lang kaya kung kumalat pa ito? Lord, tulungan mo po ako!