Xavi's POV

"Putangina naman Xaviana! Magseryoso ka kasi!" Addi started whining on her place as I just look at my phone smiling.

We are playing at Jake's terrace right now. Well mostly them. Pero nakikisali pa rin ako. It's just.. I'm still not done talking with Bright. Nagbago daw kasi isip ni Layca na makipag laro.

So me being me, we continue to talk. And every message he sent me just send butterflies in my stomach.

Sino ba naman kasi ang hindi kililigin sa putangina na English conversation. 'Yung feeling na mas parang sweet? Kahit hindi naman talaga about love ang pinag-usapan. I don't know, his
word shortcuts and abbreviations. 'Yung mga cute emojis niya.

And 'yung mga paalam niya. Just think of it, Layca cancelled their game. Then he told me that! Parang he informed me na he's free to talk again! Wala pang gumagawa sa akin nun!

Well Jake sometimes, he would ask me to play with him but I decline it. Mobile games aren't my thing.

But bright! He even told me he'll just get water then few moments later he informed me that he's done! This man is really getting in my heart.

"May hawak na cellphone hindi na tatangkad." I immediately let go of my phone and put it on the table in front of me.

Tera and Addi burst into laughter. I pout and rolled my eyes.

"Gaga! 18 kana! Wala ka ng growth hormones! Asa ka pa!" Addi said while clutching her stomach. I rolled my eyes once again before picking up my phone.

When we are playing a while ago a video call happened in that group chat. So me hoping I'll see his face in that call but I got disappointed. Their cameras were off and only mine is open. Sam is there so I showed them Tera and Addi which made Sam happy.

But suddenly Bright leave the call. My brows furrowed, what the fuck?

To Bright Cendrix:
You left the call

He immediately seen it. Ito na talaga, siya na talaga. Ang bilis mag seen at mag reply. Ipagpatuloy mo!

From Bright Cendrix:
Yeah I did

Napasimangot ako. Gusto ko pa siya makausap.

"Time out muna ako. Kayo muna." I said before going at the side.

"Ay.. sige na nga, hayaan niyo na si Xavi, busy." I heard Ken said. I just chuckled before leaning over the table.

I pursed my lips and think of another topic. I don't want this conversation to end so I need to be clever. Then I remember he was talking how annoying he is again kanina sa call, so I decided to bring that up.

To Bright Cendrix:
Oh btw if you think you're annoying...me too

From Bright Cendrix:
How?

I pursed my lips and take a deep breath. How? Paano nga ba Xavi? Paano mo nasabi?

To Bright Cendrix:
Uhmmm
I'll greet your Goodmorning,and goodnight I guess?

From Bright Cendrix:
That's sweet of you

Hindi ko mapigilan ang ngumiti. Sweet? Kilig ka? Ano ba naman kasi Bright, free ako? Kahit may commitment issues ako, game ako sayo. Game kana ba?

To Bright Cendrix:
But I think that's annoying

Parang nakakahiya naman kasi kung babatiin mo 'yung tao ng good morning at goodnight diba? Hindi ba baka maistorbo mo sila? Or baka mainis sila sayo?

From Bright Cendrix:
It's cute :>

Yieee cute? Cute ako Oo, cute ka rin. Pero mas cute kung tayo.

To Bright Cendrix:
Okay, I'll do that hehe.

From Bright Cendrix:
:>

To Bright Cendrix:
But I think that inappropriate.

From Bright Cendrix:
That's sweet of you-

Bright Cendrix replied to you message:
How?

Ito nanaman tayo sa how niya. Pero ang inappropriate diba? Babatiin mo siya ng good morning at goodnight? Bakit mag jowa ba kami? Kami ba? Hindi naman, but I want to do that. Para lagi niyang ma-realized na I'm here for him.

To Bright Cendrix:
I dunno
I think you can't just greet someone good morning and good nights

To Bright Cendrix:
Friends do that ._.

To Bright Cendrix:
But it feels wrong.

From Bright Cendrix:
Why so?

To Bright Cendrix:
Cause.. uhm
Never mind
Okay friends do that.
So be prepared.

Humanda ka talaga. Matitikman ko kung paano mag mahal ang isang Xaviana Alvarez.

From Bright Cendrix:
Hehehe
I already am.

Good! Tama 'yan! Ihanda mo talaga ang sarili mo. Dahil kung hindi, baka magulat ka nalang sa bawat umaga na may Xaviana Feliz sa tuktok ng messages mo.

To Bright Cendrix:
I wake up at 4am but I'll message you around 5-6am.

From Bright Cendrix:
Oh, I wake up around 7am.

To Bright Cendrix:
Oh great, my friends used to wake up around 10am during weekends.

From Bright Cendrix:
Oh wtf?
They sleep to much, do they?

To Bright Cendrix:
Hahhaha yeah
That's not healthy.

From Bright Cendrix:
Oh wow

To Bright Cendrix:
Then they would sleep at 4-5am.
That's my wake up time!

It's Tera who usually do that. She can stay up until 3 am to 4:30am. Then wake up at lunch. I don't even know how to stay up late. I mean sa dorm minsan. But strict sa dorm na hindi kami pwede mag puyat. That's why kahit sa bahay ay hindi ko magawa-gawang magpuyat ng sobra. Maliban lang kung may schoolworks, because once I start a project. Hindi ko titigilan hangga't hindi tapos.

From Bright Cendrix:
Wait what? Why?

Hindi ko rin alam Bright. But I know that Tera likes using her phone and staying up late. She dance sometimes too late at night. So that's probably be it.

To Bright Cendrix:
They're... I dunno.

From Bright Cendrix:
Oh wow.

Napatawa ako ng bahagya. Kahit siguro siya ay naguguluhan. I can't really ask Tera like 'bakit ka kasi nagpupuyat?' cause that would be weird. Kaya hindi ko alam kung ano isasagot ko.

To Bright Cendrix:
Hahaha
I can't do that.
But one time, 24 hours, no sleep.

From Bright Cendrix:
I can

Bright Cendrix replied to your message:
Did that as well.
Twice

Sana all kinakaya mag puyat. Cause I remember after that day halos bagsak ang katawan ko. I even thought na magkakasakit ako.

To Bright Cendrix:
It was when my uncles's wake.

From Bright Cendrix:
Wake?

Mali ba? Wake ba tawag dun? Burol? Mali ata.

To Bright Cendrix:
Burol
Lamay

I'm not sure if he can get it so I put those two.

From Bright Cendrix:
Ohh
Oh
Oh...
I feel ya, Xavi.

Napakunot ang noo ko. How does he know that? I mean you can guess it, but I feel something different. Martha from the group chat called me Xaviana at first. Maybe he just made that nickname in his head and didn't know it's really my nickname.

To Bright Cendrix:
Why?
Oh and btw
Who told you Xavi?

From Bright Cendrix:
Oh I kept hearing em from Sam
And the call
When you join.

To Bright Cendrix:
Oh okay.

I thought it's the end of our conversation already. The word okay is already there and I'm traumatized by it. Lahat ng nakakachat ko tinatapos ang convo sa 'okay'.

But Bright is different.

From Bright Cendrix:
So what cha doing rn?

Kausap ka, 'yun lang naman. I glance up to look at my friend. They're having fun. Jake would climb up to the railing of the terrace to hide from Ken who have a blindfold on.

I sigh.

To Bright Cendrix:
Playing with my friends.

From Bright Cendrix:
Ohhh
Go ahead.

Napasimangot ako. 'Wag ko naman ako ipagtabuyan. Minsan na nga lang magkaroon ng kausap na matino.

To Bright Cendrix:
Nah it's fine

From Bright Cendrix:
No no
I don't want to interfere.

I smiled before looking at them. I saw that's it's Jake who's IT at the moment. He's the one walking around with a blindfold. I chuckled and started recording him. We were laughing while watch him walk around. Then I send it to Bright.

From Bright Cendrix:
Just go play with them.
Besides, they know your more than I do. So go ahead. I'll be waiting.

Isang ngiti ang kumawala sa labi ko. I've been in this situation in many times. They said they'll be waiting but nope. They didn't, I hope Bright is the one already.

To Bright Cendrix:
It's fine, as time passes by we will get to know more about each other.

From Bright Cendrix:
Don't worry, focus more on your friends, I can wait.

He sent me a tiktok video, but sadly I can't watch it now. Jake's Internet connect is poor at the moment.

To Bright Cendrix:
I'll watch that later.

I put down my phone and take a deep breath.

"Pasali ulit." I said and they all stopped on their tracks.

"Tapos kana ulit makipag landian?" Tera ask and I chuckle.

I nod. "Yes.. now pasali." We started playing the same game. It's mostly Ken and Addi who gets caught. While I got caught twice already. Medyo mabagal kasi ako sa takbuhan. And because of my body size and weight, nahihirapan ako umakyat sa mga bagay-bagay.

Few minutes later and it's Jake's turn again. I grab my phone and look if Bright have some messages. But none. It's made me upset for some reason.

To Bright Cendrix:
Hey.. it's been 30 minutes I guess. And we've been playing.  How are you?

I am just sitting on the floor where my hiding spot is. I'm also being aware about my surroundings. Cause being the IT is hard. Specially we are blindfolded.

From Bright Cendrix:
I'm fine, you should just play with your friends first.

After I read his message I immediately look up to see where Jake is going. Turns out he's about to get Addi. When Addi suddenly screamed.

"Si Xavi nasa may sliding door! Huliin mo at nag ce-cellphone nanaman!" My eyes widened. They started laughing when Jake turn at my side.

To Bright Cendrix:
Frick!

He immediately responded.

From Bright Cendrix:
What? What happened?!

I can tell he's worried. But I can't move right now. We can't move to places. So I got caught.

"Kainis ka Addi!" I said while putting down my phone. I pout as Jake handed me the red hanker chief we use as blindfold.

"Aba! Kasalanan mo, cellphone pa kasi Xavi. Maglaro muna tayo. May pasok nanaman sa lunes e." She said and I just chuckled. I was about to put on the blindfold when I realized I can't do it alone.

Before I could even say anything someone already grab the hanker chief form my hand.

"Ako na.." Jake said before moving at my back. I just stand there still as he put blindfold on me.

When I hear Tera fake cough. "Ehem BDSM." Even I'm already blindfolded my eyes still widened. I started slapping and attacking the air, trying to find kung nasaan sila.

They started laughing as I move and shove nothing that I touch.

"Xavi 'wag malikot!" I hear Jake said, I even hear his tongue flicked but I didn't bother and just try to find them just by their sound.

"Xavi ano-

"Ayan! Kalandian niyong dalawa."

Me and Jake almost fall on the ground. Kung hindi lang niya ako nahawakan sa likod at agad naitukod ang tuhod ay baka nabagok na ang ulo ko sa sahig.

Tumalasik ang panyo sa sahig dahilan na makita ko ang mukha ni Jake na malapitan.

"Gago ka talaga Ken." He said before looking at me. That's when our eyes met.

Kailan pa naging gwapo si Jake ng ganito?

"Xavi 'wag ka titig." My head snap at Tera's direction. I immediately stand up  and pull myself away from Jake.

Natahimik kami, awkward atmosphere take over the place. Ang weird naman kasi kanina. Masyado kami naging close ni Jake.

Buti nga nakayanan pa niya ako. Sa bigat kong 'to.

"Ay naku! Ako na nga!" Tera said before picking up the hanker chief in the ground. She put the blindfold on me and we started playing again.

I got Ken this time. After minutes of trying to catch one finally I caught him.

"Mamaya nalang muna ulit ako." I said panting a little.

I went on the table where our phones at. I checked other messages if someone messaged me. And Facebook and other socials too. All in all I took a break from playing.

When suddenly..

"Shuta!"

I covered my mouth using my other hand as I saw Bright sent a voice message.

Shit! Maririnig ko na ang boses niya! Ano kaya 'to? I mean, maganda kaya ang boses niya? Manly? Sexy? Or katulad ng kay Ken na medyo matinis.

Hays! Hayaan mo na nga Xavi, just listen to it.

I took a deep breath before lowering down my volume and bring closer the speaker of my phone closer to my ears.

Then I press it.

[Hello]

Napaluhod ako bigla sa sahig. I'm not being OA or even exaggerating here. But hearing his voice is such a.. uh kilig? Not really a turn on but his voice is so good!

I pursed my lips and shut my eyes.

Shuta.

Can you fall in love to a person just by their voice? Cause if yes, I am an example.

"Xavi why are you kneeling down?" My head snap up as I heard Jake's voice. I pout and stand up before once again pressing play of the voice message.

[Hello]

I shut my eyes and took a deep breath.

"Takte." I mumbled.

"Bakit? Anong nangyari?" Tera ask before slowly walking towards me, Addison trailing from behind.

"Nag send siya ng voice message." I said Tera stoped walking, looking at me with wide eyes.

"Gaga parinig!" She squeal before running towards me. She grab my phone out of my hands before moving it closer to her ear.

[Hello]

It once again played. Tera suddenly made a disgusted face.

"Eh.. kinilig ka na jan?" She ask, then Addison came.

"Pakinig ako." She said and snatch my phone out of Tera's hand.

[Hello]

I take a deep breath as his voice linger in my ear. Ano ba 'yan? Bright naman eh! Bakit ganiyan ang boses mo?!

"Sus! Kilig na kilig si Xavi, tumigil ka at makisali kana ulit." She said before putting my phone down.

I look down and try to stop myself from smiling.

Bakit ganun 'Yung boses niya?! It's a little husky na soft. Just like Jake's but Jake's voice is a little more manly. While Bright's kinda soft but hoarse.

From Bright Cendrix:
Now your turn.

My eyes widened and I started panicking. Shit, shit, my voice is fucking deep. I mean for a girl, many people tell me my voice sounds like a guy's voice. How the fuck should I do this?! What if he gets turn off?!

I stopped myself from panicking and take a deep breath.

I move towards the sliding door and hide there.

"Kaya mo 'yan Xavi. Control your fucking voice." I said before pressing the recording microphone.

"Hello." I cutely said. Then I hit send. Malagong boses ko, yes. I know that, but I can also control it and make it's thinner and cute sometimes. But if I do that all the time I probably have a broken voice by now.

I look at my phone and he seen it.

From Brighy Cendrix:
Wow, that's cute.

Napatawa ako bigla. Then my evilness kicked in. I'm going to send him my real voice. So I once again recorded and sent it to him. And is not my real voice.

From Bright Cendrix:
Oh really now, huh?

Napahagalpak ako ng tawa. I know for someone I just met hindi sila maniniwala na boses ko 'yon. So I once again sent one.

"That's my voice, that's my voice.. that- legit." I said to my mic and send it to him.

From Bright Cendrix:
Nope, I don't believe you. Send a video proof.

I started laughing that caught their attention.

"Nababaliw kana Xavi. You have to stop." Addi said and I shake my head.

I open my camera and started recording. But as I was about to put myself in the frame Addi started talking.

"Dali na Xavi! Maglaro na tayo." She said.

"Okay wait just a sec." I said before hitting send. The video caught some parts of my head  and also my voice can be heard in the audio.

From Bright Cendrix:
Dammit
Okay.. I believe you.

To Bright Cendrix:
Yey! Now we go play na.

From Bright Cendrix:
Okay.. enjoy.

And I did enjoy the remaining afternoon. We continue to play the same game for another hour before I went home. And when I reach home I started doing some stuff such as dancing or my exercise routine too.

I dance cause it's my hobby and also to loose weight. After I finished I take a rest before getting into shower and put on my pajama and shirt. After that I talked with my friends.

When 6:30pm came I decided to head down and eat something for my dinner.

"Ay gagi 'yung ice coffee."  I was supposed to make another coffee when I remember I made one before I go to Jake's house. So I bring it to the dining table and also a bag of bread and spread.

I'm using my phone as I much to the sandwich I made, when I remember Bright. I took a picture do what I'm eating and send it to him.

To Bright Cendrix:
Eating dinner already.
The coffee taste great tho.

But I didn't receive any reply after that. I was upset but I just brush it off. Few hours passed and bed time came. I am still waiting for his reply. I already watched the tiktok video he sent me this afternoon and that made me smile.

I spent another hour on using my phone, scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed before the clock strikes 8pm.

To Bright Cendrix:
I hope you go online before I could even go to sleep.

I am really feeling upset right now. And bilis naman niya mang-ghost. Grabe.. ilang oras lang kami nag-usap.

I snapped back to reality nang tumunog ang phone ko.

From Bright Cendrix:
Oh wow, sorry I was charging. But I have to do something tonight.

I pout after I read his message. I know where this is going. Sanay na ako, sanay na ang mga marurupok sa ganito.

From Bright Cendrix:
But promise babawi ako bukas.

My eyes widened and I sat on my bed. Babawi? Hindi na rin sa'kin bago 'yan. 'Yung huli sa akin nagsabi na babawi siya, ayun, three months nang wala akong balita.

From Bright Cendrix:
Love you❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Natulala ako bigla. Napakurap kurap ang mga pilik mata ko habang ngumunguya ng tinapay.

Did he just.. sent me an 'I Love You'?

Shuta.

Hindi na ako tatandang dalaga! Napsingap ako bago huminga ng malalim. Ang dami na nagsabi sa akin nito pero iba ang tama ng sa kaniya. May something eh! Parang, it's  really giving me those butterflies inside my stomach.

My phone beeped and I look at it again.

From Bright Cendrix:
I say that to all of my friends. Bye!

Friends pa nga.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•3•