"It's been two weeks, Vi," Monique said in her most frustrated voice. "You still sure that you wanna keep her?"
Nilingon lang siya ni Via. Ano pa ba ang pwede niyang isagot? Samantha has been a pain in the neck from the very beginning. They have been here for two weeks already. So far, everything works fine except for Samantha. Nadedelay pa din ito madalas sa rehearsals. Knowing that she has the most part on the script. The producers themselves are bombarding her already and her whole team. But she kept on trusting her. She sticks to the thought that criticism, whether good or bad, will be beneficial for this project.
"Did you call her na ba?" she asked.
"Kahapon pa." Monique said
"Did you get a reply?"
"Her agent said she's supposed to be here 7am. 11am na!'
Via shrugged her shoulders. "Typical Samantha. Fashionably late," nakangiting sabi ni Via.
"Fashionably, my ass!" iritable pa ding turan ni Monique. Bahagyang natawa si Via. Napailing-iling na lang siya sa frustration ng kaibigan. Nilapitan na lang niya si Monique, inakbayan tsaka pinisil pisil sa balikat.
"Calm down, my sweet. Dadami lang wrinkles natin if you insist on looking into her as a problem. With the way, she is acting and the way you respond to it, somehow I still believe things will work out fine."
Monique's eyes roll. Sabay silang napalingon when Matt entered Via's office. Monique's face somehow lightened. Matt smiled at both of them.
"Can I come in?" pacute na turan nito as he peeped his head on the door.
"All the pleasure, prince charming," sagot ni Monique. Matt stepped in.
"Can I help you?" tanong naman ni Via.
"I was just wondering if we can call it a day?"
"Why?" si Monique na ang nagtanong as Via's brows curved.
"I mean I don't want to run away but I do have an important meeting at lunch, if it's ok?"
"Meeting or date?" biro ni Monique. malapad na ngiti lang ang turan ni Matt. "Just kidding, pero it's up to our boss if she allows it." Monique said na humakbang palapit sa pinto. She stop at the door.
Via folded her arms and with a straight face, looked up to Matt. "How important is that?"
Matt shrugged his shoulders off, "Probably a billions worth of stocks to lose if I don't show up."
Monique's jaw dropped. "Vi, payagan mo na. baka pabayaran pa satin."
Via smiled widely then gave a deep sigh. "Ok fine. Since wala din naman si damsel in distress. You can go. And, tell everyone to pack up, rehearsals are over for today. But be here early tomorrow, ok?" ani Via na nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin between Matt and Monique.
As Monique was about to walk out, may pinahabol pa si Matt that made her stop. "Eh ikaw?" anito na kay Via nakaharap. "Don't tell me magsasara ka na naman ng building?"
It has been as always, Via was the last one to leave the building. And all through those days, sinasamahan niya ito.He just felt obliged to do it for Via.
"I'm ok. I can go home late," she replied.
Matt glanced at his wrist watch. "My meeting will just be for an hour. Balikan na lang kita," he declared.
Tumatango si Via. It seemed that nasanay na rin siya with this simple gesture from Matt. Nang sabay silang napalingon kay Monique, they both saw her with a sarcastic teasing expression.
"If I didn't know you better, I would think na boyfriend mo 'to," turan ni Monique sa kaibigan. "Nawiwili ka sa pahatid-hatid ha?" sarkastikong turan nito kay Via. Saka humarap kay Matt. "Mr. Aragon, let me remind you, hindi yan anghel, demonyita yan. Baka mag-expect ka."
Ngiti lang sinagot ni Matt.
"Malisyosa ka. Wag mo batiin. Baka manawa," sakay naman ni Via kay Monique.
Mapanuksong tingin pa ang pinahabol ni Monique sa dalawa bago tuluyang lumabas ng office. Matt just shrug off his shoulders saka sumunod na kay Monique.
True to his words, Matt came back around 1pm. Palabas na si Via nang opisina niya when she received a text from Matt.
'Heading back. Have you eaten lunch?'
Napangiti si Via. Matt sounded like a caring boyfriend. But she wanted to remain platonic as possible. But she considered him as a close friend.
'Nope. Going out of the building. I'll grab lunch.' she replied with smiley emojis.
She walks towards the elevator and punched the down button. She waited for it to open. When the elevator door opens, napangiti siya. Matt was standing on it. Nakapamulsa at nakasandal sa pader. He seemed looked tired but he smiled when he saw her.
"Talk about consistency," turan ni Via. "Aguimatt, you really don't have to do this."
"Do what?" kahit obvious ang pagod, Matt smiled genuinely.
Bumuntong hininga si Via. What more can she argue? Ayaw niya mabahiran ng malisya ang treatment sa kaniya ni Matt. That's why she does not say anything. She just go with the flow. It's obvious that Matt is extra caring towards her. Although, wala itong sinasabi, she could feel there's something going on or Matt has a definite reason. But then, she doesn't want to jump into conclusion just yet. Syempre, mas gusto niyang Matt should've been honest to her muna.
"Ok fine. Gusto mo ba mag rehearsals mag-isa? Mauuna na ko," aniya.
Natawa si Matt. "Alam mo ba kung gano kalayo ang dinrive ko just to get here in time? Tapos may rehearsals pa din?"
"Gusto mo yan eh. I told you, you don' t need to do this," paninisi ni Via na pabiro.
"You know I kept promises," simpleng sagot ni Matt although wala naman itong prinomise sa kaniya kanina.
Via just rolled her eyes. Hindi na niya babasagin pa ang trip ni Aguimatt.
"Treat me to lunch then, magsamgyup tayo. Kagabi pa ko di kumakain ng matino. Puro snacking."
"Samgyup? Puro grease lang naman yun eh. Ang hirap pa kainin. Lulutuin pa," reklamo ni Matt.
"Ang arte nito. I'm craving for it. I'll grill," ako ni Via.
"Walang malapit na Samgyup dito," patuloy na apila ni Matt. Pumasok na sa elevator si Via.
"Maiwan ka diyan kung ayaw mo," ani Via na pinundot ang close button. Mabilis na pumasok ng elevator si Matt.
"You drive," pahabol na sabi ni Matt as the elevator door closes.
They end up driving sa isang mall beside sa Seaside. They eat dinner sa isang Samgyup resto and Via did all the grilling. They'd gotten close to each other sa araw-araw nilang pagkikita at pagsasama. Panay ang kain ni Matt habang tuloy-tuloy naman ang grill ni Via.
"Mmmm... that's better. Not burnt," turan ni Matt when he chewed one meat.
"Napaka-arte!" apila din ni Via. Matt laughed.
"You know, my friends and I didn't really like the concept of Samgyups. Masyadong matrabaho. If your that hungry, kakainin na ng tiyan mo na parang isaw ang bituka mo before you could properly eat."
"So don't come here na gutom na gutom, " she said.
"Sayang ang unli kung busog kang pupunta dito."
Napahalakhak si Via. Matt got a point. The light conversation continues. Paminsan-minsan na nag-aasaran. Their table was loud kahit dalawa lang sila. Via keeps laughing at Matt's jokes. They really got this strong bond for each other.
After 2hours and a tummy full, napagdesisyunan nilang maglalakad-lakad sa bay area,. Magpatunaw ng kinain before heading home. Nagpatuloy ang kwentuhan. Mostly at work and at times, personal stories.
Matt somehow learned Via's childhood. How she grew up in the orphanage and how were she able to achieve her prestigious career now. And Via learned further how the Warrior Five became friends. And their adventures. As well as pano nameet ng mga leading man ang leading ladies ng Warrior Five.
"That's so romantic!" bulalas niya when Matt told her of how Alli and JV got each other.
"It's embarrassing!" apila ni Matt. "and disrespectful. We have to disrupt the solemnity of the mass plus andaming tao dun, infact buong Barrio ata ang bisita nila and all others na katabi.
Natawa si Via. "If you look at that way, yeah that's embarrassing. But if JV didn't do anything, you think Alli will be happy or JV? What about the Alli's best friend? How did he react?"
"As if he had a choice. Besides, yun naman siguro ang role ng mga best friend di ba to give what could make your friend happy," simpleng sagot ni Matt.
"Yeah, somehow," kibit balikat ni Via. "But in Nicolas case, I can say, dakila siya. I mean letting Alli go could definitely make her happy pero pano si Nicolas, is he happy for doing that?"
Natigilan si Matt. What Via just said made an impact to him. At this point, he could categorize his role as Via's best male friend. Pero pano if he will admit his feelings for her and she won't reciprocate, can he let her go if it makes her happy? What will he do then?
"Ang hirap naman ng pa-quiz mo. Nicolas could definitely understand, I believe. Siguro mas mahal talaga ni Nicolas si Alli that he's willing to sacrifice his happiness for Alli's sake."
"Huh, it's just so amazing how humanity works," ani Via saka humarap kay Matt. "Eh ikaw, are you willing to sacrifice your happiness for the sake of love?"
Napatingin ng tuwid si Matt kay Via. It was deep. And he was caught off guard but he preferred to answer the challenge and face the reality.
"At this point, not yet," sagot niya. Tuwid. Exact. Honestly.
Via would like to ask why further but she got tounge tied. Tila alam niya ang gustong tukuyin ni Matt. But she was too scared to admit that. Marami pang di alam si Matt sa kaniya. But then, she accepts his friendship. But then she calm herself and faced Matt. For now, what she could admit is his friendship.
"Thank you for that straightforward answer. You know what, I think I really like you for a friend. I like how you platonicly treat me."
"Platonicly? Why? How do other men treat you?"
"Well, kung di suitor, senior ang treatment sakin. It's really showbiz-y and I don't like it. But you, I can feel it's genuine."
"So am I know a friend? Level up na ba?"
"Mga 3Lives up," sagot ni Via.
Napatingin si Matt sa mga nagtitinda ng accessories sa gilid ng bay. He pulled Via there.
"I think we need to seal it. Let's buy a friendship bracelet or something."
"What?" natatawang turan ni Via.
Matt looked over to the selections of trinkets and accessories. He found 2 chain bells. He picked it up and gived it a shake. It created a tiny little sound.
"We'll take this," ani Matt.
"A bell? What does it stand for?"
"It stand for, whenever we need each other or if you find yourself alone, just ring a bell and I'll be there for you."
Via was so touched. She couldn't hide her admiration. Just then, biglang nagkalat ang fireworks sa langit. Napatingin sila ni Matt. Mabilis siyang hinila ni Matt sa gilid ng bay where they could clearly see the fireworks display.
"It's beautiful," ani Via looking over the skies with full of admiration.
"It actually looks like shooting stars so make a wish."
"It's just fireworks."
"Still the same, it'll just give you hope. I'm wishing on it, believing hard." sagot ni Matt as he stared at her with deep loving eyes.
Napalingon si Via, sinalubong ang tuwid na tingin ni Matt. This time, she really can't help it. Hindi na niya kayang ikaila pa. Matt have feelings for her. She couldn't respond. Nanatili lang nakatitig sa isa't isa.
Matt's stare was full of admiration. Tila hindi na ito nag-alangang ipaalam sa kaniya. Tila nagsisiwalat na ito ng totoong nararamdaman.
Via remained still but her brain is wacking over. Tila may matinding deliberasyon ang emotions niya. She seemed like the idea that Matt liked her but somethings bothering her. And it may hurt Matt which she refuse to do for Matt. But instead of rejecting him, she stayed put.
Matt made his move. Dahan-dahang gumalaw ang ulo nito to reach down at her. It seemed he's stipulating to kiss her but Matt was hesitating. Umangat ang kamay nito upang sapuhin ang ulo niya but he stop for a moment. Tila tinatantiya kung pipigilan niya. She did not move. Infact, she anticipated it. Matt eyes moved in between her eyes and her lips. Magkalapit sila and she can smells Matt's minty breath. But it is taking awhile for Matt to lock his lips towards her.
She couldn't wait any longer. Without hesitations, she first reached him. She lifted her feet on a tiptoe para maabot ang labi ni Matt. Their lips locked and sealed! Kasabay ng makulay na fireworks na bumabalot sa kadiliman ng gabi, Via's feeling was exposed. And Matt's intentions were revealed. It took awhile before they let go of each others lips. Matt remained looking at her. Tila naman nahiya siya.
"I-I'm s-sorry," turan ni Via without knowing what she's sorry for.
"For what?" ani Matt with a confuse look.
Napailing siya. "Honestly, I don't know," She just felt she needs to say sorry.
"I think I am the one sorry for," ani Matt in a platonic smile. Bumalik ito sa simpleng platonic friend aura. "Sorry for not hesitating. I didn't mean to rush you. But I think you understand now, that I like you not just a friend."
Hindi siya nakasagot.
"But, you don't need to answer now. Just don't let me stop. Let me be for a moment. If you can't reciprocate my feelings, just let it be. Don' t tell me to stop. I'll get over it on my own."
She let out an amusing smile. "Ok. I get that. Thanks for not pressuring me. That's a plus point."
Bumuntong hininga siya. Trying to let out the awkwardness between them.
"Can I just say, that was the sweetest kiss I got in years!" she blurted out. Matt laughed hard.
They end up joking about it. After all, they became closer than ever.