You Me Maybe

Chapter 12 | Cafeteria

[LIAM]

As I pulled her body closer to mine. I felt an electrifying sensation I never felt before. The sweet scent of her innocent lips touching mines felt like drugs. Nakakaadik, nakakatakam. Pakiramdam ko ay tumahimik ang ingay sa buong mundo when my lips touched hers.

My heart started to race when Ryze started kissing me back. Tanging ang t***k ng puso ko at t***k ng puso niya ang naririnig ko. Gusto ko na lamang tumigil ang lahat at sana'y hindi matapos ang aming nasimulan.

My heart raced even faster, and faster like I was in a marathon running to win the first place. I didn't care about the rest or where we were. My mind was too occupied with how soft her lips were against mine.

Hanggang sa maramdaman ko ang pagkaroon ng nakakahumaling na lasa ang mga labi niya. When our lips slightly parted pakiramdam ko'y hindi sapat. Nang akala ko ay tapos na. Tapos na ang saglit na ligaya. Nagsimulang tumugon muli ang mga labi niya. Ramdam ko ang taos-pusong pagdampi ng matatamis niyang labi sa akin. Mapangahas. Maalab. Mapaghanap. Marubdob, sadyang nakakabaliw. I never imagined that kissing my woman for the first time could be this addictive. That even in my sleep I could vividly remember the intense feeling of our first kiss.

I thought it was real, me and her again,in the bed together. But, instead, I was kissing and caressing the human size body pillow beside me. When I opened my eyes Ryze is gone.

“Yzabelle!” I called her name as I open the bathroom door, but no answer. I hurriedly stepped out of the room to see if maybe she’s in the kitchen, but not a trace of her. I quickly, run to the car. Ryze back pack is gone. So, I went back to the room where we sleep last night, fixed the bed and change my clothes. I’m ready to leave with my duffle bag on my left hand and keys on the right. I knocked on the bedroom door to the right. Where Nica and Ernel, I suppose still sound asleep.

“Liam, it’s too early but gising ka na?” Ernel asked with her unruly hair covering half of her face. I can also see a little drool in the corner of her mouth. Nagpupuyapos pa ito ng mga mata when she opened the door.

“Teresa, anong oras na ba?” ani Nica.

“Ba’t ako tinatanong mo?”she glanced on the clock beside her bed,” alas syete pa lang.”

“Girls, I need to go. Thanks for last night!”

“Where’s bestie?”

"Ryze is gone," I said.

"Anong gone? Patay na si bestie? No!” Ernel hysterically cried out loud.

"No, I meant nakaalis na siya pagising ko. Wala na rin ang bag niya sa kotse ko. Maybe you guys know where she went?"

"Liam, pabayaan mo na lang muna siya. Hindi naman iyon mag-wawalk out ng basta kung walang nangyari kagabi," Nica explained.

"Mind sharing what happened last night Liam? Wag ka na mag-deny. Putok na putok ang labi ng bestie ko. Naghalikan ba kayo?"

"Teresa, wala ka naman karapatang itanong yan kay Liam. That's their private life. Best friend lang tayo, boyfriend siya. So, don’t ask na. Let's respect their privacy. Magkukuwento naman si Ryze kung comfortable siya. Hintayin na lang magkwento si beshie aamin din yun," turan ni Nica.

"Okay, girls. I'll go ahead. I have to find her. Thanks for last night!"

"Liam, hindi mo mahahanap si Ryze. Magaling magtago ang taong ayaw magpakita," sigaw ni Nica.

Ano nga ba kami? Girlfriend ko na ba siya? After we kissed, does that make us official? Pumasok na ako sa sasakyan at una kong pinuntahan ang bahay nila. As I was driving I can still smell her scent. When I got to Ryze house only Manong Bernie was there at ang kasambahay na si Manang Siony.

Maghapon kong hinahanap si Ryze ngunit hindi ko ito nakita. What did I do wrong,princess? Why you left me just like that? Is it wrong that I kissed you? It is it wrong that we kissed? Is it wrong to admit I still love you the way I loved you before? Liam searched every where he could to find Ryze, but, Nica is right. ‘She’s good in hiding.’ I bet Ryze do. She’s very good on her hiding her feelings too.

Huling pinuntahan ni Liam ang rooftop kung saan una silang nagkita ni Ryze noong mga bata pa. Tatlong taon noon si Ryze at limang taon naman siya. Bibo at makulit ang tatlong taong batang si Yzabelle kung magsalita ito ay parang kasing edaran niya. She thinks and speaks way more mature than her age.

Pinag-awayan nila ang strawberry cupcake na pilit inaalok nito sakanya. Nasa Christmas party sila ng Chinese Congregation sa Naga City. Isa iyong taunang pagtitipon ng lahat ng mga bikolanong negosyante na may dugong chinese. Sa huli ay natabig ni Liam ang cupcake na ibinibigay ni Ryze sakanya.

Umiyak ito na parang inagawan ng candy. Takot na mapagalitang ng kanyang daddy. Kinain niya ang natirang cupcake sa pingan hawak nito.

"Look, I'm eating this cupcake already. Please, stop crying," little Liam said to Yzabelle.

At doon nag-simula ang pagkakaibigan nilang kahit na away-bati ay hindi naman sila magpahiwalay. Dahil sa strawberry cupcake na bake ni Tita Fina. We met several times more that year. Every Sunday they will eat out at Chengco Restaurant. Ang restaurant na pag-aari ni Pops Mano. Excited akong sumapit ang bawat Linggo. Dahil sa araw na iyon magkasama ang aming pamilya salo-salo sa pananghalian. That friendship last for over four years until I the accident happened.

“Princess, where are you? Yzabelle, tell me what did I do wrong?” I screamed as I left the Benzon’s rooftop.

Nalibot ni Liam lahat ang lugar na pwedeng puntahan ni Ryze ngunit walang Ryze sa kahit saan mang sulok. Liam was glad to see her in the campus,but she ignored like him he was nobody.

Dumaan ang halos dalawang buwan nagkikita sila ngunit para siyang hangin lamang dumadaan sa tapat nito. Hindi niya alam kung ano ba ang naging kasalanan. Sa bawat Sabado na may gig at bawat practice ng banda ay tumugtog lamang ito ng drums at parang bula na lamang nawawala. Mas gugustohin niya pa ang dating Ryze na sinisagawan, binubulyawan at tinatawag siya ng kung ano-ano. Kaysa sa Ryze na hindi man lang siya tapunan ng kahit isang sulyap.

Last day of classes today before our Peñafrancia fiesta one week school break. Raine called me up to drop by at the music room for a quick meeting. We met before lunch time.Right after, we will be heading to the cafeteria with the rest of the tropa for lunch. Sana nga lang ay sumama si Ryze at hindi na naman biglang mawala.

I can't damn forget that kiss. Sa tuwing makikita ko si Ryze kahit na malayuan. I can see glimpse of that night were our lips touched and it feels heaven.The thoughts of her lips against mine parang bang lason ang mga halik nito na kumalat sa buong sistema ko. I was buried deeply reflecting kung ano ba dapat kong gawin when Raine interrupted me.

"Dude, wazz up! Kanina ka pa ba?"asked Raine.

"No. Just got here. Howdy?" Liam replied.

"Fine, fine, nothing much. Ah!Liam, may problema ba kayo ni Ryze? Napansin ko kasi, hindi na kayo nag-aaway. Hindi sa gusto ko ang pagbabangayan ninyo,ha! Pero, kasi, she doesn't join our lunch in the cafeteria anymore," Raine inquired.

"I don't know what's the problem, dude. I—I— we kissed and after that iniwasan niya na ako."

"Y-you what?"

"I said, we kissed, oh, I mean... I kissed her. Yun na nga paggising ko wala na siya."

"Paggising mo wala na siya? You mean...nag-ano kayo? May nangyari sainyo?"

"Chrissakes, dude. No! I said kiss not c****s!" Liam's face blushed as he explained what happened to Raine.

"Wag ka magalit! Relax, dude. Nagtatanong lang. Why don't we ask the girls to help you? I mean we can all help you. Kol?"

"That sounds great!"

"Parating na mga yun. Next week na pala ang battle of the bands so kahit walang pasok we need to practice. Sa bahay na lang namin tayo magpa-practice in that way ilang blocks away from the resto bar. That would be more convenient since we need to perform din daily," Raine explained when the door opened.

[RYZE]

Naglalakad si Ryze papuntang music room. Nakasunod siya kina Ernel at Nica di kalayuan. Wala na naman siyang pasok ngayon. Kailangan niya lang kitain ang banda. Raine sent them a group text, a meeting para sa battle of the bands. Itutulak na sana niya pabukas ang pinto ng maring niya si Nica. Hinawakan niya ang door knob ngunit naka lock iyon. Ano kayang paguusapan? Bakit naka-lock? Hindi ba nila alam wala pa ako?

"Great you guys are here! Kasama ninyo ba ang prinsesa ni Liam?" tanong ni Raine

"Hindi, eh. Hindi nga sumagot sa text at calls namin si beshie," Nica answered.

"Prinsesa ni Liam? Anong ganap? Bakit hindi kami informed? Kayo na ba ng baby loves ko?" Jaycee questioned staring at Liam.

"Hindi pa sila. Pero, we can help Liam para maging sila. Okay, ba? Kol?"

"Care bare, tigilan mo na ang pag-tawag kay bestie ng 'baby loves'. Masakit na dito, oh!" Sabi ni Ernel na hawak-hawak ang dibdib.

Sumimangot lamang si Jaycee kay Ernel. Humarap naman siya kay Raine at sumangayon dito,"Kol!"

"Kol, ano ba kailangan kong gawin?" asked Migz.

"Kol, ako dyan, Raine. Wag ka na mag-volunteer Miguel. Ang alam mo lang naman ay kumain."

Ernel sticks her tongue to Miguel before saying,"Kol! anything for my bestie and Liam."

Instead of meeting about the battle of the bands. They talked about operation pag-batiin sina Liam and Ryze at gawing mag-jowa.

"Pustahan tayo, dude, sasagutin ka rin ni Ryze," ani Raine.

"Tingnan natin! So, if mapasagot ni Liam si Ryze dahil sa tulong natin. Ililibre mo kami, Liam?" ani Ernel.

"Sure, a vacation get away? Anywhere you guys like but dito lang sa Pilipinas. Di ko pa afford out of the country,eh." Liam assuringly replied.

"Okay, bet!"

The rest of them agreed at iyon ang narinig ni Ryze sa likod ng nakasarang pintuan.

"Bet pala,huh! Sige, subukan mo kong ugok ka. Sasakyan ko ang mga bet ninyo at ng mamulubi ka. Saan kaya maganda pumunta? Boracay? Cebu? Mm-hmm maybe a north Luzon road trip. Mas okay siguro iyon," said Ryze na nagsasalitang walang kausap sa may pintuan when Liam opened the door.

"Oh! Princess you're here! We are about to leave. You like to join us for lunch?" tanong ni Liam dito.

Hindi si Ryze sumagot bagkus tumingin siya kay Liam saglit. Ramdam ni Ryze ang pag-init ng kanyang mukha at pagbilis ng kabog ng kanyang puso. She's blushing the way she was on their first kiss. Sa sobrang hiya tumakbo siya palayo at pumasok sa restroom.

~~~

Sinundan naman agad ni Liam si Ryze. Pumasok ito sa restroom malapit sa library na katabi ng music room. Humabol naman ang tropa kay Liam.

"I think. It's time, Liam. Why don't you and Raine get the stuff. Then, me and Ernel will stall time. Jaycee and Mig will help us i-corner si Ryze. Go na! Kami na bahala kay beshie. Wala na siyang kawala ngayon," said Nica.

Hindi na sumagot pa si Liam. Tinakbo nila Raine ang parking lot. He started the engine and drove off. Samantala, nagaabang naman ang apat sa labas ng restroom. Ready to corner Ryze.

"Saan ka pupunta? Mahal na prinsesa?" tanong ni Ernel dito sabay pulupot ng mga braso nito sa braso ni Ryze.

"Ano ba, Teresa?! Bitiwan mo nga ako. I'm going to the cafeteria. Di ba kakain tayo doon?" she asked.

"Eh, bakit ka tumakbo palayo, beshie? Nag-blush ka pa after mo makita si Liam?" ani Nica.

"Una na kami sa cafeteria," ani Migz. Tumango naman si Nica dito.

[RYZE]

Sa isip ni Ryze. Akala n'yo wala akong alam? Let's play this bet game. I'm so ready! Ayan na cornered siya. Heto na yung time na pipilitin nitong dalawa ang mag-kwento siya.

"Saan ka ba pumunta beshie kinabukasan nung dinala ka ni Liam sa bahay?" tanong ni Nica.

"Wala ano... diyan... diyan... lang."

"Diyan diyan lang, bestie? Eh, halos mabaliw si Liam kakahanap sayo! Mind you, ha! Hindi natulog ang tao sa pagaalaga sayo magdamag tapos hindi ka man lang nag-thank you. Iniwasan mo pa," matinis na sigaw ni Ernel kay Ryze.

"Eh, nahihiya ako sakanya. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko siya haharapin. Sa tuwing makikita ko si B-bla... Liam. Naalala ko kung yung—"

"Sinasabi ko na nga ba nag-ano kayo. Putok pa labi mo ng dinala ka ni Liam sa bahay. Eh, bakit ka ba nilagnat bestie?" Ernel said, cutting off Ryze.

Nagtext naman si Liam kay Ernel na nasa entrance na sila ng campus at naglalakad na papuntang cafeteria. She give Jaycee and Migz the sign na magorder na ng food. Nagkatinginan lang naman sila ni Nica.

Nakaupo na sila Ryze, Nica, Ernel, Jaycee at Migz sa favorite spot nila sa cafeteria.

“Jaycee, ikaw na lang mag-order ng food natin,” inutusan ni Nica ang kapatid.

“Mga sir, ma'am. Hindi po ako mang-lilibre, pera n'yo, ho?” Jaycee replied.

“Ang kuripot mo talaga,babe.” Ernel commented.

“Hindi ako kuripot, hindi sapat binigay na allowance ni Papa sa amin ni Nica. Nagkaproblema raw sa delivery buti na lang continues pa rin gig sa bar," ani Jaycee.

“Migz, si Raine, darating ba o may date na naman siya. Akala ko ba, we eating lunch together?”Ryze said.

“Ah, nag-text na. I-reserve raw ng upuan for two, on the way na raw.” Migz replied.

“Okay, here Jaycee order na kayo ni Migz.” Inabutan ko ng dalawang libo si Jaycee pang lunch namin.

“Galante ka talaga Ryze, nagtataka na ko sayo, ha! Mayaman ka lang ba o sobrang yaman ninyo? Di ba yung sa Princeton? Ang mahal kayo dun. Paano mo na afford yun?”

“Hello! Nag-summer job kaya ako? Eh, di syempre may na-ipon ako," she turned to Migz and said, "Migz, call Raine asked them what do they want to eat." Buti na lamang bumenta naman kay Jaycee ang sagot ko sakanya.

“Rajah!”

“Go na, may paguusapan kami, girls talk only!" pagtataboy ni Nica sa dalawa.

"Ano na, bestie? Sagot! Ba't ka niglagnat? Don't tell me nag-ano kayo tapos nilagnat ka? Umamin ka! May namamagitan na sainyo ni Liam,ano?" pagsisiyasat ni Ernel.

"Naulanan ako. Malay ko bang naghihintay ang hambog na yun sa labas ng bahay namin. Tapos yun nag-away kami pinigtas niya yung strap ng backpack ko," sagot ko dito. Tapos ano... nahihiya ako sakanya... I don’t know how to face him. Alam ninyo yun... yung feeling ng first...” Ryze bite her lower lip.”

“Don’t tell me,beshie,he kissed you?” kinikilig na tanong ni Nica. Ryze nodded starting to blush again.

Ernel leaned closer to the table look at Ryze face intensely,” Bestie, nakipaghalikan ka? He kissed you or you kissed him?”

“Ah!mm-hmm,”she pouted her lips and cover her face with her hands,” both!”

“How was it? Malambot ba labi niya? Is Liam a good kisser?” Ernel excitedly asks.

“I don’t know. I guess it was...hindi ko mapaliwanag.”

“Beshie, how long? Was it a peck or...?”

“Mm-hhm, half hour? Maybe more... I don’t know more than an hour or two. Tapos biglang may nagtext sa phone niya.”

“What one hour? Kaya pala. Sabi ko na nga ba. Hindi makasagot si Liam. Oh,Crap! That was me,bestie.Ginulo ko ang first kiss ninyo!”

Hindi na nila natapos ang usapan dahil dumating na si Migz and Jaycee.

“Heto na ho order ninyo mga mahal na prinsesa,” ani Migz.

“Oh! Ryze, itong sayo. Hindi mo kasi sinabi anong gusto mo. So, I order your usual spaghetti, cheddar flavored french fries, and mango shake.”

“Thanks, Jaycee.”

Nang maka upo na sila Migz and Jaycee, nagsimula na rin kaming kumain, dumating naman si Raine at Liam ng magkasabay.

“Liam, ano yan? Bouquet of roses? Mangliligaw ka ng tanghaling tapat. Chinese ka ba?" panunuya ni Ernel kay Liam na animo'y walang alam.

“Peace offering," wika ni Liam na nakatitig sa akin.

"Peace offering ba talaga, Liam?” ani Nica.

“Right, dude. I agree with Nica. Peace offering ba talaga o nanliligaw ka?" Raine arched his eyebrow in sardonic inquiry.

Inabot ni Liam kay Nica ang bouquet ng peach roses and a heart shape box of Ferrero rocher.“Nica, can you give it to her,please.”

Nakaupo kasi Ryze sa bandang dulo ng mesa kung saan walang lalabasan. Kinorner ng dalawa dahil mukha itong palaman sa sandwich between Nica and the wall. Magkatapat naman si Ryze and Ernel. They acted like wala silang pinagusapan.

“Ryze, flowers from Liam.” Inabot ni Nica kay Ryze ang mga bulalak.

“Pakisabi hindi pa ako patay para pag-alayan ng mga bulaklak.”

Saglit niyang tinapon ng tingin ang mga bulaklak it was a bunch of peach roses. Her color preferences when it comes to roses.How Liam knows?

“Heto pa pala chocolates, di ba fav—?" Inabot ulit ni Nica ang heart shape box ng Ferrero Rocher.

“Pakisabi allergic pala ako sa tsokolate lalo na’t galing pa man din sakanya.”

"Ang arte mo, beshie. Kayo kaya mag-usap!" Pasigaw na turan ni Nica.

Ipapabot pa sana ni Liam ang puting teddy bear kay Nica ngunit umiling ito. Tumayo ito sa inuupon at hinila siya paupo sa tabi ni Ryze. Hindi alam ni Ryze na si Liam na pala ang katabi niya. Nakatingin kasi ito sa kinakaing french fries while playing the straw of her drink. Habang ang tropa ay hindi na alam ang gagawin para magkabati sila. Ang galing niya ng maging artista. She knows how they are all getting frustrated with the situation pero nagmamatigas pa rin siya.

“Ryze nakikipagbati naman pala itong si Liam may pa flowers and chocolates pa. Akin na chocolates, ha? Ayaw mo naman sabi mo nga allergic ka.”

“Ikaw talaga Miguel Alfonso basta pagkain hindi mo aatrasan,”ani Nica sa kasintahan.

“May madedevelop na malapit na. Let’s see when this LQ will end," Raine stated na naupo sa tabi ni Jaycee at kinain ang burger na nasa harapan.

"Ryze, nag-iinarte ka na naman kaya walang kang boyfriend hanggang ngayon. You two like each other. Hindi kami bulag. Why do you need to deny your feelings?” Ernel blurted.

“You don’t have a boyfriend?” Liam uttered mockingly and put on a sheepish grin.

“Oh! ano naman sayo?” Ryze arched her eyebrows and sarcasm rang in her voice. Nakatingin pa rin siya sa spaghetti that she's been twirling for quite sometime ngunit hindi pa rin niya maisubo-subo .

“Ayan mag-uusap din pala," tugon naman ni Raine,habang ngumunguya ng burger.

Tinapon niya lamang si Raine ng dirty look. Minadali ni Ryze kainin ang spaghetti at french fries. Pagkatapos ay uminom ng milkshake. Nasa ibabaw naman ng mesa ang flowers at chocolates na galing kay Liam.

"Ryze, can we talk, please? Bakit mo ba ko iniiwasan? I stopped bullying you. Ano ba nagawa ko? Sabihin mo naman. Not like this coz I'm clueless," Liam pleaded.

“Hindi ako nakikipagusap sa mga mayabang, hambog at walang modo... tulad mo!"

Lumingon si Ryze sa kanan saktong sa tapat ng bibig ni Liam tumigil ang mukha niya. Amoy na amoy ni Ryze ang icy mint na hininga ni Liam. Their faces are only half an inch away, and their lips almost touched again. Ryze was completely shocked at hindi nakagalaw. Bagyang naka buka pa ang bibig niya showing her red pouted lips.

They stared at each other for roughly a minute or two. Ryze couldn't breathe and her face is starting to feel hot.

~~~

It was inviting. Kung wala lang sa tapat ng mga kaibigan ay hindi na si Liam magpapatumpik-tumpik pa. He will definitely kiss Ryze again and this time even longer. Naisip naman ni Liam na inisin ito sa harap ng mga kaibigan. Iyon naman ang ginawa niya dito kaya nauwi sila sa halikan.

"Quit staring at me like that, princess. It's very tempting, you know. Like what happened?Hmmp! Don't push my limits. I might k—" Ryze immediately covered Liam's mouth with her right hands na amoy french fries pa.

Hindi malaman ni Ryze ang gagawin. Mabubuko na ba siya. Is he the type of guy who is kiss and tell? Will Liam tell the tropa that they already played kissy kissy?

Ryze grabbed her bag."Out of my way, please,"she told Liam in the face.

"No! You are staying here until you answer me! If you don't. Then, I'll kiss you here. I don't care if they bring me to the dean's office. Is that what you want, princess?"

Liam had a thin smile plastered on his face. He was being nice earlier, but she's playing hard to get. He wanted Ryze to be pissed off. Then, when she starts running away. He will catch her off guard. Force her in the car again just like the last time.

Okay, this is the part where I will play the game he started. Ryze told herself. Remembering the bet that her tropa was talking about earlier in the music room.

I said,"Out—of—my—way!" Ryze pushed Liam and walked past him.

"Ryze, saan ka pupunta?” ani Jaycee

Sumimangot lamang siya kay Jaycee and said,” Una na ko.”

But, Liam was there standing infront of her. Hinawakan ni Liam ang balikat niya at pinaharap sakanya kung saan they were face to face. Hindi pa ito nakuntento at hinawakan ang mukha niya. Anong gagawin mo? Yun ang gusto niyang sabihin ngunit walang boses na kumawala sa bibig Ryze. Parang napipi ang kanyang dila. Ryze can feel Liam face getting so close to her until he was about to kiss her. Ryze intend to stomp Liam’s foot but instead her knees kick him hard right in between his legs. Nakita ni Ryze kung paano namilipit si Liam sa sakit. Para itong mamatay sa sobrang sakit and then, Ryze started running away.

Namimilipit man sa sakit. Hinabol pa rin ni Liam si Ryze na malapit ng lumagpas ng parking lot. Inabutan niya si Ryze at mahigpit na hinawakan mga kamay nito and dragged her to his car.

"Get in! You are really pushing my limits! Wag mong tatangkaing lumabas Yzabelle! I told you don't piss me off. You are well aware of what happened the last time. Dahil sa tuwing mag-iinarte ka at gagalitin mo ako. I swear, I'll kiss you!

"So? Galit ka na sa lagay na yan, Blake? Ryze asked Liam in a cool,tempered voice with a playful teasing smile of mockery on her face. “Then,kiss me!"