BIG SHOT #1: RICKY

Big Shot #1: Ricky ❣ Chapter Ten ❣

The next few days pass in a blur. I tried to forget what happened that night.

Kahit noon pa, I really had a hunch na may ginawa silang milagro right after he dumped me.

They just simply confirmed it.

Whoever said blood is thicker than water is bullsh!t!

I took my stress ball and squeezed it hard.

I closed my eyes at nanghihina na napasandal nalang ako sa upuan ko.

Besides, there’s no point crying over spilt milk. All I have to do is to shake the dark thoughts out of my head and move on. Like always.

Makalipas yung ilang minuto, narinig ko yung pagbukas ng pintuan. Nanatili lang ako sa pwesto ko. Hindi ko rin minulat yung mga mata ko.

Wala akong katok na narinig, meaning whoever she or he is, must be a member of The Voice.

Until that someone sits in front of my desk.

Embry? Natalie?

No. If this is Embry edi dapat kanina pa to nagsalita and so is Natalie.

Kunot noo na minulat ko yung mga mata ko at napaupo ako nang diretso ng imbis na kasamahan ko sa The Voice eh si Ricky yung nabungaran ko.

I blinked plenty of times.

It’s really him.

I cleared my throat and coughed awkwardly to hide my surprise.

I looked everywhere but him at wala sa sarili na inayos ko yung mga nagkalat na papel sa lamesa.

Damn it! He caught me off guard!

I cleared my throat again. “What are you doing here?” Hindi ko pa rin to nililingon at pinagpatuloy ko lang yung ginagawa ko.

“I’m here for the interview. Embry told me that you’re going to do it today.”

What the!

Did he say Embry?

Oh God! She can’t just put me on the spot like this. I’m really going to pull that pixie’s hair.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.

That explains Embry’s mischievous smile yesterday.

“I know that this is kind of childish but I’m not ready to do the interview. I’m not really prepared and Embry didn’t even give me a heads up. Most importantly, I need questionnaires and a tape recorder.”

Ricky looked straight into my eyes, completely unfazed with the situation we are in.

He’s way too casual na lalong nagpapakulo ng dugo ko.

Kalma lang Rain! Kalma!

“Embry said, it was all inside the envelope she gave you yesterday.”

What the heck?

Seriously! That pixie!

Embry has plenty of tricks up her sleeves.

I heaved a deep sigh.

Hinanap ko nalang yung envelope na binigay sakin ni Embry kahapon. I found it under Wyatt’s frame. “Found it.”

Napatingin ako sa gawi ni Ricky at nakita ko yung ginagawa nitong pagtitig sa frame ni Wyatt.

He looks unhappy pero wala tong sinabing ano man nang nagtama yung mga mata namin. Instead of sticking his nose in my business again, he just simply glanced away.

Taas kilay na nagkibit balikat nalang ako at pinagtuunan ko nalang ng atensyon yung envelope na hawak ko.

I opened it and looked through it.

At tama nga si Ricky. May questioners at tape recorder sa loob.

I looked up. “Are you ready?” Poker face na tanong ko dito.

Ricky nodded his head.

Sumandal ako sa upuan ko as I turned the tape recorder on. “1st question, what is the positive side of you that you’re proud of?”

“If I want something, I’ll go for it wholeheartedly.”

Yahh right! What a show off!

“2nd question, what’s your greatest weakness?”

“My stubbornness.”

I rolled my eyes internally.

What about Tin? Her name should be on his number one spot. She’s his kryptonite after all.

“3rd question, tell me an accomplishment you are proud of.”

Napangiti ito na para bang may nakakatawa tong naalala. “When I won my first MVP award during my junior year.”

I can feel myself blushing as soon as he speaks. I clearly remembered that day. I gave him a bouquet of red roses and a teddy bear.

See? Ako pa talaga ang nagbigay. One of my stupid days!.Good thing those days are gone.

And the question went on and on until it got personal.

“What have you done in the past that you’re not proud of?” Poker face pa rin na tanong ko dito. Despite my inner battle, nanatili akong straight face sa harap nito.

Yes, I know. I’m awesome that way. That’s what you, my dear, called talent.

“Neglecting this girl in my past and hurting her.”

I can’t looked at him with straight face anymore. Automatic na tumaas yung kilay ko sa naging sagot nito.

You hurt a lot of girls. Bakit this girl lang? What an asshole!

I sighed. “If today were the last day of your life, what are you gonna do?”

“Begging this girl in my past to forgive me.”

Should you beg for my forgiveness first? Asswipe!

I frowned even harder. “What worries you most about the future?”

“That she won’t give me a second chance at all.”

What the heck! Konti nalang talaga, bi-bingo na sakin tong lalaki nato!

I sighed. Again. “What have you been thinking lately?”

“How can I win her back.”

Kung medyo numipis-nipis pa tong tape recorder baka nasira nato sa higpit nang pagkakahawak ko. Or better yet, ibato ko nalang kaya sa pagmumukha ni Ricky tong recorder? Kakasira ng bangs yung mga sagot eh. Imbyerna!

Last question Rain. Last question.

“Where would you expect to be in five years from now?”

“By her side.”

Nilapag ko yung tape recorder sa table ko. Naka on pa rin to. I’m just trying to prevent myself from throwing it to his freaking face.

Think something smart Rain. Think something smart!

All I need to do is ask who’s this girl, right? I mean, although I’m clearly sure na yung binabanggit nito eh si Tin. Kelangan ko pa ring magtanong para walang masabi si Ricky na kaya hindi ako nagtanong eh kasi apektado pa rin ako.

I took a deep breath. “Who is this girl anyway?” I asked, deliberately casual habang binabalik ko yung questionnaires sa loob ng envelope.

Minutes pass pero hindi pa rin ako sinasagot ni Ricky.

I looked up at sobrang nagrigudon yung puso ko sa kaba nang makita ko yung klase nang pagkakatitig nito sakin. His gaze held mine and that’s when he finally answered, “You.”

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