(Inspired to make this because of our Bangkok trip. My writer mind is working again..hehe..)
Title: (Tentative) I Just Wish You Knew
Prologue
The Bangkok City lights blazed as it was reflected on the Chao Phraya river. I can see the excitement in both our faces. She gave me her this-is-it grin. I smiled back. I was so excited myself. She took her Nikon camera and started acting as my paparazzi again, taking my pictures with the picturesque views.
She moved nearer to the railings to get a better view of the Millenium Hilton Hotel just on the other side of the river. The building looked amazing from this vantage point. A lot of people--especially tourists like us---were also looking at the buliding and was getting in our way.
It annoyed me a bit but she was still gleeful. She took so many photos of me and the view and the people with us in the area.
I noticed a tall guy with curly hair looking our way. Handsome, yes, but being faithful to the love of my life got the better of me. I didn't mind him so much.
She looked my way and caught a glimpse of the guy. She looked at him again. I know that look of hers. She's a good judge of character. She didn't tell me anything but she hid a smile, shook her head a little, went back to taking pictures, amused.
I looked at her, trying to coax her into telling me even if I know already. She just smiled. I looked sideways. The guy was still their, acting as if he's taking pictures of the view. Funny, it's always like this. That's why I'm no longer surprised. He actually isn't the first guy in this area who did that but he's the only whom I found her smiling at and not frowning.
She walked towards me with a broad smile, "Our boat's here." And yes, it was there. It was like a yacht, only bigger. It looked amazing and I knew from there that we'll be having the time of our lives.
"Let's go?", I asked her. She nodded trying her best to squeeze in with the crowd. It took 10 minutes before were able to get to the boat despite the fact that it's just near.
Before we went our designated table, she turned to me, her beautiful locks being blown by the breeze, "I wish this night will be enchanting".
I smiled, and joked, "Who knows! We might even go to your favorite hotel!" pointing to Hilton. She shrugged knowing it's not in the agenda. But I'm glad she's not so negative with life anymore. She wants this night to be enchanting. She probably already realized her worth.
She went to our table with a smile on her face. A happy, unmasked one.
*****
"It all started way back 2010.", Marco narrated over a cup of coffee. He, too, is concerned.
2010 (Boston)
"Touchdown!", the announcer said with enthusiasm. All he ever needed was one more and they'll win it over the USA making history for Mexico.
They've reached that far. They still can do it.
20 seconds. 20 seconds is still enough to catch the ball and do a touch down. It's in his hands being the quarter back. he needs to be mindful of things. He must play it intelligently like this is the last game in his life.
They were on their positions, ready to execute the play. The running back did his part but the opponent is very tight on their defense. 15 seconds. The receivers are waiting for him to throw the ball. He signaled them to look for a wider area so he could throw the ball and ensure a touchdown.
He saw Jose Mari, the wide receiver faking his run and then there was an opening. He readily threw the ball but his right hand became slack. The throw was short. And no matter how fast Jose Mari ran for the ball, he was unable to catch it.
The whistle rang. It felt like the end of the world for him. In the whole history of flag football, this was the only time they were able to go to the finals. First time and they lost. The oppurtunity was there but he lost it.
"Team USA won with the score of 14 over 12.", the announcer declared. He didn't actually hear it. Everything was in slow motion. They lost and it's because of him. Him.
He walked over to me. I can see the pain in his eyes. He tried to mask it with his smile but he can't fool me. I know him too well. Margarita was there, watching with her father. I could see the disappointment in both their faces. Margarita's dad have always disliked him. This was his chance to show him that he's someone he and his daughter could be proud of. Margarita's family are composed of football champions. Her dad used to be one of the rosters for Mexico way back his time in FIFA. Margarita's dad, Mr.Torres, have always ridiculed the sport he plays. He thought this was his chance to show him how likeable his sport is.
Margarita looked at him with a pained expression, too. Even if she's of legal age, she's still bounded to the decisions of her parents. She walked towards him, gave him a quick hug. "I need to leave. Papa needs to get back to work."
He didn't argue. he's too tired. He's too tired of it all.
***
"It was 2009 when they met...", I started. Marco offered milk for my brewed coffee but refused. I need all the caffeine that I need. This is going to be a long night.
2009
"I like her so much", he said, with those love-sick puppy eyes.
"You're not her type. She likes bookworms, brainiacs, nerds. You're one big arrogant jock!", I teased him.
"Oh, come on, Mimi! You know there's more to me than someone who plays ball." He seemed sincere. He used to play with girls, but with her, he seemed serious. He's been asking for her mobile number for 5 days now.
"What happened to you and Audrey?"
"well... we broke up. End of story."
"You dumped her?"
He didn't respond and tried to give me that boyish nonchalant look of his.
"So, you dumped her." I concluded.
"I can't allow her to suffer. I mean, if we continue and i don't love her anymore, it would hurt her all the more. Better end it early.", he said, matter-of-factly.
"That's the very reason why I don't want to give her number to you"
"C'mon, Mimi! I'm your bestfriend! You can do better than that.", he pleaded.
Well, yes, he's my bestfriend and even if he's a jackass at times, he,too, have a good heart.
"Okay, fine", I gave in. "But..."
"why is there always a but?" he whined with a triumphant smile.
"But you need to do something for me."
"Anything!"
"Oh, cool! You need to wear the Barney mascot tomorrow at our class. I need you as a visual for my report."
"What? Barney? That..that gay violet cartoon?"
"Don't you dare say that about my favorite! Deal or not?"
He wasn't so happy about but I knew he'd say yes.
The following day, he did arrive with the Barney costume, painstakingly standing during my report in class and trying to act like Barney.
Just before my report ended, the bell rang, and everybody scrambled out the door despite the charming mascot. He was about to remove the costume when Lois went inside.
"Hey!", she said to me and looked at the mascot. She removed her fake eye glasses and looked at my Barney. "How adorable! Can I take him home?"
It was all it took for Rain to answer, "Yes! Yes, you may take me home!"
I couldn't help but laugh.
Lois laughed, too.
Rain removed his head costume and smiled ever so charmingly at Lois.
"Hi, I'm Rain. In case, you don't know, I'm Mimi's bestfriend"
"Hi! I'm Lois.", she answered timidly.
"So, will you take me home now?" he joked.
I punched him in his gut.
Lois just laughed. "I just want to give you this, Mimi". She returned the quantum physics book she borrowed from me. Then I saw her glance at Rain. Then she has that smile. A kind of smile that actually comes from the inside.
"I'd better head back" She said to both me and Rain. "Nice meeting you, Barney. I mean, Rain." She waved.
Despite being a blabber mouth, Rain was unable to speak when she gave us her radiant smile.
"You need to give me her number now!", he demanded trying to get out of the heavy, smelly, hot costume.
I did. And it started all her heartaches. I blame myself partly.
***
"He was so depressed. He felt as if everything was falling apart. You know how men hurts.", Marco continued, his curly locks now shorter than the first time I saw him in Bangkok. He browsed through his facebook and showed me pictures of Fierro. LanFranco Fierro Leyva.
2010
"You're quitting? That's crazy, man! You brought the team this far. It's something to be proud of.", I told him. Not only is he my cousin, he's my bestfriend in the whole world, too. Sometimes, he's just too hard on his self. He wanted so much pleasing others, especially Margarita's family. But he just couldn't accomplish that.
He looked at his new pair of studs given by a fan---yes, he's pretty famous---and gave me another pained look. It tore my heart, too. He's dead serious.
"What if I'll just try out for the Mexico soccer team for Olympics? They've a got a slot open. Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez announced it over the tele."
"You know that isn't your first love." He did play soccer before. A lot of coaches from all over have been trying to get him play for their team. Even the National team has been eyeing on him but his heart was on flag football.
"Maybe it's time for change."
"Whatever your decision is, man. But if Margarita really loves you, she'll defend you to her parents."
"Margarita is very important to me. You know that, Marco. I'll do whatever it takes."
We were walking outside of school then when he saw it happened the first time.
Margarita was holding hands with another guy. A guy from the soccer team. They were heading towards the guy's car. They didn't notice us seeing them. Fierro was furious. He wanted so much to punch the guy in the face.
Now is the disadvantage of just riding his bicycle to school. He pedalled so fast to reach Maragrita's house. I was following a few meters away.
When we reached the house, the blue sedan was already parked.
Fierro is not a hasty person. Despite what he saw, he remained calm. He knocked on the door.
Margarita's father opened the door, not too happy to see him.
"Good evening, Mr.Torres. May I speak with Marga?"
He seemed hesitant but he called her anyway. "Make it fast, young man. We are having guests from the national soccer team." He emphasized the last part.
He nodded.
Margarita went out, looking flushed. She smiled a bit and kissed him on the cheek. They sat at the bench.
"Why are you here? I thought you'll go out with the guys?"
"I saw you, Marga. Who's the other guy?", he asked directly. He, too, looked flushed with anger.
She looked away. "What do youmean?"
"That car. I saw you get inside, holding hands with a guy whom I don't see from around here..", Jealousy swelled up.
"I wanted to talk to you yesterday, Fierro."
Sensing that he won't be talking much, she continued. "He's the new guy for our country's soccer team. Dad likes him for me."
His hands balled into fists.
"But it's you that I love and you know that, right?"
That softened him a bit. When it comes to this girl, it would always melt him.
"Why hold hands with him? We're still together. That was insulting."
"It wan't a big deal. He was just being a gentleman. He was just assisting me. And I was just being nice to him. Dad wants me to be nice to him."
Dad.Dad.Dad.Can't she make her own decisions? For God's sake, she's 21!
He shook his head. "Holding hands with a guy you barely know isn't being nice, Marga. You know that."
He stood, walked towards his bike, barely noticing me and not even saying goodbye to Margarita. She wanted to follow him but didn't. I can see the hurt in her face, too.
***
"He started by sending her SMS that same day.", I told Marco. "I could remember her smile then. You know that smile that lights up one's day? That's the kind of smile."
He smiled, remembering Bangkok and what his friend said, 'You know that smile that could light up the whole world? That's what she did. She enchanted me.'
2009
"Whatta sick move by number 19! A timed juke to the right cleared his path to the end zone."
Everybody cheered. The UFFC-Philippine team scored again against Team Singapore. The Bird Man did it again. He was very inspired.
Well, who wouldn't? The girl he most coveted and loved was watching him play.
"There goes your man!" I teased Lois.
She giggled. "My man? Oh, no! My friend, your bestfriend."
Yes, they're still not official together but I can see in Lois' eyes, that she has something for Rain. As much as Rain is persistent in courting her, she's also persistent in keeping her promise to herself that a guy must court her for 6 months before actually saying yes or no to him.
"But you like him, right? And guess what, Lois, isn't today the 6th month?"
She covered her face, embarrassed in a good way and nodded. She breathed deeply and looked at me, wanting to tell me something.
"You're saying yes?"
"Team Philippines Won!" The speakers blasted, cutting or conversation. We were jumping up and down. Because of this, they'll already qualify for the Flag Football Festival in Boston on 2010. Rain, who's one of the star players was congratulated profusely. The team prayed together like they always do. After a couple of minutes, he was finally able to approach Lois and I.
"Congrats!" I hugged him.
"Thanks, Mimi! Whew! We did it! Thanks to you, Lois." He said motioning a hug towards her.
Lois hesitated but finally gave him a hug and gave her felicitations in a soft, timid manner.
Standing there, felt like watching a movie--- a love story unfolding before my very eyes.
"I love you, Lois" It was the tiniest of whispers but I heard that.
The whole team saw the hug, in which Rain didn't let go of. They teased them. Ofcourse, they also like Lois for their Bird Man.
Lois is an extraordinary girl. A very charming and beautiful girl---long, wavy, dark brown hair; olive, radiant skin; slender model-like body; intelligent warm chocolate brown eyes; perfectly-shaped lips. She's also a dean's lister, an advocate for peace, a violinist and a flamenco dancer. But she keeps a low profile.
Rain is also someone special---tall, fair-complexioned, jet-black straight hair, round dark caramel brown eyes, musculine. He works as a ramp and print model while studying. His passion basicly revolves around flag football, surfing and doing trail runs. Despite the high profile, Rain has a soft spot when it comes to family. He's raised alone by her mother whom he loves so much.
The guys continued to tease the two. The boys were also counting the days of the courting.
"So, what's the verdict, Lois? Is it a yes or a no?", Liam, the quarter back asked. He was patting Rain's shoulders for support.
"why don't we give these two some privacy?" I intercepted and winked at my bestfriend.
We all went to the farthest part of the field.
"I'm not going to pressure you, Lois. I know it's the 6th month but if you still aren't ready, I''ll understand", he started and at the same time tiny drops of rain poured. "C'mon let's get out of the rain first."
"No, let's stay."He seemed surprised. Lois is a bit of a neat-freak. Her white shoes might be tampered with mud. "I think you need a shower with all the mud in your face and body" She joked, wiping a little smudge of dirt in his left cheek. Rain touched her hand and kissed it.
"I love you so much, Lois." The rain was now pouring cats and dogs. We could only see their silhoutte under it.
She drew a deep breath, "I love you, too."
That and Rain lifted her up happily, shouting, "Yes! I'm the happiest guy in this entire universe!"
I smiled from where I can see them and everybody from the United Flag Football Club - Philippines was also cheering real hard.
***
"Fierro was aloof with Margarita when they first met.", he smiled, ate a bit of his Saint-Honoré Griottes Pistache while I was toying with my Vanilla Mascarpone. "But in a few months time, he couldn't help but fall for her/"
"Fall? I don't believe in falling in love because it means you'll fall out of love.", I contradicted.
"Exactly what happened to them but she really is pretty."
"But Lois is not pretty. She's BEAUTIFUL.", I defended with a smile. I know Marco knows what I feel.
He chuckled. "I know that. Lois has won the battle the first time Fierro saw her. Even if it's hard to believe, it was love at first sight."
"Yeah, I hate to actually agree. I don't believe in such but what happened to them was just amazing...it makes you believe."
He nodded. "She's happy now."
"And he isn't. Yet."
We both sighed.
2010
Most of the players from 16 different countries looked at her when she walked towards team Mexico. Yes, she's like a Hollywood star. She's got that beauty of Eiza Gonzalez, only her hair is dark and wavy. She was there supposedly supporting Fierro but most of the time, she's looking at her smart phone or giving smiles to the players of different nationalities.
It was a qualifying game. Whoever would win will be competing against Team USA for the championship. The loser would have to compete with Israel for third place.
Fierro looked at the quarter back on the other team. He was nervous. He was not expecting an Asian country to be part of the finals. Not discriminating but he doesn't know their techniques and tactics unlike the other teams which they actually studied carefully.
The speakers blared. The game was about to start. He huddles with his team, said the last instructions and encouragement. He looked at sideways. He saw the other team on their knees, praying together. We were in awe. I mean, come on, Mexico is a Catholic country but we never do that as a team. We do the sign of the cross individually and that's that.
He was amazed how their team was like a family. He smiled--- happy and nervous at the same time. Happy because he can see that even on the other side of the globe, the passion for flag football is alive and burning. Even more than what is in his heart. Nervous because he needs to win this game to fight USA. Nervous because he doesn't know what power the other team has. Nervous because he knows being one in a game is what makes you win. Team work makes you win.
The game started.
"This time The Guardians or Team Philippines will be in red and white while Team Mexico will be in black." , commentator one said.
"Team Philippines will go on offense first. First down. Mike (Jersey #3) takes the ball immediately and checks out opponent coming his way and... he hit the man on the tackle."
First down. I saw Fierro's worried look. team Philippines was quick on their toes and they have good plays.
"So now, three downs for a touchdown. D-line Fernandez tried to tackle the quaterback, Liam Benedict (Jersey #06) but he's not sacred. He's gonna run, gonna fire and Maverick (Jersey #13) caught the ball in a mid-jump, Maeverick pursued by three..Maverick getting away... and touchdown for Team Philippines. Six points and just like that. Good catch!"
I shook my head. If he loses this, he'd be depressed. I looked at my cousin, Fierro. He was covered in sweat as he kept glancing at Margarita.
"I was there. It was an intense game. I think I might have seen Marga then. The boys were drooling on the looks of her. That time though, Rain had all his eyes on Lois.", I told Marco. Gosh, I'm hungry. My stomach was making an embarrassing noise.
"You want something more to eat? They have the best Shrimp Pizza here.", Marco offered. He looked at the door and recognized someone.
I laughed at the thought of shrimps and looked at the door. I saw him, too.
2009
"Wow, flowers every day, huh?" I jokingly punched his arm.
"Did she like it, Mim?", Rain's eyes was full of hope. "Damn it! I really like her. This intense feeling! This, this.. Ahhh! I can't explain it. It's all here. Inside my heart. You know, when I just look at her..."
I cut him off.
"Why don't you ask her!" I looked at Lois who has heard the length of the conversation.
She blushed, trying to avoid Rain's eyes. Rain was beet-red.
"Uhmmm.. Hi!", she said, biting her lower lip. "I didn't hear a thing.
Liar! Defensive!
"Hi, Lois!", his radiant smile. "Did you..ah..did you receive the..ah.."
"Flowers. Really? You don't know how to talk in front of Lois? Huh, Rain?" I laughed. Where is Mr.Suave now?
He looked like he's about to kill me. I laughed still. He's so cute when he's angry and nervous. Lois, whatever did you do to my best friend!
"I..I liked it. So much."
"I'll leave you two lovebirds", I told them and headed home. Lois looked at me nervously. I texted her, [SCREAM if he makes a move on you. LOL!]
***
Rain took Lois to his favorite place. It was a private spot overlooking the whole Cebu City. It was an abandoned area. Rain discovered it a few months ago when he was jogging there.
"What is a shrimp?", she asked him all of a sudden.
He laughed. She must have heard our conversation before with Rain and the rest of the boys in the Flag Football Team. Shrimp refers to girls who have sexy bodies but an ugly face , hence, shrimp.
"Do you get it now?", he asked after a thorough explanation.
She nodded, thinking.
"You shouldn't look at girls that way, Rain. I mean, appearance isn't the only thing that matters."
He was taken aback. He couldn't defend himself because appearance matter to him. He's never seen with a girl who's less pretty.
