The Date

I'm about to tuck my self to bed then I noticed my cellphone flashes and buzzing. It's Ziggy's text message.

(Ziggy) Best, my date with Bettina will be this weekend, right, Valentine's day?

(Me) Yaps, Not so excited, huh!? Btw, what's with the attitude, the walkout, the thing you did in school?

(Ziggy) Yes, I'm excited, and that one? I just got tired of your annoyances, that's all.

(Me) Oh really? You're so moody!

(Ziggy) Wait, what time should we go this weekend?

(Me) What we? It's your date, and I'm out of it.

(Ziggy) And who will take our pictures?

(Me) You, of course, selfie. I got here a monopod, and you can use it.

(Ziggy) No! you will come with us, or I'm not going.

(Me) OMG, I can't imagine, with such a manly physique, you still need a chaperone?

(Ziggy) Remember, it's your idea. You forced me to do it. If you're not coming, then I won't help you with your SG president campaign next school year.

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(Ziggy)Hey! Not replying?

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(Ziggy) Are you asleep?

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(Ziggy) Whatever, but I'm telling you, you got to come if you don't want to be called an incompetent leader. I'll dare you. You'll gonna lose your backstory.

(Me) Yeeeezz boss... I'm so sleepy already, and you are such an interruption.

(Ziggy) Hehe, okay, goodnight, my best.

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It's the night before Valentine's day. The night before Ziggy and Bettina's date. As I'm staring myself in front of the mirror, the pair of deep-seated dark brown eyes sparkle as my gemstone earrings, with the reflection of the dinky light of my lampshades. She sure looks deep in thoughts yet unreadable emotion. Those minds are busy winding back every image, every situation that had happened the past few days.

Especially that moment when Ziggy walked out, I've been trying to take no notice of it, but it just won't get away from my thoughts. There's something in it that I want to perceive more. I'm not contented with his reason when he said he just walked out because I annoyed him. It sounds so irrational and shallow. Then suddenly, something came across my mind. One word I truly remembered that I mentioned, it's the word "jealous," which makes me find my reflection agape, my eyes widened, and like soliloquizing on some realization.

"OMG! could my best friend have feelings for me? And that's maybe why he acts that way and wants me to go with them because it's really me he wants to be with for Valentine's day? Eeeeh!! I let out a restraint shrill with such romantic impulse.

"But how can it be possible? He also seems to like my cousin, Bettina. It's got to be complicated, and I know Bettina got a crush on him ever since. She might hate me for it, if ever. Besides, I'm happy and contented with my and Zig's present relationship. And if ever will happen that our relationship will turn into something more romantic, then everything's gonna be different, more complicated, and more sensitive. One LQ might ruin our friendly relationship, and losing it scares me more. I'd rather have us be friends forever and won't break up.

The most awaited moment finally arrived—Valentine's day. Day for Ziggy and Bettina's date, I am busy with some preparation, as I'm arranging a flower bouquet for their date. Somebody just put an arm around my shoulder. And it was Ziggy, and he looks so graceful and handsome in a slim fit, cotton, 3/4 polo shirt, tucked in a leather belt and faded pair of jeans.

"Hey, Best, what's that?" He asked.

" Bouquet and you're going to give this to Bettina the moment you'll see her," I explained to him with both hands busy tying ribbons on it.

"Is there really such a thing? Is it really necessary?" His voice and expression display dubiety.

"Do it, okay? What's wrong with just handing this flower over to her?" And I did it again, pushing him into something.

"Then okay, as you wish, remember I'm doing this for you. And by the way, here's for you." With a rose and a Toblerone chocolate and conveying it finely unto me.

I'm losing my breath with surprise, but I strive not to be obvious. "Wow, I'm so lucky to have such a sweet friend. You're so sweet, as sweet as your chocolate. Geez! I don't have anything for you, and I'm so sorry!"

He holds me in my shoulder and gently squeezes it. "Best, You have already given me your Valentine gift."

"What? No, I haven't."

"Yes, you have. Didn't I ask you to come with us today? And you did. That enough is the best gift that I can ask for." Cunningly pinching my chin as his tantalizing eyes see mine makes me lose myself in a moment. Waiting for him to surprise me more with a kiss. A kiss!?

I blink to wake myself from my weird fantasy." Umm, I think we should get going. Bettina's probably waiting." I walk ahead of him.

Ready to go, on a taxi cab. I tend to ride in the front, but Ziggy insisted on letting me join them in the back seat. Got us compressed ourselves with each other, him in the midst. We got a not so chatty ride when I suddenly feel Zig's hand secretly holding mine, while Bettina's busy with her cellphone and completely unaware.

Flabbergast, befuddlement, and nervous stricken me. OMG! Can my suspicions be true? What will I do? I was in my deep thought when Bettina broke the silence. " Hey! Cloe, On what restaurant were we booked for reservation?"

Confused and uneasy, I abruptly pull my hands from Zig. "Umm, we're going to dine at Yakimix. It's at SM Seaside. It's a do-it-yourself grill, so it's kind of cool, and it's gonna take a lot of time grilling. Therefore, You can both have a lot of time to talk." But I noticed Ziggy's disapproving glance.

"Okay, so we're almost there." Bettina smiles as she agrees.

The place is not so crowded as we arrived. Only a group of three female friends just near the entrance and a family of five not far from the counter. The place is massive, comfortable enough for a self-serving eat all you can grill.

We proceed to the counter where various food to grill is displayed, and many choices on assorted sauce are there, as so as some dessert. In a moment, Ziggy invite me saying. "Come on, let's get some food."

I pushed him back to Bettina. "You both go first, and I'll be there in a while. I'm still confused on what to get, such a lot to chose from."

"Don't take long." He nodded and keep on with Bettina to the counter.

Shortly after they picked up their food, they go towards the vacant table, just beside the wall. Ziggy raises his hand to notify me of the place they're on, for me to follow after.

The truth was I had already chosen what to get with the foods displayed in front of me. Pork roll-on vegetables, garlic sausage, and beef on the marinade. It's just that my real intention is not to join them instead to give them some space.

Instead of sitting with them, and without a single glance, I go straight to a vacant table at the corner far enough from them. Hoping that they too will not notice me and enjoy some quality time with each other. This is supposed to be their date anyway. Besides, if I'm right with my suspicions about Zig's feelings, his attention might shift towards me, and the situation will be a mess and my credibility in this project.

I'm the one who suggested and led to creating this program (The Blind Dating Game). Then it will just turn out that I will be the one dating? It would look ridiculous and might ruin my reputation, The reputation that I conserved so much.

As I'm busy figuring out the situation while savoring my food. I failed to discern Ziggy's presence, sitting just across mine. His looks fixed on me, maybe of some confusion or just being annoyed again, puckered his brow. "Why did you sit here?" He asked.

"Do you really have to ask? I sat here to give you some space. It's your date, remember?" As I continue nibbling some beef.

He looks unpleased as he says, "What the. . . I didn't agree to come just to date with Bettina. Haven't I told you I'd rather not come here if you are not here? I want to take advantage of this moment to tell you this, Cloe, and I've been preparing for this for so long. I don't want to be your best friend anymore. I-I want to be your lover. Please be my girlfriend."