WARRIOR FIVE - JV

Malalim na buntong hininga ang pinakawalan ni Alli. She was in despair. Mahirap para sa kaniyang desisyunan ang hinihiling ng ama. Ngunit mabigat ang kinakaharap na suliranin ngayon ng kaniyang ama na siya lang ang maaaring makalutas.

"That's the saddest sigh I heard from you all these years," turan ni Nicolas na nasa driver's seat.

Nilingon niya ito. He was smiling at her weakly. As always Nick has this positive aura kahit pa damay ito sa suliraning kinakaharap nilang mag-ama ngayon. Nicolas is her best friend. The closest person she had na hindi niya kamag-anak. They'd been together since diapers. Kasama niya itong lumaki at nagkaisip. And now, she is bound to marry her best friend.

Wala naman sanang masama sa bagay na iyon. Nick is a responsible son. Nag-iisa itong anak nang isa sa pinakamakapangyarihang angkan sa San Felipe. Walang maipipintas dito. He was good looking. The most sought bachelor.

But she don't love him. Kahit anong gawin niya, all she felt for Nick was friendship. Para lang itong kapatid sa kaniya.

Many thought they would definitely end up together. Buong San Felipe expects them to marry each other. They were always seen together hanggang high school. But they got separated when they were in college. Nick moved abroad to pursue college. Samantalang siya moved to the city. They both returned home though after college. But the closeness had somewhat faded.

Naging abala na siya sa pagtulong sa ama sa pagpapatakbo ng negosyo nila while Nick did become the CEO of their own company. Plus naging mayor ng bayan ang ama nito and his clan had been involved in politics. They might be a little busy with each other's lives but they are still best friends.

The thought of them ending up together still remains for the people of San Felipe. But as always, Nick is never more than just a friend to her.

"Why are taking this lightly Nick?" aniya. She didn't like the idea that Nick is ok with the thought of marrying her. Pano siya lalaban kung tatanggapin nito iyon. "They want us to get married."

Nick smirked. "I'm not taking this lightly but I am not against it."

Natigilan siya. Nick had confessed his feelings for her a while ago. But she couldn't take it. It would be unfair for both of them.

"Alli, I know that you rejected me. And trust me, wala akong kinalaman sa decision ni Tito Arman and Daddy. I wouldn't force you to marry me just for the sake of saving your family's business. I have so much respect for your feelings. But..." Nick gave a dejected sigh.

"...you liked the idea that I will be bound to you, ganun ba, Nick?" dugtong niya sa pagtigil ni Nick. She doesn't want to sound rude but her frustrations are making her.

"You know, Alli, it's kind of insulting that you are looking at it that way. You may not have loved me more than a friend but you act like you are disgusted just the thought of marrying me. Am I not worth to be your lover?" Nick said sounding in pain.

Tila naman napahiya si Alli sa sinabi ng kaibigan. She may not have that kind of feeling for Nick but he is definitely not a bad catch either. In fact, As far she knows, Nick had dated pretty elite girls abroad during college. And many had cried a bucket when the news broke out na ikakasal sila.

"I-I'm sorry... I didn't mean to sound like that. Frustrated lang talaga ako." Napayuko siya.

She somehow thought ano nga ba ang rason ng frustration niya? Bukod sa hindi niya mahal si Nick wala namang ibang rason kung bakit ayaw niya magpakasal rito. Besides, hindi naman agad ang desisyon na iyon. They were given a year to decide. And a year is long enough para mapag-aralan niyang mahalin ito. They had a foundation of friendship, maybe if he looked at Nick differently hindi malayong magkaron din siya ng nararamdaman dito. Maybe she just needed to give time for herself.

"We are just 24 years old. Young enough to marry. I understand that," turan Nick.

Muli siyang napatingin rito. That probably is. They are still young to marry. Marami pa siyang gustong gawin. Marami pa siyang gustong marating.

'...And meron pa kong magagawa. I have the whole year to find a way...' bulong niya sa sarili.

"Nick, can I ask you for a favor?" bigla niyang turan. "We've been given a year to work this out. I wanted to do things on my own. Can you wait for me? If things don't work out for me, I promise to come back. Just let me be for a year."

She thinks she just needed time for herself. A year would be enough for her to decide. Gusto niyang masiguro that she is willing to do this. If after a year, wala siyang ibang choice, she will come back.

Hindi sumagot si Nick. Alli is asking her to set her free, at least that's how it sounded to him. Ngunit alam niyang tumanggi man siya, Alli would be miserable and he couldn't bear it.

Tumango siya. And gave her a smile. "I will wait for you, whatever you decide..."