2012: The Road Trip

I blinked up at him, before glancing at the time on my phone.

10:57 PM

My eyes found Oliver's again, and said, "It's early pa. Kuya's not home yet."

He sighed, crossing his arms and leaning his back on his car. While he looked down the street, kinuha ko na yung chance to ogle at him – discreetly. He was wearing a navy blue shirt underneath an unbuttoned white polo, rolled up at the sleeves.

He looked fresh, albeit bored.

Even at night, kitang kita ko how smooth and clear his skin was. If I didn't know Oliver, I'd think may strict skin care routine siya. But he wasn't the type to care about that stuff.

As I got to know him more and more over the years and months, I began to realize that he wasn't one to care about much. He valued loyalty, though. He valued his family and friends. He was the type who'd rather suffer quietly than burden others.

"Are you up for a night drive?" he asked bigla.

I straightened up at the thought of sneaking out and having an adventure with Oliver. I knew I shouldn't, kasi my brother was going to kill me. But as of now, I didn't care.

I just wanna go.

Deep inside, I've always wanted to have the lakas ng loob to travel to places and have an adventure that I'd only read about. Oliver was giving me the chance to take that first step.

"Where to?" I asked him, trying to be casual.

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Wherever the night takes us."

Very Ollie answer.

"You'll bring me back home before sunrise?"

A little smile appeared, before he said, "It'll be like you never left."

"You won't tell Kuya?" I had to make sure. Takot ko lang kay Jesse.

He nodded. "I promise."

Finally, I grinned and nodded. "I'll grab my bag lang."

With indie chill music playing in the car, we drove up to Subic in the middle of the night. It didn't take us long to get there, with the way Oliver drove.

I loved the vibe so much, though. Neither of us spoke much sa ride, pero I liked how we both just let the music engulf us. I liked the feeling of peace and comfort kahit na tahimik lang kami. It was as if... we simply liked each other's presence and that was more than enough.

Pagpasok namin sa Freeport Zone, we stopped by a convenience store to buy Chuckie (the chocolate drink). Apparently, it was his favorite.

When he saw my expression, because I didn't expect him to like that kind of kiddie drink, he offered to buy me one. Who was I to refuse Chuckie naman, 'di ba?

After that, we walked along the waterfront and hung out there. It was pretty quiet na at this time of night. May mga umiinom pa rin when we passed by some bars and restaurants, but we stayed banda sa quiet area nalang para peaceful pa rin.

"Do you always go here?"

Oliver shook his head, looking out to the sea kahit na gabi and he didn't see much.

"No."

"So why dito?"

"Just felt like it."

"Are you like Eddie Murphy in that movie na hindi pwedeng magsalita masyado 'cause nababawasan life mo if you speak too much?"

That earned me a chuckle from him. "No."

"Gosh, ang fun mong kausap," I muttered.

At this, he burst out laughing. I could only stare in awe. I just made Oliver laugh. Oh, my Zeus. I loved the way his eyes disappeared completely. Gosh, so gwapo.

Usually kasi, it was only the guys in the group (Enrique, Jesse, and Paolo) that made him laugh. Even Frankie and Ingrid were only able to make him grin, but not all out laugh like this.

"I'm sorry," he finally said, when he calmed down. "I'm just really not talkative. Alam mo naman 'to, we've hung out lots of times before."

Yeah, that was true. I became a part of their group when I entered college.

Okay, I felt bad. "You never have to say sorry for who you are. Being quiet is not a crime." I paused, hesitating for a second before letting the next words slip out. "Boring, but not a crime."

He laughed again, and it did wonders to the butterflies in my stomach.

Kalma, my dears.

"Are you saying I'm boring?" he asked, amidst chuckling.

My eyebrows raised, mocking disbelief. "You – who dragged me out in the middle of the night and drove up north to freaking Subic on a whim – boring? No way."

Suspicion filled his eyes as he watched me. And let me tell you, Oliver staring intently at you is nerve-wracking. Gusto ko na pong malusaw.

"They said you're funny," he said. "I didn't believe it, 'cause you always seemed so timid. But I guess it's true." He leaned closer and whispered, "Are you only shy around me?"

I averted my eyes, but I could feel the rush of heat on my cheeks. Oh, my gosh. His face was so close to mine. Breathe in, breathe out.

I cleared my throat, before answering, "It's by chance lang."

He only nodded, his face unreadable.

"Do you do midnight rendezvous with Kuya like this often?"

Was I changing the subject? Yup.

"No," he replied.

"Then..." I trailed off, waiting for him to continue.

And it was a looooong time before he did. He looked towards the sea muna and took his time. I didn't say anything kasi I didn't want to ruin his moment. Kaya I patiently waited.

"I'm thinking of quitting the team," he suddenly admitted.

My eyes widened, but I didn't speak yet in case he wanted to say more kasi baka tumahimik na naman siya. And I wanted him to share more.

He was part of the football team at our university, which was kind of a big deal. I saw him play many times, and he was good – better than most, even. So bakit...?

"Enri's leaving the team, anyway," he added.

But Enrique's leaving kasi he was getting ready to migrate to Australia.

I tilted my head in wonder. "Didn't you join together?"

"Yeah," he sighed, raising his head and looking up at the night sky. "Ayoko ng team mentality. Without Enri there to tone it down, everything's just... sobrang lala." He shook his head. "Yeah, I'd rather not stay."

"When will you quit?"

"Baka tapusin ko lang yung school year."

I looked down at my shoes and let the quiet take over us, thinking back to the times na pinaguusapan nila sports. He never once gave me the impression that he enjoyed being with his teammates. It seemed more like a duty for him to stay there.

Probably because of Enrique...? They've known each other since high school after all. Enrique was the one who was obsessed with football, not Oliver. Now that he was leaving, baka Oliver saw that as an out na din.

"So what's up with you? 'Musta college life?"

I took a deep breath, thinking about my school work.

"Surviving naman." Turning my head, I looked at Oliver. "I didn't expect managing time would be this hard, though. Kaya sobrang in awe ako sa inyo nila Kuya. I'm in my second year na, pero still I could barely make it in time to pass my projects when they're due."

"Maybe if you spent less time reading non-academic books..." he trailed off, shrugging.

I gasped, outraged by what he implied. "Hey, don't attack my books! They're innocent."

"Sabi mo e."

I made a face and stuck out my tongue at him, causing him to laugh out loud. I couldn't help the smile that creeped up to my lips. I swear, I'll never get tired of hearing that laugh.

We then talked about random stuff na. It was the first time na super comfortable ako chatting with Oliver. It was also the first of many, many night time road trips that I had with him. None of the group knew. It was our little secret.

Our own midnight rendezvous.