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I can’t believe I’m doing this…
Nicole thought to herself as she pedalled on her bike all the way to Mark’s house. It was such a cringey idea, and she hated herself for letting Mark persuade her. She wondered how she found the strength to pack a speaker and microphone, sneak out of her house at night, and ride her bike three barangays away from home.
///// One Day Before /////
“So whaddaya say?” Mark eagerly asked Nicole, grinning from ear to ear with a very slight blush growing on his face.
Nicole was flustered, “This is so stupid.”
“You love stupid,” Mark retorted.
“Who said that?”
“You love me right?”
This caused a reaction from Nicole that Mark would only describe as cute.
“Whatever, Mark Borja,” Nicole humphed, “I’d have to ask my parents if I could come over to your place.”
“I don’t think they would let you.”
“Why is that? I’ve come over multiple times.”
“Not at night, you haven’t.”
Nicole raised her eyebrow, “Now you didn’t say this karaoke session would be in the evening.”
“Because I knew you wouldn’t go.”
“You’d be right.”
“Come on Nicole, pleeeease?”
“Why not just have it in the afternoon? At least then I’d be allowed.”
“But don’t you want to experience this?” Mark pleaded, “To sing love songs together late in the evening, not a care in the world around us?”
“Aww, Mark…” Nicole caressed his hand, “We’ll get to experience that some day.”
“Why wait? Let’s do it tomorrow!” he exclaimed.
“Mark! Do you have any idea how crazy you sound?”
Mark just smirked and pinched Nicole’s face. “Come on, Nicole.”
“What’s the special occasion anyway?”
“Nothing!”
“Then why tomorrow?”
“Why not?”
“I’m gonna punch you so hard.”
They both laughed. Nicole was simply concerned about the timing and the ridiculousness of it all. She didn’t want to admit that the idea did sound romantic, very surprising that Mark could even come up with it. But why Karaoke? They’ve sung together in KTV rooms so many times in the last two years they’ve been together.
It felt like they both had sung every existing song known to man, except Taki Taki, which they don’t plan on singing this lifetime. It was not like they were any good at singing either. They were both decent at best, Mark’d argue that they sound a lot better during duets but Nicole is too embarrassed to admit that.
Truth be told, she did want to go. This felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience that she couldn’t afford to pass up. She could already imagine the songs they would sing that night, the laughs they’d share, and perhaps sneak in some kisses in the middle of the verses. But she didn’t know if she could just go behind her parents’ back and sneak out.
They were all busy with Senior High School now, and she wanted to take it seriously. Granted, she had finished all her school work, and she didn’t have any upcoming projects this week. The same could not be said for her boyfriend, however. She’d thought his moving up from 10th Grade after almost failing would motivate him to work harder.
Then an idea popped up in her head.
“Okay, Mark,” she said, “I’ll go tomorrow night.”
“Really? YE-”
“On one condition…”
He stopped mid-celebration and quickly wore a timid posture.
“What is it, Nic?”
“Tomorrow night, we will ignore the world as you said.
We will sing and dance and whatever else our hearts want us to do.
But, and this is a strong BUT, Mark.
You promise me to work harder in school.”
Mark was shocked and looked like he thought really hard about it.
“This is serious, Mark. I appreciate the invitation, I really do.
But I don't want you to think that we can just do this anytime you want.
I still want us both to work hard for our future.”
Mark held her hand, and it was warm. He smiled at her and held her face. Nicole already knew his answer, but she wanted to hear him say it out loud to her. She had always admired Mark’s voice despite the silly things he would say all the time.
“I promise, Nicole.”
Nicole felt her heart flutter as she giggled softly.
“I’d do anything for you, and–”
Nicole stared into his eyes, and they sparkled.
“You know the rest.”
“I always do.”
“Yiieeee~” Mark teased, which caused Nicole to playfully hit him.
“Well whatever you have planned for us, Mark Borja, I’m sure it’ll be lovely.”
They both smiled at each other as they inched their faces closer but were interrupted by a familiar voice.
“Ho-ho! What’re you two loverbirds doing here in the middle of the halls, huh?”
“Good morning, Cathy,” Nicole greeted.
“Way to ruin the moment, Cath,” Mark muttered, earning an elbow to the stomach from his beloved.
“You look disappointed, Marky,” Cathy smirked.
“I’m telling Sofia,” he responded.
“Go ahead, I’m sure she’ll love to make fun of you for wanting to kiss your girlfriend in the middle of school.”
Nicole just laughed but deep down she was also embarrassed, but she knew Cathy didn’t mean any harm.
“Anyways, classes are about to begin, mister,” Cathy announced.
“I’ll be with you in a minute.”
“Oki doki!” she said as she skipped all the way back to her classroom.
Nicole and Mark looked at each other and shared a knowing smile.
“You want to kiss me sooo bad, huh, Mark?” she teased him.
“Don’t act like you don’t want to as well.”
“I guess we’ll find out tomorrow night.”
“Hehe, I’ll see you then.”
///////////
Nicole was sweating profusely as she kept biking towards Mark’s place. She was a few minutes away before she could reach his place but she already spotted that infamous bangs from a block away. She snickered as her breath got heavier by every pedal. Finally, Mark greeted her as she was finally by his doorstep.
“Good evening, Nic.”
“Good huff evening, Mark.”
“You must be tired.”
“I’m gonna hit you huff soo hard I swear to G-”
She was interrupted by a sudden embrace by her boyfriend.
“I missed you,” he whispered.
Nicole’s heart fluttered, “Aww, I huff missed you too, dummy.”
“Come inside, you must be exhausted.”
Mark took the bag Nicole was carrying and led her to his house. He set the bag aside, noticing how sweaty Nicole looked.
“I’m sorry for making you bike all the way here, Nic.”
“It’s huff okay…” she lied, “I could use the exercise.”
“You could also use the rest.”
“What?”
Mark handed her a cold water bottle. “Have a drink, and take a bath afterwards.”
“I thought we were singing together, not showering together.”
Mark blushed, “I didn’t say we’d do it together, but if you’re sugge–”
“I was joking,” she lied again, “Thanks, Mark.”
She took a big gulp of water before sitting down, her legs trembled but the numbness will subside. In the meantime, she watched as Mark set up the mic and speakers to the TV. He seemed to be struggling with the wires.
“Ya need any help there, Mark?”
“Nah, I’m good. I just can’t see since it’s so dark.”
Flick!
Mark looked behind him to see Nicole by the light switch.
“Thanks, Nicole. You didn’t have to get up, you know.”
“Well it could’ve taken you forever to set that thing up.”
“I told you I got it.”
“Uhuh.”
Nicole stretched her body and sighed a breath of relief.
“Well, I’m going to take a bath now, Mark.”
“Okay, I already left you some change of clothes just outside.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
…
Nicole came out of the bathroom refreshed and clean. She took a while drying her hair before she stepped outside. As she walked toward the living room, she noticed that the KTV was set up and ready to go.
However, Mark was nowhere to be found.
“Mark?” She called out for him, wondering where he was.
No response.
She made her way towards the kitchen where she saw him by the oven, squatting as he observed it carefully.
“Mark?”
He sprung up, “Oh, didn’t think you’d be done.”
“It’s been a quarter an hour. What are you doing?”
“Thought I’d surprise you with some homemade cookies. Something Cathy taught me a while back.”
“Well you didn’t burn down your house so that’s a good sign.”
“Har har,” he joked just as the timer rang. “Sounds like they’re done.”
Nicole watched as Mark grabbed some mittens and took out the tray of cookies from the oven.
“Oh shit…”
“Oh no, what is it?”
“I didn’t make cookies…”
“What?”
Mark showed Nicole the phallic-shaped cookies he surprisingly perfectly baked.
“I made cockies.”
“You really spent 30 minutes making dick-shaped cookies?” Nicole was unimpressed.
“No, I swear I molded them to be heart-shaped.”
Upon a closer look, she could see how the proportions, if done right, would’ve resembled a heart.
“Anyways,” Mark grabbed one cookie and took a bite, “Shall we sing our worries away?”
“Thought you’d never ask.”
Mark picked up one microphone and handed Nicole the other, he skimmed through a list of songs online to sing but couldn’t decide on one.
Eventually, Nicole spotted a familiar title and suggested it to him, and he didn’t argue about it.
…
“Ba’t ‘di pa sabihin?” they both sang aloud, “Ang hindi mo maamin?”
And just like they promised to each other, they forgot about their worries and troubles. It felt like it was just the two of them in this vast universe, singing heart to heart like it was their last day on Earth.
Just like the song they were singing, it represented them both.
Tadhana.
Fate.
They will forever be inseparable. The strings of fate will always lead them to each other, to run into, or meet in a cafe somewhere. Whatever their lives will throw at them, they both had this feeling they’d find each other somehow, and inevitably.
The song was about to finish and they stared at each other. Their eyes sparkled, as they always did when they met. A spark of passion and love, visible just to them. Tangible, just for them. Eternal, because of them.
Without another thought, their faces met for a kiss. They had missed each other’s taste and weren’t eager to let their lips let go just yet. Mark held the back of Nicole’s neck and her hand landed on his chest. Any further and who knows how far they’d go.
Nicole broke the kiss first with a small giggle, which left Mark confused.
“Did I do anything wrong?” he sheepishly asked.
“No, Mark,” she gave him a peck on the nose. “It’s just…
If I wanted to make out with you, I wouldn’t have needed to carry this speaker, right?”
Mark cheeks blushed, “R-right, sorry, I just…”
Nicole held his face gently, “Oh Mark Borja…”
He snickered, “Oh, Nicole Lacsamana.”
“You know the rest.”
“I do.”
Mark leaned in for another kiss but Nicole was quick to block his mouth with the microphone.
“Don’t get carried away now, mister.”
“Hehe, sorry.”
“Ikaw, Mark ha~” she teased him. “Speaking of Ikaw. I know just what to sing next.”
She was about to search for the song online but they noticed that the wifi was down.
“Ah dammit.”
“They ain’t called PLDC for nothing.”
“Well, we could still sing the song, you know,” Nicole suggested.
“Without the minus one?”
Nicole laughed, “Where’s your piano, Mark?”
“Oh, it’s upstairs.”
“Well then,” she stood up and held out her hand, “Let’s keep singing our hearts out, shall we?”
“You read my mind.”
The two of them made their way to Mark’s room and plugged the piano in.
Nicole started playing the intro, and Mark warmed up his vocals.
“Sa pagpatak,” she sang, “Ng bawat oras at ikaw…”
Mark smiled at her as she sang and played. No one else has heard how beautiful Nicole’s singing voice is.
Mark didn’t forget the promise he had made to Nicole the other day. After tonight, he needed to work harder. He needed to pass his projects on time, and study well for exams, and not let Nicole down. He wanted to be better for his future. For her future. For their future.
For now, he will listen to the song that she’s singing. Because he can hear the passion in her talent. He can feel the love in his heart. And if it meant locking in for the rest of senior high, to be able to do this sort of stuff with her any time they could, he’d do so in a heartbeat.
Nicole always tried to enjoy the things she did because whenever she found that enjoyment, everything else just naturally shined. She has enjoyed playing the piano again since she met Mark. And she has enjoyed being with Mark. Fate had seemed to lead her right to her eternal spark. She continued singing, dedicating this song to Mark.
“Ikaw ang pagibig na binigay
Sa akin ng may kapal
Biyaya ka sa buhay ko
Ligaya't pagibig ko'y ikaw.”
She glanced at Mark, who was smiling warmly at her. She felt butterflies in her stomach but ignored the feeling, no matter how much she enjoyed it. She finished the song and immediately felt Mark’s embrace from behind her.
“Mark? Are you okay?”
“I’m just… thankful to have you.”
Nicole felt her face redden, “I’m glad to have you too, Mark.”
“Well, I guess it’s my turn to play a song.”
“What songs do you know?”
“Multiple.”
Nicole doubted that. “Songs that you can both play and sing.”
“Hehe…” Mark muttered, “Twinkle twinkle?”
Nicole giggled, “That’ll do.”