Ann: Hi! (smiled at him sweetly)
James: Oh, it’s you. (continued reading)
Ann: James, can I join you for lunch? Tricia is not around so I’m alone today. (put a sad face)
James: I’m in the middle of studying now Ann, better ask someone else. (kinda irritated)
Ann: But James, I want to have lunch with you, especially now that you’re alone too.
James: What do you mean?
Ann: I saw your friends leaving earlier.
James: Ann, I’m busy.
Ann: James please, just this once? (hinawakan niya ang kamay ni James)
James: Why me? (hinablot ang kamay niya)
Ann: Because I think you’re already opening your heart to me. (smiled)
James: What?! (inis na ang lolo niyo..haha)
Ann: When you waved back at me, after the competition, at the backstage, remember? (smiled)
James then remembered that time. He can’t help but smile when he remembered that Devon frowned upon seeing him waving back at Ann and Tricia.
Ann: Oh! You remembered! You’re smiling! Lucky! (she said excitedly)
James: Yeah, I remembered, but it doesn’t mean anything Ann.
Ann: James, just eat lunch with me..please? (ignored the hurt James is causing)
James: Okay. Just this once. “Argh! Why do I have to listen to her?!”
James drove off towards his favorite restaurant, together with Ann. They went directly at the counter. When he turned his back, he was surprised to see his friends, staring at him, with surprised looks.
All of them were surprised to see James with Ann, especially Devon. She really didn’t expect James meant Ann as the girl he currently loves. “Oh my God! So it’s really her! Get a hold of yourself Devon. Kaya mo ‘yan!”
James was about to walk towards them but Ann grabbed his arm and walked the other way. But James felt he needs to explain why they are having lunch together.
James: Ann, wait, I have something to tell them. Pero mauna ka na’ng kumain.
He already walked away before Ann could say anything.
James: Hey guys. I’m sorry.
Devon: Sorry for what? For choosing her than us? (raised her eyebrows)
Ivan: Hey, calm down babe. Maybe he has a good explanation. (rubbed Devon’s back, smiling)
Bret: Yeah, I thought you’re in the library.
James: I was! I don’t have plans for lunch but then she came and asks to have lunch with me.
Yen: At umo-o ka naman?! (eyes widened, halatang shock)
James: Tumanggi ako, but she insisted and I was irritated so I agreed just to finish things, just this once.
Ivan: Are you sure just this once? (laughed)
James: Yeah of course. She just barged in, believe me. (pleading eyes)
Bret, Fretzie, Yen: I believe you. (nagkatinginan at tumawa)
James: Thank you. (sighed, smiled)
Devon: Guys let’s go. Baka ma-late na’ko sa susunod ko’ng klase. And besides, his date is waiting for him. (tumayo na at diretso sa pintuan)
The four of them had nothing to do but to follow her. James on the other hand is smiling.
Fretzie: We better go, looks like galit talaga siya. (laugh)
Ivan&Bret: Bye dude. (tap his shoulder)
Yen was the last one walking. James called her and she turned to him.
James: You should congratulate me, parang nagseselos siya. (laugh)
Yen: Hahaha, don’t get it wrong. But maybe she really is. Hahaha, bye for now! (waved at him)
James returned to the table where Ann is. He saw her crying, head bowed down.
James: Hey, why are you crying?
Ann: What took you so long? Akala ko nakalimutan mo na ‘ko. (sobs)
James: May sinabi lang ako sa kanila. And why are you so affected? (grimaced face na ang James)
Ann: Because I love you James! Since our first year, I already loved you. (napalakas ang boses)
James: Hinaan mo boses mo Ann. You don’t understand, I love someone else. I already loved her for more than 5 years.
Ann: What? Who is she?
James: Someone you don’t have to know. I mean, it’s not important.
Ann: James, is it hard to love me? I’m popular, I’m pretty, I can be whatever you want me to be. Just love me! (wiped her tears)
James: I know Ann, you would do anything for love. You deserve someone who will love you and it’s not me. I’m sorry, I hope you understand. Now if you’re done eating, let’s go.
Ann: You’re not eating anything?
James: No, nawalan na’ko ng gana.
**********************************************
On the car, Devon is so silent. “Hindi talaga ako makapaniwala na mahal niya si Ann. Eh hindi nga niya yun pinapansin eh!”
Ivan: Babe? Are you okay?
Devon: Huh? Yeah, I’m fine. Why?
Ivan: I just thought there might be something bothering you. And are you really mad back there?
Devon: Kinda. I just don’t get it why he chose Ann than us.
Ivan: Calm down, why are you even mad? He said Ann just barged in and he agreed just to finish things.
Devon: I don’t believe it.
Ivan: Okay, Just calm down. “Why are you so affected Devon. I hope I’m wrong. I hope I’m just imagining things.”
**********************************************
James and Ann are heading to the school. James is concentrating in driving. Ann breaks the silence.
Ann: James, I truly understand now. But, can we still be friends? (faced James)
James: I have nothing against you, so why not? (smiled at her)
James parked his car at the school’s parking lot.
Ann: Friends? (lend her hand)
James: Friends. (took her hand)
Ann: Thank you James, for accepting my friendship.
James: No problem. (smiled and stopped the engine of the car)
Ann: Una na’ko. Ayoko’ng makita tayo ng mahal mo na magkasama. Baka mawalan ka na talaga ng pag-asa. Sayang naman ang five years. Haha! (akmang bubuksan na niya ang kotse nang pigilan siya ni James)
James: Huh? Ano’ng pinagsasasabi mo?
Ann: The one you love for more than five years….it’s Devon…am I right?
James: How did you… how did you know? (he was really surprised)
Ann: Come on James. You said you loved her for more than five years, you’ve known each other since high school right? I know it’s not Fretzie because she already has Bret. It’s not also Yen, I haven’t seen you being so close to her. And that’s left Devon. I always observe you when you’re together. You act different when Ivan is around. I saw your reaction when Ivan confessed to her in front of us. I’ve seen through it James. But don’t worry, my mouth is zipped.
Ann smiled to James who is currently surprised. Lumabas na siya ng kotse at naiwan si James na surprised pa rin.
“Why does she have to know? Am I that obvious? If so, good thing Fretzie, Ivan and Devon haven’t noticed it. I really hate keeping things from myself. I hope I can confess to you before our graduation. I only have 5 months left.”
**********************************************
Writer's Mind: Mapasakanya kaya si Devon before graduation?.. :)
*drum rolls*
ReplyDeleteabangan ang susunod na kabanata :DD