It Has Always Been You: Chapter 7b- Exchange Partner

                “It’s already 6pm, I better go home now.” Yen went out of the library. She was walking towards the gate of the university when she saw a familiar figure of a guy. “I’m sure it’s him.” She walked towards the guy and sat beside him.

Yen: Ivan? What’s wrong?

Ivan: Yen..I have done something wrong.

                Ivan told Yen what happened earlier. Yen sympathized Ivan so much, she knows how wicked April is.

Yen: Don’t worry, I’ll contact Devon and tell her to hear you out. I’m sure she’ll listen.

Ivan: Salamat Yen. You’ve been a very good friend since then.

Yen: No problem. What are friends are for? (smiled) “Ikaw pa, eh ang lakas mo sa’kin eh. Mahal kaya kita.”

Ivan: Salamat talaga. Come on, let’s have dinner, my treat. (smiled back at her)

                Ivan brought Yen to the restaurant, where they always eat together with their friends. It is their favorite restaurant, especially Devon. Since glass ang dingding, kita’ng-kita sila sa labas. Nag-uusap pa rin sila about Devon.

Ivan: Matatanggap pa rin kaya niya ako?

Yen: Sure thing. Ngayon lang naman nangyari iyon diba? Sa loob ng 1 year na panliligaw mo sa kanya, hindi ka pumalya. Hindi mo naman kasalanan ang nangyari eh, hindi mo rin naman ginusto so it’s not your fault.

Ivan: Pero may bad record na ako ngayon. I’m sure hindi na niya ako pagkakatiwalaan ng buong-buo.

Yen: Hindi ‘yan. Trust me, you’ll get through this. But be careful next time ha, ‘pag naulit pa toh, hindi na kita tutulungan. (she laughed)

Ivan: Ang cute mo pala ‘pag tumawa. (laughed too)

Yen: Ay, mambobola ka huh!

                At nagkatawanan na silang dalawa.

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                James parked his car outside their favorite restaurant. He wake her up.

Devon: Why? (nag-hihikab pa)

James: You should eat, it’s dinner time. Come on, my treat. (smile)

Devon: Sige na nga! Treat mo eh. (smiled back at him)

James: ‘Yan! Nakita ko na rin ‘yung usual smile mo. (laughed)

Devon: Bakit? Ngumingiti naman ako kanina ah!

James: Yeah, but it’s pilit.

                Nagkatawanan na din silang dalawa.

                Bubuksan na sana ni Devon ang kotse nang makita niya sina Yen at Ivan na kumakain at nag-uusap. She saw Ivan’s face, he is sad, she can tell, kahit pa nakikita niya’ng nagtatawanan ang dalawa, bakas pa rin sa mukha ng binata ang lungkot. James noticed that she’s not opening up, kaya bumalik siya sa loob ng kotse.

James: What’s wrong?

Devon: He’s there, with Yen. I don’t want to talk to him, not now.

James: Okay, just wait here. I’m gonna get us a take-out. Huwag ka na din lumabas, baka makita ka pa niya. You’re not yet ready, right?

Devon: Yeah.

                James went to the counter immediately, pretending not to see Ivan and Yen but Yen called him, he waved and ordered something for take-out. Nang matapos na siya, pumunta siya sa table nina Yen at Ivan.

James: Hey, why are you two together? “Damn you Ivan. Kung pwede lang kita’ng suntukin, ginawa ko na. Calm down James, this is not the right place.”

Ivan: Did you happen to see Devon?

James: Nope. Bakit, nasaan ba siya? You’re supposed to be together. “But then ano’ng ginawa mo? Pina-iyak mo pa siya!”

Ivan: I did something stupid, but I didn’t mean it. April set me up.

Yen: Ivan, I’m sure she’ll listen. I’ll convince her to listen to you.

James: Gotta go. Someone’s waiting for me.

Yen: At sino naman? Huh? (kumunot ang noo)

James: The girl I told you that I like…bye! (winked at Yen)