It Has Always been You: Chapter 8- Being Themselves

                Yen knows that James and Devon are together. “The girl I told you that I like, sabi niya. Wala naman ako’ng ibang kilala na gusto niya, si Devon lang.” Her thinking was cut-off when her phone beeped. 1 text message received.

TEXT CONVO:

James: U’re really brave, try 2 convince her 2 listen 2 him? U must b hapi 2 see dem fall apart so dat u can hav Ivan.

Yen: yeah..but if dat’s wat can make him hapi, I’d still giv way.. :)

James: dat’s so u Yen.. :)

END OF TEXT CONVO

                Devon saw him smiling upon reading a text message. “Who could that be?”

Devon: Who’s that? (peeked at his phone but James kept it from her)

James: Oh, just a friend. (smiled)

Devon: Eh bakit ganyan ang ngiti mo kung friend lang?! (nakasimangot na si lola)

James: The text is funny. (pagsisinungaling niya) And why are you even bothered? Selos ka noh? (tumawa siya ng tumawa)

Devon: Ako? Magseselos? Huh! Bakit mo naman naisip ‘yon? (nakasimangot pa rin, guilty kasi eh)

James: Remember the “me,myself and I” na text mo sa’kin? (bumunghalit na talaga ng tawa ang James)

Devon: Waaah! Ikaw talaga! (Pak! Pak! Pak! pinaghahampas si James sa balikat) Ano bah? Joke lang ‘yon noh?!

James: You’re so defensive Devon.. haha

Devon: Ewan ko sa’yo! Hmpf! (nag-cross arms siya at tumingin sa labas)

James: You know what? I miss this. (smiled)

Devon: What THIS?

James: Mga ganitong pagkukulitan natin. Simula kasi nung nililigawan ka  na ni Ivan, hindi na tayo nagkakasama. Palagi kasi siya’ng dumidikit sa’yo. (batid ang pagka-irita sa tinig nito)

Devon: Oo nga eh. 1 year din iyon ah. Di biro yon..haha.. Wait. Are you jealous? (naughty smile)

James: What?! (namumula na ang tenga)

Devon: Wahahah! Namumula ang tenga.. I know you, your ears become red if you’re feeling shy or embarrassed..uuuyyyy.. nahihiya siya..haha (siya naman ngayon ang tawa ng tawa)

James: Hey, I’m not. Why should I? (tinakpan ang tenga)

Devon: ‘Wag mo takpan.. (pilit kinukuha ang kamay ni James sa tenga nito)

James: Hey, stop it Devon. Or else, I’ll kiss you. (cupped Devon’s face at inilapit ito sa mukha niya)

                It’s only an inch apart. Nabigla si Devon sa sinabi ni James, napatigil tuloy siya sa pang-aasar at natahimik. They were looking at each other’s eyes. Nang biglang  ‘Pak!’

James: Ouch! That metal hands again. (hinihimas ang braso na buong pwersang hinampas ni Devon)

Devon: Ikaw kasi eh! Kung anu-anong pinag-gagagawa mo. “Pero aaminin mo Devon , kinilig ka noh? Pero umayos ka, baka nakakalimutan mo’ng may problema ka sa boyfriend mo!”

James: At ikaw naman, kung anu-anong iniisip mo. “God! Muntik na ‘kong mabuking.”

Devon: Haaay.. It’s been a long time since I laughed like that. Thank you James! (smiled sweetly)

James: Yeah, me too. Thank you din. (smiled back) “That smile again. Tsk.tsk.tsk.”

Devon: Know what? Nagiging makulit ako kapag ikaw kasama ko. Serious kasi palagi si Ivan eh. In short, I’m only Me when I’m with you. “Shocks! Ano ba’ng nasabi mo? Halata ka na huh!”

James: Oh, I’m touched. Actually, me too, I was able to laugh so hard if I’m with you.  

Devon: Ehem! Pwede na ba tayo’ng kumain? Nagutom kasi ako kakatawa eh. (laughed)

James: Me too. (laughed)

****************************

Still at the restaurant,

Ivan: Yen, thank you so much for being there for me. You always do what you can to help me. You helped me make Devon notice me, you even helped me hand my love letters to her, you convinced her to say ‘yes’ to me, you comforted me before when April dumped me, you have done so many things for me, I don’t even know how to repay you.  (smiled and held her hands)

                Yen was startled when he held her hands. Yes, ang dami na niyang ginawa for Ivan. If he’s asking what he can give to repay her, she would say it would be his love. But she knows that she’s not the one Ivan loves.

Yen: Ivan, all I wanted was to make my friends happy, and that includes you. (smiled)

Ivan: Know what? If only I met you first, nagustuhan din kita. (smiled)

Yen: Huh? “Totoo ba narinig ko? Na there’s a possibility na mahalin din nya ako?”

                Biglang na-realized ni Ivan ang nasabi niya. He released Yen’s hands, kinamot niya nalang ang ulo niya. “What have you said dude!”

Ivan: Ah, eh, sabi ko, madaling magkakagusto ang mga lalaki sa’yo kasi ang bait mo. (smiled)

Yen: Ahh..hindi naman. (smiled shyly) “Eh bakit ikaw, hindi mo ‘ko nagustuhan?”

                Ivan took her home. When she got home, naabutan niya sina Bret at Fretzie sa sala, nagtatawanan ito.

Yen: Good evening! And why are you here? ..uuyyy.. (poked Bret)

Bret: Nah, just talking about things. (laughed)

Yen: Hmm..umamin ka  nga Fretz, nanliligaw ba toh? (umupo sa tabi ni Fretzie)

Fretzie: Ah, eh.. (looked at Bret)

Bret: Okay, yes I am. (shooked his head)

Yen: At kelan pa? (smiled at them)

Bret: I think 3 months?.. (laugh)

Yen: I knew it. Halata ka kasi eh.. well, putting that aside, did you know what happened?

Fretzie: Why? Ano nangyari?

Yen: Remember April? Ivan’s ex-girlfriend?

Bret: yeah. What about her?

Yen: She set Ivan up. She kissed him in front of Devon. She’s unreachable right now, naka-off siguro ang phone.

Fretzie: Oh my God! Kaya pala di ko siya ma-contact.

Bret: Why would she do that? They’re over so many years ago.

Yen: She said she still love Ivan and she said she wants him back. But we don’t have to worry, everything is settled now. April promised not to interfere with them anymore.

Bret: But we can’t be so sure.

Fretzie: Yeah, naaawa ako kay Devon, she doesn’t deserve this.

Bret: She will get through this, matapang si Devon.

Yen: I hope so, naaawa din ako kay Ivan, nasasaktan kasi siya eh.

                Fretzie and Bret looked at each other and smiled. They both know how Yen care so much for Ivan. Bret received a text message, it’s from James.

Bret: I better go now, we should talk about this tomorrow. Bye, goodnight! (waved and smiled)

Fretzie: Hatid ko muna siya hah. (nilingon si Yen)

Yen: Sige, goodnight Bret. Ingat. (smiled)

Bret: Okay, I will. (smiled)

                Nasa labas na sila ng kotse ni Bret, said goodnight to each other.

Bret: Don’t worry about Devon, she’s with James. (smiled)

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.

****************************

                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)

It Has Always Been You: Chapter 7a- Exchange Partners

James: Are you hungry?

Devon: No, I don’t want to eat. Can we just stay here? I don’t want to go home yet.

James: Okay, that’s the least I could do for you. It hurts me to see you like that, crying. (cupped Devon’s face)

                Devon smiled weakly. She knows that James treats her as a close friend but she feels there is something behind his words. “Could it be because you feel something special for me?”

Devon: Ano sabi mo? (wiped her tears)

James: Sabi ko, nasasaktan akong makita ka’ng umiiyak. (tinulungan si Devon pahiran ang mga butil ng luha sa mukha ng dalaga)

Devon: What do you mean?

James: Yeah, I admit, I don’t want to see you cry. I don’t want to see you hurting.

Devon: Why? “Please say because you love me James..”

James: Coz..Coz…you’re my friend, a special one. “Damn! Because I love you!”

Devon: Thanks. (smiled) “What am I thinking?! He already likes someone. Take a snap out of it Devon!”

                “You’re so coward James!” Being irritated to himself, he turned on the radio. The music playing is Why Can’t It Be by Rannie Raymundo.

“You came along, unexpectedly
I was doing fine in my little world
Oh baby please don't get me wrong
'Cause I'm not complaining
But you see, you got my mind spinning
(refrain):
Why can't it be
Why can't it be the two of us
Why can't we be lovers
Only friends
You came along
At the wrong place, at the wrong time
Or was it me”

                After hearing the chorus of the song, their eyes met. Pareho sila ng iniisip, they both feel that the song was meant to play for the both of them. They feel being struck by those words.

On their minds…

James: “Was it really love that came at the wrong time? Or I was just too late to claim the love that was really for me?” (staring eagerly at Devon)

Devon: “Was it really love that came at the wrong time? Or was it because I didn’t realize then that you’re the one I love?”  (lumaban din ng titigan kay James)

                Devon looked away first. “ ‘Wag kana’ng makipagtitigan..baka mahuli pa niya totoo mo’ng nararamdaman..”

Devon: Ahm, I think we should go home. I’m already sleepy. (smiled awkwardly)

James: Okay. But you can catch some winks. Malayo pa tayo sa apartment mo, traffic kasi eh.

Devon: Okay. “Okay na rin ‘to para hindi masyadong awkward..My God! Sa dinami-dami ba naman ng kanta’ng pwedeng i-play, bakit ya’ng kanta pa’ng iyan!”

“Baby I dream of you every minute
You're in my dreams
You're always in it
That's the only place I know
Where you could be mine
And I'm yours (Baby I'm yours)
Only till I wake up
REFRAIN:
Why can't it be
Why can't it be the two of us
Why can't we be lovers
Only friends
You came along
At the wrong place, (you came along) at the wrong time
Or was it me
REFRAIN:
Why can't it be
Why can't it be the two of us
Why can't we be lovers
Only friends
You came along
At the wrong place, (you came along) at the wrong time
You came along at the wrong place
At the wrong time
Or was it me (Or was it me)
Why can't it be...”

                There was a heavy traffic along the way. Devon fell asleep while James is concentrating in driving, but at times, he would give Devon a glance, since she is facing him. He can see the innocent face of the lady beside him, sleeping. The radio kept on playing. I Could Not Ask For More by Edwin McCain.

“Lying here with you 
Listening to the rain 
Smiling just to see the smile upon your face

Refrain:
These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive 
These are the moments I'll remember all my life 
I found all I've waited for 
And I could not ask for more

Looking in your eyes 
Seeing all I need 
Everything you are is everything to me 
These are the moments 
I know heaven must exist 
These are the moments I know all I need is this 
I have all I've waited for 
And I could not ask for more”

James: Yeah. Moments that I’m alone with you are the moments I really cherish. Thank you Devon for coming into my life.

“Chorus:
I could not ask for more than this time together 
I could not ask for more than this time with you 
Every prayer has been answered 
Every dream I have's come true 
And right here in this moment is right where I'm meant to be 
Here with you here with me 
These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive 
These are the moments I'll remember all my life 
I've got all I've waited for 
And I could not ask for more 
<Repeat Chorus> 

Bridge: I could not ask for more than the love you give me 'Coz it's all I've waited for 
And I could not ask for more 
I could not ask for more”

James: Kahit hindi ako ‘yong taong nasa tabi mo para ibigay ang pagmamahal na nakalaan para sa’yo, but don’t forget nandito lang ako sa tabi mo, nagmamahal ng palihim. Pero kahit pa man, hinding-hindi mawawala ang pagmamahal ko sa’yo Devon. I don’t want to see you cry and hurting because I love you, not merely because you’re a special friend. I just don’t have the courage to tell you. And besides, it’s too late for me. I love you since our high school days. Sorry, kasi nasasabi ko lang ‘to ‘pag tulog ka or kapag hindi mo ‘ko naririnig. Ang duwag mo talaga James Burgoyne!

It Has Always Been You: Chapter 6- The Ex-Girlfriend

                Devon was shocked about the message she sent to James. She unconsciously typed those words without even thinking. “Oh My Gosh! What have I done?!”

                James’ jaw dropped because of the message he received from Devon. He was laughing so hard and feeling very happy when his phone beeped again. It’s Devon.

TEXT CONVO

Devon: Hey! It’s only a joke..hahahaha

James: R u sure you’re joking? bwahahaha

Devon: Yes of course! U know I have Ivan now.. (but I still wish it’s you)

James: Yeah, I know, u luv him ryt? (ang bagal ko kasi eh!)

Devon: yeah, I do.. (i do love you)

James: Let’s go to sleep now, it’s getting late. Gudnyt.. zZzZzZ..

                “Hey! What’s about the sudden change of mood?! Hmpf! He didn’t said anything in the end..well, Masaya na rin ako kasi he said it’s not Ann, di natin alam diba? Baka ako yun!..” Ipinilig niya ang ulo sa naisip. “Hoy Devon! Nangangarap ka ng gising! Kung gusto ka niya, edi noon pa siya nanligaw!..palagi kaya kayong nagkakasama during dance practices. Tsaka enough na ‘yan huh, nasasaktan mo na si Ivan.” Tama ang konsensya niya, if James love her, noon pa sana ito nagpakita ng motibo. And now, she is lying to herself and to the whole group, kasi hindi naman niya talaga mahal si Ivan. Sinagot niya lang ito para hindi ito mahiya sa harap ng maraming tao.

On the other hand, hindi rin nakatulog ng madali si James. “I really love talking to you Devon but I can’t stand reading texts about how you love Ivan. It just hurts me so much. I hope I can shout out to the whole world how much I love you. But I can’t. You have Ivan now, I don’t want to cause troube to the both of you. Pero, kung naging matapang lang ako noon, sana tayo na ngayon kasi hindi kita titigilan hanggang hindi mo ‘ko sinasagot. But it’s really too late, really really too late.”

********************************************

                It’s Wednesday afternoon, April Soon, Ivan’s ex-girlfriend, she wants Ivan back so badly. She cried when she witnessed Ivan’s confession on stage. She seeks help from her friend Shey, since Shey and Ivan are classmates.

April: Shey, I have a plan on how to get Ivan back.

Shey: Come on April, it’s been 5 years, time to move on.

April: No, please, help me, ngayon lang ako mag-a-attempt to steal him and I promise, if I fail, hahayaan ko na sila.

Shey: Promise?

April: Yeah, promise.. (smiled at Shey)

Shey: Okay, so what am I gonna do?

April: Just befriend Devon, papuntahin mo siya sa classroom ni Ivan. Pupuntahan ko siya doon and doon ko isasagawa ang plano ko.

Shey: Yun lang ba gagawin ko?..hinay-hinay ka dyan huh..

April: Yeah, don’t worry.

Shey: Are you sure ‘bout this?

April: Yeah, kung hindi q gagawin to, baka pagsisihan ko sa huli.. I really love Ivan.

                Thursday afternoon, Devon received a text message from Ivan, he said he’ll be a little late kasi nagpapaturo ang kaibigan niya sa Statistics. She is typing a reply message to Ivan but may nakabunggo siya..

Devon: Oh, I’m sorry..hindi ko talaga sinasadya..

Shey: Okay lang yon..hindi rin kasi ako tumitingin sa dinadaanan ko eh. (smiled at Devon)

Devon: Shey?...ikaw pala..nandoon pa ba si Ivan sa classroom niyo?(smiled)

Shey: Yeah, he’s teaching April about statistics..absent kasi siya kahapon so nagpapaturo siya kay Ivan, eh hindi rin naman ako magaling sa stat so dumiretso na siya kay Ivan.. (smiled)

Devon: Ahh okay. Sige, I’ll go ahead..puntahan ko nalang siya sa classroom niyo.. (smiled)

Shey: Wait, I’ll go with you, I left my jot down notebook sa classroom..

********************************************

April: What about this? I can’t solve this kahit anong memorize ko sa equation.

Ivan: Don’t you take down notes? Kahapon lang to diniscuss ah. Are you absent yesterday?

April: Nope. But you know me, I’m a slow-learner, remember?

Ivan: Okay, just memorize this formula and transpose this..

                Ivan is busy discussing to April but she’s not listening, naghihintay lang siyang Makita si Devon sa labas at saka niya gagawin ang plano. April heard voices coming. “It’s Devon and Shey.” So, she harshly grabbed Ivan’s neck and kissed his lips intently.

                Devon, who is standing near the door, saw what happened. She can’t move. She’s too surprised, it’s like her feet are nailed on the ground.

April: Hey Devon.. (cast a naughty smile to her)

Ivan: Babe..

                Because of what Ivan said, she was able to regain her consciousness. She ran away and cried. “How dare you do this to me Ivan. Akala ko ba mahal mo ‘ko.” Tears are flowing heavily, hindi na niya halos Makita ang daraanan niya. She bumped into a guy and lost her balance. Fortunately, the guy’s reflexes are quick, he encircled his arms around her waist not to let her fall.

James: Devon? Why are you crying?

Devon: James? James! (hugged him and he did the same)

James: What happened? Let’s go to the car.

********************************************

                Ivan was about to leave and catch Devon but April held his arm and hugged him from the back.

Ivan: What’s wrong with you, April?! (pilit na kumawala sa yakap ni April)

April: I still love you Ivan, please come back. (hysterically crying)

Ivan: What?! You’re crazy. Let go. (finally, nakawaa na siya kay April)

April: Yeah, maybe I’m really crazy! I’m crazy ‘bout you Ivan!

Ivan: But I don’t feel the same anymore.. Devon is the girl I love now..

April: Couldn’t you reconsider? Ivan, hindi ko alam kung anong magagawa ko kung mawawala ka na nang tuluyan sa’kin. (crying continues)

Ivan: Nothing can change my mind. I’m sorry April. Things just didn’t work out for us.

April: I promised myself that this will be my first and last attempt to steal you from Devon. Now you made up your mind..okay, I’ll stop. I’m setting myself free.

Ivan: Thank you April, for understanding. (wiped her tears and hugged him)

                He ran away and saw Shey outside.

Shey: She went that way. I’m sorry Ivan.

                James and Devon are inside his car. They are a few blocks away from the school. After hearing the story, James can’t forgive Ivan. He thought he will never hurt Devon. “Damn you Ivan! I swear you’ll gonna pay for this.”

James: Devon, are you okay now?

Devon: No, I’m not. Hindi ko alam bakit nagawa niya ‘yon. James, why is he like that? Ngayon lang niya ako sinaktan. (wiped her tears which is continuously falling)

                She heard her phone beeping and saw Ivan’s name on the screen. She opened the messages.

1^st message: Please hear me out babe. It’s not what you think it is.

2^nd message: Where are you now? Let’s talk somewhere.

3^rd message: Babe, please reply. Don’t do this to me.

                She turned off her phone, she doesn’t want to talk to Ivan, not yet.

It Has Always Been You: Chapter 5- Suspicions

The four of them are already inside the restaurant. They are waiting for James and Yen.

Bret: Hey, where are they?

Ivan: Yeah, we’ve been waiting for almost 10 minutes!

Fretzie: I wonder what took them so long.

                Devon is worried too. “James is a good driver. He always ensures safety. But where are they now? Please be safe, James and Yen..”  Devon looked outside and saw a familiar car, it was James’. Behind it’s mirror, she saw James rubbing Yen’s back. She also saw the both of them laughing. She can’t tell why she felt sadness or disappointment or whatever, she can’t describe the feeling seeing James is with other girl. “But I shouldn’t feel this way. Yen is my friend, I know she doesn’t feel anything for James.”

Devon: They’re here.

Fretzie: Thank God, finally! I thought something went wrong.

                James and Yen joined them in the table, Yen paused for a while, the only vacant seat is beside Ivan and beside Bret. James hurriedly sat beside Bret, leaving Yen no choice but to sit beside Ivan. When Yen sat, James and Yen looked at each other and smiled sweetly. Devon saw their exchange of smiles and their suspicious look.

                Ivan, on the other hand, is wondering why Devon is silent. “I’m sure there is something bothering her. I just don’t know how to reach out to her. Everytime we’re together, it’s like she’s not happy at all.”  

Ivan: Hey babe, are you okay? What’s wrong? (rubbed Devon’s back)

Devon: I’m okay, don’t worry ‘bout me.. (smiled at him)

Fretzie: Are you sure? Kanina ka pa silent mode eh.

Devon: Yeah, maybe I’m just hungry. (laugh)

Bret: Yeah, that reminds me. Waiter!

                While waiting for their food,

Ivan: Yen, honestly, what took you so long? (stared at Yen)

Yen: Ahm.. James had to refill gas and..and.. (she don’t know what else to say)

James: And the gasoline station is crowded. That’s why. (salo ni James kay Yen)

Devon: Ahh..okay. (looking suspiciously at James)

Bret: We thought something went wrong.

James: No. we’re alright. (smiled at Yen & Yen did the same)

Fretzie: Hey, what’s behind those smiles? Uuyyy.. (laughs)

Bret: Could it be that you two are in good terms now?

Ivan: Hey, that’s good. (smiled)

Yen: No, please. It’s not what you think it is.

James: Yeah, it’s nothing. You know I like someone else. (looked at Bret, then to Devon)

Bret: Yeah, I know, I’m just fooling around. (chuckled)

Yen: Come on James, tell us who she is. (looked at James, smiled and looked at Devon)

Ivan: Yeah, tell us.

                And all the attention diverted upon him. Devon stared at him seriously.

James: This is not the right time yet. Don’t worry, someday you’ll know..

Devon: Why not now? (looked at James, frowning)

James: As I’ve said, not yet the right time. (smiled at Devon)

Fretzie: Then just give us a clue.

Yen: Yeah, do we know her? (looked at Devon) “Of course we know her. Andito nga siya sa harap namin eh..haha”

James: Yes, you all know her. “She’s in fact here with us.”

Ivan: Are we attending the same school?

James: Yep.

Devon: I think I know her.

                Devon feels a little sadness knowing James likes other girl. But still, she has the courage to ask him.

Devon: Is it Ann?

                Fretzie, Bret and Yen looked at Devon. “If you only knew Devon..”

James: No! Of course not. (frowning)

                The conversation was stopped because their orders came. After eating, they went home to take rest.

                It’s already 11pm but Devon is still awake. She can’t forget what James said earlier. “May iba siya’ng gusto.” Ivan texted her earlier that he will call, but she replied she will sleep early because she’s having a headache, but that was a lie. The truth is, James is bothering her. “Devon! Ano bah! Why are you even bothered? Be happy for him, just like him, being happy for you and Ivan. Gising pa kaya siya? Should I text him and ask him who is that girl he’s liking? Urgh! Never mind.” But instead, she reached her phone at her bedside table and sent a text message to James.

                James, on the other hand, is still awake because he can’t forget how Devon frownedwhen she saw him waving at Tricia and Ann. It makes him smile. Nagulat siya na’ng tumunog phone niya. “Who could it be texting this late?” He was surprised to see Devon’s name registered on the screen. He sat and read the message.

Devon: Hey James! Y  didn’t u told me dat u we’re liking sum1? Tell me hu is she.. y r u keeping secrets from me now? L

                “Kung alam mo lang.. It has always been you Devon.” He said to himself.

                Tumunog ang phone ni Devon and was happy to know that James replied.

TEXT CONVO

James: I said it’s not yet the right time.. 

Devon: y? wen do u think s d right tym?

James: wen she s free from her bf right now.. :(

Devon: Oh, I see, sory 2 hear dat. Now I know its not Ann.. :)

James: Of cors its not Ann, y did u think its her?..& wat’s with dat smiley?

Devon: I juz thot it was her bcoz u waved at her kanina, u know, I haven’t even seen u saying ‘hi’ to her. And I don’t lyk her for you.. :)

James: hahaha..y not? Well, hu do u want 4 me?

Devon: me, myself and i.. :)