CHAPTER 5

Suitor The bell rang. I was packing my books and pens when Tavy approached me. “This is the final edit of the video. Should we give to Mrs. Rage together?” I shook my head and took the flash drive. “I’ll handle it.” “You’ll eat with friends?” “Yup.” Then shoved my bag to my shoulder. “Aren’t you with Grace?” Grace is his rumored girlfriend. He chuckled. “She’s not my girl,” I smiled. “I didn’t ask.” Clarix is already outside, smiling cheekly on me. She shook her head as we walked down the building to meet our friends in the caf. “Is he courting you already?” “You know it’s not true.” “Grace is asking me. I was certain to answer her no but, boy! You smile a lot to him these days.” That made me laugh. “You’re crazy. We just talked to not hate each other.” “Excuse you, it’s just you who hate him.” We arrived and thanks to all the saints in heaven, the café is not yet packed. “I told you it’s a bomb!” we heard Ingrid. “Hey.” “Hey.” Den reached my hand. “I was waiting for you.” “Why?” I sat to seat beside her. Clarix sat next to Arie, talking about random boys again. “I have something to ask.” “About?” She leaned on me and whisper. “Are you in a relationship with Tavy now?” “What?” She smiled and showed me her phone. It was her f*******: newsfeed and I saw Tavy’s posts of our staycation last week. “It was our tour.” “Yeah. But your group photos were few. It is almost all of you!” “Because he owns the camera, and he is our photographer?” I said with sarcasm. “My classmates are killing me to speak, sheesh.” “Then ignore them.” “I was curious too,” she grinned. I gave her an ‘I cannot believe you’ look. “When did you became like that?” “What are you two whispering about?” Arie interrupted. “Nothing.” “I’m asking her if Tavy and her is dating.” Den shrugged. Arie being the over acting girl, covers her mouth. “Omg!” she squealed. “Right! Right. I saw his post and most the pictures were stolen of your face! You little w***e. Why you didn’t say anything to us.” They laughed. Clarix sipped on her orange juice. “You guys wanna hear a story?” Ingrid’s eyes widened. “You saw something?” “Yeah.” I chuckled. “Oh, shut up! Stop lying. There’s nothing we did.” “So, we go to a club-“ “Clarix!” I tried to grab her, but she moved away quickly. “Stop f*****g with me. They might believe!” “But it’s true!” Arie pouted. “What is it? I’ll pull her hair if she’ll interrupt you.” Ingrid snorted. “Yeah.” We laughed and Clang continued to tell them lies with so much exaggeration. I just shook my head. “Yeah man, I kissed him.” I laughed trying to ride with Clarix’s unbelievable ideas. They all shrieked as if they really are believing to it. “I’m so happy for you!” “You look good together!” Ingrid taunted. “Stop it guys. You’re all delusional. Stop it. If his fangirls hear us, I will bury you deep down.” Arie flip her hair and look around. “Go ahead. They won’t be a match to you, anyways.” “Sshh.” “But girls seriously speaking, I can feel Tavy’s into her.” Clarix said as if she’s really sure about her hunch. My forehead creased. “Stop imagining.” “Why? Tavy is a good catch. As if you are at disadvantage.” “Maybe she has someone already?” Ingrid grins. Clarix and Den looked at me playfully while Arie and Ingrid looked at me suspiciously. “You guys has no one to play with huh?” “We’ll find out soon,” Arie still acting suspicious on me Then she jolted and change her mood swiftly. She was smiling so bright at us. “Guys! Are your practicums already done?” “Yeah.” Den sulked. “We still have one activity left, but we’re just gonna present it. It’s almost done today.” “Alright, then, let’s have a snack party at my house this coming weekend.” “Ooh, like the old times, huh.” “I miss those times.” Ingrid said dreamily. “Yes! Yes!” she nodded. “I’ll inform my aunt so she could cook us our favorite snack!” We cheered. Before, we are always at Arie’s house to hang out. Whether to just stare at her bedroom all day, watch a movie or eat pancit canton that was cooked by her aunt, that was very dear to us. She can testify how strong the bond of us is. She is our “group’s guardian”. We also share problems to her and helps us if she can. But we barely visit her now because of our hectic schedule and availability differences. The weekend came fast, and I am already riding a tricycle while staring at Dice’s messages for me last week and this day. I just said that I’m busy so I couldn’t reply to him. He tried calling several times, but I didn’t answer any of it. I just don’t want to engage myself to him right now. I closed my phone and just wait for my arrival at Arie’s house. It was Ingrid opened the gate for me. I can smell the pasta from the inside and I saw Den sitting on the terrace. “We should buy a cola.” “You didn’t text me.” we get inside of the house. “Tita!” I shouted as soon as I got inside. She went out of the kitchen and smiled widely at me. She opened her arms for me, and I hugged her tight. I really miss her! “You are all grown woman, my gosh!” “But you keep on looking young, why is that?” She playfully pinches my belly. “You’re still as mischievous as you are.” “I can’t wait to eat your food, tita!” “Yeah, I also prepare sandwiches for y’all.” Arie pops out her head out of nowhere. “Can we drink, tita?” She raised her brow at us. “Moderately. Ladies drink!” We silently cheered. Clarix also arrived and we are all in the kitchen waiting for the food to cook. “You girls go to Arie’s room now. I can manage this alone. Start having fun.” She said while chopping the ham for the sandwich. “Let’s go. What should we watch?” We decided to watch a series a set up a table for the food. The nostalgic feeling when we were still young in Arie’s room is so intense. “I remember Ingrid crying her ass out because she got rejected by Dice.” Clarix reminisced the old times. Den chunked her sandwich. “But still, pursue him the next day.” As we are laughing, Arie’s laptop ring because of a call. “Hmm, speaking of the guy.” she smiled at Ingrid. “He calls me sometimes and somewhat.. he’s asking about you.” I was staring at Dice’s profile, still ringing on the other side of the line. Arie answered. “I need to pee.” I tapped Den’s shoulder. I heard them asked about him when I closed the door. My heart fell and as I don’t want to admit anything, I stepped outside. The humidity of the air is just right to heat up my hands. Just like before. I picked out my phone to my pocket and read his last message. “You’re with the gang? I had conversation to Arie.” “Stay busy” with a sad face emoji. I really am not quite sure, but this has to stopped. I’m still proving and making myself believe that we are just talking and nothing else but, the fact that I cannot see myself fall for this guy who thinks he can just toy us, made me think that it is not. We are not just talking, maybe we are. But we surely are flirting. He’s flirting with me. And I, don’t want to involve myself to him anymore. I need to admit that I am already hoping to him, and I don’t want to ruin our friendship just because of that. I can feel the heat in the side of my eyes. “You’re here.” I turned around and saw Den with her sandwich. “Oh, I was thinking to buy more drinks.” She nodded. “I thought you are talking to him?” “Dice?” “Yeah. You won’t say hi?” I sneered. “Nah. He’s not so important.” Her eyes beamed at me like she’s weighing every reaction I will make, so I tried to light up my mood. Den is like a cat. She’s silent yet her instincts are always right and on point. She barely understands things, but her observation will always be her answer to her questions. “He asked about you.” “Oh,” I almost got choked. “What did he say?” She smiled. “He looks for you.” “Of course. Anyone will ask about one another because we’re always together.” I laughed it out. “Arie looks comfortable talking to him.” “Hmm, they are talking according to Clarix if I’m not mistaken.” She pouted and looked at me again with the same curiosity. “I told him you’re busy talking to your suitor.” My eyes widened and she chuckled. I can’t contain and I laughed too. “You really guys are crazy.” “If you have seen his face!” she points Arie’s room. “I think they actually talking about it right now.” “Don’t tell me you seriously think me and Tavy are dating?” She shrugged with a grin in her lips. I shook my head. “Tavy is better.” I’m waiting for the next words, but it didn’t came. I got confused when she didn’t finish her sentence then I felt my phone vibrated. “Let’s buy drinks?” Den asked me and I nodded. The weeks past by quickly. I got stuck dealing with my majors and minor subject because finals is coming. I’m trying to manage my time efficiently at school because I can’t do it at home. “I’ll go ahead now, I really need to polish that essay, ugh!” Clarix exclaimed The classes are done, and she wants to go home early because of her unfinished essay. “You should, you’re the only one who didn’t pass it.” “That will have deduction, right?” “Of course.” She stomped her feet. “I don’t care.” Then she stormed out of the classroom. I was walking alone in the hallway, ready to go home when Tavy walk with me. I can feel the other students stare at us. “They are watching us.” “So?” he’s smiling. “I don’t want any rumors-“ “Woah there.” He looked around. “I’m going home too. It just happens that we are walking side by side.” I sighed and rolled my eyes at him. I just walk past him, and I heard his laughs. He’s definitely teasing me again, right?