Scarlet Strings of Love

Chapter 24: Dia del amor

"For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul."

--Judy Garland

"Come on, sabihin mo na sa akin. I'm your dad," Coach Vallada said to his daughter habang papunta sila sa university.

"Papa, wala nga akong jowa. And no, I don't have a crush on anyone," Orange said.

"How about that Laurence guy na pumunta sa bahay para ibalik 'yong librong naiwan mo sa school?" he asks. Hindi agad nakasagot si Orange, she looked out the window, hiding her face that is slowly turning red. Her father waited for a few seconds before letting out a laugh.  "Fine, fine. I won't tease you anymore."

"Buti naman," Orange huffed and her father's smile widened. Bumaba si Orange sa sasakyan nang makapag-park sila.

"Ipakilala mo sa akin agad kapag--"

"Bahala ka nga diyan, Pa. Ang kulit mo," Orange said and left him there laughing. Tumakbo si Orange papunta sa garden at naupo sa bench sa ilalim ng malaking puno. She took a deep breath, enjoying the shade of the tree. Binuksan niya ang phone niya at tiningnan kung ano ang mga dapat niyang gawin.

Bakit kasi may event pero may mga assignment na pinapapasa? Just because the event starts in the afternoon kailangan pa rin nila magklase? That's bullshit. Orange opens her laptop and starts to do her assignments with a frown.

"Bad morning?"

Orange looked up and saw Laurence smiling at her. He gestured to the space next to Orange and she nodded, moving her bag closer to her before Laurence sat down. She went back to work while Laurence sat beside her, reading a book.

"What are you doing here?" tanong ni Orange, not looking away from her laptop.

"Busy sina Ysabelle at Luxus. Wala ako kasama," Laurence said, his eyes focused on the book he's reading.

"How about the others?"

"I don't really think that's possible since they always avoid me at all costs," Laurence said.

"I see," Orange said.

"At least you don't avoid me," Orange's hands stopped for a moment, taken aback from what Laurence had just said.

"I don't have a reason to avoid you," Orange said, resuming her work.

"Well, you know, may alam ka na hindi namin alam so it's understandable if you're going to avoid me since I always try to find out the truth."

"Hindi ka naman tanga, so by now alam mo nang hindi mo ako mapipilit na sabihin sa'yo kung ano ang alam ko," Orange said. "And for the last time, hindi naman nga ako ang dapat na nagsasabi n'on sa inyo. I didn't even want to be involved in this mess."

"Kaya nga ayaw niyong ipaalam kay Red," Laurence said. "Ayaw niyong malaman niya na--"

"If you know what's best for you, you should shut up," Orange said in a serious tone. Laurence looked at her and saw her staring at him with what seemed like a scowl. Laurence just smiled.

"I know," he said.

They both went silent for a while, focusing on their own stuff. Until they heard a couple of students talking about the event that will start after their lunch time. Laurence had an idea.

"Will you be my valentine?"

Halos mabitawan ni Orange ang laptop niya at kung hindi mabilis ang reflexes ni Laurence ay malamang nasira na ang laptop ni Orange. She glared at Laurence, her cheeks having a tint of red.