CALLALILY (Completed)

KABANATA 3

“No,”

He declined me again. Napawi lahat ng pag-asang nararamdaman ko sa dibdib. Masakit. Dapat sanay na sana ako ngayon dahil ilang ulit na niya akong tinatanggihan noon. Mas grabe pa.

“Ah, okay...” I nodded and smiled bitterly. “Hindi ka ba pupunta ulit?”

I can’t face him anymore, I feel so embarrassed. The past years reminded me of how he refused and declined me all over again. Those times were more desperate, I was frantic and pathetic that time.

“Love! Please be my date! Love!” I shouted in the middle of the crowd.

“I told you I don’t want to, miss.” He hissed meters away from me. His face was so dark and the way he gritted his teeth, he seems irritated now. “I don't even fucking know you. Please. Don’t call me Love, too!”

The crowd of students who witnessed the dramatic or much better called it a tragedy one hella of a scene, almost died in laughters and that day, I melted not in embarrassment but kinda determination to have him. Na kapag na-inlove din siya sa akin ay pagsisisihan niya rin ang lahat ng mga sinasabi at ginagawa niya sa akin. Mas mababaliw din siya sa akin. Those memories of my desperation never let me forget every bit of it.
I heaved a deep long sigh.

Pinilig ko ang ulo at itinigil ang pag-iisip ng mga iyon. I collected my things and slowly stood up when he didn't bother to answer my question.

“Love, I gotta go na, ha? May klase pa kasi ako so...”Saad ko at tumayo, tumayo rin siya agad.

He remained silent and still watching me. I smiled at him and waved my fingers.

“Bye muna, ha? Aabangan kita sa gate later!” I stifle a low giggle and hugged my book.

He was about to say something but I made a move first. I tiptoed and grabbed his necktie to pull his face lower and finally kissed him. I kissed the side of his lips, teasingly. All these years! I finally tasted his lips even if just a bit of it.

“Thank you, Love...” I whispered and winked mischievously before turning my back, leaving him stunned and astounded where he was standing.

He was dumbfounded and seems like he didn’t see that coming again. Afternoon came and like what I said to Lauv, I waited for him at the gate. I was gripping hardly the straps of my bag while stomping my feet on the floor and my body leaned on the wall. Before I went here, I powdered my face and put some lip shining balm to lighten my lips. I couldn’t stop myself from smiling upon thinking that crazy stunt I did earlier. I just kissed him! Though, slight peck lang ang ginawa ko. Ah! Sana pala sa mismong labi na lang niya ako humalik!

Napabungisngis ako ng mahina bago ngising napakagat ng labi. Pero napawi rin ang ngiti ko nang mamataan siyang may kasabay na namang mga babae. My forehead creased and stood straight and quickly approached them.

“Love!”

Their eyes abruptly diverted to me. I waved my hand and ran towards him despite of how his friends' eyes bore to me. May nanunukso at napapasipol. Sinita sila ni Lauv kaya tumahimik ang mga kaibigan niya at naunang naglakad. Pero ang katabi niyang isang babae na halata ang pagkalito sa mukha ay nagpaiwan at nakataas ang kilay na nakatingin sa akin. Medyo pairap na inalis ko ang tingin sa kanya at inilipat kay Lauv na titig na titig na naman sa akin. Mas lalo akong ngumiti at lumapit sa kanya.

“Hi!” I greeted.

The girl beside him was shocked when I simply bumped her shoulder a bit and took her place. She stepped backward and gasped. I’m not being rude or bad girl. Binabakuran ko lang naman ang akin! Lauv was shocked too but he didn't say anything. I smiled at him cutely showing my dimple.