In College This Time

Chapter 3

I left the phone store and didn't look back.

You can get your own phone, Aice. There's no need for a Rhyn Carlisle to be there, especially a saleswoman who only work to get the attention of men.

"That's right. I don't need them." I mumbled as I blindly go wherever my feet would take me before stopping, closing my eyes, and taking a deep breath. I opened them again and my decision is final. "Gusto ko ng ice cream."

"Anong flavor?"

"Cookies 'n Cream, Cookie Dough, and Coffee Crumble."

"So you want three ice creams? You only have two hands."

"Hala! Hindi! Three scoops in one --" I quickly turned around and much to my surprise, Rhyn was behind me. "A-Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

"Sinusundan ka."

"B-Bakit mo ko sinusundan?"

He tilted his head as if confused. "Dahil nauuna ka."

I shook my head. "I mean, bakit ka nandito?"

"Dahil dito ka pumunta."

I wiped my face down with both of my hands. "Rhyn."

"Yes?" He straightened up.

"Why are you still following me? I thought I already made myself clear."

"You did.. but I didn't."

My eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"

"There's a lot of things to do here at the mall now that the phone is out of the way, so let's go?"

"L-Let's go? What are you.. I.. I'm not following what you're saying."

"Let me make it clearer then." Rhyn stepped closer towards me before leveling his face with mine. "You want ice cream? I'll give you ice cream. Claro?" Before I could react, he took my wrist and the lead. 

I tried to tug back my wrist but he didn't let go. "H-Hold on a second, Rhyn!"

"Ah. That's better. Keep calling my name, Yelo."

What he called me made me blushed furiously. "Y-Ye-Yelo?!"

"Aice. Yelo."

Damn. I clenched -- Stop!

"Ah -- I -- I mean ano!" I can't help but stutter as the way he said my name kept on replaying inside my head. Uwaaah! "Aice ano ba 'yan?" I whispered to myself. "R-Rhyn kasi saglit nga!"

He stopped. "Ano 'yun?"

"Anong ano 'yun?" I took a deep breath before ranting. "Okay.. Okay.. You do not have to get me my ice cream. You don't owe me anything." As much as I want to spend my Friday night with you, I don't trust myself and my wild thoughts when you're next to me, so please.. "Can you now let my wrist go so we can part ways from here?"

"And what if I don't want to?"

"D-Don't want to?" I lightly shook my head. "Ha.. Haha, okay. Rhyn?" My voice sounded like I'm talking to a kid.

"Yes?"

"Why are you doing this?" I scoffed. "A-Ano 'yan, ganto ka lagi sa lahat ng nakikilala mong tao o nakabanggaan mo? May I remind you that I'm a complete stranger to you. You don't know me, I don't know you. And I don't understand why you're going to this length to.. to still be here! To.. to do this! To.. to get my ice cream! And I-I don't know what else to say for you to understand what I'm saying."

"Nothing. I totally get it."

"I just -- wait. You do?"

He nodded. "You're basically saying that we don't know each other, we only met a few hours ago, didn't even have a decent conversation enough to be anything more than strangers, so why am I still here? Why am I still standing in front of you and holding your wrist?"