Call Me Cupid

23 (narration)

Palmer Leovanni Villaruz

Dalawang araw na lang Valentine's Day na. I've been waiting for this moment. It's also Yllara's birthday.... So I wanted it to be more special for her... for us.

I want to freely tell and show her how much I love her... She might reject me, I know... I'm really nervous about it. Hindi ko rin alam kung matatanggap ko kung kaibigan lang ang tingin niya sa'kin, o kung ayaw na niya ako makausap o makita pagkatapos...

Hindi ako ang tipo na namimilit... but I would even kneel and beg her to give me a chance if I have to.

It's our date today... but I noticed she's been noticeably quiet. She just smiles and nods at me... Naninibago ako. I'm also worried. Did she have a bad day? Or did I do something wrong?

As soon as we left the mall, I stopped walking and gently squeezed her hand. She looked at me... and I could see it in her eyes. She was troubled. Something was bothering her.

"Yllara... is there a problem?" I asked and touched her arm. I made her face me.

Yllara bit her lower lip... and it took me a lot of willpower not to kiss those sweet-looking lips.

"Leo, uhm... diba po malapit na ang Valentine's Day? P-pero wala pa po akong nagagawa para sa inyo ni Eve. Gusto ko na po sanang mag-back out... kasi wala ka namang napapala sa akin. S-sumasama ka lang po sa'kin palagi, nag-aaksaya ka lang po ng oras sa akin... A-ang totoo po niyan..." she bit her lower lip harder.

I stopped when I saw how tears formed in her eyes. It made my heart clenched. I don't like it when she's sad... or having a hard time... She's my precious sunshine.

"I-I actually have a lot of ideas in my mind. I won't be the campus' cupid if I don't... b-but, I really can't do this. H-hindi na po ako nagiging professional sa ginagawa ko. I'm just doing this kasi po gusto kong makasama ka. I-I'm really sorry. I-I have to stop this na po. I'm sorry if I wasted your time for nothing... I-I understand if you'll get mad at me... o-okay lang po kung iba-bash niyo rin ako sa website ko..."

My lips parted with her words. Some of it wasn't processed entirely in my mind... Wait, what?

I blinked and stopped when I realized she was already walking away from me. I clenched my fists... What does that mean? She wanted to be with me? As what? As a lover? Or maybe... as a friend only? I don't know... but one thing is for sure... whether she'll reject me or not, I want to pursue her. I will still pursue her... over and over again.

I remembered what my friends, especially Eve, have told me... 'Baka masyado kang ma-excite, Palmer Leo. Sa Valentine's Day pa, ha.'

Fuck. As if I could wait until February 14.

I just found myself running for Yllara. I ran for her as if it would be the last time that I would see her... I immediately held her arm when I caught up to her. She gasped and faced me... I stopped when I saw her beautiful eyes filled with tears. That made my heart ache even more.

"Yllara..."

Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko... Hinila ko siya para yakapin. I hugged her so tight... I don't want to let her go anymore.

I gulped and bit my lower lip. I remained hugging her tight like this, then I told her the words I've been wanting to tell her.

"I love you, Yllara... I-I love you so much," I muttered in a low tone.

I felt her freeze with my words. "L-Leo..." She tried to remove my arms around her. She attempted to look at my face, but I just hugged her more.

I bet I looked flushed right now... I don't want to look like a fucking tomato in front of her.

"H-huh? P-pero diba... s-si Eve ang gusto mo?" she asked and gripped my shirt.

"She's just my friend... I-I just used it as an excuse to be able to talk to you because I'm such a fucking coward. I-I actually like you since we were in first year. It took me three years to gather courage... I know, Eve always calls me torpe... because I am... It was the first time that I liked someone that much... that's why... it was so hard for me." I bit my lower lip and hugged her tighter. "I'm sorry for lying to you and making an excuse just to be with you... I-I hope you'll still give me a chance and–"

"L-Leo, please let me see your face..."

I shook my head. "E-embarrassing..." I muttered.

"Please po... I really want to see your face."

Sumuko rin ako at kumalas sa pagkakayakap sa kaniya. Yllara stared at me and bit her lower lip. She sniffled and wiped her tears... I cupped both of her cheeks and gently wiped her tears myself.

"I-if you'll reject me... I understand. But I won't give up and prove to you that I'm sincere and serious about you. D-dapat sa Valentine's Day pa ako aamin... pero hindi ko yata kayang maghintay pa, Yllara. I really really love you. If you only see me as a friend, then–"

"L-Leo... m-may crush na rin po ako sa'yo since first year," she muttered and gripped the hem of my shirt harder.

I gulped and looked at her... that didn't process in my mind immediately. Damn. Did I hear her right? But what if... this was just a dream? Oh heavens... I hope this wasn't just a dream.

"K-kaya nga po super hirap para sa'kin tanggapin nitong task kasi... a-akala ko si Eve po ang gusto mo."

"She's a lesbian, and she's just a friend," agad na sinabi ko saka humawak sa kamay niya. "I-I'm sorry for lying to you. I'm sorry if I wasn't brave enough to tell you what I feel for you right off the bat... I love you, Yllara... I really really love you."

Yllara bit her lower lip and hugged my waist. I stopped when she suddenly tipped-toe and gave me a soft kiss on my lips... that fucking caught me off guard.

"I-I love you too po, Leo..."

I blinked and touched my lip as if all the energy left my body because of her kiss. I gulped and looked at Yllara. Her beautiful face was red all over.

That made me lose it... I cupped her cheeks and kissed her lips too... deeper and harder, just like my love for her.