I Can Only Love You Reluctantly (A LIGHT NOVEL)

Chapter 17

Inside the large and almost empty cafeteria, the girl seated closest to the counter ate her food with relish.

Pasado ala una na ng hapon kaya tira-tira na lang ang laman ng kanyang plato ngunit hindi niya inaasahang magugustuhan niya ang pinaghalo-halong pagkain na 'yon.

The feeling of being alone coupled with the unexpected taste of the dishes even made her enjoy her foods. However, nothing really lasts forever.

Halfway through her meal, a sweet but annoying voice interrupted her. It belonged to Kerry who made herself comfortable sitting infront of her. Next to her is a girl who looks unfamiliar to Yra.

With a wide grin on her face, Kerry proceeded saying, "Yra, I would like to introduce you to your future cousin-in-law, Shina!"

Completely interrupted and confused, Yra furrowed her brows. "Cousin what?"

"Hello Yra, nice to meet you," it was the unfamiliar girl who answered.

Not wanting to be rude, Yra returned it with a force smile, however, her smile froze when she heard the following words.

"Magkapatid ang mommy namin ni Asher, so Asher is my cousin." With undisguised excitement on her face, the girl continued, "Eversince Kerry told me that Asher has a girlfriend, I really want to meet you! Not just me, even tita! Fortunately, medyo maluwag ang security ngayon kaya nakapasok ako rito."

"Ah hehe." Yra took a sip of her water while while analyzing the situation. Gusto lang naman niyang kumain ng mapayapa, bakit biglang may nagpakilalang pinsan sa kanya?

She opened her phone and quickly typed a few words urging Asher to come and rescue her ASAP.

"Ba't di mo kasama si Asher? Saan naman siya nagpunta e suspended ang klase natin ngayong hapon," tanong ni Kerry na nagpakaba sa kanya.

Naiinis nga siya sa sarili dahil sa kabang nararamdaman niya. Akala niya lumalakas na ang loob niyang harapin si Kerry pero heto't nag-aalala siya sa simpleng tanong tungkol kay Asher.

"Parating na siya, may tinapos lang," she answered confidently. Hindi nga niya alam kung saan siya humugot ng lakas ng loob gayong hindi pa siya sigurado kung nabasa ni Asher ang text niya. Lihim na lang niyang ipinagdasal na dumating na ito.

Afraid of making mistake, she communicated with Shina like she often does with her own cousins. She even joked and laughed with her.

"You know couz, I was relieved to finally able meet you. And I'm sure pati rin si tita. Nag-aalala kasi kami na walang magkakagusto kay Asher dahil sa personality niya, you know what I mean. Buti na lang talaga may nakakatagal sa kanya, and that's you."

Ngumiti na lang si Yra dahil hindi niya maitama ang sinasabi nito. Nagi-guilty nga siya sa mga sinabi niyang kasinungalingan. Pamilya na ni Asher ang kausap niya! Shina even asked for her permission to call her 'couz'.

Base sa sinabi ni Shina, akala yata nila walang babaeng nagkakagusto kay Asher. Napaka-unreliable naman ng source nila.

Sa dami nga ng babaeng may gusto kay Asher ay halos araw-araw siyang may kagalit. Siguro, dahil sa pambabakod niya rito kaya inakala nilang walang nagkakagusto sa kanya.

"Sa ganda mong 'yan, siguro nahirapan siyang i-pursue ka ano? I can't even imagine him courting a girl! You need to tell me how he pursued you!"