CHAPTER 8
KIM JI AH's P.O.V
My alarm woke me up. I yawned and stretched lazily. It was another Monday morning, and I need to get prepared for school even though I was still feeling sleepy, because I had slept late due to Sung mi's unending stories about Mumbai that she shared with Little Witch and I, and also because of the late night text between Manuel and I.
Little witch was already up and doing her usual morning exercises, she probably does it to keep fit. Sung mi was still fast asleep, so after exchanging greetings with Little witch, I went into the bathroom for a bath.
Done bathing, I dressed up in blue joggers with a matching sweater and a pair of sneakers. I packed my hair in a tight bun.. 'you look better when you fall your hair' I unpacked my hair.
I had breakfast with little witch and step dad since mom and Sung mi were still fast asleep... two jobless individuals.. Sun hae was cuddled up on the floor eating chocolate and playing with stuffed toys.
Done with breakfast, I rode with Little witch in her car to school. After on Saturday's episode, we became pretty close.
On our arrival in class, we met some few students including Troy. It took a few minutes before students trooped in and class began properly. I was seated with Troy as usual but I kept stealing glances at Manuel who was also doing the same, so we were both distracted. To be fair, class was extremely boring.
After four more sessions, a teacher came in to announce the up coming senior prom and graduation party, which was taking place in four months time. Both on the same day. Graduation party at noon, prom at night.
The teacher who made the announcement soon left and the class instantly became rowdy as students went about the classroom picking their date. I saw Manuel leave his seat and I thought he wanted to walk up to me to ask me out to prom. instead, he walked to the door and wrote. 'Kim JI ah, go to prom with me'. The whole class was thrown into a frenzy as students who saw Manuel began cheering and chanting.... "Kim JI ah" Troy tickled me. My face plastered with a smile, I stood up and headed for the board when someone pulled my hand, I turned abruptly and ended up locking lips with the very own Rude jerk.
I heard gasping sounds from most students if not all....I also end clicking sounds, students were probably taking photos. I felt annoyed and wanted to pull away but I didn't...in fact, I couldn't... Rude jerk pulled back instead and our eyes met, 'you could stare at this pair of eyes forever' a voice whispered in my head.
"Ji ah has two prom dates" some yelled out, I scanned round to find out who but ended up meeting Manuel's gaze. I pushed Miguel away from me and raced to meet Manuel who probably thought I wanted to hug him because he opened his arms to receive me... but hell no...I crashed my lips into his.... I could already picture the class headlines for the day.
I broke the kiss and stared at Manuel "yes I'll go to prom with you, Manuel De Cruz"
The whole class cheered and clapped. Manuel smiled and resumed kissing me.
MIGUEL's P.O.V
I couldn't believe what had just happened, I had pulled Ji ah with the intention of stopping her from going to Manuel, and we unintentionally kissed.... After overcoming my surprise, I broke the kiss and she ended up pushing me and rushing to Manuel....I looked like a fool right now, I quietly scurried out of the class.
As soon as school was over for the day, I headed home alone. I went into Manuel's room to drop off his laundry. When I came across a folded piece of paper on the floor. I picked it up and glanced through.. it was Manuel's bucket list.
Funny how he thought I hated him....I didn't hate him..for goodness sake he was my brother. The first item on his list gave me an idea. I had known Manuel to be a Korean addict but he wasn't opportuned to travel because mom and dad won't let him out of their sight due to his health challenges.
I returned to my room, took my phone and placed a call to the principal...I've got a lot of convincing to do.
"Thank you so much" I told him after he finally agreed to grant me a favor. The principal was like my dad....he didn't like me, so getting him to do a favor was difficult but he agreed eventually.
"You are welcome... but you do know the favor is for Manuel and not you..." he's voice was stern.
"Yeah I know"... I felt pride like an adrenaline rush. I was going to help Manuel with his bucket list.
MANUEL's P.O.V
The following day which happened to be a Tuesday, JI ah and I were having lunch when we heard the principal's voice making an announcement. The location for senior prom and graduation was South Korea..my very own Korea.
"That's weird... why would a school take its own graduation party to a different country?" Ji ah said, mouth filled with veggie burger.
"Weird?...I agree... but I also agree with the Principal's decision... he probably wants to spice things up" I took a bite of my burger "and what better way to spice things than taking things to spice city itself" i added
Just then, I felt my lungs close up and I couldn't breathe.. Blood dripped down my nose... my eyes were moist with tears but I couldn't shed them. No one seemed to notice nor even Ji ah who was sitting across the table ...I struggled with my breath and thought I was actually going to die until I heard Miguel scream..
"Manuel" I slumped on the table.
...........
I opened my eyes only to find myself on a hospital bed surrounded by most of my classmates including Miguel and Ji ah..even Natasha was here..they all had a similar look of sympathy in their eyes.
"How are you feeling Manuel?" Natasha broke the silence immediately she noticed I had opened my eyes.
I didn't reply her...not because I didn't but because I couldn't, my heart was too heavy with unshed tears.....it was then I realized I was still in love with Natasha not Ji ah..
FOUR MONTHS LATER....
KIM JI AH's P.O.V
"I hereby declare you all official graduates of PEACHES HIGH" the Principal announced and loud cheering overshadowed his voice, caps were flung in the air as everyone cheered excitedly. Being a graduate comes with an exciting feeling. People hugged themselves. I scanned around for Manuel, little witch and Troy. I sighted Miguel instead and I rushed to hug him.
"Congratulations graduant" I hear so he called hear.
"Congrats to you too" he yelled back with smiles on face.
We disentangled and I continued my search for the trio. I saw little witch next, she pulled me and gave me a warm embrace.
"Congratulations Ji ah"
Celebration was in the air but the main celebrations was yet to begin at the prom party. I saw Troy a while later but couldn't find Manuel so I decided to text him- 'congratulations secret owner'
He replied almost immediately 'congrats secret keeper, can't wait to see you at prom..save me the first dance'
I wanted to text back when little witch pulled my arm "c'mon let's go meet mom and dad"
Yeah, our parents were here and so was Sung mi and AUNDRE's. No one wanted to miss his/her child's graduation ceremony hence the parents came along making the hall rowdy. Parents were hugging their graduating children and taking pictures with them.
"Congrats honey" that was mom as she hugged little witch and then me. Step Dad hugged us next, before Sung mi.
Mom's protruding belly kept her from grasping too tight as she was already nine months gone and was due at anytime. It took us a whole lot to convince the people at the airport that she was suitable for traveling and we even had to lie that the pregnancy was just seven months.
"Congrats Alicia" Aundre said. I turned to him, "aren't you going to congratulate me?" I asked with feigned anger.
He chuckled "congratulations Ji ah" he had the warmest smile "I'm also sorry for stealing your moment, but there's something I got to do"
Before us all, he went down on one knee facing Sung mi and brought out a small box from his pocket... a freaking ring box... omg... he was going to propose.
"I'm not good with words. I'm terrible at describing things, I would have describe the way my heart leaps for joy whenever I hear your name.. the way I look forward to each day I want to spend with you. People believe in love at first sight but I believe in love in every glance, I basically find myself becoming more obsessed with you... I might not be sure of so many things, but one thing I'm sure of is that I want to spend all my mornings waking up to seeing you beside me.. I heart you, Be my bride Lee sung mi"
Sung mi's eyes nearly popped out in surprise and right there, I knew what she was going to say....
"Yes...yes...yessss...I'll be your bride" she yelled excitedly and jumped on Aundre. We clapped and cheered. My phone rang and I fished it out from my purse. It was Manuel.
"You called..." I started but was stopped by Natasha's teary voice " Manuel...Manuel... he slumped...come quickly".
