Four Leaf Clover

Somebody else

Ivy

Sabay sabay lumabas ang mga estyudante. It was crowded, some were even pushing each other. Valerie and I were on our way sa sakayan ng tricycle as usual. We were talking and laughing when I saw a familiar face in the distance.

The night was dark, but their smiles shined so brightly, almost as if they were our source of light. Dinaig pa ang liwanang ng isang bilog na buwan.

"Your crush is walking with a girl, Val" I nudged Valerie who – by the way isn't paying attention

She looked around trying to find him. She stopped walking and that's when I knew she saw him.

I pushed her gently to start walking to avoid causing a pag tutulakan kasi crowded na nga.

"Okay lang. Hindi naman big deal, it's just a happy crush" She laughed but I could tell she was forcing it

"Alright. Whatever you say, Val"

Everything suddenly became quiet

"Sino ba kasi kasama niya?" Tinanong ni Valerie, breaking the awkward silence "I thought you didn't care?" I teased her "Nag seselos ako!" pinalo niya ang aking braso

Aray naman. I'll make a kalabaw chase you, sige ka.

"Why are you jealous? I thought happy crush lang?" She pouted "Ivy namannn!"

"Why does it matter? You established it yourself – it's just an infatuation." I said trying to bring her back to reality

"Kahit na, crush ko siya kaya obviously mag seselos ako."

"Touchè. You should just move on and find other guys. You're pretty so I don't think it'll be an issue to find a different guy,"

"Just like what they say, there's plenty other fish in the sea. Maybe this time you'll find Memo"

"Ivy naman. I know pero siya gusto ko. Siya yung gusto kong i-admire. Ang pogi niya sobra"

"Bahala ka, Val. As long as you don't become so obssesed with him."

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"Dalawa po kuya, sa kanto po yung isa po." Inabot ni Val ang bayad namin. Nauna akong pumasok ng tricycle. I noticed na hindi pa sumasakay si Val. "Huy, what are you doing? Sumakay kana"

"Uhm – sa labas nalang ako, Ivy. Sa loob nalang po kayo"

Nagtatampo ba 'to, bakit hindi siya umupo here sa tabi ko?

Nag backride nalang si Valerie and gave up her seat inside. Bakit hindi nalang yung lalaki sa labas?

I then realized what she just did.

The boy sitting beside me is Gabriel.

What the fuck, Valerie.

The ride is so awkward and quiet. I hope na it will all be over soon. He sat quietly, I observed him in silence. He smelled like spring and flowers. Our hands were slightly touching and his hands were soft. Linayo ko ang aking kamay when I felt his hands getting closer

"Dito lang po kuya" I heard Valerie's voice at bumaba ng tricycle "Bye Ivy, enjoy!" She waved at me and hurried back home

Lagot ka sakin

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Nakarating na kami sa babaan. Finally!