Less of Me, More of You

Chapter 9

2020

▶️: Say U Love Me - Alamat

"Excuse me!"

Jema shouted to every person who was blocking the hallway.

Carrying a bag with a teddy bear and flowers inside it, she was trying to run as fast as she could to meet this one specific person.

Jema noticed the people around her carrying their own flowers, chocolates, teddy bears, and some other gifts.

February is indeed the month of love.

Today, the 14th of February, love is filling the air.

When she spotted the building where her date was, Jema slowed down.

Kinilig siya sa ideyang ang taong idi-date niya ngayon ay walang iba kundi si Ella.

Ella de Jesus.

"Oh, hi, Jema!" a familiar voice called her from behind. She stopped and turned her head to acknowledge the person.

"Ate Jia!"

Jema and Jia hugged each other. Hindi inexpect ni Jema na makikita siya sa building na 'yon kasi ibang program and tinake niya.

"What are you doing here?" Jia scanned her and she spotted the bag she was carrying, "and what are those?"

Sasagot na sana siya para sabihin na para 'yon kay Ella pero naalala niya ang sitwasyon ng babaeng gusto niya.

Baka hindi pa alam ng mga kaibigan niya.

Ayaw ni Jema na pangunahan ang desisyon ni Ella kaya hindi niya sinabi ang katotohanan.

"Ah! May pinapaabot lang si Kyla dito sa univ niyo. Sabi ko, dadaanan ko si ate Ly tsaka ate Ella kaya baka gusto niyang isabay ko na lang kasi same naman sila ng course." White lies.

"That's so nice of you! Oh, sige na. Miguel and I still have a date pa eh. Bye!" kinikilig na ani ni Jia. Natawa na lang si Jema at hinayaan na siya nitong maglakad papalayo.

Muling hinarap ni Jema ang building kung nasaan si Ella. Siguro hindi pa tapos ang klase nila kaya hindi pa lumalabas.

Hawak ang teleponong niregalo pa ng kaniyang magulang, nag-check siya sa facebook kung may message na si Ella at nang makitang wala pa, pinatay niya at naghanap ng upuang pwedeng pagtambayan.

May nahanap siyang bakante. Kadikit iyon ng puno at walang kahit na sinong nakaupo.

"Buti walang tao," Jema whispered to herself.

Upon sitting down on the bench, she heard loud, screeching voices nearby. Her eyes wandered and there she found a flock of students gathering around a couple.

There was a huge banner behind the guy's back that said "Will you be my valentine?" and the other two guys were holding both ends of the banner.

Jema assumed that the guy in front was asking the question plastered on the banner to the girl in front of him who had her mouth covered in both of her hands. She was probably overwhelmed or embarrassed because they were getting people's attention, including Jema.

Jema smiled as the girls around the couple were very supportive of them. Some were even playfully pushing them together, and they were blushing so hard.

"Jema."

Jema jolted and Ella chuckled. Napakamagugulatin niya talaga.

"What are you doing here?" Jema looked up to meet Ella's gaze and maybe... maybe she kinda regret it because now her heart was a mess once again.