A Better World With You

Chapter 5

The sound of my ballpen rings in my ear as I got lost in my own thoughts. I've seen enough and I've been in my limit. I willing to take the responsibility but how am I going to tame him.
Hindi naman kasi siguro okay kung basta-basta na lamang ako magpapakita sa kaniya tapos sasabihin ko na tutulungan ko siya. Baka sabihin niya ang labo ko kasi tinaboy ko na tapos ako naman ang mangingialam.

Ano ba kasi ang dapat gawin?

"Nicole, sorry but can you please keep it down a little?" Kuya Harvey said as he signaled me to stop clicking my pen. I was taken aback from my own thoughts and shyly apologized from what I did. While everyone seemed so busy with their partners, I decided to tapped Jeanne's right shoulder to ask something.

"Hey, I have a question. You see, my friend is asking for advice and I don't know what to say about it." Jeanne's eyebrows furrowed but stopped typing on her laptop to divert her attention on me.

"Ano bang problema ng kaibigan mo?" Tanong niya sa akin at pinag-isipan ko pa kung paano ko sisimulan kaya naman napatagal ako ng kaunti bago makapagsalita.

"Okay, so here's the thing. There was an agreement already that the two of them should act as strangers and should never interfere with each other's business because they seemed to not get along well. However, my friend discovered the truth behind that guy's behavior and the counselor is asking for her help to bring the guy on the bright side." I said and Jeanne is slightly taking the grasp of the story that I am making.

"Okay, so tinanggap ba ng friend mo 'yung hinihinging tulong?" Tanong ni Jeanne at tumango ako agad.

"Actually, it took her time to process whether to accept the help or not. Nevertheless, while reflecting on the situation itself, my friend was convinced to help the guy out but she doesn't know where to start. Kasi nagkasundo na silang huwag mangialam e at parang kinoconsider niya hindi hahantong ito sa maganda kung gagalaw na lang siya basta-basta." I explained the whole story and Jeanne took time to process everything so I waited impatiently.

"Okay, I get it!" She said excitedly and position herself comfortably in order face me properly.

"Make the tables turn." I was so excited to hear the advice but my expression changed when she and I wasn't in the same track. Just like Taylor Swift mentioned in the song 'All Too Well', we really got lost in translation.

"H-huh?" I reacted and she seemed to collect her thoughts first before explaining it further.

"Make him do the first move. Imbes na 'yung friend mo ang mangungunang mag-approach, reverse the situation. Convince the guy to make the first move." I nodded as I am getting the hang of this thing but there are such things that are needed to be understood.

"I get what you're saying but how should she do it?" I asked again at parehas kaming napakamot sa aming batok.

"Grabe naman iyang problema ng kaibigan mo, Nicole. Mas komplikado pa sa course ko e." She exaggerated but that thing made me laugh. Sa katunayan, mas madali pa ngang intindihin ngayon 'yung mga lessons ko kaysa intindihin itong problema na ito.

"But I really think it's up to your friend to think of ways. Catch the guy off guard, inisin mo ng kunwari hindi mo sinasadya, trigger his soft spot, make him not resist talking to you. Kilala naman siguro ng kaibigan mo kung anong weakness ng guy na iyon diba?" Jeanne asked and I just shrugged shoulders. Hindi ko naman kasi gaano kakilala si Justine at puro pangungulit niya lang ang alam ko kaya wala talaga akong kaalam-alam.

"But I think she's associated with that guy's friends so I'm pretty sure she'll find a way." I said having in mind the dorks that Justine always hangout with. I'm pretty sure I can get some ideas from them while not being too obvious with my intention.