Something More

Chapter 014

014

I tried to talk to Xander. I really did. Pero sa tuwing kakausapin ko siya, he won't even look my way. Na.. para bang hindi niya na ako kakilala. Na, Audrey Michelle Tan is just invisible to him now. All he could see is Marielle, Marielle, who used to be my best friend.. my two best friends are gone.. without on my watch.

The news spread like a wild fire. Naging hot issue sila Xander at Marielle sa buong campus. Majority of the students think  bagay sila since they are both popular and beautiful. Oo nga naman. Bakit pa ba ako umaasa na magugustuhan din ako ni Xander? 

"Audrey," 

"Ah, ano.." Jared looked at me with his concern eyes. A tear is forming in my eyes now. 

Jared sighed. He took his handkerchief, and wiped my tears. I tried to smile at him, pero no use. Ang sakit talaga eh.
"Alam ko na, ano, punta na lang tayong park.."

"Park.. okay.." Park. Yeah, yung lagi naming pinupuntahan ni Xander. Ugh.

Nang dumating kami ng park, I don't know, pero para bang may inaasahan akong unexpected. Something too impossible to happen. Na sana.. nandoon si Xander, waiting for me.

But he is not there at all.

Umupo kami ni Jared sa may swing, and he stared at me. I smiled.
"Jared.. why did you fall in love with me?" 

He blushed, looking embarassed. He lowered his head a bit. "K-kasi.. it was a love at first sight."
I chuckled. "Love at first sight?"

"Yeah. You're like my mom. Smart, kind, good-looking.."

"Oh please. I'm not good-looking." 

He shook his head. "You are." 
I sighed. "Nasaan na ang mom mo ngayon..?"

"She's.. gone." Jared said. 

"Sorry, I didn't know.."

Jared smiled. "Okay lang. She died when I was 10. Ang dad ko naman wala na, I've never met him. Kaya.. Mr. Villafuerte adopted me."

"Adopted.. you?"

He nodded. "Yeah, are you surprised? Mas maso-sorpresa ka kung malalaman mo yung dati kong pangalan."
I smiled at him. "Which is..?"

"Nonong. Pangalan ko yan dati. Whew, glad I'm adopted."

"You must be kidding. Ahaha!" hindi ko alam, pero kahit ngayon lang, hindi pilit ang tawa ko. It was real, and that moment.. I forgot about the sadness, the pain.

"Audrey," he said and took my hand. "Kung ako ang mamahalin mo, hindi kita sasaktan. You deserve a guy who will love you at your best and worst."

"Thank you but.."

"Sssh, pakinggan mo yung hangin. It's peaceful." sabi niya. I nodded. I stared at him, and he's smiling at me. How could someone like Jared, who looks lonely and expressionless.. love me? I don't know but, when he says those magic lines to me, I feel kind of happy.. yet a mixture of sadness. Naaawa ako kay Jared, parang pinapaasa ko lang siya na may mangyaring hindi naman talaga mangyayari. Gets?

That night, I didn't notice na hindi pala ako umiiyak ngayon. Which is a good thing. Could I move on? Makakakaya ko ba 'to? What will I do? Lord, help me.

I went to the balcony and stared at the stars. I stared at Xander's room.. and something happened that surprised me. I watched as a figure walks to the balcony, slowly walking out.. and staring at me with those sad, beautiful eyes.