LOVE'S BETRAYAL (MIKHALOI)

I. THE DARE

MAXINE'S POV

"Boss I have a dare for you." I heard Col talking to me. Nandito kami ngayon sa cafeteria ng university namin at naghihintay ng next class namin. Medyo maraming tao, pero nakakuha kami ng magandang spot malapit sa bintana.

"What is it this time, Col?" I asked her, sabay subo ng french fries. Pagtingin ko sa kanya ay ngiting-ngiti siya na nakatingin sa pinto ng cafeteria.

"Ang unang papasok sa pintong 'yan ay dapat magiging girlfriend mo." Col told me, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

"What's the catch?" I replied with a smirk at napatingin na siya sa akin. Alam kong may hidden agenda 'tong kaibigan ko.

"You must not fall in love with her, within a month lang dapat mapasagot mo then I'll give you 100k." Col explained, clearly excited about her idea.

Ugali na talaga namin 'to, palibhasa mga anak mayaman, walang mapagkagastusan ng pera. Si Col, short for Natalia Coleen Vergara, anak siya ng may-ari ng university, ako anak naman ako ng CEO ng isang engineering firm. Pero dati ang pinagpupustahan lang namin kung sinong mas mataas ang grade sa aming dalawa tas ngayon ganto na. Medyo nag-evolve na ang mga pustahan namin.

"W-wait nakakatakot naman." I answered her, feeling a bit uneasy. Medyo mahirap na 'to dahil feelings na ang pinag-uusapan dito. Hindi na biro 'to.

"Para namang bago 'yung pustahan natin Max." Col rolled her eyes, clearly not taking my concerns seriously.

I took a deep breath, trying to weigh my options. "F-fine, and what's the other catch?" I asked her again, knowing there's always more to Col's dares.

"If hindi ka niya sagutin or if ever you fell in love with that person, you'll give me 200k." She told me while her eyebrows are wiggling, looking like she just won the lottery.

"Tanginang 'yan, lugi ako ah." I protested, pero alam kong wala na akong kawala dito, si Col 'to eh.

Col laughed, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "Oh come on, Max. Kailan ba ako naging fair sa'yo? Besides, exciting 'to!"

I sighed, resigned to my fate. "Fine, fine."

"Deal!" Col exclaimed, extending her hand for a shake. "Now, let's see who your lucky victim will be."

We both turned our attention to the cafeteria entrance, waiting with bated breath for the next person to walk in. My heart was racing, realizing that the next few seconds could potentially change my life.

"Uy, may papasok na!" Col whispered excitedly, gripping my arm.

As the door swung open, I felt my breath catch in my throat. Bumagal pa ito na parang sa mga movies.

At ayan na...

Tangina...

"Gago Col, wag 'yan." I told her. Kilala ko ang babaeng pumasok.

Siya si Loi or si Maren Loi Yvonne Ricalde. Kaibigan siya ng ex kong... Hindi ko na babanggitin ang pangalan.

"Exciting kaya 'to." Ngumiti pa si Col na parang nang-aasar.

"Hindi mo ba siya kilala?" I hissed, trying to keep my voice down. "Si Loi 'yan, 'yung kaibigan ni... alam mo na."

Col's eyes widened in recognition, but her grin only grew wider. "Ay oo nga! Lalo tuloy exciting 'to!"

"Col naman, pwede bang i-cancel na lang 'tong dare?" I pleaded, suddenly feeling a knot in my stomach.

"No way, Max! A deal is a deal. Isipin mo na lang, good way 'to para makalimutan mo na 'yung ex mo," Col said, nudging me with her elbow.

I watched as Loi made her way to the counter, seemingly oblivious to our presence. She was wearing a simple white shirt and jeans, her long black hair tied in a messy bun. Kahit simpleng-simple lang, ang ganda niya tingnan.

"O, bakit ka nakatitig? Start na ba ng operation mo?" Col teased, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Gago ka talaga," I muttered, pero hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti. "Paano ko ba 'to sisimulan?"

Col tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Why don't you go buy her coffee? Mukhang puyat e. Good conversation starter 'yun."

I hesitated for a moment, weighing my options. Sa isang banda, ayaw ko talagang gawin 'to. Pero sa kabilang banda, curious din ako kung ano ang mangyayari at nakapayag na rin ako sa dare na 'to.

"Sige na, Max! Lumalapit na siya sa counter. It's now or never!" Col urged, practically pushing me out of my seat.

With a deep breath, I stood up and made my way to the counter, my heart pounding in my chest. As I approached Loi, I couldn't help but wonder: Paano kaya magtatapos 'tong dare na 'to?

Author's Note: if ever may nakabasa na nito sa TikTok, medyo iba flow nito :)