"Pretty Little Promise's"

Chapter 8 - NOSTALGIC MEMORIES

ALICE POV:

Weeks have passed since the memories returned, a flood unleashed by her forgotten wallet. Inside, a faded photo: a younger me, a younger Risa. Everything came back in a rush

"Ako to ah" I said while holding the picture

"This is me when I was junior high school"

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A scene from the past plays out:

I watched Risa, her laughter echoing with another girl, Leni. I knew she was betraying me, yet my heart remained tethered. My love for her was a consuming fire, a force that made me blind to her actions.

One evening, under a sky dusted with glittering lanterns, I saw them again. Risa's arm, possessive, around Leni's waist. A cold jealousy pierced me.

"Alice, stop," I whispered, battling the tears that threatened to spill. "Don't go near them."

I choked back a sob, burying my face in my hands. The streetlamp cast a harsh light on their carefree joy, a stark contrast to my despair.

"What if she leaves me?" I murmured, a fragile prayer caught in the wind. give her everything, but does she feel it? Does she love me?"

Suddenly, Ate Imee appeared, her face etched with concern.

"Pei, what are you doing here?" Her voice, usually cheerful, was laced with worry.

"How long has she been cheating on me?" I asked, my voice ragged. "You're her friend, Ate, you knew. Why did you let it happen? Kinoconsider mo naman your tolerating her actions"

"I'm sorry, Pei," she said, her eyes filled with guilt. "all I know is ...."

"What?" I pressed, my heart clenching.
"You mean... Leni? She wants Leni?"

A heavy silence fell, broken only by the distant hum of traffic. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

I nodded, the weight of her words crushing me.
"It's okay," I said, the words hollow on my tongue. But the truth echoed in the space between us, a silent accusation that hung heavy in the air.

"Even niloloko Niya lang Ako mahal na mahal ko parin Siya I was to blind ate.. Wala eh mahal ko Talaga "

THE FOLLOWING DAY

during a stolen moment of quiet in our classroom, a classmate interrupted my break.

"Alice, Risa's looking for you."

I rose, a knot of anticipation tightening in my chest.

"Love, I missed you," I said, my voice laced with a longing I couldn't quite hide. " Nga Pala Where were you last night?"

Her smile was bright, a little too perfect."Oh, I was at my grandma's. We had dinner Kase eh "

I knew she was lying. But the words tumbled out, a desperate attempt to cling to a reality I knew was crumbling.

"Ah Ganon Ba" I managed, a hollow echo in my voice.

"Love vacant niyo ba?" she asked, her eyes meeting mine.

"Yap, I'm free until the last period.bakit "

"Can you help me Naman o with my Oral Communication assignment? I couldn't finish it,Kagabi Kase late na akong umuwi " she said, her voice a mixture of guilt and desperation.