Your Lucky One

Chapter Eighteen: What a Day

Trese Anaya's Point of View

"It doesn't make sense to me, Tres," Kasha suddenly blurted out. We were seated at one of the library's quiet corners, sunlight filtering through the large glass windows, creating a peaceful but tense atmosphere. I had just finished my morning classes and was still trying to get used to being back on campus after all that had happened. Since this morning everyone had been shocked to see me in class —whispers, glances, rumors. But I couldn't let that stop me.

I'm just killing time before my next class that's why I'm sitting around with Kasha and Yukio. Kasha was diligently studying, as usual, while Yukio, on the other hand, looked like he was trying to take a nap, not until he heard Kasha breaking the silence na kanina pa nakakarindi.  Ako naman, I'm just scrolling with my phone.

"Huh?" I glanced at her, slightly confused. Bigla na lang siyang nagsalita out of nowhere, and I wasn't sure if I was the one she was addressing.

"You and Dale," she clarified, not bothering to look up from her notes. "I barely know that guy, by the way. Alam ko lang, bandmate mo siya, and suddenly you're dating?"

Before I could respond, Yukio, who had been dozing off beside me, perked up, eyes glinting with curiosity. "Wait, wait! Do you know the latest gossip around our business circle?" he chimed in, clearly eager to throw himself into the conversation.

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, for God's sake, here we go again..."

"You're so random, Trese," Yukio continued his tone teasing but pointed. "Ang random mo pumili ng dini-date, and that's the problem. No one in our circle even knows this Dale guy. Parang out of nowhere you met him and ayon, boyfriend mo na daw?"

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my patience. "Me? Problem? Oh gosh," I said, leaning back in my chair. "Look, if our hearts beat for someone, it beats and beats. No matter who the person is. Hindi niyo ba kaya tanggapin yon?" I shot Yukio a glare, daring him to challenge me.

Kasha, ever the calm voice of reason, rested her chin on her hand, looking at me thoughtfully. "It's not about us accepting it, Tres. Wala naman kaming pakialam sa kung sino dini-date mo, alam mo yan at mas lalong wala kaming pake sa business circles natin. But it just doesn't make sense. Out of nowhere, bigla na lang, there's Dale. It's so sudden. I know you, if you like someone we will instantly know."

"Well," I said, my tone softening, "things happen."

Yukio leaned forward, eyes narrowing slightly. " Lenore Everette didn't happen? That's why Dale Angeles is happening. Am I right?"

Kasha's eyes flicked between Yukio and me, obviously caught off guard by how direct Yukio had been. I could feel the tension building, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to face it head-on. Of course, they knew, kailan lang nung pinipilit nila akong paaminin sa totong nararamdaman ko. Little did they know I already gave in, at hindi naging maganda ang nangyari.

"Yeah, the last thing I remember is that you were freaking in love with her," Yukio continued, completely unaware of the emotional damage he'd just stepped on. "I can even understand that more than Dale. Mas mare-reason out ko pa yon, Tres."

I shifted in my seat, my fingers gripping the edge of the table. "Shut up, Yukio," I said, my voice colder than I intended. "Just drop the topic."

Kasha sighed and threw a glance at Yukio, silently telling him to back off. "We're just worried, Tres," she said softly. "You've been through a lot even if you don't tell us, we know you've been into something these past days, and now suddenly you're dating someone new. It's not about Dale being unknown, it's about you jumping into something so quickly."