Something, Nothing

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 28 — BE HONEST

Ken is barely by himself for the next couple of days. Barbara tags along with him everywhere and since the four of us — Ken, Sun Ling, Jomar and I — have come to form a little group of our own, Barbara's been with us for most of the time too. I've been quiet like I always am, but strangely Sun Ling has been quiet too. I am not sure if the others have noticed it but I definitely have. I have even asked Jomar about it a couple of times but he's been blissfully ignorant.

So, I decide to ask Sun Ling myself. And I get the perfect opportunity when one of my lectures had been cancelled and I find that Sun Ling is free as well. I message her and we meet at one of the campus parks.

"Hey. What's up?" Sun Ling gives me a brief hug before sitting beside me on the bench, "Wait, let me guess. You talked to Sri?" she punches my arm lightly, grinning.

I roll my eyes. I haven't seen him since that day on the balcony. I'll admit that I have been tactfully ignoring him. I somehow escaped from giving him a response that day but I don't know if luck will serve me to that extent again.

"No. I just wanted to check up on you,"

"On me?" she puts a hand to her heart and lets out a little coo, "Aww, how sweet of you,"

"You've just been quiet lately,"

She waves her hand dismissively, "No,"

"Yeah. Especially ever since Barbara started hanging out with us,"

She goes silent for a few moments at that, eyes downcast, fingers fiddling with the end of her skirt.

"You noticed that?" she asks at last, giving me a sheepish grimace.

"Just doing my duty,"

Sun Ling slaps my arm, chuckling and then sighs, rubbing a hand down her face, "Barb is cool. It's just... Ken," on a more serious tone, she adds, "You cannot discuss this with anyone else, okay. Not even Jomar,"

I do a motion of zipping my lips and handing the imaginary key to her in assurance.

She nods, "He doesn't like her,"

"What?"

"He likes her, but just as a friend,"

"I thought they were dating,"

"Only because that idiot cannot say no," she shakes her head, "And since I told him off that day, he won't talk to me too,"

"He is not talking to you?"

"He is, but not about him and Barbara. But I know him. And I can see he doesn't like her that way,"

"Have you talked to him?"

She crosses her arms and shakes her head, "He's not the only one who can be stubborn,"

"But it bothers you, doesn't it?"

She just shrugs, "He's my best friend,"

"So, what's your plan?"

She lets out a long breath, "I don't think he can keep this up for long. He will have to come to me sooner or later, and then it'll be fine,"

I don't think that's wise but from what I know about Sun Ling she can be very adamant herself. I know it's not going to change anything, me talking to her. Also, I won't know what to say either — I'm not exactly the best person when it comes to giving advice. So, I just nod.

Sun Ling bumps her shoulder against mine, "Thank you for asking me though. I didn't know anyone would notice,"

"Well, when the life of the group suddenly quiets down, it's hard to not notice,"