The Dare

[20] Problems

[20] Problems

Kenneth's POV

Nakarating na ako sa bahay and yet, everything still feels the same.

Same ambiance. Still the same.

Puro maids lang ang sasalubong sa akin and after that, I'll eat alone and I will go to sleep to wake up for the next day. This is my life... boring and incomplete.

Both of my parents work in England. We have our own company there and doon nagtatrabaho sa company namin ang Dad ni Eliana.

I walked towards my room and lay down. I shifted my gaze to my side table and saw the picture frame that's been displayed here in my room for so many years. Our picture.

I sighed. I grab the picture frame and stare at it. I started to reminisce as I lean on the headboard of my bed.

"Kenneth and Eliana. You two will represent for the next event." sabi naman ng teacher namin. We are Grade 1 students here in Graven School.

Don't tell Jane that I have a crush on her. Okay?

We weren't classmates but we were always partners whenever events were held in our school.

Palagi kami ang napipili. We won, of course. Coincidence lang na kami palagi ang nagiging magkapartner.

"Oh Ken! Ikaw nanaman?" Jane said as she covered her mouth with a shocked reaction. Yep, ganun siya katindi mag-react nung Grade 1 pa lang kami.

I chuckled. "Coincidence again Jane. Hindi na siguro tayo mapaghihiwalay ng kahit sino. We're meant to be!" I said with a hint of joy in my tone.

We just laughed until we drop. It felt so good to be with my crush. She's fun. She's beautiful. She's great. She's Jane.

"Wala ng iwanan ah?" sabi niya sabay taas ng pinky finger niya. We're at the playground. "Promise me Ken. You won't leave me right?" Then she pouted.

I laced my pinky finger with hers. "Silly. Of course I won't leave you. I promise." Then we stared at each other's eyes for a moment then she suddenly hugged me like there is no tomorrow.

"Thank you Ken." Then I heard her sob. I just caressed her.

"Don't cry okay? You're getting a nose like the one Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer has, Jane." I teased her.

She stood up from the bench. "Don't say that Ken! I'm not like him. See, I'm beautiful as ever. Ah no, scratch that. I agree with Hiroto. He calls me Cutie, so I'm cute." Then she chuckled.

Si Hiroto nanaman. Ang best friend niya since childhood. Ang may-ari ng school na pinapasukan namin.

Why can't you see me how I see you? You always notice Hiroto. Not me. I just smiled back. Not reaching my eyes.

-*-*-*-

"But Mom! I made a promise with my crush. Dad, we can't leave! If you want to leave, I'm not coming with you." I mocked and went to my room.

I cried quietly. I don't want to leave her. Ayaw kong iwan si Jane... kay Hiroto. I want to be by her side always and protect her and be her shield if someone wanted to hurt Jane.

We attended recognition a while ago. Jane is Top 1 while me, I'm Top 3. My parents and I celebrated because I got medals but after that, I wish I didn't have any honors so I didn't have to face my parents.