Forgotten Love

Chapter XLI

XLI

Gift

THREE MONTHS HAD passed, and our relationship was steady. We didn't have any problems or anything. Our dates had lessened, but we still maintained a good communication. Marami kasi kaming inaasikaso kasi malapit na ang finals. Our professors were probably uniting because all the deadlines of the projects they'd given were in the same week.

Then there was also that Romeo & Juliet play for our literature. Adrian didn't know about it yet, but Clarisse did.

"You know, he's going to find out about your relationship eventually," said Clarisse one afternoon when we were chilling in Starbucks.

"Ang hirap kasing sabihin kay Kuya. Pakiramdam ko papatayin niya si Benedict."

"I'm not going to die, but it's going to be bloody for us, Babe."

"So you're going to have a play . . . and surely, Adrian will know. Marami pa namang mga plays na nangyayari ngayon." Sumimsim si Clarisse sa kanyang frappe.

"We could make an excuse for that," I said. "I mean, it's for our grades anyway. He'll understand."

"Ang hirap paamuin ni Kuya. Baka magalit yun lalo." Ria pursed her lips.

The practice for the play started. We had to memorize our lines. It was a long play, but it mean spending more time with Ria freely. Hindi ko na kailangan magpalusot kay Adrian kung bakit parati kaming nagsasama ng kapatid niya.

"Teka, nagbibiro ka ba? Kayo ng kapatid ko? Mag-da-drama?" Adrian gave me an incredulous look. "Dude, that's gay of you. Di bagay sayo maging Romeo."

He was actually okay with us doing the play, as long as there were no kissing scenes.

"In real life, I'm actually Romeo," I told him meaningfully.

"Kumusta na pala kayo ng LOML mo?"

"LOML?"

"Love of my life," he answered, smirking. "You're obviously wrapped around her fingers. Hindi na napapadalas ang mga gimik natin. Dalawang buwan na tayong hindi lumalabas."

"LOML? Yan ba ang tawag mo kay Clarisse? Ang bakla mo naman," pang-aasar ko.

"Ulol!"

After bantering, our topic turned serious.

"Nakumpirma ko na meron na palang boyfriend 'tong kapatid ko," he said. "I'm worried her academics might be affected. Magagalit pa naman ang magulang namin."

"You're worrying for nothing. Ria is a smart girl, and she can balance her acads and love life," I assured him. It was true, though. Despite us dating, Ria was still able to manage her time. I admired her more for it. She wasn't the type of girl who demanded my attention. And no matter how much I wanted her world to revolve around me, it would never happen. She knew her priorities.

"Pero kailangan ko padin makilala kung sinong ungas ang kinahuhumalingan niya," he said firmly. "Para naman makilala ko kung sincere ba siya sa intensyon niya. Baka ang habol lang nun, pagkababae ng kapatid ko."

"I'm sure he's sincere. Whoever he is," I muttered cryptically. "And he's not after that. He probably knows you, and he knows better than to face your wrath."

"Parang kilala mo ah." He arched a brow. "Sino ba 'to?"

I shook my head. "I don't know him," I replied glibly.