Like A Rose

Light - One

REALIZING that he has been slacking off with his relationship with her throughout the years, Jacob knows maybe this is his chance. His last, probably.

Rachel is the reason why he's been disturbed this past few weeks. Seeing her with that guy made him realize that he's about to lose her this time.

He can't think of letting her go with someone else. Heck, he cannot live without her. For the past four years, she's the only one he ever has besides her mother.

Mahal na mahal na niya ito.

--

He felt someone poked him right on his forehead, breaking his thought bubble. He was about to reprimand that freaking disturbance when he realized who it is.

"R-rachel!" He cursed himself mentally. Ba't parang gulat na gulat siya?

He's in a coffee shop nearby their university, the one where he finds peace besides being with her. Perfect place for a loner like him. Kahit si Joseph hindi pumupunta dito para samahan siya because he told him not to. Personal time niya 'to.

She just laughed, sat right infront of him saka ito nagpangalum-baba. "Ganoon ka na ba talaga ka-busy na pati presensya ko gulat na gulat ka?"

He sighed, then sipped his cup of coffee. "You could say that. Coffee?"

Ngumiti ito. Perfect distraction. The smile that can render him breathless. Kahit kailan ata hindi siya magsasawang tignan iyon.

"Nah thanks. I'm on a diet." She said seriously. Then he laughed.

Muntik na niyang maibuga yung iniinom niya. Even a crazy Rachel would never think of diet. Silly girl. "Haha! Okay, you got me. Natawa talaga ko doon."

She giggled. "Effective diba? Loosen up. Gagraduate na tayo next year, huwag kang masyadong magseryoso, tatanda ka niyan."

His eyebows furrowed. "Uh, all the more reason para magseryoso? Kasi tumatanda na tayo at gagraduate na?"

"Touché. But whatever that paperwork is, put it down, may pupuntahan tayo." She took her phone out from her purse and even before he could protest, she is already talking to Mich, their friend. "Oo, sasama na siya. We're actually on our way now."

"Huy! Anong sasama?! Huwag nga—" he tried to reach her phone, but ofcourse, to no avail.

She hushed him. "Yes. Yes. Ay no, actually kaming dalawa lang. Hello? Bakit ko naman isasama yun?! Sige na, sige na. Bye na. See you!" Saka nito ibinaba ang telepono at saka tumingin sa kanya. "Tara na. Pack up naa. Punta tayong bar nila Michelle."

Umiling siya. "You know I hate bars and that kind of stuff."

And yes, he hates it. No, he loathes even the thought of it. Doon kasi nasira ang pamilya niya. His father was very alcoholic to a point where he made a mini bar inside their own house. Of course, his mom can't tolerate na palagi nalang itong naglalasing pagkagaling or even bago pumasok sa trabaho. They fought over it over and over and over again hanggang sa iwanan na sila ng tatay niya.

From that point on, he promised himself na never siyang magiging alcoholic.

Tumayo na si Rachel. Akala niya ay aalis na ito pero yun pala ay para iligpit na ang mga paperworks niya at saka nito inilagay sa kanyang bag. "Let's go. You have been stressed these past few weeks, you deserve a break."

Mukhang seryoso ito. But again, he declined. "Ayaw."

She hissed. "Just this once, Jacob." Uh-oh. Is she really serious? She already called his name and he finds it very cute.