CHAPTER 10
JOYCE POV
The following day, Lexi and I decided to take a walk in the park. She left me for a while to buy us ice cream. While waiting for her my heart skipped a beat when I saw someone I didn’t expect to see. Si Kris! I didn't have time to think over my actions. I was just so glad to see him that I didn’t realize how happy and excited my voice sounded as I impulsively called his name.
Joyce: Kris!!!
I don’t think he heard me so I walked up to him and called his name again
Joyce: Kris!
He turned around and just looked shortly at me. He didn't even smile. Weird. I felt my smile plastered on my face. It was Rick who answered back.
Derrick: Hi Joyce! Nice to see you again. Kumusta na?
Joyce: Ha? Ok naman. Kayo?
I directed the question to Kris but he’s still not saying a single word. Ang weird talaga. What's wrong?
Derrick: Ok lang din. Kasama mo si Lexi?
I was too stunned by how Kris seem to not notice me. May nagawa ba ako na hindi ko alam?
Derrick: Uy, Joyce?
Joyce: Ha? Ano ulit sabi mo?
Derrick: Wala, never mind. Ano Kris? Iwan ko na muna kayo ni Joyce. Baka you want to catch up.
And then, Kris finally spoke.
Kris: Hindi naman. Tara Rick. Sige Joyce, see you around.
Joyce: Uhmm, sige. It was nice to see you again…. Bye…
And just like that he turned around and walked away.
I couldn’t bring myself to move. I’m so confused? What happened just now? He didn’t even seem glad to see me. He acted like he didn’t know me. Deadma. I felt my insides constricting and my breath seems to catch in my throat. Tears started to well in my eyes. Naiiyak ako.
LEXI POV
I saw the whole thing. What’s wrong with Kris? Bakit hindi man lang niya kinausap or pinansin si Joyce. I looked at Joyce. It seemed like she wanted to cry. Nasaktan siya. And I know why. She really likes Kris and despite her protestations, she still hopes that Kris likes her even a little. Nilapitan ko siya.
Lexi: Joyce, ice cream mo.
Joyce: Andiyan ka na pala. Thanks Lex.
Lexi: Si Kris ba yung nakita ko?
Joyce: Ha? Oo.
Lexi: Ano nangyari?
Joyce: Wala. Nag-hello lang ako. Tara Lex, uwi na tayo. Bigla sumama pakiramdam ko.
I was right. Joyce was hurt by his actions. Ang weird naman kasi ni Kris. Was I wrong in my intuition? Nagkamali ba ako sa nararamdaman ko between Joyce and Kris? I really feel na may something si Kris kay Joyce pero bakit ganun? Why did he act like he didn’t even know her? I need to talk to Rick.
DERRICK POV
I don’t know what’s going on in Kris’ head. Tahimik lang siya paglayo namin kay Joyce.
Derrick: Kris, ok ka lang? What happened back there, pare?
Kris: Ewan ko.
Derrick: Akala ko ba nahihirapan ka umiwas? Eh ngayon na siya ang lumapit sa iyo, sobrang deadma ka naman. Silent treatment. It wasn’t even polite anymore.
Kris: Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit ko ginawa yun eh. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako umiiwas.
Derrick: Alam mo, sigurado ako nasaktan si Joyce. Parang ang saya saya pa naman niya nung lumapit siya sa atin.
Hindi ulit sumagot si Kris. I’m sure tatawagan ako ni Lexi tungkol dito. Hindi ko din alam ang sasabihin ko.
KRIS POV
I played the events in my head. I was just surprised to see her that I didn’t have time to organize my thoughts. Iwas mode pa din ako kasi I’m still not sure if I’m just on the rebound. Alam ko nasaktan siya sa ginawa ko. I saw it in her eyes and I felt it too. I saw how her smile slowly faded when I acted like I didn’t know her at all. I feel so bad. I shouldn’t have treated her that way. It was so stupid of me! I’m staying away para hindi ko siya masaktan but that’s exactly what I just did. Nasaktan ko siya. When I got home, I had no second thoughts, tinawagan ko siya. I badly need to apologize. Unattended. Bad trip. I need to reach her and set things right. Still unattended. Hindi ako makatulog. Ang sama ng pakiramdam ko.
JOYCE POV
I turned off my phone. I didn't want to talk to anyone, kahit kay Lexi. Ang sakit pala ng feeling na deadma-hin ka ng isang tao na gustong-gusto mo makita at makasama. May nagawa ba ako para magalit siya sa akin? Hindi ko talaga maintindihan. I don't expect him to like me as much as I like him pero kahit man lang bilang kaibigan parang ayaw din niya. I feel so rejected. I feel so insecure. Siguro nga i'm not good enough for him. I'll never be good enough for him.
