21 Minutes

Third

M: O diba, bata pa, ang landi na? (faces Jeron) Tapos pinagpipilitan mong crush kita?

J: (pouts) At least you're my first and last landi.

M: (blushes and slaps Jeron's arm) I can't believe we're having this conversation! Next question, please!

Guys, they're too cute, I'm telling you. It's a good thing my succeeding question was "landi-free". :))

In high school, you went to separate schools?

J: Yup. I studied in Xavier while Mika went to St. Scho.

Did you have any relationship during that time?

M: No.

J: I had one. It was may first relationship. The funny thing is classmate siya ni Mika.

M: (smiles while nodding)

J: (points to Mika) And she was actually there when we broke up. She was able to witness that.

--- Flashback ---





It was an evening of fun and magic for the students arriving at The Grand Terrace, where unforgettable high school memories were about to unfold. The ladies walked in fancy dresses, their hair all dolled up, while the guys looked neat in their suits and tuxedos. Everyone looked their best, ready to smile for pictures to keep and share online.




After all, it was prom night.




Mika was feeling mixed emotions as she got out of their car. Her brother was supposed to be her date, but he got sick unfortunately, leaving her unaccompanied for the ball.




"Sana chill lang yung date ni Jessey.", she hoped, as she resolved to just stick with her best friend throughout the evening.




Mika roamed her eyes around the place and spotted the girl she was looking for. She approached the table where Jessey was seated and greeted her with a tight hug.




"Waaahhhh, BF!!! Super ganda mo!!!, Jessey exclaimed upon seeing her.




The two girls were dressed in earth colors, following the theme of the event. Jessey in yellow, and Mika in green. The latter's long hair cascaded down her back, like still black waves, while Jessey opted to keep hers in a loose side braid.




"Ikaw rin kaya! Ang taray ng transformeyshen!", Mika responded adoringly.




"Minsan lang eh. Brother ko pala, si Jelo.", Jessey introduced.




Mika shook hands with him and she was grateful for the fact that she and her best friend were both single. They could spend the night together since Jelo was just kind enough to accompany his sister and let her be.




The first set of songs were lively, setting the party mood in the venue. The two danced along with their friends and classmates, just having the time of their lives. A few minutes later, Mika excused herself to go to the restroom.




On her way, she caught sight of two familiar faces talking in the patio. It was one of her classmates slash prom queen contender, together with her childhood frienemy. Mika cringed as she remembered how her mother even asked Jeron's mom if the guy could be her date for the prom.




"Buti na lang nagkamali si Jasmine na patulan 'tong unggoy na 'to.", she whispered, referring to her almost-date-thank-God-it-didn't-happen.




After a brief contemplation, curiosity got the best of her and Mika decided to watch the scene unfold between the two. She carefully walked behind the huge rock display near the main entrance for a closer view.




"Jas... Let's break up."




Mika's eyes widened upon hearing Jeron's opening line.




"Naknang! Seryoso ka ba, Teng?! Gwapo natin ah!", she thought, shaking her head.




"Wha... What? Nag-jojoke ka lang diba?", Jasmine replied with a broken voice.




Jeron heaved a deep sigh.




"Sorry pero pagod na ako sa kakahintay sayo."




"Yun na yun? Na-late lang ako tonight, nakikipag-break ka na?! Please give me a better reason, Jeron."




"Bayun, di man lang nag-isip ng mas matinong alibi.", Mika thought as she covered her mouth to stifle a laughter.




"It's not just about tonight. Ilang beses na 'tong nangyari. Lagi na lang kitang fino-forgive. Pero ayan ka pa rin. You keep on setting early schedules tapos sisiputin mo ako 3 hours later?! I have a lot of things to do, too!", Jeron exclaimed.




Mika could only shake her head at the drama happening in front of her. She seemed to have forgotten where she was headed in the first place.




"Babe, wag naman ngayon oh. It's prom night. Wala akong date.", Jasmine pleaded while holding Jeron's hand.




"Ouch ah, wala rin naman akong date. Pero oo nga naman! Ayos din timing ni Teng eh! Nakaka-babae!"




"Pareho din tayong hindi mag-eenjoy even if we're going to delay this.", Jeron replied while Mika's classmate bowed her head dejectedly.




Sure, they weren't the closest of friends in school, but as a lady, she felt her pain. All they wanted was to enjoy the prom and make it memorable, make it a night to last for years.




"Sinong may sabing yung single ang malungkot pag prom? Mas mahirap pa nga may jowa o, lalo na kung si Teng ang boyfriend.", Mika thought.




She saw how Jasmine ran out of the place and hailed a cab home.




The party music has stopped. All of a sudden, in the stillness of the night, the cold wind blew, triggering a sneeze from her.




"Aaachoooo!"




Mika covered her nose and held her breath, realizing the noise she created.




"Who's there?", she heard Jeron say.




"Hindi naman ako nag-knock knock ah. Bat may who's there? Huhu kainis!"




She pursed her lips and shut her eyes, standing firm behind the rock that kept her hidden from the enemy's view.




"Pauuwiin niyo na po siya, please. Magyayabang lang po yan pag nakita niya ako. Magkakasala lang po siya.", she prayed in silence.




Mika suddenly felt a flick on her forehead, and she let out a little yelp in surprise.




"Aray ha.", she complained while rubbing the part of her forehead that Jeron touched.




"Kanina ka pa dyan 'no?", the guy asked.




"Hindi ah. Ayoko lang kayong istorbohin kaya di ako nagpakita."




Jeron gave him a look of disbelief.




"Totoo nga! Papunta kaya akong CR."




She even pointed the direction towards the restroom to prove her point.




"And what? You stopped para mag-eavesdrop? Not good, Ye."




"And what's good? Break up with your girlfriend during her prom night? Ayos ah."




Jeron heaved a deep sigh.




"Hindi mo rin maiintindihan.", he said in a low voice.




"Edi i-kwento mo.", Mika replied, trying to get more details in a subtle way.




Jeron could only shake his head. He knew that curiosity was taking over this girl. But he didn't mind, because if there's one person he has considered trustworthy, it would be her. She was the one he grew up with. Despite (and perhaps because of) the nonstop fighting, they've known each other in and out.




"Mag-CR ka muna. Alam kong kanina ka pa ihing-ihi diyan.", he said without any discomfort.