A Friendship to Remember

Is it over?

Leigh's POV

"So you want me to pretend na hindi kita kilala?" Joshua asked as I bit my lip. Yun nga ba ang gusto ko? But it was the only way para hindi mahalata ni Rya na nagiging close na kami ni Joshua.

Formally, he just started courting me at talagang kinilig ako when he went to Hongkong and bought me a bouquet. Nang nalaman ko na nandun din siya, we had our first formal date.

I rerembered it being the best night of my life. We had steak and wine sa pinakamagandang restaurant sa Hongkong, even riding a boat para makapunta kami sa mainland.

He was the one who gave me tickets para sa concert nila and ang gusto niya is isama ko si Selene at ang "boyfriend" niya dahil sa utos ng kapatid niya.

I haven't confirmed it with Selene but I guess, hindi naman siya magboboyfriend without us knowing.

"How can I do that when you're all I can see, Miss Ford?" Shit! Bakit ba ako pinapakilig ni Joshua? "If they're your real friends, they can understand you."

I sighed. Yun din ang tingin ko but I need time. I need time to help Rya move on from all the pain that Isaiah had done. "Sasabihin ko din sa kanila, just not now."

I heard Joshua sigh. "Sure thing Leigh, I'll see you sa concert." And I don't know kung disappointed ba siya by the tone he has. Ang hirap naman kasi makipagusap sa kanya sa phone.

Pagdating ko ng venue, wala pa si Elle at Rya. Medyo madami na yung tao so I informed them na nasa labas ako. Biglang may kumalabit sa akin that made me surprised. "Ikaw si Leighton Ford diba?" Tanong niya and I nodded. "Ikaw nga yung nasa screensaver ni kuya."

Kuya? "I'm Yohan Navarro. Kasama mo si Selene?" So siya yung binabanggit ni Joshua na friend ni Selene. Ngayon, question sa akin kung sino yung tinatawag niyang 'boyfriend' ni Selene.

I shook my head and he handed three premium tickets. "May backstage pass na kasama yan." Explanation niya na mukhang nainis sa sinabi ko na hindi ko kasama si Selene. Then bigla na lang siya umalis.

Does he like Selene?

I felt my phone vibrate just as I scanned the tickets. Backstage pass, every fangirl's dream. Pero bakit mas kinakabahan ako?
From Josh <3
Let's go out after the concert.

"Leigh!" Elle called from behind and I hastily kept my phone sa clutch bag ko. My heart was still beating fast but I don't know kung dahil sa 'go out' message ni Joshua or nervousness.

Binigay ko yung ticket kay Elle at Rya and quietly entered the concert venue. Puno na nga ng tao but because of our ticket, nasa harap kami nakaupo so we had the best view for the performance. Unlike the first time, nasa left side na kami kaya mas kitang kita na si Joshua.

The lights dimmed at nagstart na gumawa ng beats si Sandro, ang drummer nila. Harvey started belting out their songs and I noticed Rya looking at me. Ako na lang ba ang titingnan niya buong gabi? I knew this would happen nung magdecide siyang sumama.

Everytime my eyes meet Joshua's, I can see that same sparkle in his eyes and unconciously, I kept on smiling. He's the idol I like, an unreachable star. Who would have thought na a single video can change everything?

"Oh my gosh, nginitian ako ni Joshua!" Sigaw ng babae sa likod ko habang pinapalo yung kasama niya. I wanted to laugh, tingin ba talaga niya siya yung nginingitian ni Joshua? Then napansin ko yung hawak niyang banner. 'Joshua, I want to hug you!'

I rolled my eyes, another Joshua fangirl. Bakit ba ako nagseselos?

Biglang nagkaroon ng fan session kung saan pipili sila ng random fan to adhere to their wishes. When it was Joshua's turn, to my surprise ay pinili niya yung girl sa likod ko. "Hug daw Joshua!" Sabi ni Gelo, yung bass guitarist nila.

Bigla niyang niyakap yung babae and the surprising thing is nung biglang lumapit yung girl sa kanya, kissing his lips. I gasped. Really? Sa harap ko pa mismo. I blinked in surprise and decided to look at the floor. Nakakainis ka Joshua Navarro!

Elle looked at me worriedly. "Ayos ka lang?" And I nodded. Napatingin ako sa stage and saw Joshua smiling at his teammates. Hindi ba sinabi ko sa kanya na wag akong pansinin? Why am I this affected?

After ng concert, Elle seized the chance for the backstage pass but I want to go home. Naiinis ako sa kalandian ni Joshua. Of course, I'm just another fangirl. Bakit ba nagexpect ako ng mas malalim pa dun?

Instead of the group welcoming us, si Yohan ang nasa labas ng waiting room. "Hi po. I'm Yohan, Joshua's brother." Pakilala niya with his smile. Napakacheerful niya ah. "Friend din po ako ni Selene at Doha." At pare-pareho kaming nagkagulatan. Si Selene at Doha?

Biglang lumabas si Joshua sa waiting room nila, licking his lips. The nerve of this guy! Nakakainis siya! "Kuya..." Tawag ng kapatid niya and I rolled my eyes nang mapatingin siya sa akin.

Elle started telling the story kung paano siya naging fan while Rya acted professional. Lumabas yung ibang members ng group, smiling at me. Kilala nila ako? "Aalis na ako." I said that made everyone look at me, surprised. "Nandyan na yung driver ko."

"Wow. Rich kid!" Comment ni Sandro that made me smile. Naiinis talaga ako! Siguro dahil sa hormones ko 'to, curse the woman body.

"I hope you enjoyed the concert." Sabi ni Harvey as I head my way out of the hall.

Nang makasakay na ako sa taxi, I felt my phone vibrate registering a text from Joshua.
Are you mad at me? Leigh, I'll wait for you in front of the concert hall entrance.

I sighed, closing my phone with shaky fingers. Bahala nga siya sa buhay niya. Enjoyin niya na lang yung fangirls niya.