A Bittersweet Girl (On-going)

Chapter 3

I was awaken by the sound that was coming from my phone. I sat up and grabbed it.

Someone is calling...

My eyes ached as I tried to read the name that has registered on the screen. Then I realized that I was not wearing my eyeglasses. Anyway, I looked for it on the side table of my bed. I was glad that I have found it very fast- I wear it.

My forehead creased when I found out that it was an unknown number. I hesitate to answer it, but then, I remembered what Julia told me the last time that I slept in her room.

There was another unknown number who kept on calling me on that night. She told me to answer it but I did not. She says, "Who knows, maybe it's an emergency that might have happened an hour ago, or maybe the caller has something important to say."

I exhaled before answering the call.

"Hel- "

"Rey..."

My eyes widened. Tears started to stream on my face. I can't believe that I was hearing his voice again, the voice of a man who broke my heart two years ago, even until now.

"Joe..." I whispered in between tears.

Then the call ended.

I stared at my phone, hoping that he will call me again and will say that he accidentally tapped the end call.

Napayuko na lang ako nang lumipas ang 30 minutos na wala pa rin tawag na dumating. I covered my face with my two hands as I sobbed.

I still love him...

--

"Gosh! Rachelle, what happened? You look like a zombie!" Janice exclaimed.

I did not reply. I'm not in the mood to converse with anyone. I'm still confuse in the sudden call up of Joe, last night.

"Hey! Rachelle, are you alright?" She asked again.

"I am fine. It just happened that-" I paused. I don't want to tell her anything. She's out of it. "Don't worry about me." I gave her a closed-lip smile.

She sighed a deep breath before uttering.

"If that's what you want. Just let me know when you need something, or when you're ready to talk about it."

She turned her back and walked to her proper seat. She didn't bother to talk to me again. We just sat there and waited for the class to start.

Napalunok ako nang nakita ko si Mark na naglalakad papunta sa pwesto ko. Sarado ang kamao nito at madilim ang mukha. Muli tuloy bumalik sa isip ko ang mga nangyari kahapon. Nagi-guilty pa rin ako.

[FLASHBACK]

"Huwag ka nang aburido diyan dahil alam naman ni Gilbert na biro lang ang mga sinabi ko." He said while scratching his nape. Halatang naiinis na rin sa akin.

"Biro? Mukha mo- "

"Gwapo!" Nakangising sabi nito habang tumataas-baba pa ang kilay.

"Kakairita. Bahala ka nga diyan!

I walked out of him. Binilisan ko ang paglalakad papuntang second floor ng Administration Building para siguradong hindi niya ako maabutan. Nakakainis na kasi siya e! Palagi na lang!

"Hey! Rey, sandali lang!" Narinig ko pang tawag nito pero hindi na ako lumingon. Bahala siya!

May narinig pa akong tumawag sa pangalan niya, boses ng isang babae. Napapadyak ako!

Arg! Bahala ka talaga diyan.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

"I'm sorry about yesterday." I whispered.

He stiffened. His forehead creased when he saw my expression.

"Are you serious?" He asked in a sarcastic manner.

I nodded and uttered, "Yes. I'm dead serious here."

He did not reply, nor nod. Huminga lang ito nang malalim at saka itinuon ang atensyon sa substitute teacher namin na kakapasok lang ng classroom.

--

"Everyone, be ready 'because we will start in five minutes." Mr. Edward cried out, the videographer of IU channel.

"Rey..."

"Ay-panget-na-pusa!"

Halos napatalon ako sa gulat ng biglang may humawak sa balikat ko.

"Hey! It's just me." His voice calmed me.

He turned me around to face him. He stared at me with sympathy.

"Are you really sure about this?" He asked again. He has been asking me that question since I arrived here. Sobrang makulit talaga.

"Yes. I am." I gave him an assurance smile.

He nodded and held my hand.

"Okay. Then let's go." He smiled and led me to the small stage in the studio.

To be continue...