It's been four months.
Four months since Alyssa gathered up all her courage and asked Mika out in front of all the students at their school cafeteria.
And it's been four months that Mika was avoiding, declining, and shouting at her for being so determined on making her say yes.
Sometimes Alyssa would give her chocolates.
"Good morning, Mika. Para sa'yo nga pala." Alyssa offered the biggest Toblerone bar she could afford.
She's not rich, so it took her a week's allowance to buy it just for Mika.
Mika took it from her hand which made her smile. Mika turned around at the students who were watching them.
"Oh, sa inyo na!" Mika throws the chocolate bar at some student.
"Hindi mo ba nagustuhan?" Alyssa asked.
"Ipapamigay ko ba kung nagustuhan ko?" Mika retorted and walked away.
Cienne and Camille just looked at Alyssa with apologizing look as they followed Mika. Alyssa just smiled and nodded.
"Kaya ko pa." she mumbled to herself.
*
Sometimes Alyssa would give her roses.
"Hi, Mika. I saw this outside and thought of you." Alyssa was holding three red roses.
She wasn't lying. She saw how beautiful the roses were and she remembered Mika immediately. She bought it with her allowance; it means she's skipping lunch again.
Mika took it from her hand which made her smile. Mika walked away elegantly as she was beaming and happy that Mika might finally give her a chance.
But Mika just dumped it in the trash can in the corner of the hallway before turning.
Alyssa's shoulders went down—again.
"Kaya ko pa." she whispered.
*
Sometimes she would even leave sticky notes with sweet messages on Mika's locker.
"Keep smiling. I love the way you smile; it makes me like you more." –A
"You know what completes my day? Read the first word." –A
"How do you look so beautiful all the time?" –A
"Just hearing your voice in the morning makes my day." –A
"You make me feel like an excited child at a theme park when I see you." –A
But Mika, as always, would just; read, rip, crumple and throw it in the trash can.
Alyssa would just watch her from afar, as she felt like those sticky notes were her heart. Ripped, crumpled and disregarded by Mika.
A lone tear was attempting to fall from her eyes as she abruptly wiped it.
"No, not yet. Kaya ko pa." she whispered and walked away.
- - -
As for today, Alyssa was waiting for Mika outside her room; on her hand were a bouquet with a dozen red roses and the largest box of Ferrero Roche.
Imagine how much that cost her and how many days she would skip lunch, but if it's for Mika, it's worth it. Maybe Mika would give her a chance this time.
