Dreamed Love Story

7. Jealousy

The next day, I woke up with a bright smile plastered on my face. Di ko mapigilang ngumiti. Seems like my lips has its own life, it quirks up on its own.

Memories of yesterday still lingers on my mind. I'm so happy. Kahit habang naliligo, I'm humming a song.

I looked at the bracelet I'm wearing. It's so beautiful. I love it.

Matapos mag-agahan, nagdecide na kaming pumunta na sa school. Our school is just a walking distance from our boarding house.

"What's with you today? You're glowing and seem like genuinely happy." Shaira commented.

"It's just... just... I feel happy today. Nothing else." Nahirapan pa akong maghanap ng tamang sasabihin.

"Fine, as long as you're happy." She said, smiling.

"Love you girl." I snaked my arms on her waist and hugged her sideways.

"Love you too." She did the same thing while smiling at me.

Habang papunta sa kanya-kanya naming building, marami kaming napag-usapan, pure random things.

We are asking each other kung sa aling subjects kami mas nahihirapan, kung sino yung pinakamaganda naming classmates, at kung anu-ano pa.

Nung narating namin ang classroom ko, nagpaalam na ako sa kanya. She said we must eat our lunch together and I said yes. After hearing the confirmation, she started walking papunta sa building nila.

Subtle laughters and chitchats greeted me upon entering our classroom. I immediately sit on my chair and started admiring the beautiful scenery outside.

Mula sa posisyon ko, kita ang buong football field. Nakakarelax tingnan. I don't really know but green sceneries always gives me peace.

I can see some of the students that are jogging on the field. Maybe part of the athletes training. Medyo maaga pa naman, it's just 20 minutes past 7 in the morning.

Nanliit yung mata ko nung nakita yung dalawang pamilyar na pigura sa field. Hindi sila masyadong malayo sa kinauupuan ko kaya agad ko rin silang nakilala. It's Blake and Janine.

Sabay silang naglalakad habang nagtatawanan. Nakasampay yung kamay ni Blake sa balikat ni Janine while her hand rests at Blakes' waist.

It seems like they are both enjoying each others company. Good for them.

Hindi ko nagustuhan yung naging epekto ng nakita ko sa aking sistema. Nararamdaman ko ang mumunting kurot sa aking dibdib.

I wonder. Ano ba talaga sina Janine at Blake? I clearly remember how close they are since the first day. If I'm not mistaken, Janine is calling him B while Blake calls her J. Almost everyone calls him James. Janine calling him Blake must be something. She must be special to him.

Calling each others initials? It sounds like an endearment for me.

Hindi ko inasahan ang paninibughong naramdaman nang maisip ko ang bagay na iyon. Nakakaasar.

I shifted my gaze. Sumasakit lang yung mata ko sa mga tanawin sa labas. They are definitely blocking the beautiful view outside. Damn.

After a couple of minutes, they both entered the room, Janine and Blake.

Janine smiled at me. I smiled back at her. I don't want to be rude. Damn it.

Inukopa ni Blake ang upuan sa tabi ko. He turned to me and smiled. Seeing him smile just reminds me how he laughed a while ago while hugging Janine.

"Good morning Hope." His bright smile didn't falter. His smile annoys me. The fact that his mere smile slowly melts the boiling acid in the pit of my stomach annoys me.

I nodded at him nonchalantly. I can't look at him in the eye. Natatakot akong kapag tiningnan ko siya sa mata, I might voice out all my secrets. Ayokong malaman niya ni katiting ng nararamdaman ko ngayon. No. Fucking. Way.

"Hey, what's wrong? Are you not feeling well?" He asked, his voice laced with gentleness and concern.

In my mind, I'm already glaring at him. Ang manhid-manhid mo. Sinungaling ka. Napakapaasa mo. I hate you.

Those are the words I really want to say on his face. Pero pinigilan ko ang sarili ko. Doing that won't do me any good.

He is giving me subtle hints that he likes me, tapos ano 'to? Makikipaglandian siya kay Janine with matching hugs?

Or maybe not. Maybe I'm just assuming he has feelings for me. Nasanay lang siguro akong nasa tabi ko siya lagi.

The whole morning, I ignored him. Iniwasan kong tumingin sa gawi niya dahil alam kong nakatingin siya sa akin. I can see it in my peripheral vision.

Nang sumapit ang lunchtime, agad kong kinuha ang mga gamit ko at dali-daling lumabas ng room. I texted Shaira asking where is she. When she replied that she is on the way, I waited for her outside our building.

Maya-maya lang, dumating din siya. Together with Justin.

"Justin is joining us on lunch, I hope you don't mind?" Shaira asked.

Gusto kong tumanggi pero kabastusan naman yata yun. I nodded at them. Kung may kinaiinisan man ako, yung pinsan niya lang yun, and he is definitely out from it.

Nung dumating kami sa cafeteria, medyo punuan na. Nahirapan pa kaming maghanap ng bakanteng lamesa. But luckily, we found one. We placed our things on the four-seated table and ordered our foods.

"I'll order for you. Just stay here." Justin held Shairas' wrist nung akmang tatayo na siya.

Tumaas ang kilay ko sa kanilang dalawa. Justin is smiling while my dear friend is blushing like an idiot. Never seen Shaira this red, and she can't speak at that. She just nodded at Justin. Weird.

Justin and I ordered our foods and settled on our table. As usual, ako ang may pinakamaraming order sa aming tatlo, though Justin bought a lot of foods for Shaira.

"Woah. Kaya mong ubusin yan Hope?" Nangingiting tanong ni Justin.

"Watch me." I winked at him.

Gumaan kahit papano ang pakiramdam ko. As always, foods never fails in comforting me.

Nung magsisimula na kaming kumain, nagulat ako nang may maglagay ng tray sa tabi ko. When the person pulled the chair, I immediately looked at him.

"Oh, Blake. Buti na lang nandito ka na. Akala ko paghihintayin mo pa kami ng matagal." Shaira said.

So kasama pala talaga siya sa lunch na to. When he settled, he looked at me. I avoided his gaze.

"Bakit ka ba natagalan? Kanina pa naman nakalabas si Hope ah?" Justin asked.

"I just discussed something important with Janine." He said, while looking at me.

Something important huh?

Hindi pa pala sila tapos mag-usap kanina sa lagay na yun. Sabagay, maybe they need to catch up on each other dahil ako yung palaging kasama ni Blake these past few days.

I snickered at the thought. The three of them eyed me. Justins eyes is full of curiousity. Shairas eyes is dancing in amusement.

I don't care. Mapanuri ang mga  tinging ang ipinukol sa akin ni Shaira. Inirapan ko lang siya. After seeing my reaction, her lips twitched. Di ko alam kung anong nakakatawa. Bwesit.

"What did you discussed with Janine?" Justin probed him.

"Personal matters." He answered dismissively.

Yeah. Personal matters. As if we care.

Nawalan ako ng ganang kumain dahil sa narinig. Dali-dali kong tinapos ang pagkain at nagpaalam nang babalik ng classroom.

I never know a certain picture in my head and a piece of a conversation can make me lose my appetite.

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A/N: Sa mga patuloy na nagbabasa ng kwentong ito, thank you so much ❤❤