stoLen

Chapter 3

As Lovers Go

"How should we do this?" he asked.

"I don't really know. Let's just wing it." I answered.

That was the first time we got to see each other again after he kissed me. We were being summoned by the seniors again. Good thing he's free in the afternoon.

The first pretend show was followed by another, and another and another. I don't mind though. I am starting to enjoy his presence that I've gotten used to it, so when our schedules don't meet, I kinda feel awful. Phana, what have you done to me?

I don't get what kind of fun my seniors get from seeing us acting out, or why they would ask us to do such thing. It isn't that difficult though. We just have to show ourselves up when they want us to. One more thing though, they asked us to share things that we've learned about our partner. So maybe this pretend relationship was made by the seniors only to help us be friendlier and show a little more attachment or concern for others as opposed to what most students think about engineering students: gangsters, bullies, indifferent.

I haven't really spent time with my 'boyfriend'. In fact, I don't know anything about him, so I need to exert more effort to get to know him. With the help of my angel Pring, I got his number and found a way to connect with him.

Little by little, as expected, I got more and more interested in him.

'So why transfer here?' I finally got to ask him via LINE.

'You want the truth?' he asked back.

'Of course.'

'Besides the school's good reputation, I chose to be in a place where nobody knows me.'

'And now I know you.' I said.

'There's that.'

Those days remain vivid in my head. I've never really forgotten him all these years. My first boyfriend, pretend or not. I turned the music up in my car as I drive faster to get home. Yes, I drive a car now, but I haven't gotten rid of my two-wheel ride. It's my first love, so to speak.

I feel so tired and a little emotional right now. Seeing Pha again after I don't know how long gives me this unknown feeling. Or maybe it's not really new to me. Maybe this is the same feeling I got when I was starting to see him in a different light.

Whatever it is, I'll figure it out tomorrow. Right now, I just want to sleep.

After tossing my things all around the living room, I got myself a glass of water and headed to the shower. I'll be sleeping in and nobody should dare disturb me.

Saturday afternoon and I am awakened by the sound of my digital alarm clock. I set it to go off at this time although I don't have any schedule for today because a man's gotta eat. And yeah, I'm hungry now. After checking my phone for any urgent messages, which there's nothing, I slowly pull myself out of bed and head to the shower. I'm having lunch outside. Good thing I only work weekdays although sometimes working on a weekend is unavoidable.

After getting dressed, I grabbed my keys, phone and wallet and headed out.

I chose to dine in the restaurant that I always visit. While waiting for my order, I check my phone again for anything. Then I remember last night when I asked for Pha's number. My order has already been served, and I'm still staring at my phone wondering if I should hit the call button or not.

Then I lost all my confidence when I remember how he was so indifferent towards me last night. He has really changed. Sigh. I decided to put my phone down and just start eating.