Getting Stuck with Mr. Perfect

CHAPTER XIX: Realization

KEITHS POV

"Tss! Denial. I hate it when she's denying. Maria-maria? Tch, that sucks!" I said to myself while lying on my bed. I get really irritated when they're laughing and having fun.

But.. Why? Tumagilid ako. I don't even know why am I like this. Basta kapag magkasama sila naiinis ako. Because she's.. She's! Ugh. I don't know, pero ayoko. Ayokong magkasama sila. Then I remembered Francine, diba dapat si Francine inaalala ko? Sya dapat iniisip ko. Hindi isang babaeng madaling mapalapit sa iba. Baka namimiss ko lang si Francine, thats it! I just miss her. I took my cellphone and dialed her number. "Hello Francine? Are you free tonight?"

I grabbed my leather jacket and got downstairs. I saw grandma cooking for dinner. "Saan ka pupunta?"

"Date with Francine!" I shouted because I was in a hurry, ala-syete na kasi nun. Gusto ko na kasing matanggal tong nararamdaman kong hindi ko maintindihan, sana matanggal na nga. I drove fast until I arrive at our meeting place, a fine-dining resto. There I waited for Francine. After few minutes, she finally arrived. I should be excited by now. I should feel my heart jump now but..

Its just, why is this so plain? Hanggang sa nakarating nalang sya sa harap ko, still dull. "Hi Keith! Sorry I took too long, did you got bored?" She said while sitting infront of me.

" N-no.." I smiled. Where is that sensual feeling I've been waiting? I thought, this would end it. "Hey Keith!"

"Ah? Were you talking to me?"

"Yeah? Kanina pa kaya. Are you okay? Tulala ka eh."

"Yah, I'm - I'm good." Then she talked again, telling about herself. I just agree with everything that she says without saying a word. When she laugh, I laugh. When she's sad, I also show that I felt sorry but the truth is, I really don't understand. Well, maybe she doesn't notice it. Until our order was served, then there is something that she asked that caught my attention. We were eating that moment.

"How do you find Jethro and Mary Jane?" Then chewed a slice of steak. I was just going to open my mouth to eat a slice of steak also, but that caught me and made me pause. I replied.

"What about them?" With a low voice, then continued eating, I didn't look to Francine's face when she asked.

"Do you find them cute for a couple? For me, their adorable! Don't they?" Then she smiled at me.

"They're horrible." Then wiped my mouth with a piece of tissue because I'm just finished my food.

"What? Your so mean!" While pouting her lips.

"Wait.." she stopped for a second.

"What?"

"Are you jealous?"

I was surprised. How can she tell that! "No, I'm not! Its true, they're horrible when they're together!" Then she looked devilishly.

"Hey! Where did you get that silly idea? It gives me goosebumps." I added.

"Sinabi ni Jethro saken close daw talaga kayo. Seloso mo talaga Keith." Then she laughed.

Phew, akala ko nalaman ni Francine. Muntik nayon ahh. "Your kidding right?" I said seriously. "Of course I am! She's your cousin, I mean, hello? That's illegal?" Then she smiled. Hindi yon illegal, because were really not cousins.

It was pass 9PM when I drive home Francine. I just drive her home quietly though we talked a bit.

"See you tomorrow night, Keith." Sabi ni Francine habang nakadungaw sa bintana ng sasakyan ko.

"Yup, thanks for the clothes that you bought for me." Then I started driving. I arrived at the house 30 minutes pass 9, I got home disappointed. I didn't expect that. Then as I opened the door handling the clothes Francine bought me, I saw grandma waiting for me. Sitting at the couch, then she stood up.