BEST-Friend-Zoned

Chapter Sixteen

POV: Angela

<Entry 1.47>

"Happy Birthday!" pang-gulat na bati ni Matthew nang makita niya kong nakatayo sa may bridge na nasa may garden (it used to be a design)

"Salamat!" I just replied then looked away, staring at those school of fishes in the pond hanging around together (nakiki-enjoy rin ata sa party)

I heard a silence for a little while at saka naman siya nagsalitang muli, "Here's my gift. Medyo nahirapan ako sa pakikipag-agawan niyan, sana magustuhan mo."

--

He gave his gift to me that is covered by a purple gift wrapper then tied by a red ribbon with a card on the top, saying, 'To my and only Mine. Happy birthday!' Hindi naman ganun kalaki ang regalo niya, just enough para magkasya sa isang purse (not like a coin purse, ahh!)

--

"Hmm? Nag-abala ka pa." I said as I picked his gift at saka dahan-dahan itong hinubaran

"Thank you!" I blurted out then looked at him, smiling. Then hugged him very tight. "Matagal ko na nga 'tong gustong basahin, buti nakahanap ka pa ng copy."

--

Book ang regalo niya sa'kin. It's a novel and it's written by Jane Austen. One of my favorite authors. "Emma" yung title ng novel.

--

"It's the last one on the bookstore actually, medyo mahirap ngang hanapin pero sinwerte naman din." he said not looking at me. Nakita ko rin na medyo nag-blush ang cheeks niya.

"How'd you know?"I said, still smiling. This time, nakatingin na ko sa libro as I turn the pages of it. 

"You like romance stories, right? with some twists?" he replied. "And... Emma just reminded me of you."

...

"Nagustuhan mo?" he later on added at saka tumingin na rin sa'kin finally.

"SUPER! Akala ko hindi na magiging masaya 'tong birthday ko ehh, but your gift proves me wrong. Salamat ulit!" I said, still looking at the book.

"Bakit nga ba kanina ka pa nakasimangot?" he asked. "You're beautiful tonight but that sad face isn't make it more handsome."

Bigla na lang nawala yung ngiti sa labi ko. I did not acknowledge him for ten seconds.

Nang makaramdam na ko ng sobrang katahimikan, I just replied him,"Bakit mo ko nagustuhan?"

"Well, kasi maganda ka, matalino, may sense of humor. I guess those made all the definitions why." he even replied, kahit napunta sa kanya yung focus ng conversation namin.

I did not said anything, but I did smile at him at saka umilag muli ng tingin.

"Pero, take all those aside, ikaw lang yung babaeng nagpabilis ng tibok ng puso ko. Not due to highblood or anyway around, pero hindi ko alam kung bakit. It just happened, like that. And, wala na kong magawa pa para pigilan yun. I thought at first, baka sa umpisa lang yun. But on the way you reacted on it, lalo pang naging unusual yung heartbeat ko, it's something that I can't control anymore whenever you're around me. Sa'yo ko rin napatunayan na, 'butterflies in stomach' is true." he continued explaining even without my permission

"Sorry kung minsan hindi ko napapansin yung efforts mo ahh. Sorry kung naaasar na rin ako sa'yo minsan. Sorry if I can't be able to like you more than just a friend." I just said. (medyo nakonsensiya na rin kasi ako sa mga inasal ko sa kanya these days)