Darren Espanto? My ex-friend. (Darren Espanto and Juan Karlos Labajo)

Chapter 16: The play and the dance

Lygienel's POV

After the dinner, and after Darren and I said our goodbyes to Hannah and Juan Karlos, we went straight to Darren's room. After I changed my clothes, I sat on the bed, texting Juan Karlos.

"Hey, can you please fold the sleeves please?" he asked, coming to my way on the bed. "Sure," I told him, standing up from my seat and going to Darren's side. Darren lightly lift his left arm.

''Ilang folds gusto mo?" I asked him. Darren faced me, smiled then said, "3-4 folds are okay." I nodded at him and starting to fold the sleeves of his shirt. "Turn around," I told him as he turn around, letting me fold the right sleeve.

"Thanks. And by the way, pwede ba akong mag-open up sa'yo?" he asked, sitting at the corner of the bed beside me. I looked at him with confusion. Then, I just nodded. I was really just that curious about what he is going to open up to me.

 "Pero bago yun, may tanong ako para sa'yo," Darren started. I just looked at him and nodded. About what is he going to open up to me? And why me? He could just open up to his girlfriend Hannah right?

"Naranasan mo na bang mapasali at matalo sa isang Love Game?" he asked. My eyebrows were knitted with confusion. "Anong Love Game?" I asked him. He looked at me seriously and answered, "Isang laro yun na.. kung saan may isang tao na mapapalapit sa'yo at dapat hinding-hindi ka maf-fall in love sa kanya. Kasi kapag nainlove ka sa kanya, wala.. talo ka na."

I nodded at him and looked down at the floor. "Ako? Oo eh. Etong taong 'to, mahal na mahal ko sya. Nagbago yung buhay ko dahil sa kanya, kung dati bitter ako tungkol sa love at friendships. When I met him, he made me believe in love and friendships again," I said. It was Darren I'm referring, though. Bitter na bitter ako dati tungkol sa love at friendships dahil nga iniwan ako ni Gio, yung best friend ko dati.

*See Chapter 10: Promise? Promise.* 

"He made me believe again kasi nagpromise sya na.. hindi nya ako sasaktan," I continued, making Darren look at the floor. "It's a restriction not to fall in love with him. Pero, sa bawat action nya na pagiging sweet sa akin, lalo akong naf-fall sa kanya kahit bawal. Ayun, talo na ako. Nainlove ako sa kanya eh. Eh ikaw? Nakasali ka na ba at natalo sa isang Love Game?" I asked.

"Oo. Matagal-tagal na din yung nangyari sa akin. Eto namang babaeng 'to, kahit pigilan ko yung sarili kong hindi ma-inlove sa kanya, hindi ko kinaya. Nainlove pa rin ako sa kanya. Talo ako. At saka, alam mo? Na inlove na nga ako sa kanya, 'etong babaeng 'to, may mahal na iba. So ayun, talong-talo talaga ako," Darren said while looking down, laughing bitterly.

Napakaswerte naman nung babaeng tinutukoy ni Darren. At alam kong hindi ako yung tinutukoy nya. 

"And also, tinatry kong makipag-ayos sa kanya pero.. I just can't find a way how and I just can't simply grab the opportunity to do it," Darren told me. Wait, is he referring to me? I hope not.

I sighed and patted his back. "Ang love at friendship, parang braid yan eh. Kapag magulo yung braid at sinubukan mong ayusin, mas lalong magiging komplikado. Para maayos mo yung magulong parte ng braid na yun, kailangan mong magsimula sa umpisa," I told him. He looked at me and sadly smiled.

"You're right. At totoong ang pag-ibig ay bulag. Bakit? Kasi nasaktan ka na't lahat, hindi ka pa rin natututo, hindi ka pa rin nadadala. Totoo yung sinasabi nilang pag-ibig ay bulag. Bakit ulit? Kasi, yung taong may malasakit at may paki-alam sa'yo nasa harap mo na, naghahanap ka pa rin ng iba," Darren said.