Conspiring with Fate

01

Cheena and I screamed silently as we saw both of our crushes walking pass by our classroom. I was fanning myself as my crush, Yohan, sat on one of the nearby benches within my view. There he goes again playing the hit game of the year, League of Mobile Legends. Anyway, he's still an eyecandy. Better to have a crush whose only addiction is a mobile game than an actual vice, right?

"Paano ba yan, ga-graduate na sila ng college. Baka matagal-tagal pa natin sila makikita ulit? Paano nalang kami ni Yohan?" I sulked at my best friend.

"Magpa-picture ka na kasi with Kuya Yohan para kahit papaano wala kang regrets and what ifs diba?" Cheena tapped my back reassuringly, "Malay mo, he's still into you."

I really wish he still has the same feelings for me when I was still a freshmen in Altheria Colleges. Yassi, my best friend from high school, is Yohan's sister. What a small world ika nga. She's also the one who broke the news to me that her kuya found me pretty back in, well, freshmen year. At that time though, I was not really into dating and I was more focused on my studies and as well as my own growth. Syempre, new environment kasi eh. When I was transitioning to my second to third year here in Altheria did I fully notice and took interest in him, although it's too late since I heard he was already courting someone.

"I desperately want to, pero baka he'll reject me tapos baka malaman pa ng "nililigawan" kuno niya edi double kill na ako 'non."

Taking her soda can to have a sip, I asked her, "Ikaw kay Kuya Dean, kaya? Tutal marami namang nagpapa-picture sa kanya niyan, saka walang girlfriend. Siguradong hindi ka maba-bash."

"I'm not really that into him plus you know I can't. I'm too scared for that at saka, di lang naman siya crush ko eh. Marami sila. I just find him, gwapo that's all."

"At saka kahit kailan, he never batted an eyelash for me, unlike Kuya Yohan to you." She further added.

We were silent as the what if's further dawned on our thoughts. Breaking the silence, I blurted, "I bet he'll be a dashing chef."

"Mhm mami true, kaya nga try to confess or drop some hints para busog ka sa future."

I made a face at her comment before she added, "Ayaw mo 'non? Masarap na mag-luto, masarap pang kainin! Rawr!"

"Oh my lord Cheena! I'm soft for Yohan, di ako hard stan!"

At the end we just laughed it all off. Still, at the back of my mind lies all of the probabilities of the aftermath of confessing.

○

Yohan and Yassi graduated with flying honors and for the Bolivar family, it calls for a celebration. They rented a picturesque villa at Pampanga. The two were only allowed to bring three friends and fortunately, Chloe was one of Yassi's invitees. Their parents invited some of their relatives for the all-out fest too.

A day before the trip to Pampanga, nakapag-start na ako sa pag-iimpake. Having the sister of your crush as your best friend certainly has its perks. Kung paano ni Issa napa-oo si mama, di ko na alam yun. You see, here's another common thing between us best friends, we both got our ways with words.

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dear diary,

The universe is conspiring for what I want. The odds are at my favor, I want to use this chance wisely. I got invited to the festive bash of the Bolivars's. I'm going to see him.

I wonder if anything will happen. I'm planning on taking a pic with Yohan. Please if it's meant to be, give me a little push.

chloe ♡

The day of the trip had finally came and my father drove me to their house. I feel so giddy as this is the first time I'm seeing him after school ended. Grabe yung preparation ko for this day alone, last night I put on some face masks and lip scrubs. Malay natin if the feeling is mutual diba?

"Mag-iingat ka doon ah. Pinayagan ka lang namin ni mama mo dahil tumaas lalo grades mo." Pagsusumao ng tatay ko. Jusko, kaya naman pala!

"At saka, kung may alak, wag kang uminom." He recited all his conditions until we arrived at my destination. Having to endure an earful of terms, I quickly let out some "opo's" and finished it all off with a hasty farewell to keep a par.

Sinalubong ako ng pamilya nila when I got out from the car. His mom kissed my cheek and lead me to their balcony, dito namin hihintayin yung nirent nilang vans. Noong naka upo na ako comfortably, tinabihan na ako nila Yassi, Chynna, and Yuki. Sila yung barkada ko when I was in high school, but we got separated when we went to college. I schooled at Altheria Colleges, and they went to UP.

I still remember kung paano nila ako kinulit to be with them sa school na yun. Inis na inis sila kasi I passed naman, pero I still proceeded with my current school. I'm allergic to stress, do I need to explain more? Turns out, turning down UP for Altheria became the best decision I've ever made because it was there where I met Yohan. Up until now, I have no regrets.

Kausap pa rin ni papa yung tatay nila Yassi. Kulang nalang magmakaawa siya na payagang sumama rin. Quite understandable because I'm his unica hija, he treasures me so much.

"What did you bring?" Bungad sakin ni Chynna. Quite funny how she has almost the same name with my best friend in my current school.

I let them take a look at my camping styled bag. "Cheetos and Doritos?" Issa muttered in dismay. She's a self-proclaimed vegetarian, I expected her reaction already.

Hinalungkat naman ni Chynna yung malaking paper bag na dala ko. "Oh eto magugustuhan mo." She brought the tupperware of caramelized rice pops and edible cookie dough in front of Yassi.

"Balik niyo na yan, pakita niyo naman sakin yung dala niyo!" I excitedly said.

"May ambag ako na tatlong case ng san mig apple, wag ka." Chynna proudly claimed. Eto talaga yung manginginom samin eh, "Though, nasa boys yun ngayon. Sila kasi in charge sa paglalagay sa sasakyan eh."

"I brought a celebration cake. Makikikain ka naman doon." Si Yuki naman na'to, sobra naman sa pagtitipid samin.

"Echusera ka talaga, kumikita ka na nga eh!"

"Don't worry, if I'll hit big isang dosenang cake ang ipalalamon ko sa'yo. Wag ka na mag-reklamo." Yuki said nonchalantly.

Yassi went to me and whispered, "Sinali ko na kayo sa party, yun na ambag ko." Isa rin to eh! Kukutusan na sana namin ng narining naming nag-tatalo sina Tita at Yohan.

"Yohan, I told you, friends of the same gender. Why did you bring that girl here?"

"What's so bad about it? She can always sleep at Yassi's room for God's sake."

"Do you like her?" His mom puffed out, exasperated, even before the upcoming journey to Pampanga.

"Yes, I do like her." He dragged every word, as if attempting to drill the whole concept to his mom's head.

And I heard nothing else after.

I like her.
I l i k e h e r.
I l i k e h e r.

Damn.