Wretched Choices

Chapter 28

#WretchedChoicesWP

Chapter 28
Little Family

In the midst of approaching my car, Sharry and I stopped when we saw a single stemmed flower on its hood. My all black sedan made the bright color of the flower very obvious. Whoever passes by my car would surely notice it even from afar.

"Mukhang may namali ng lagay." Dinig kong bulong ni Sharry. Hindi na ako nagulat na puro negatibo lamang ang lumalabas sa kanyang labi.

Binaliwala ko na lang ang kanyang sinabi. Nang makabawi ako ay agad ko iyong nilapitan. The flower was secured with a scotch tape, not to be blown away by the wind. Biting my lower lip to stop myself from smiling, I confirmed that the flower was a poeny—my favorite.

Dahan-dahan ko iyong tinanggal sa pagkakadikit sa hood ng aking sasakyan. At some point, I was relieved that the scotch tape didn't leave a mark on the hood of my car.

Nang makitang maayos ang sasakyan ay inilipat ko ang aking tingin sa bubulak para suriin. One look and I knew that it wasn't freshly bought today. No note was left along with it. Whoever gave this wanted to stay anonymous, but I already had a guess. Only one person came into my mind.

Naalala ko ang masakit na imahe ni Archer no'ng gabing 'yon. I could still remember how he held on to the boquet while staring off the distance and waiting for me. That excruciating sight was still so vivid like I was seeing him in front of me at this moment.

"Does Jerome know you like poenies?"

With my forehead creased, I turned to Sharry because of her sudden question. "No," I answered. "Why did you ask?"

"Well, I have to say na si Jerome ang unang pumasok sa isipan ko na puwedeng gumawa niyan," walang pag-aalinlangan niyang sabi sa akin. "You know, I think he likes you."

Mas lalo namang napakunot ang noo ko. I didn't know how she came up with that idea. It was far from any possible version of truth.

"Walang gusto sa akin si Jerome, Sharry."

She raised her eyebrows and smirked. "How do you know?" she probed. "Did you ask him about that?"

"I just know," tipid kong sabi at saka pinatunog na ang sasakyan para makapasok na kaming dalawa sa loob.

I thought our topic would change once we were settled inside the car, but Sharry continued interrogating me about Jerome. I didn't get why she was pushing her idea. Though I had to admit that I've thought of that as well, I was sure that it wasn't really the case. Besides, he told me before that he'd never fall for me.

"Hay, Keia..." She dramatically sighed. "I don't know if you're just really focused to the guy you like which makes you oblivious to those who likes you, or you just don't care at all."

Bahagya akong ngumuso. Hindi ko pa rin alam kung bakit siya nagkaroon ng ganoong ideya at kung bakit ipinagpipilitan niya.

"It's so obvious!" She rolled her eyes. "Did you see the way he cares for you?"

"Ganoon lang talaga si Jerome. Saka mas madalas pa ang pang-iinis niya sa akin kaysa sa pagiging malasakit," katuwiran ko at saka nagsimula na sa pagmamaneho.

"Hay nako, Keia!" eksaherada niyang pagkakasabi. "Minsan ang ibang mga lalaki, dinadaan muna nila sa pang-iinis at biro-biro. Gaya ni Jethro dati. He used to tease me all the time before he confessed that he likes me and he just wanted to get my attention."

I suddenly remembered when she used to rant about Jethro. Walang palya siyang iniinis noon bago umamin at nagsimulang manligaw. She even swore that she would never like someone like him, but she ate her words and now, she was head-over-heels in love with him.