Sweetest Taste of Life

Chapter 18

It's been a week since I told him to stop. I haven't received any message from Sparsh. It's my decision but why am I waiting for his message? Hindi ko na rin sya naaabutan sa harap ng gate na naghihintay. Nakikita ko rin siya sa school but I can't meet his eyes. Hindi siya tumitingin sa akin. I already miss Sparsh. He's in pain. Gosh! Bad Shanaya.

And now, I'm waiting for Jared. Waiting for him to come now.

"Hi Aya, bakit mo ako pinapunta dito?" he finally arrived. His smile was once the most beautiful I've ever seen. But now, it isn't.

"I'm here to clear up something Jared. And.......  I have a favor" I directly said. He's just quiet and that's natural for him. He's my ex for a long time and I've seen his flaws.

Jared Mendoza is that kind of person who's not vocal unlike Sparsh who's direct to the point. He is that sweet, caring, loving and brings joy even in tough times. He's like Sparsh but their difference is that Sparsh is always there when you're drown. You're down. You're tears are escaping through your eyes.

Sparsh is the sun that rose up again in my life.

"I'm sorry" My voice cracked.

"I'm sorry about the past. My sorry isn't enough but atleast mabawasan naman ang sakit na ginawa nila sa inyo" I sincerely apologize.

"It's okay now Aya. Wag mo ng isipin pa iyon." he said smiling.

Ugh! How can he be that kind? Baka kung ako ang nasa posisyon niya, napagsalitaan ko na siya ng masasakit na salita.

"Thanks. But Jared,about last time, do you really still love me? " I just thought it was a joke.

"Y-yes" he stammered.

People really fall in love but people falls out of love because there's someone else who'll catch you when you are falling down and will help you rise and love again.

"You..You still love me and I feel sorry again Jared. I'm sorry" I sadly respond.

"Hey, it's okay. Alam ko namang masaya ka na ngayon. Na may nakilala ka na at pumalit na sa akin. Feelings change. It's just that it hurts a little knowing you can't be my babe anymore" he said. Ang lungkot ng boses niya.

Minsan napapaisip ako, kung hindi kami naghiwalay, masaya pa kaya kami? Kami pa kaya hanggang ngayon? Kung hindi kami naghiwalay, hindi ko makikilala si Sparsh. Or makikilala ko siguro siya pero hindi ko pagtutuonan ng pansin. Destiny is really the best at playing.

"I'm sorry Jared. Can you do me a favor?" linakasan ko ang loob kong sabihin sa kanya dahil alam kong makakatulong siya.

"Be my fake boyfriend. We'll act like we still love each other. That we have our comeback. I know makapal na ang mukha ko but can u do it for me Jared?" favor ko sa kanya. I saw a question all over his face.

"I thought Aya you're happy?" he gasped.

"If I'm happy, I should've not asked you this favor" sagot ko naman.

"Ayokong madamay rin si Sparsh sa kayang gawin ng parents ko. Once is enough Jared." I honestly said pero kumunot ang noo niya.

"Then you're telling me na ako na lang ulit iyong pagbantaan ng parents mo? Is that it?" he said hitting a high note.

"No. You misinterpreted. Hindi ka na nila pagbabantaan Jared. I'll assure you that. They can't get in touch of you. Just be honest with me" Paga-assure ko naman sa kanya. Tumango naman siya sa akin and that just means it's a Yes.

After our conversation, hinatid niya ako sa harap ng university with a bouquet in my hand. Nakarating ako sa gate. I haven't seen any shadow of Sparsh waiting. So that's the end of us? He's not going to beg me? He'll stop as it is. Goodness Shanaya! Desisyon ko iyon.

I decided to scroll my Facebook App. There are a lot of notifications and friend requests. Since I'm thinking of Sparsh, I searched his name. My chest tightened when I saw his Display Picture. It's OUR picture together with a caption "It Happened to be HER" with heart.

Umani iyon ng libong reacts and hundreds of comment. He is Sparsh Villanueva, he's popular. I scrolled his timeline and I read his status 4 days ago.

"I love her but she loves him" that's his status. No .no .no.

He don't understand why I did stop him. If I'll tell him the reason, he'll probably sue my parents. Mas maaawa lang siya sa akin. Ayokong dumating sa point na mas mangibabaw ang awa niya kaysa pagmamahal niya sa akin.

"It's okay not to be okay. Reveal your true self under that smiling mask" I remember Sapphire's advice.

But for now, I need to hide my true self. I need to look happy and in love.

Nakarating na ako sa hallway ng maalala kong hindi ko nadala Ang notes ko sa Business Statistics. I checked my bag at napatigil ako ng may nakabangga sa akin. I'm sure he is a boy. I felt his hard and flex muscles. My phone fell in the floor.

When I looked up, I saw the man I'm missing. But he have this blank expression in his face. He didn't say sorry at linagpasan lang ako. My heart is broken.

Pinulot ko Ang phone ko sa floor at doon ko lang napagtanto na ang wallpaper ko ay ang wacky face picture namin together ni Sparsh. Napahaplos pa ako sa mukha ko. God! Did he saw it? I hope not.

Halos tumalon ang puso ko ng maramdaman kong may nakatayo sa likod ko at tuluyan na ngang tumalon ng makita ko si Sparsh smirking. I thought nakalayo na siya.

"Nice Wallpaper huh. Stop courting pero wallpaper picture natin? Come on, you lied again. Akala ko ba siya pa rin ang mahal mo? Pero bakit hindi ko makitang masaya ang mga mata mo?" he stated smirking.

"No, I didn't lie. Can't you see? I have roses in my hand at siya rin ang naghatid sa akin dito sa school" Explain ko naman. Bakit ba ang galing niyang malaman kung masaya ako o hindi through my eyes? Ugh.

"Alam ko." sagot naman niya. Just wow! Bakit di ko siya nakita?

"Nakita mo pala. You better stop---" he put his hand in my mouth that caused me shut.

"You shut up Shanaya! Whatever it is, I'll continue with what I've started. I will not let you fall with somebody else nor with your ex.  I'm not enough? Then I'll going to give my best to be enough for you. You keep that in mind, my Lady" he exclaimed then winked.

Hindi pa ako nakakaget-over when he suddenly pressed his lips on mine. Nagnakaw siya ng halik!

"May naramdaman ka bang boltahe ng kuryente ng hinalikan kita? Sakin kasi meron. I miss your lips My Lady" nakangiti niyang sabi. This pervert! Pinapahirapan lang niya ako.

"JERK!" sigaw ko sa kanya. Tumawa naman siya after.

"A.HOT.JERK" sabay taas pa ng polo niya. What the fuck, my eyes  devirginized again.

He's an impossible one. I'm just wondering. Hindi ba siya nasaktan sa sinabi ko sa kanya? Or he isn't convinced with my reasoning that I still love Jared? Or he just saw pain and sadness in my eyes again? I don't know now.