Not Into Her

XVIII - The Time To Say Goodbye

The toga gown and the graduation hat must be returned after the graduation rites. We just rented the set for a hundred pesos and must return the gown and the hat to exchange with the paid amount. So I told Father to wait for me and walked to the alley while I take the gown and the hat off as well. Then I returned the gown and the hat to Mrs. Echavia, who let us rent her gown and graduation hat, and get the money from her.

When finished, I walked out of the room where the return of the gown is undergone and walked to the alley, to the men's restroom, to pee. Then I walked out from the restroom and head to the Amphitheater to buy some candies or anything delicious before going back to my father.

Then I saw Aprielle walking down the staircase. She must've returned her gown and hat to Mrs. Echavia though she didn't wear them on and she walked to the alley. She saw me, looking at her. She's beautiful as ever. So I looked away and looked to the food I was eating. After she bought some snacks, Aprielle walked to my table and sat at my front.

"So here you are." Aprielle said at me, putting her food on the table. "Your father asked me to find you."

"Oh, yeah?" I said. "I thought you're here to have a word with me. I guess I'm wrong."

Aprielle took a piece of her crackers and ate it. She also took a sip of her orange juice from the table, still looking at me like I'm shy.

"Well, truly, can I ask you something?" she said.

"Yeah, sure." I replied. "Something that is not awkward for a while."

"And why did you say that?"

I looked at Aprielle's face and looks she's happy with her life. "What about it?" I asked back. "I haven't said that could make you walk away or something. I'm just experiencing more negative vibrations around."

"So are you saying that I'm that negative vibration?"

"If that's what you think. But for me, you're not. I'm just not that type of man who always recognize people on their speaking and actions and also on their outfits."

Aprielle stood up, walked away from the chair, and swayed herself around.

"So what do you think of mine?" she asked. "What do you think I am?"

I looked at Aprielle circling around herself and noticed she's smiling while she's circling around herself.

"Well," I paused. "if you keep circling and circling around like a little child, you'll get sick and puke in a bit. Just sit down and I'll tell you what's on my mind. Just sit and have a sip of your juice."

"Okay."

Aprielle stopped circling and sat back to her chair. She took my advice and sipped some of her juice.

"Well, then." she said. "What's mine?"

"Well, according to your look and your stance right now, you're in love." I replied. "In love in sense that you've found someone to love and someone who cares and accept your love to him. Just like the guy you have with your parents."

"How did you know that?"

"From the way he greeted you and hugged you."

"Well, he's not my boyfriend. He's just a friend." she lied.

"Don't tell me a lie, Aprielle! A handsome guy like him that has a good look and good stance, it's obviously not a typical friend for you."

"So," she looked at me as if I was jealous. "are you jealous?"

"Ha!" I said, as if I'm not jealous at the man. "Jealousy is a person's natural enemy. Jealousy is also a game to all people who have patience in love. And, no, I'm not jealous."

Aprielle looked around my face and looked thoroughly.

"But according to the reactions your body showed and your sweat production," Aprielle said. "you're jealous on him."

"What if you're right? What if I'm jealous of him?"

"Well, you're in love with me, don't you?"

"A simple crush, maybe." I honestly said.

"Well, you're not lucky, Alex. I have him, she have me. And, besides, you're not my type."

"Is there something in your heart that includes me inside?" I begged.

"Well," Aprielle thought. "in the contrary, no."

"I really like you, Aprielle. And this feeling gives me this medals. I like you. girl, I really. do. You became my inspiration throughout the years."

I walked to Aprielle's side and knelt, down on my knees. "Please, Aprielle." I surrendered said at her, weeping and crying. "Please, Aprielle."

"If I say no, Alex, I mean no!" she angrily said at me.

So I stood up, bowed my head and turned around. "You know what." I said, wiping my tears. "If you have never got a little feeling on me, so be it. I better be dead right now."

After the little chat and the weeping, I walked out from the canteen and turned my head to see her.

"Well, I guess, this is good-bye then." I said. "I better get going now and I wish you a happy life onward."

"Yeah." she said. "You, too."

I walked out from the canteen and head back to the counter. I pulled another coin from my pocket and bought it with a yellow Maxx candy, Lemon Flavor. Then I walked out from the canteen and head back to the Amphitheater. Then I turned around again to see Aprielle and noticed she's still struggling in making an effort to look into her new love.

So I just waved good-bye to her, with a hope that she'll be fine someday. Then I walked to Father and hopped to our family motorcycle, suitable for two persons, including the driver. I and my father head to the nearest lechon house and bought a piece of pork liempo, half of a kilo of Pancit and a whole roasted chicken for the achievements that I done so far.