Kisses of Tragedy (Published under LIB)

Love Or Friendship

Love Or Friendship

Standing in front of me was a familiar guy, wearing his blue jersey jacket, brown trousers, and white sneakers. Who would've not known this guy? Aside from that, he's a student from the other block beside our room, he has been always mentioned by my bestfriend, Gwen.

From talking to her before the class started, during lunch break, during free time, and even after class, I would always hear the name Jake Ruiz from her noisy mouth of her.

Obviously, she likes him a lot.

Well, no wonder. His pitch-black hair is attractively messy, adding appeal to his fair complexion. His jawline, lips, and nose were as if molded by a great sculptor in perfection. And most especially, his thick eyebrows. His eyebrows are the sexiest part of his face, in my opinion, for I'm always attracted to men who have thick eyebrows. I mean, who would've not right?

His physique could definitely capture every girl's heart; well, except for me.

For a couple of times, I've seen Jake, I would always find him in good posture and suave appeal. But today was different.

His hands were slightly shivering and his eyes couldn't even look at me straight as he handed me a box, properly covered with a gift wrapper which has red hearts as its design. I concluded it's not a Christmas gift, perhaps, a valentine's gift? Birthday gift? But February is about four months away and my birthday is still in July. And one more thing, we're not even close!

"Ah... Para kanino 'yan?" I asked.

I saw how his face turned into crimson red as he looked down, hiding his blushed face from me. I chuckled, a smile slowly creeping onto my lips.

"Para kay Gwen 'to no?" I concluded, smirking. I took the gift from him and stared at it while saying, "Hayaan mo, ibibigay ko 'to sa kan'ya mamaya. Paniguradong magugus-"

"Hindi." He cut me off, now he looked serious. "Para sa'yo talaga 'yan, Deralden."

My heart suddenly jumped in surprise.

"Eh?" I gave him a weird look. "Sa akin? Bakit sa akin?"

I don't get it.

Last time I checked, si Gwen ang panay papansin sa kanya at hindi ako, kaya bakit ako pa ang binibigayan ni Jake ng regalo?

Where's the damn logic, y'all?

"I like you..." he whispered but enough for me to clearly hear it.

What... How?

"I like you since we were in grade 9. When you joined the pageant for Mr. and Ms. Intrams, that was the day you caught my attention. And since that day, I started admiring you from afar," he said. That was way back three years ago-before I even met Gwen. "I'm too shy to confess my feelings for you so, I kept it." He chuckled. "But damn, the longer I hide it, the more I fell for you, Deralden."

Our eyes met and I witness how his eyes twinkled, as if they were stars or rather constellations, shimmering brightly for me.

God, those eyes are supposed to twinkle for Gwen-not for me!

"So, I'm taking this chance. Pwede ba manligaw?"

---

"Ano? Liligawan ka raw niya?" Gwen exclaimed right after I told her what happened earlier this morning. We're here on a mini-park inside our campus, sitting on a bench while munching our favorite junk food, cheese-flavored Piattos.

Licking the cheese powder from my thumb, I nodded. "Oo, akala ko nga nagbibiro lang siya e"-I gave her an awkward smile-"pero hindi pala, ang seryoso ng mukha niya kanina."