Stonehearts 7: Ruby

Seventeen

It was on a whim.

The moment our conversation ended, I packed all of my things and begged Reid to take me to the bus terminal going to Manila.

Of course, he didn't agree. He called Sage who immediately went home and worriedly demanded to tell him if something happened that made me this hasty on going home.

I can't tell him about Bryce, because he doesn't know about it. So, I lied. I told him that Aly was already back and that I want to see her so badly. Determination must've been written all over my face because he just agreed without much of a fight.

Hindi ko alam ang susunod na gawin pagkauwi namin. Gusto ko pa sanang matulog but my nerves are all hyped up it was impossible to do so.

Kaya kahit hapon pa ang sinabi kong lakad namin, I changed my mind and made it a lunch instead.

"Rubs, hey. Good morning." Bryce's easy-going voice breezed through my receiver. I can imagine him displaying his dimpled smile with it. I nipped the ends of my thumb's fingernail, suddenly nervous of the things I was about to say.

Dapat pala pinag-isipan ko muna!

"Rubs?"

Napatikhim ako, "H-hey. . .B-bryce." I was able to say.

I heard him chuckle, "You sound anxious. What's up?" I felt my cheeks flush and sting from the sudden rush of heat.

I counted from one to five before I replied, "You sound fine."

"Well, I can't let one setback hold me in a dark place forever. It still hurts but I know I'll get over it."

I closed my eyes. Yes, please get over it.

"That's good." I croaked.

"Yeah. So, why'd you call? Wala ka sa work?"

Napalingon ako sa paligid ko. "W-wala. Actually, kakauwi ko lang galing Baguio."

"That's nice. Nagbakasyon ka pala." Then I heard him barking orders at someone, my heart thumped hard against my chest.

Mukhang busy siya. I need to wrap this up, and fast.

"Yes. Umm. . so, I was thinking. . .maybe we could move our meeting to lunch?"

He chuckled, "Meeting? You make it sound too business-like." I felt my cheeks burning hotter, I wasn't able to answer. "But, okay. Sige, I'm free lunch onwards. It's a date."

"A d-date?" I whispered.

Muli kong narinig ang tawa niya, pero hindi para hamakin ako. Sadyang mukhang masaya lang siya sa reaksyon ko. "Yes, a date. Saan mo ba gusto?"

At this very moment, my head is in chaos. So, I blurted the first thing that graced my mind, "Samgyup?"

"Okay, sige." Then I heard him rustling and telling someone to send the file to him. "I gotta go, Rubs. Text me the address and I will see you there."

"O-okay. See you."

The line went dead, but my heart never felt so alive.

I know there's a big possibility that we'll talk about Aya, but the fact that he's now committed to put a halt to his feelings about her makes me feel elated.

I didn't waste time. I hopped towards my room and rummage my closet for something to wear until my room looks like a hurricane had passed.

By 11:30, I already texted Bryce where we'll meet before driving there. Naka-receive ako ng texts mula kay Sage nagtatanong kung okay ba talaga ako at kung may ginawa ba sa'kin si Reid kaya nagmamadali akong umalis kagabi.