Sparks Fly (Détendre Series #1)

Prologue

DISCLAMER: This story is a work of fiction. The names, places, and events in this story are solely based from the author's imagination. Any resemblance to other people's names or other authors' story incidents are purely unintentional. Please be kind and enjoy the story.

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I'm running across the hallway holding two paper bags. The first one was filled with burgers while the other one had two large bottles of Gatorade.

Pupuntahan ko si Nick ngayon sa Lumiere University, doon siya nag-aaral. May training kasi sila ng basketball team niya ngayon. Gusto ko siyang i-surprise sa pagdating ko. I didn't want to come empty handed kaya nagdala ako ng snacks. Not just for him, but for the whole team.

Now, I'm standing in front of the wooden door papasok ng gym nila. Binaba ko muna yung hawak kong paper bags para buksan ng dahan dahan yung pinto. I don't want him to know that I'm here yet.

I was dumbfounded by what I saw. He was kissing another girl, in the middle of the court, while his teammates watched and cheered for him. 

I can hear my heart shattering. Nasira lahat ng pinanghahawakan ko kasabay ng pagguho ng mundo ko. It felt heavy and suffocating. Tinakpan ko ang bibig ko at mahinang umiyak. I stared for a while as he continued kissing the girl.

Saan ako nagkulang?

Pinunasan ko ang luha ko at pinulot ang paper bag na dala dala ko kanina. Tuloy-tuloy akong pumasok sa gym, not saying a word. Pinatong ko sa bleachers ang dala ko at isa-isang inabutan ng burger yung mga ka-teammates niya.

"Akala ko mapagkakatiwalaan ko kayo. Pero kapag pala hindi niyo na ko nakikita, hindi na rin ako nag-eexist sa utak niyo."

Tumalikod ako nang masabi ko ang nararamdaman ko. I didn't bother to look at them. I can't. I feel so betrayed.

"Ate halika." Tawag ko doon sa babae. "Bakit mo hinahalikan yung boyfriend ko?" Sabay turo kay Nick na naestatwa sa gitna ng court. 

She raised her brow and crossed her arms in her chest. 

"Gusto ko e. Ginusto niya rin naman." Sa pagkakasabi niya ay halatang niyayabangan niya ako. Ate, tatlong taon kong boyfriend yan. 

"Ah, gusto mo ng burger?" Tanong ko at binato sakaniya 'yon.

"Bitch!" Hindi ko naman sinasadyang sa mukha niya tumama yung burger e. 

"Mauuna na ko." Paalam ko habang naglalakad palayo. Pero nang maka-ilang hakbang ako ay huminto. "And just in case hindi ka aware, Nick. We're done." Hindi ko na siya nilingon.

I'm trying hard to prevent myself from crying as I was leaving their campus. Pero ang hirap dahil nanginginig ang buong katawan ko. I'll never date a Lumierian ever again. 

May naramdaman akong bumunggo sakin. I looked up saw that it was a guy.

"Hala, ate sorry. Hindi ko sinasadiya, dinadaldal lang talaga ako nitong tropa ko kaya hindi ko napansin. Pasensiya na talaga." Nakayuko siya sakin. Saying sorry repeatedly. 

He looked up to me and was shocked. At first, I was confused as to why. Pero naisip ko na rin na baka nakita niya ang mukha ko. Masiyado yatang halata na problemado ako. I probably look dumb. 

Nginitian ko nalang siya at tumango. Iniwas ko rin agad ang tingin ko sakaniya. Baka ka-awaan pa ako. I don't need pity right now. I already feel pathetic.

On my way to the parking lot, I heard Nick's voice calling me. I didn't bother to stop. I don't think I can look at him right now. There's too much pain. 

I felt someone grip my arms and made me turn around. It was him.

"Come on, Dee. 'Wag mo namang i-big deal 'to. Wala lang 'yon. Dahil lang doon hihiwalayan mo ko." The audacity of this man.

"Paano ko gagawing okay sakin 'yung paghalik mo sa ibang babae ha? Kung nakita ko sanang aksidente e. Pero hindi, ginusto mo! Masakit na, Nick. Tama na." I was already crying. It was too much for me. Lahat ng pagpigil ko kanina ay nabaliwala. 

"Hindi mo pa nga ako pinag-eexplain e! Napakakitid ng utak mo!" What? Bakit ako pa yung mali? Doesn't he understand that it hurts?

"Go on. Explain yourself." I said, calmer than I was before. 

"Na-dare lang." He shrugged. 

"Then, that's even worse! Hindi mo man lang nagawang tumanggi. Mas importante pa ba sayo 'yang dare na yan kaysa sa sarili mong girlfriend?!"

I'm crying my heart out. Still enduring the pain I'm feeling in my chest. Everything just feels heavy. Nanginginig na ang tuhod ko at pakiramdam ko babagsak na ko maya maya. Hindi ko na kaya. 

"We're over, Nick. I don't want to see you again. Go and enjoy. You're free, asshole."

Iniwanan ko nalang siyang nakatayo doon at pumasok na sa kotse ko. I wanted to leave as soon as I can. As far from him as I can. Pero habang nagdr-drive ako ay nanlalabo ang paningin ko sa luha. I figured it was dangerous, so I parked somewhere safe and just cried to myself. Wondering what I did wrong. Wondering if I truly deserve this.

I can move on, right?

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