Almost

Chapter 3

Kalehn and I rode up the hill just ten km away from the city. The whole ride I was on a blindfold, talking to him and laughing for these silly things he's doing while his other hand holds mine to assure me were safe.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

He laughed. "Just wait for it."

After a while, the car stopped. I sensed he turned off the engine, he get out of the car and closed the door and open the door beside me. He hold my right arm to guide me out of the car.

"Come. Let's go," he said.

He guide me a few steps away from the car and then stop. He untie the blindfold. At habang binababa ko ito I cannot believe what I am seeing. Mga ilang metro lang ang layo sa cliff I saw a white linen blanket surrounded by four lanterns on every corner and in the middle of the blanket he laid out two glasses and a wine along with some snacks and fruits beside. The view from here is extraordinary beautiful.

In my astonishment all I say is, "Wow."

"You like it?" he asked.

I nodded. At bakas sa kanyang mga ngiti ang tagumpay ng kanyang plano then he kissed me passionately.
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Maybe this is the bad side of love. When you already thought it is unbreakable.

As my mom drop me off to school nagmamadali akong tumakbo papunta sa first class ko because of the seat. A seat next to Kalehn. Sa pagmamadali ko di ko namamalayan na may tao na pala sa harapan ko and I bump her. Parehas kaming napabagsak. Agad akong tumayo at tinulungan ko siya.

"Sorry Illea. Nagmamadali lang kasi ako." But as I touched her she tapped my hand away.

"Sorry? E kung itulak din kaya kita?" paghahamon niya.

"Hindi kita tinulak. Nagmamadali lang ako and I didn't see you. At tsaka I already said sorry," kalmang pagkakasabi ko sa kanya. But in her irritation akma niya akong sasampalin pero may pumigil sa kanya.

It is Kalehn. "Ill what's wrong?"

Nagulat si Illea sa biglang pagsulpot ni Kalehn that's why she turned the situation on me.

"This girl bumped me and she didn't even say sorry. And then she wanted to hurt me even more I was just protecting myself," nagpapaawang sabi niya. At tiningnan ako ng masama ni Kalehn.

WHAT?! TUMIGIL KANG BABAE KA BAKA DI AKO MAKAPAGPIGIL IHAMPAS KO YUNG ULO MO SA PADER!

Sa inis ko wala akong nagawa kundi mag-sorry on both sides.

We all entered the room at nabigo ang plano ko na makatabi si Kalehn dahil na rin sa maraming reasons. No. One reason lang pala. ILLEA!

Nang matapos ang klase napahalumbaba na lang ako at napaub-ob. I miss you Kalehn.

Someone tap me. At pagtingin ko si Kalehn iyon.

"I'm sorry for what happened earlier. But could you please stop bothering my girlfriend?" hiling nya.

"Wait. What?" gulat at naguguluhan kong pagkakasabi. As I remember this is the first time ever since na nagkausap kami ni Illea. And I don't remember na ginulo ko siya.

"She's saying you're bothering her everytime because of me. She said you're making threats that if we don't break up you'll break her bone?"

LIKE WHAT?! Sa pagkakaalam ko di ako pinalaking brutal ng parents ko.

"Wait. I think you're mistaken me from something. I don't hurt anyone. And I just can't threaten anyone like that," I said.

He just shyly smiled at me, "I'll better go. Thank you for your time, I hope you take what I said seriously." At umalis na siya.

SERIOUSLY?! JUST LIKE THAT?! WHAT THE FREAKING WAY!

I am so dumbstruck from what happened and from what I have just heard. Sa aking pagkatulala di ko namalayan na nasa tabi ko na si Akos.

"Stel, you okay? I see Kalehn just getting out from here. What happened?" tanong nya. He get a chair and put it in front of me and he seated.

I faced him.

"Do I look like a murderer?" at tinuro ko ang aking sarili.

Nagpipigil ng tawa si Akos and then he blurted out, "A little." With matching actions pa sa kamay.

"Argh!"

He laughed. "Why? What happened?"

"I can't believe Illea just said that to Kalehn." I told everyting to Akos specially what Kalehn just said to me.

"Damn girl. She's totally something."

"Seriously Akos? That's what you can say?" Sa totoo lang hindi ko alam kung kaibigan ko ba siya o ano sa pang-aasar nya.

"Just joking Stel. Let's go meet the others. They told me to get you because they are having a meeting about the vacation."

You are all probably wondering bakit hindi ko kasama ang mga friends ko when it comes to classes, it is because iba-iba kami ng course. Ash took fashion designing, Akos and Kasumi took medicinal course, while Kalehn and I along with Illea took business management. And we only have two more years to finish our courses.

I sling my bag and we go to the meet-up place. The school lounge. It has an enormous space and a minimalistic style. In the middle there is a letter C couch in a grey color. Various plants and succulents either in the wall hanging or just on the floor. And the windows are all glass. There is a bookshelf near the window and as I can see they are all classic books and piano sheets. Speaking of piano sheets there is a piano at the right corner. This place is amazing.

When Akos and I arrived at the lounge they are all there. Kasumi is facing the window, the twins are checking out the piano while Chloe is sitting on the couch doing selfies, Kalehn and Illea are also here. It means he's coming. But she's with him so she's coming too? No way.

Akos hold my hand and we go to Kasumi's side. Kasumi welcomes us with a smile and we hug each other.

"You okay?" she's pertaining the couple on the couch.

I only heave a sigh. Ash entered the room with some drinks in her hand. Akos immediately help her and distributed it for the others.

"Thank you Akos," Ash said while closing the door. After helping Ash he get us a chair from the back.

Ash started her speech about the vacation. She explained everything such as where it will be held, how long the ride will be, and what we will expect upon we reach the destination.

According to her the whole ride would be a hassle but at the end it will be worth it. Well how could it not be worth it if that house cost a billion dollars. To tell you, the island too, they own it. She also showed us the picture of the island and the house. We all whoop because it is such a grandeur at maso-solo namin ito. Imagine ilan lang kami sa napakalaking island at bahay na iyon? WOW!

"Okay, so dito na tayo nagtatapos. Any questions?" tanong ni Ash.

Kalehn speak, "Can Illea come and join us?"

Ash look at me. And it was like a domino effect that they all look at me too.

Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko, nagugulat ako sa mga nangyayari. "I...uhm...why are you all looking at me?"

Ash interrupted and said, "Okay yeah she can come. Is that it? No more questions?"

Silence.

"Okay I think so. All I can I say is...." super giddy Ash, "...see you bitches for our one week vacation!" The tensions are all gone and we just only enjoy this moment because in a week we will be having a good time.