The Prominent 8

CHAPTER 12

Just about to apologize

[3rd week of June]

The heat of the sunlight that striked the canvas, makes the painting look alive. Diana was being patient in blending the colors. Suddenly, she heard someone crying outside the arts room and she try to checked it.

"What happened to you?" she asked.
"I just remember someone while reading this book." he said.

"What is it?" she asked.
"The one I loved, just passed away." he said with grief.

"Nothing's permanent in this world." she said and sat beside him.
"Just cry, it will release the pain, you know." she added.

"Thank you. What's your name?" he asked.
"I'm Diana. How about you?"
"My name's Paul."

[Present]
ALBERT'S POV

I don't care if she'll just always treat me like that. What's important is I like her, and that won't change my mind.

"Are you okay?" Jonathan asked.
"Yes, I'm fine."

"I just didn't expect that. I had a fan?" Paul was very confused.
"Better for you!" I said.

"Mas maraming fan si Albert." Jonathan said and chuckled.
"Geez, hindi naman ah." I said and look again at Paul.
"Abase, aren't ya?" he said and I just laughed.

[Lunch time]
MARK'S POV

I was waiting for Lowanne to come out from her classroom.
"Tagal naman nito. Baka nakipag chitchat pa." I said.

Paglabas niya sinalubong ko siya agad at lahat ng mga kaklase niya ay nagsilapitan sa amin.

"Yieeee"
"Nakakahiya naman sa inyo ohh"

"Lowanne, sabay tayo kumain!" ani ko at nagsigawan sila bigla.
She rolled her eyes and pushed me.
"Don't say that in front of my classmates." she murmured and went away.

"Okay.. Sorry po sa inyo lahat, better go now." ani ko at hinabol si Lowanne.
"Ano ka ba, remember ha. Di mo'ko girlfriend!" sabi niya na naiinis.
"Sorry naman oh."

[Cafeteria]
"Hanap ka na ng maupuan natin." ani niya.
"I'll get my food. Sabay ko nalang sayo." she added.
I smiled widely.

"Ohh! Thank you Lowanne!" I said and open my arms wide and when I was about to hug her she slapped my face. But it was just gentle.
She shook her head.
"Sorry po."
"Hanap ka na, tss." she rolled her eyes again.

Habang ako ay naghahanap na ng maupuan namin, nakita ko si Diana.
"Grr, kakainis tong babaeng to."

"You should say sorry to her, Mark." I remember Lowanne's voice saying this.

"Ohh right. I should apologize." I said and slapped my face.
Dahan-dahan akong lumapit kay Diana.

"Hi Diana!"
Nabigla siya at nabitawan niya ang kaniyang dalang pagkain. All of the people at the cafeteria turn their heads on us.

Agad niya itong nilinisan at tinulungan ko siya. She was shocked when she saw that it was me.

"What the--- ikaw pala yan?!
"I don't wanna see that face again!"
She exclaimed at inihagis niya sakin ang mga pagkain.
"Hey stop. Hey! Stop it." pinigilan ko ang mga kamay niya.
"That's not good, okay?" I said calmly.

"Ano? Sabi ko diba, di ko na gusto makita ang mukhang yan?"
"Okay, nakita mo na ngayon."
"Rrrgggh!" pinilit niya talagang makawala sa mga kamay ko.
"Stop it!" sigaw ko. And the cafeteria became quiet.

"I was just about to apologize. Sorry. I'm sorry Diana. Dahil lang dun s-sa nangyari sa CR."
"HUUH?" everyone went shock.

"Hey, no no! It's not what you all expected!" I explained.
I saw Albert standing there with his brows furrowed. I look again at Diana.

"Look Diana. Mapapatawad mo ba ako?"
"Nakakihiya 'to." she said in a low voice at nagpatuloy siya sa paglinis. Pagkatapos niya ay tumayo agad siya. I looked up dahil nakaupo pa rin ako.
"Ano? Sorry na nga." I said but she looked away.

Lowanne came after.
"Diana!" she called her but she didn't listened.

ALBERT'S POV

"Diana, are you okay?" I asked and I hold her face.
Inalis niya ang kamay ko.
"I'm okay." she uttered and went away.
All the students are still watching at us.
"Sorry guys, it's nothing." I said and they instantly divert their attention from us.

Lumapit ako sa lalaking nakaalitan ni Diana kanina. I lend my hand to him. Hindi pa rin kase siya tumayo.

"You seem familiar to me." I said.
He stood up and said,
"I'm Mark. Sorry about kanina. I was just going to say sorry.."
"It's okay, I'll help you with that." I said and tapped his shoulder.
"Kasalanan ko naman yun." he said while his head facing down.

"Sorry about my friend, Albert." the girl on her side apologized.
"And who might you be?" I asked.
"I'm Lowanne."
"Lowanne, such a pretty name and you're prettier. Diana's your friend, right?"

"Yes, she is."
"Don't worry I'll help you two get along again." I said and smiled.
"We can be friends too." I added.
I smiled and the both of them too.