The 10 Things I Love About Her (A JALEC Fanfic)

Chapter 6: The Scent of Her Perfume

Days had passed and we’d usually hang out together on that big tree at the back of the school building. Sometimes, we’d just listen to music, share our thoughts about something, and most of the time, we’ll just sit there and be quiet.

It was March. We were talking about our project for the English class which will be submitted within a week. It was the group project that we were supposed to do with Robi. But Robi, as usual, didn’t seem to care. So it was just me and Jai who were doing the project.

“Do you have any idea what we’re going to do now? I’m thinking about it for weeks now but I just can’t seem to think of the best concept.” Jai said.

“I don’t know. Ikaw naman yung creative sa ating dalawa. I know lahat ng ideas mo, the best.” Then I gave a smile.

“Bolero ka talaga kahit kailan!” Sagot niya, I noticed her cheeks turn to pink.

“I’m serious.” Seryoso naman kasi talaga ako. Jai is really smart.

She looked at me, parang tinitingnan niya kung nagsisinungaling ako o nagsasabi ng totoo. I looked at her in the eyes, too. Then binawi niya yung tingin niya sa akin. Parang na-conscious. Hehe.

“So, naniniwala ka nang I’m sincere?” She just nodded.

“What was our topic nga?” Tanong ko ulit. Parang nakalimutan ko na iyon dahil medyo matagal na rin and ang focus ko na lang yata ay napunta na lahat kay Jai.

“We need to write on somebody that means a lot to us. So who would that “somebody” be?” Tanong niya.

“I don’t know. May naiisip ka na ba?” Balik kong tanong sa kanya.

“Family? Friends? God?” Parang di siya sure.

I didn’t say anything. I thought deeply.

“Jai, do you have someone special right now?” Hininaan ko yung boses ko, parang nahiya ako bigla.

Hindi siya sumagot. I didn’t know what her reaction is, nakayuko lang ako the whole time.

A little later, she said, “I guess so.”

Parang tumalon ang puso ko nang marinig iyon. At first I got excited.. then I felt scared.

“Ako kaya iyon? Or is it somebody else?” Napaisip ako.

“Schoolmate?” Tanong ko ulit.

“Yup.” Maikling sagot niya.

“Kilala ko ba?” I want more clues.

“Why are you so interested?” Curious niyang sagot. I don’t know what she was thinking.

“Wala lang. It might be a good topic for our writing project.” Palusot ko.

“Hmmm… Bakit ako lang? How about your special someone?”

Oo nga naman. Bakit siya lang. Pero paano? Siya kasi yung special someone ko. I’m sure about it now. What if she finds out about it?

I chose not to answer.

“Bakit natahimik ka? Ayiiii… Si Alec, in love…” Tinutukso niya ako. Pag di siya tumigil, baka bigla akong mapaamin. Pinigilan ko ang sarili ko.

“Ang kulit mo din, ano?” Kunwari naiinis ako.

“Ay pikon? Haha. Sumasakit ang ulo ko dito sa project na to eh. Nakakapagod.” Sabi ni Jai, bumalik ang attention niya sa notebook niya na wala pa ring sulat hanggang ngayon.

“Masakit ulo mo?” Tanong ko.

“Oo eh. Inaantok din ako.” Then she close her eyes, taking a deep breath.