When Everything Falls (De Chaves #1)

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER EIGHT

Minutes after Garrett arrived, the rain started to pour drastically. The smell of the air is dank and earthy together due to the wet stone and soil. A sharp silver light glow just near the horizon, sending us the promise of incoming calmness. Outside of the coffee shop, I could see the leaves pressed against the ground, a sad ending of them. An ending of their hope— a false hope for getting freedom as what the gust hushed them just so they pull out of their branches.

Garrett ordered us two cups of espresso and a two slice of chocolate cake. The place is impressive, I can say. It was perfectly groomed with full blast aesthetics. Garrett started to talk about this day and I somehow shared some words to the conversation he's trying to make alive. When he talks about the basketball, I start to see the gleam of enthusiasm on his eyes. He was so passionate with that sport and it makes me admire him even more.

If I'll assess Garrett, I can say that he's perfect. He's like a prince came from a book. With his all good characteristics, he can be of good portrayer of every ideal man from romance fictions. Pero kahit na ganoon ay hindi ko siya magawang magustohan. Maybe because my focus now is on my study and relationship somehow takes the half— or almost 3/4— or even whole of your concentration. Well, it depends on how a person handles his or her priority and time.

"Bakit pala hindi nakapunta si Taramara?" Garrett asked.

"Birthday kasi ng kapatid niya," I retorted but a sudden burst of laughter caught my attention.

The group of Bellamy.

Hindi ako sumulyap doon sa grupo dahil alam kong maiinis lang ako. Hindi ba sila nahihiya na naghihiyawan sila? Umiling ako at kumain na lang. However, before I could stuff the cake in my mouth, my phone beeped for a new message. When I opened it, I saw it was Bellamy.

From: Bellamy

Nakakaistorbo ba kami?

I rolled my eyes. Alam niya pala, bakit pa niya tatanongin.

To: Bellamy

Oo. Hindi ba kayo nahihiya? Kayo ang pinakamaingay dito.

Sumulyap ako sa kaniya at nakita kong ngumisi siya sa akin. Tumingin rin siya sa kaniyang cellphone at binasa ang mensahe ko. Iniwas ko na agad ang tingin ko kay Bellamy at tinignan na lang si Garrett na nakatingin sa akin.

"Naiingayan ka ba dito?" Tanong ni Garrett.

Umiling agad ako. I can easily divert my attention to something just so I won't get bothered by something unpleasant. My eyes darted to the raindrops spluttering against the ground, puddles are everywhere and the building across the street start to fade as the fog started to float. Nagulat ako no'ng bigla nalang tumahimik ang grupo nina Bellamy. Sumulyap ako sa kanila at nakita kong pinapatahimik ni Bellamy ang mga kasama.

"Uh... Cornelia," Garrett uttered shyly, the last word almost fell a whisper, "I... I know that I said friendship is okay with me. B-but I... I really—"

"Garrett," I stopped him. Alam ko na ang sasabihin niya. "You know that friendship is only I can offer to you, right?"

Tumango si Garrett. Just a glimpse of pain flashed across his face as he tried to withstand the gnawing pain within him. I suddenly feel a pang of sadness for him. Mabuting tao si Garrett, walang rason para hindi siya magustohan pero kaibigan lang talaga ang kaya kong ibigay and something beyond that is impossible.

"I know, Lia. But can we give it a try?" He pleaded, his eyes are casting a definite hope and sadness.

I shook my head, "I'm sorry, Garrett."