Out Of My Reach

Chapter 5

Ariez's POV

I plastered a fake smile on my face as I stand up. I faced them.

"So kayo pala ang kasama namin." Kunyaring masayang sabi ko. I looked at Radan and he's still busy looking at Minds while Minds is looking at the other boys, Clark, Kian and Daniel.

"Obviously." Did I hear that right? Or not? I heard him say it a little bit of sarcastic. Even so, I still smiled at Kian and he rolled his eyes! Okay? May problema ba sya sakin?

"Wag mo na lang pansinin yan. Meron yan eh." Sabi ni Daniel kaya napatawa kami.

"Tss." Kian hissed.

Minds clang her arms on mine and then he leaned closer to my ears to whisper.

"I personally ìnvited Radan to come here with us so that you know... you can bond with your crush." She whispered teasingly. Nagtataas baba pa yung kilay nya. "Thank me later." She winked at me. 

Umupo na si Minds kaya nagsi-upo na din kami. Oh, so that's why we're seating on a wide table. Eh kasi naman 3 lang kami kanina tapos sa malaking mesa pa kami umupo. I suddenly remembered what Minds said. Thank me later..

Napaiwas na lang ako ng tingin. Do I really have to thank her when all I can feel right now is pain? I know it's not her fault and she doesn't know a thing that Radan has feelings for her that's why she's finding way for us to get closer and I appreciate that. But instead of us, Radan and I, getting closer, sa tingin ko dahil dito sila mismo ang magkakalapit sa isa't isa.

I can't help but smile bitterly. Ito yung plano diba? To help them be together pero ang sakit eh. I should be contented that I can now talk to Radan and I guess we're friends now? Oh whatever. At least we're socializing with each other right now hindi kagaya dati.

"Hey, you okay?" Clark asked which made me come out from my reverie.

"Huh?" I asked and I noticed that they are all looking at me. Gian and Minds are giving me a worried look.

"Mukha ka kasing paiyak na eh." Sabi nya kaya napapikit ako and he's right. My tears are shedding. I bit my lower lip before lashing out a fake laugh.

"Haha may natandaan lang ako kaya napatulala ako. Tapos napuwing pa ako kaya ganun." I lied. I can't just tell them that I'm on the edge of crying because of Radan right? That would be insane.

"Ahh akala ko kung napaano ka na." Sabi ni Clark which made me smile. Is he concern? If yes, then I'm really touched by that. I cleared my throat before I stood up.

"Um, I need to go to the ladies room." Sabi ko at aalis na sana but Minds also stood up.

"I'll come with you, c'mon." Sabi nya but I stopped her.

"No, no, ano ka ba naman. Haha pupunta lang naman ako ng ladies room eh. Instead of you accompanying me, why don't you just stay here and accompany them? You invited them remember?" Sabi ko at pinaupo na ulit sya dun sa upuan nya which is katabi ni Radan. Our eyes met and I smiled at him before winking. It just means that I'm giving him a chance to have some quality time with my best friend.

That hurts...

Hindi na ako nagsayang ng oras at dumiretso na ako sa ladies room. Good thing there's no one inside. I looked at the mirror before closing my eyes, bearing the pain that's hovering inside me.  I opened my eyes after a few seconds and I looked at my reflection.

"You can do it. Just bear it... bear and bear it again. Masasanay ka rin jan. You're Ariez right? You're tough.... yeah you're tough." I said but my voice broke on the last part. I cleared my throat bago maghilamos.