Chased by the One I Stopped Chasing

Fair Chance

Astrid's POV

Sa pag-aakalang titigilan niya na ako kung malaman niyang may iba na akong gusto, sinabi ko kay Fray na nagpapaligaw na ako ulit kay Chandler.

Pero walang epekto iyon. Ni hindi man lang siya nawalan ng pag-asa at lalo pang naging pursigido. Araw-araw ay sinusundan niya ang taxi na sasakyan ko papuntang school, dahil ayaw ko nang magpahatid sa kaniya.

I also told Chandler what I told Fray. I apologized for dragging him to my mess again.

"It's okay, Astrid. We are friends. Friends help each other." To my horror, Chandler even said he's supporting the idea.

He is a witness, too, of my hopeless chasing before. And he believes, too, that Fray must leave me alone to go on with life.

Hindi nga naman maaaring magpakatanga na naman ako sa kaniya. Anim na taon ang ginugol ko sa paghahabol at pagbabakasakaling mamahalin niya rin ako, pero hindi naman nangyari. Kaya anong kaibahan ngayon? Bakit niya ako biglang mamahalin?

Isa lang ito marahil sa mga libangan niya sa ngayon.

Nagkasundo kami ni Chandler na magsabay sa pag-uwi kaya hinihintay ko siya sa entrance ng building nila ngayon. Napaaga kasi ng 10 minutes ang dismissal namin kaya maaga rin ako sa napag-usapang oras namin.

While checking my notes, my phone vibrated for a text. I sighed when I saw Fray's number on the screen.

Fray:

I'm outside your building. Can I escort you home?

I ignored his text and wished that he'd take it as a hint that I'm rejecting him, though I know it's impossible. He's been doing this for a week now.

He's really determined to pursue me for some reason, maybe for fun or to ease boredom.

My phone vibrated again.

Fray:

Okay lang kung ayaw mo. Gusto lang kitang makita, may ibibigay ako sa'yo. I'll just tail your cab again to ensure you're home safe.

I felt a slight sting on my chest and the sudden sensation of sorrow and guilt spread quickly in my body.

As if on cue, Chandler appeared in front of me. He was all smiles as he looked at me and offered to carry my books.

I gave a small smile and let him help me, while I quietly slipped my phone inside my bag.

Paglabas ay pareho kaming natigilan nang makita si Fray na nakasandal sa kaniyang Raptor. Pinagtitinginan siya ng mga tao dahil sa malaking teddy bear at bouquet of flowers na dala niya.

Our eyes met as I stepped closer to him. Damn it! My heart's beating wildly.

"These are for you." He said as he handed me the sweet things in his hands.

Hindi ako gumalaw at nanatiling nakatingin sa kaniyang mukha. Pain is obviously swimming in his eyes, but he managed to essay a smile.

My eyes heated immediately.

"I have a date with Chandler. Take those stuffs home. And please..." I swallowed the lump in my throat and exerted much effort to maintain a straight face. "Don't dare tail us. Give some respect."

Unti-unti niyang ibinaba ang mga dala at tumango. Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon simula nang gabing iyon, nakita ko ang pagtanggap niya ng pagkatalo.

Umikot siya para ipasok ang mga dala sa kaniyang kotse. I almost called his name to stop him from going. I didn't like the sight of him going away. My heart hurts, but I had to fight the urge and let him go.