Traces Of The String (Red String Series #1)

Chapter 11

I felt my heart stopped back there. That's the first time I heard my nickname from her after years. Hindi niya ako tinawag gamit ang pangalan ko kahit nuong pumunta sya sa bahay that's why ang laking impact nito sakin.

Simula bata palang kami may crush na 'ko sakaniya eh kaso nung na confess ako sakaniya nung bata kami hindi niya alam kung ano ang 'crush'.

Tapos nung nag pandemic, akala 'ko ay wala na 'kong gusto sakaniya pero jung nag simula muli ang face-to-face classes at nag kita kaming muli ay hindi pa pala, ang laki pa din ng impact niya sa kaloob looban 'ko. Bwisit.

It was 9 pm. Many stars in the sky, the moon is shining bright and I'm suddenly beside Clementine in the swing while looking at the scenery.

"First time ko dito, at babalik ulit ako. Ang ganda diba"

I couldn't help but look at her instead. Her figures that grew maturer than before. Her pretty face that I've been admiring from afar before and now. And her eyes that looks so beautiful when it hit the perfect light, especially the sunlight that shows her light brown eyes that everyone who looks at her will notice it first. So beautiful.

"Maganda" I agreed while keeping my eyes on her. I greeted her happy birthday and called her by her name but I failed to give my present to her.

Parang na-imagine 'ko na ata 'tong klaseng eksena naming dalawa dati at ngayon lang nangyari. Baka layuan niya 'ko pag nalaman niya ang mga dahilan bakit kinikilig ako sa imagination 'ko.

I hide the little box I was suppose to give her at her birthday but I failed. Instead, i got a better reward.

We and clementine grew closer. The friendship we had when we were kids that > thought died, came back blooming. It was like, nothing happened. I even met her Best Friend, Yiana when we enrolled together.

And god knows how happy I was and nervous at the same time when i found out that we're classmates. Hindi pa ko makatulog dahil sa kilig.

"Crush mo si Mentina?" Muntik na ko mabulunan sa sariling laway nung biglang mag salita ang kaibigan ni Mentina na si Yiana habang nasa ice cream store kami at saglit na nag paalam si Mentina para mag rest room.

"W-what? I don't know what your talking about" I acted fool. First time ko makipag hang out kasama ang best friend nya and she already figured it out?!

"Please... Don't lie. Tanga nalang ang maniniwala sayo" saglit itong sumubo ng isang kutsarang ice cream bago lumingon sakin.

"Iba ang way ng pag tingin mo sakanya. Anyone would assume that you're in a relationship with her if you continue that " tinuro nya pa ko gamit ang kutsara nya.

"Huh?"

"But don't worry. Manhid si ate mo girl. Hindi ka nya mahahalata, trust me" she chuckled.

"But let me warn you. Liking her is a big problem for you. Especially, you're friends with her the longest. Ayaw na ayaw nya sa mga kaibigang nag kakagusto sa mga kaibigan din. She's kinda against Friends-to-lovers trope. So, goodluck"

Yiana's words was tattooed inside my head. I couldn't erase it at all. Akala ko may chance ako pero wala pala. Mas lumala lang.

Am I contented with being only friends with her?

Pero sino ba ko para reklamo?

"Hi, Oliver Marquez." He stretched his hand closer to Clementine's.

Wala akong ginawa kundi samaan lang ng titig si Oli buong oras na 'yon. Hindi 'ko naman alam na pupunta si Clementine dito sa bahay dahil pinapapunta ni Mommy habang nandito si Oliver para maglaro.