The One

Chapter 15: Run Away

Deanna

I knew this day would come. Hindi naman ako manhid para hindi malaman na may gusto sa akin ang best friend ko. I didn't expect lang na ganito siya kabilis aamin sa akin.

"Deanns?" I came back to my senses when I heard Luigi speak

"L-Luigi."

"If this is about what you told me yesterday, Deanns, hindi naman kita pinipilit na maging tayo na. I'm asking for permission pa lang para ligawan ka." Nagulat ako when he kneeled.

"Please give me a chance. Please tell me I have a chance." he continued

"Luigi, tumayo ka na diyan. Baka may mga reporters na makakita sa'yo!"

"I don't care! Answer me, Deanns. Please." he said while directly looking at me. He looks like he's about to cry.

I took a deep breath before speaking.

"Look, Luigi. We've been best friends since we were kids. You've been with me through thick and thin. I love you, Luigi. But–" I wasn't able to continue what I was about to say when I saw a shadow moving away.

"Wait." I told Luigi and quickly went to check whose shadow it was

I saw a glimpse of a girl with short hair wearing maong shorts and a polo shirt. Wait, that's Jema's favorite post-game outfit!

"L-luigi. As I was saying kanina, I love you, but only as a brother. That's why I cannot allow you to court me. I'm sorry. I have to go." I sounded like Eminem pero wala na akong pakialam. I need to run after Jema. I'm 100% sure that it was her.

Tumakbo na ako papunta sa dugout nila. Naabutan ko siya na papasok na. Why does she look like she's crying?

"Jema!" sabi ko then lumapit ako sa kaniya

Nakita kong yumuko siya, took a deep breath and wiped something off her face bago humarap sa akin.

"Hi, Deanns." sabi niya with a smile. A smile that is totally different from the smiles that I had seen before. It's not genuine.

"What's wrong? Umiyak ka ba?" I moved closer to her and held her face

"H-hindi ah. Okay lang ako." Right after that, her tears started falling.

"Hey, what's wrong? I hate seeing you cry." I hugged her tightly, hoping to ease her pain.

"W-wala. Hehe." sagot niya then she hugged me back

"Wala raw pero grabe makaiyak."

"O-okay l-lang a-ako." Guess what? She's really not good at lying. Lalo siyang naiyak after saying that.

"I'm here, bb. You've got nothing to fear." I closed my eyes and hugged her even tighter

Nagulat ako nung biglang humiwalay sa yakap si Jema. Sobrang lakas nung force kaya naman napadilat kaagad ako.

I was wrong. Hindi humiwalay ng yakap si Jema. Someone pulled her away from me.

"Anong ginawa mo kay Jema? Bakit siya umiiyak? Sagot, Wong!" sigaw ng isang galit na Fhen

"A-aray ko, Fhen. Masyadong mahigpit hawak mo sa akin. Nasasaktan ako." sabi ni Jema while trying to pull her arm away from Fhen

"Wala akong ginagawang masama. Let her go. Nasasaktan na siya." sabi ko and kukuhanin ko na sana si Jema nung bigla niya akong tinulak

"Yabang mo ah! Bakit? Ano mo ba si Jema? Wala! Kaya 'wag mo siyang hahawakan!" sigaw niya ulit sa akin

"Fhen, nasasaktan ako!"