Girlfriend Proposal/Love Quarrel
Avy's POV
A few months later, naisipan ko na sagutin na si Terrence. I could see his every effort whenever we were together. I felt comfortable and safe at the same time with him. Pagpasok pa lang namin sa loob ng campus, malawak na ang ngiti ko. Wala akong pakialam kung pagtinginan ako ng mga tao, basta ako masaya ngayong araw na ito. Kagaya ng nakagawian, hinatid ko muna si Majesty sa classroom niya bago ako nagpunta sa akin. I was already expecting that he was there but he wasn't. Napasimangot tuloy ako.
Ilang minuto, nagsimula na ang klase namin pero wala pa rin siya. Where is he? Nawala tuloy 'yong saya ko, hayst. After class, dumeretso na ako sa cafeteria pero bago pa man ako makalapit sa lamesa kung nasaan sina Iyah at Majesty, may humila sa akin. Hila-hila ako ni Braxton habang tumatakbo hanggang sa tumigil kami saglit.
"A-Ano bang meron? Bakit tayo tumatakbo saka saan mo ba ako dadalhin?" takang-tanong ko sa kanya. Maya-maya, naglabas siya ng blindfold na ikinataka ko lalo.
"Here." isinuot niya sa akin 'yon.
"Para saan ba kasi ito, Brax?" tanong ko muli.
"Just trust me. Hindi naman kita ilalaglag," tanging sagot niya saka inalalayan ako pababa ng hagdan. Ikinalma ko ang sarili ko at hinayaan na lang kung anong mangyayari. The moment we stopped, he let me remove the blindfold.
Bumungad sa akin ang hindi ko inaasahan ngayong araw. Nakatalikod si Terrence at dahan-dahang humarap habang may bitbit na bouquet. May nakalagay sa school ground na 'Will you be my GF?' Hindi ko alam pero biglang lumundag 'yong puso ko ng makita 'yon. He stepped closer to me and handed me the bouquet. He smiled widely and immediately melted my heart for just a second.
"Listen, Avy. I know I'm not the perfect man you were dreaming to have but please give me a chance to prove to you that I deserve your love even I'm not that man. So, will you be my girlfriend?" he stated. I smiled sweetly then nodded.
"Yes, yes!" I exclaimed. Everyone cheered as we hugged each other.
"Thank you," he said.
Theo's POV
I was watching them happily not too far. I could see happiness in her eyes as she said 'yes' to him. It breaks my heart again but I still want to see them happy even I'm not the reason why. Shan tapped my shoulder.
"They look so happy, right?" he said with a smile. I just sighed deeply.
"I guess they are," I said and walked out. I ran to the rooftop of the campus and cried. I couldn't take it seeing them together but I have to endure this pain until it no longer hurts. I wanted to scream and just cry my heart out but I couldn't.
How long will I endure the pain while seeing them together? How long will it take until I don't have to wait for her? When will the right time happen? Just tell me how long. Please. But if I see her happy like that, I just don't know how long I will try my best to pretend that I'm happy for them, that I'm not affected at all, and it's not killing me inside. They just don't have any idea what I'm feeling right now.
I fix myself and act like it's nothing to me. I will just try my best starting today and onwards. Everyone came back happy while I just pretended that I was. I saw them holding hands while walking along the hallway. I immediately looked away the moment I saw them. I have to be happy like they were. I slowly clenched my fist, trying not to be affected by this pain I was feeling inside while watching them.
Avy's POV
A few weeks have passed, niyaya ako ni Terrence na magdate. First date namin pagkatapos ko siyang sagutin. Sumakto naman 'yon pagkatapos din ng mid-terms namin kaya mas okey.
"Ate Avy. Saan ka pupunta?" agad na tanong sa akin ni Majesty pagkakita niya sa akin na nakabihis at nakaayos. Nginitian ko siya.
"Just a date with Terrence," ngiting sagot ko. Tumango-tango siya.
"Kayo na ba? Dapat si kuya Theo na lang," nakasimangot na aniya.
"Come on, Majesty. Worth it din naman mahalin si Terrence," sambit ko.
"That's not what I mean, ate. I know naman 'yon kaya lang...nevermind. Take care on your way home, ate," kamot niyang sabi.
Pagkatapos kong mag-ayos ng sarili, kinuha ko na ang sling bag ko saka lumabas na ng bahay. Nagpaalam muna ako kay Majesty bago nagmaneho na paalis. Magkikita kasi kami sa isang restaurant. Doon ko na lang siya hintayin katulad ng usapan namin. May gagawin pa kasi siya bago siya dumeretso sa date namin. Nakangiti kong ipinarada ang sasakyan ko pagkarating ko do'n at inayos ang sarili.
Pagkapasok ko pa lang, nakatingin na ang lahat sa akin. Masyadong mamahalin ang restaurant na pinili ni Terrence. Naghanap ako ng pwesto para sa amin dalawa. Pagkaraan ay nilapitan ako ng waiter pero sinabi kong hihintayin ko muna ang kadate ko. Nagtext ako sa kanya makalipas ang ilang minuto pero walang reply. Napahinga na lang ako nang malalim. Baka busy pa nga 'yon ngayon.
Ilang oras ang lumipas, nakailang kustomer na ang restaurant na ito pero wala pa rin siya. Iilan na lang ang mga naiwan pero heto ako, naghihintay pa rin sa boyfriend ko. Tiningnan ko ang orasan at malapit na mag-ala sais ng gabi. Tinadtad ko na ng text at tawag pero wala pa rin talaga. Naiiyak na ako. Tumayo na ako saka nilapitan ang waiter. Sinabi kong pasensya na dahil mukhang hindi na makakarating ang dapat na kadate ko. Pilit akong ngumiti at kinalma ang sarili ko. Kung alam ko lang na paghihintayin niya ako ng gano'n katagal, sana sinabi niya man lang sa akin kung makakapunta pa ba siya o hindi na. Pinaghintay niya ako mula alas otso ng umaga hanggang ala-sais ng gabi.
Tuluy-tuloy na nagsibaksakan ang luha ko. Hindi niya man lang ako sinipot. Tapos first date pa namin. Umiiyak akong sumakay ng kotse ko saka pinatakbo 'yon pauwi. Gusto ko na lang matulog. Pagkauwi ko, agad akong tumakbo sa kwarto ko tsaka nagkulong doon. Nagtataka naman ang kapatid ko pero hinayaan ko na lang siya. Sinubsob ko ang sarili ko sa unan tsaka umiyak.
Nakatulog ako dahil do'n. Mugto ang mga mata ko pagkagising. Ilang minuto bago ko tiningnan at umaasang may text at missed calls na galing kay Terrence. I was right. He kept on apologizing because of what happened but I didn't reply to him. Wala ako sa mood para makipag-usap sa kanya matapos n'ong ginawa niyang hindi pagsipot.
Kinabukasan, pagkababa pa lang namin ng kotse ni Majesty sa parking lot ng campus, tanaw ko na kaagad sa malayo pa lang si Terrence. Halatang may hinihintay. Mabigat ang naging paghinga ko nang malalim. Agad ko siyang nilagpasan pagkalapit pa lang namin sa kanya.
"Avy, Avy. Let's talk. Don't be like this. Hindi ko naman intensyon na hindi ka sumiputin kahapon sa date natin. Nagkaemergency lang sa company ni Dad," sambit niya at sinubukang hawakan ang kamay ko pero mabilis ko 'yon iniwas sa kanya.
"Pwede ba? I'm not in the mood to talk to you right now, Terrence. And I don't wanna hear your explanations for now. Alam mo ba kung gaano ako katagal naghintay sa'yo na dumating sa restaurant na pinag-usapan natin? Alam mo bang nagmukha akong tanga habang naghihintay sa'yo? Bakit hindi ka man lang nagtext o tumawag sa'kin? Naghintay ako, Terrence. Hinintay kita! Sana man lang nagsabi ka para hindi nakakahiya sa mga tao na buong maghapon akong nandoon," madiing sambit ko sa kanya.
"Kaya nga gusto kong ipaliwanag sa'yo ang dahilan kung bakit---" gigil kong pinutol ang sunod na sasabihin niya.
"Sa'yo na 'yang paliwanag mo. It's useless because I don't wanna hear it. Just stop, okay? Nawawalan ako nang gana sa'yo kapag ganyan ka ngayon pa lang. Kaya please lang, huwag mo muna akong kausapin. Trust me, mapapahiya ka lang," cold kong ani sa kanya saka siya inalisan.
Pagkatapos ng dalawang klase, hindi muna ako dumeretso ng cafeteria. Wala akong ganang kumain ngayon. Umupo ako sa may bench ng garden ng campus. Naiiyak na naman ako sa inis ko sa kanya. Maya-maya, may nag-abot sa akin ng panyo. Tiningnan ko kung sino 'yon. Si Theo pala. Agad ko 'yon tinanggap at pinampunas sa luha ko. Naramdaman kong umupo siya sa tabi ko.
"Why are you crying? Are you hurt or did Terrence hurt you?" he asked. Huminga ako nang malalim.
"It doesn't matter, anyway. I'm just upset that he didn't even tell me his reason. He let me wait from morning til night without receiving any messages or calls from him," I stated.
"Maybe because he didn't deserve your love anyway," he said without looking at me.
"That's not it. But for now, I don't wanna see or talk to him for what he just did," I said. Naramdaman kong tumingin siya sa akin pero kaagad din iniwas 'yon. Tumayo na ako saka nagpaalam sa kanya. Ayaw ko munang makipag-usap sa kung sino. I just wanna calm myself right now.
Theo's POV
I was there. I was there when she was waiting for him to arrive at the place where they were gonna meet up for their date. I was watching her outside while I'm inside my car. I felt a sudden anger when he let her wait for so long and that made her upset. She's crying as soon as she leaves that restaurant. I don't know but I wanna hug her so bad. I clenched my fist hard before I lost my control.
I actually heard their conversation before that happened. I want to know where that place is. I had a bad feeling that something might happen and I was totally right. I was just watching her that day until I saw her the next day at the garden of the campus and she was crying again. If only I had known, I wouldn't have left her with Terrence if he would have let Avy get hurt. That's why I let Avy be with him because I know he loves her but not as much as I love her. I never thought that the girl I love would be hurt like this.
I approached her and gave her my handkerchief. I was glad when she accepted it and then I sat beside her but not too close.
"Why are you crying? Are you hurt or did Terrence hurt you?" I asked her even though I knew what Terrence did to her. She sighed deeply.
"It doesn't matter, anyway. I'm just upset that he didn't even tell me his reason. He let me wait from morning til night without receiving any messages or calls from him," she said which I heard pain in her voice. If only I could tell her that I would love her more than Terrence can give to her. If only I could do that but I know I couldn't.
"Maybe because he didn't deserve your love anyway," I said, hoping she would get what I meant but she didn't.
"That's not it. But for now, I don't wanna see or talk to him for what he just did," she said before she stood up and walked away. I would grab that chance to be with her while she was avoiding him. That's the only way I would let her feel that I'm not like Terrence. I know I could love her more than she deserves.
I observed such a set up of the two of them for several days. Meanwhile, Terrence doesn't stop trying to coax Avy so that the two of them can settle down. Damn it. If only he was aware of how his girlfriend would feel, they wouldn't have had an argument. And if only she would have chosen me. I just sighed deeply. I hate seeing Avy like this. I prefer to see her happy and smiling. Not the kind that's quiet and doesn't even care about anyone. Even with her friends, I can see that she treats them the same way, or maybe she's often alone in the campus garden.
I had no choice but to watch her in such a situation. I hurt more for the girl I love. I was hurt in a way that I still feel to this day. I thought that everything would be fine if I left her to Terrence, but I never thought that this would happen. Infuriating. I want to confront Terrence so that he knows what he did, but I know that if I do that, the issue will surely spread throughout the campus.
But because I can't help it. I'm furious because I haven't done anything yet. I said to myself before I decided to leave her to Terrence, I wish I wouldn't regret that decision. But what makes me furious is the effect it had on her.
"Mr. Montecillo and Ms. Beverleigh, will you please get back these books in the library? And kindly please get this list of books in my office? I will wait for you there, okay? Class dismissed," prof reminded us before she.left.
We took the two tall stacks of books that Avy and I ordered from our prof. I took a lot of books and let her have only a few pieces so it wouldn't be so heavy. I know she was still surprised by what I did at first but I just didn't move. I felt that Terrence was watching us with a deadly stare. Just enjoy the view bro. This is just the beginning. Just after we left the classroom, he stopped Avy and held her by the shoulder. I stopped for a moment and felt them both.
"Aegiya, I'll just take that to the library," he pleaded but Avy didn't budge.
"Didn't I tell you? Stop it first, okay? Just please, Terrence. I'm sick of you if you only know. If you want to make up for what you did, just do it. But right now, I don't want to talk to you. Besides, I can handle this. I can handle it even without you," she said coldly before walking to the library.
I didn't look at Terrence and just followed Avy as we went to the library. We knocked for a while before slowly going inside. We placed the books to be returned in their ordered categories on each bookshelves. I just returned it and let her first take the books on the list given to us.
When I finished, I saw that she tried to take the upper part where she couldn't reach. I smiled. She's just really cute. I stood behind her and took the book she wanted. When she faced me, our bodies were closer to each other. I could feel my heart beat faster because she avoided her gaze after me after I did that.
I handed her the book and looked for a moment at the next book to pick up on the list she was holding. I turned back to her and watched as she stood on top of the stairs with wheels so she could quickly get the other book. But suddenly, she took the wrong step on the stairs and immediately lost her balance. Fortunately, I immediately caught her before she fell to the floor. I just let the books she got fall to the ground rather than drop her completely.
"I told you. No matter how many times you fall, I won't get tired of catching you as long as you don't get hurt like this in your situation with Terrence," I frowned at her without any of my own. She immediately got off my lift and adjusted herself.
"I don't know what you want to convey so stop it, Theo. I'm not in the mood," she said with a poker face.
"As long as you don't understand what I want to tell you, I have no intention of stopping until that happens. I am ready to be hurt over and over again even though I know it will take a long time before I can get you from him," I said quietly and took the list she was holding. I'll be the one to get those because she might get hurt again and almost have an accident.
After we informed the librarian about the books we took that were on the list, we went to Prof.'s office. We knocked and entered before placing them on the table. We were walking in silence in the hallway when Terrence spoke behind us.
"See you later near your house," he said seriously. Avy didn't respond to him and continued walking silently.
I watched Avy organize her things to go home after I organized mine until she got to the parking lot and got into her car.
I was about to get into my car quietly when I heard Terrence suddenly appear in front of me.
"What's going on between you and my girlfriend, Theo?" he asked seriously. I stood by him and looked at him the same intensely.
"What do you think? Do you think there is? Believe what you want to believe as long as you don't get me started because I don't care if our 7 years friendship will be ruined, Terrence. You know that I have pure intentions towards her and I have no intention of taking her away from you. But if there is, is there anything else you can do?" I said to him sarcastically.