Cheenie's POV
I will be meeting Phoebe today in SM Calamba. May good news daw siya, sabi ko nga i-text or i-message niya na lang pero ayaw niya. Pumayag na ko kasi minsan lang naman siya free, and masyado na siyang MIA no! I can't bear not to see her again.
"Auntie alis na po ako!" I informed Auntie Dainty before going outside.
I took jeepney hanggang SM Calamba.
When I arrived in SM, I got to Krispy Kreme to wait for Phoebe. I waited for a couple of minutes, then she came.
"Phoebe!" I waved at her.
"Cheenie!" she mouthed excitedly smiling.
She sat in front of me and uttered, "Cheenie, how are you na? Na-miss kita girl!"
How was it going na nga ba? Am I okay? These past few days were so blurry. Until now I'm thinking of Dion's guts on our relationship. If he has guts.
"Okay lang naman. I took UPCAT na. Kasabay ko sila Dion, Apollo, Zac, Hermes and Sam. Ikaw kamusta? Have you decided?" I replied to her.
The last time we talked she's not still decided on where college she's going.
"Being okay. Still hoping it's gonna be okay. And yes, I've decided where university I'm going until mag-Law School ako" she responded blissfully.
At last she decided! I just hope malapit lang! But seriously, I think she's happy right now. Maybe on what descions she'll make. And I don't want to ruin it. I'll prevent myself from saying the name of Poseidon!
"Buti naman Phoebe! And where is this university?" I looked at her, waiting for an answer.
"Dito lang siya sa LB," she uttered beaming. I'm still waiting for her to continue, "sa UPLB din ako nag-EE(entrance exam)!" she exclaimed.
I'm flabbergasted. Galing niyang magtago samin na nag-take din siya ng UPCAT.
"For real?" I finally muttered.
She nodded then I spoke again, "OMG! They need to know this! Kaya pala gustong gusto mong personal na sabihin! But, I'm grateful and happy, girl!" I blurted out in happiness.
She beamed then said something, "But, just don't tell to Sei about it," she took a deep sigh, "he might not study in UP if ever", she added.
Hassle po sa buhay 'yung ginagawa nilang awkwardness! Taas kasi ng pride nilang dalawa! 'Di kinaya ng ego ko. Nahiya!
"Alam mo Phoebe, kailan kaya matatapos 'tong "awkwardness and staying-away-from-each-other-drama niyo ni Sei?" I slipped out. I can't take it anymore. I don't care if Phoebe got offended or what, at least I spoke what's on my mind.
Here comes the homey silence between us. No one's gonna broke the silence. The two of us were quite for awhile, just enoying our drinks.
"Hindi ko alam Cheenie. Siguro ganito na kami until the world would end" Phoebe finally muttered sadly.
"We don't know either, Phoebe. But for now don't overthink things. Just enoy this moment for awhile, there's a hell lot of reasons to be blissful" I uttered as a matter of factly.
She tilted her head looking outside. I wondered. What if walang something between Phoebe and Sei? Ar we going to stay the same? Like old times? How 'bout kung 'di umamin si Sei kay Phoebe magiging friends pa kaya sila until now? Or what if Phoebe gave Sei chance, are they ended up being happy until now?
"You're right, Cheenie." she breath out, bringing me back to my senses. Fudge I was spacing out awhile ago.
"Don't worry Phoebe I will not gonna spill to Sei that you've took UPCAT" I smiled, that's what she wants e. And as her bestfriend I want her to be happy because of the little things I could do for her.
She sneered and nodded.
"Oo nga pala, Cheenie. Kamusta na kayo ni Dion? I've heard you has a dilemma ah? Okay ka na ba? Or should I say okay na ba kayo?" Phoebe said her smile vanished the moment she spoke again.
If sasabihin kong okay, niloloko ko lang sarili ko. If I said I'm not okay then I'm just torturing myself.
"Actually, I dunno" I cascually uttered.
She shrugged, I think ayaw niyang sirain 'yung good company and good vibes between us.
I actually and literally don't know what to do. I'll just enjoy this moment with Phoebe. I can think of that dilemma next time or maybe tomorrow?
*****
I woke up the next day gloomy and a bit blury.
I looked outside from my window and it's raining, but not heavy rains.
My phone rang, someone's calling.
For effing goodness sake, and aga-aga naman tumawag.
I get my phone on my bedside drawer then pushed the on button of my phone.
It's Dion. What does he want this time and day?
I finally slide to answer his call.
"Good morning Persephone" Dion greeted me.
"G'morning Dion" I casually greeted him.
I'm still thinking about our girl talk after the UPCAT.
"Cheenie, are you okay?" Dion worriedly said.
"Nah, just a bit head ache because of my monthly friend" And that's an white lie. I don't have head ache but I have my monthly friend, and it's really irritating.
"You know what, let's got to Twin Lakes? You need to chill, Cheenie. Are you in?" He asked.
"Okay, I'm in. See you later" I just simply answered him. You can say that it was some sort of a bored tone.
"Okay, I miss your face. I also miss your stubborness" He said before hanging up, sounded so concerned and nostalgic.
I was a bit sulky about what I've done or what I've act towards Dion.
I got down to eat breakfast.
"Morning Cheenie" Auntie Dainty mirthfully greeted me.
"G'morning Persephone Louise" Sei greeted me too. Pang-asar si kumag.
I smiled before greeting them, "Good Morning Auntie Dainty, and Poseidon" I rolled my eyes on Sei.
We ate breakfast in silence. It's not an awkward silence, more like calm and cozy atmosphere silence.
After we ate breakfast, I stayed in the living room, drinking hot cappucino and watching my favorite TV series, One Tree Hill on my laptop. I'm watching Season 8, Episode 12. I just love this episode so much.
"And why is Persephone Louise watching One Tree Hill on this day and time?" he uttered with a singsong "hmmm".
"Masama? And please Poseidon, cut it out! I don't want to argue with you, so please you can leave me. ALONE" I shouted the last word then raised an eyebrow.
He knew me well. I just watch One Tree Hill to lift up my sad soul. Matagal ko na kayang natapos 'tong series na 'to. I watch it again whenever I felt awful or sad.
"I won't gonna budge your stupid excuse, Cheenie. Sobrang lame" Sei grinned as if he knows some things.
"At least stupid excuse lang, sa'yo stupid kumag face!" I stucked my tongue out. Mood swings ang loko daig pa babaeng may monthly friend.
He made faces that I can't describe it's so terribly hilarious and that made me laugh my ass out.
"You should seen your face Poseidon! Ugly-faced dude!" I manged to say between my "hahas"
*kroo kroo
And there comes the calm silence. Actually kanina pa 'tong silence na 'to. The silence was like when we're eating breakfast earlier. I felt like we look like some kind of weirdos here. Tatawa tapos tatahimik? Like, wtf?
He coughed, "But seriously Cheenie, what's up?"
I think Sei was serious about me, talking to hime like normal people does.
What use if I don't tell him, right? Besides, he's my cousin and Dion was his friend, too. "I had a problem with Dion" I admitted closing my eyes. I looked at the video. It still playing. And there where the part that Brooke got to their house to reconcile with Julian. That was also the part where Helen Austin's Love Is was playing on the background.
I paused the video.
Sei was waiting for me to say anything.
"He never ask me to be his girlfriend" I hurriedly said. It was really embarassing to talk about, specially to guys.
And there comes his grinned as a answer. How dare him! It's a big problem no!
"Why are you grinning all of a sudden? Is there something stupid or what about what I've just said?" I asked raising an eyebrow.
"It's just that, ang lame ng reason mo Persephone Louise. Or should I say problem?" Sei teased irritatingly. Grin was still plastered on his face.
Ano kayang lame doon? What? Where? Why? How?
"What's so lame about it? Ang hirap kasi sa inyong mga guys gusto niyo ma-gets na agad naming mga girls 'yung gusto niyong iparating by actions without saying a word? Hassle dude!" I breath out. Hooo! I'm running out of breath because of that!
"Alam mo Cheenie, literal kasi kaming mga lalaki kaya sometimes you girls misinterpret it. You girls assumed. If a guy doesn't ask you to be his girl may dalawang reasons lang 'yan. First reason kasi friendly lang siya, friendly gestures lang 'yung actions niya towards you, in short, you assumed on something you don't have to. Second reason kasi his scared for you to know his feelings. parang torpe but not literal ha, sometimes may torpeng humahanap lang ng timing to ask a girl, meron namang iba na ayaw umamin as in sobrang embarass sa sarili nila" Sei explained. I was really astonished by his words. Ang dami niyang sinabi, actually this is the first time na nag-usap kami ng ganito and about our, well my dilemma pa ha! It must be the end of the world.
"He said, "Je T'aime". Pero wala kaming label. Walang commitment Sei" I told him with a sad tone.
He look at me then smiled broadly.
"You're really into him, Cheenie. But in Dion's case, his just scared for you to know. I think you guys are M.U, you just don't talk about. It's his way of marking that he's yours and he have you." Sei skeptically uttered.
"Yeah, I think so, thanks Sei, I owe you a lot" I said then hugged him.
He just mouthed, 'you're welcome" then about to leave when I say something that stops him, "Phobe tooK UPCAT, just so you know. Actually she don't want you to know baka daw mag-back out ka pagpumasa sa UPLB lumipat ka bigla ng University." I informed him the go to my room and get ready to meet Dion.
*****
Dion and I met in Olivarez then we got to Twin Lakes, Tagaytay. This place our fave COCOL place. Chill kasi ng atmosphere. So relaxing.
We go to Bags of beans to drink coffee because it's cold, I have Caramel Cappucino while Dion have Cafe Mocha we also had cheesecake and chocolate mousse. We sat in the terrace part of this coffeeshop. The scenery here was so calming and relaxing, you could see clearly from here the Taal Volcano. I inhale the cold and fresh air. It feels nice.
"No more head ache now?" Dion asked me.
"It feels nice now. No more head ache, thanks Dionysus" I muttered before slurp from my cup of coffee.
"It's my duty Ms. Persephone" he uttered smiling.
So his palying it cool huh?
I just remained silent but I smiled when he said those words that makes me hope for us. If there's really an us.
We're quite for awhile when Helen Austin's Love is (https://open.spotify.com/track/7GOsDEmbUcd9mIklgmkL0F) played on the coffeeshop. Ironic. I also heard that song when Sei and I talking about Dion.
"Cheenie," Dion said in a deep serious voice. I tilted my head through his direction and wait for him to continue, "I know, I should said this long time ago," he uttered, his eyes was full of sincerity.
I stared straight to his eyes, I'm still waiting for the words his going to say.
"Maybe I was just doubting before. Je t'aime Cheenie, I really do, I always do." he muttered looking atraight into my eyes.
"Alam mo Dion, hassle ka sa buhay" I managed to say. I was welling up. I'm so happy because finally he said what I want to hear from him.
"Cheenie, why are you crying?" Dion neared me and engulf me with a hug the said, "I never meant to hurt you, but it would be unfair if I asked this to you half-heartedly..." he paused for a moment hold my hand then said, "Will you be girlfriend?" after he uutered thos words his eyes fixed on mine again.
I sobbed, I was so overwhelmed right now. I never thought that his going to say this things now. In a spontaneous way.
I hugged him again cried on his chest, when I recover, I muttered, "Yes, Dion."
"Did I said that you're ugly when you cry?" he kidded.
"How dare you! Hahaha" I laughed.
And because of that I laugh out loud.
The most blissful moment in my life.