Chapter Twenty

Jake x Pamela

Suot ang earphones na nakatodo ang volume ay nakaupong mag-isa si Jake sa mahabang bleachers sa stadium. Masyado pang maaga kaya iilan pa lang ang estudyante sa paligid at wala pa rin nga ang mga kaibigan nya.

"Shining through the city with a little funk and soul---" his singing stopped as someone steal the next line.

"So I'ma light it up like dynamite, whoa oh oh.." then she sweetly smile at him.
"Ba't mag-isa ka?" tanong nito tsaka naupo sa tabi nya.

"Kasi I'm alone?" he joke.

"Oo nga ano? Bobo kasi nagtanong pa," she then shrugged her shoulder making him chuckle.

"Sira ka talaga, oh? Ikaw? Nag-e-emo? Gustong mapag-isa ang drama?" tanong nya kay Pamela tsaka pansamantalang tinanggal ang suot na earphones.

"Paanong hindi ako solo eh yung gusto kong kasama, di naman nagsasabi na nandito na pala sya," pagpapasaring ng dalaga kay Jake tsaka nagkibit-balikat.

"Kung ako yung tinutukoy mo, nag-text, chat at missed call na ho ako. I bet your phone is in silent mode, patingin.." naghahamon ang tono nito tsaka iniumang ang kamay.
Embarrassed, Pamela get her phone and gave it to him.

He freely access it as he also know her passcode, it's his own birthday.

"See? I contacted you. Pwede mo naman sabihin kung ayaw mo lang akong kasama not that ako pa sinisisi mo. Reasons.." he hissed and put his earphones back to it's place.

"Jake, ang arte mo. Hoy!" she called him but he purposely ignoring him. Nagpakawala ng mahabang buntong-hininga ang dalaga tsaka mas lumapit rito.

"I forgot to return it from normal profile kaya naka-silent pa rin. Sorry, I shouldn't accused you. Hey, bati na tayo?" she sincerely apologize but he still didn't even bother to look at her.

Annoyed, she grab one of the earphone from his left ear and place it on her. Jake tried to stopped her pero naikabit na nya iyon sa tainga nya.

"No song's playing.. dinig mo naman pala ako eh! Bakit di mo ako pinapansin? Ang pangit mo kabonding, Jake.." she commented dismayed and stand.
"If you hate my presence to the point that you chose to act like you didn't hear me instead of talking to me, fine. Aalis na ako, bahala ka dyan," Pamela grabbed her phone from him and on the mids of walking away when he hold her wrist.

"I should be the one who's mad here, Mrs. Londe. Napaka-tamang hinala mo, mali naman. Dito ka nga, walk out pa mamaya naman babalik rin," pang-aasar nito tsaka sya hinila pabalik.

"Mi.. Misis.. what?" she asked surprised.

"Mrs. Londe? Why?" he replied with a mischievous smile.

"That's your surname! Oh my.." and her jaw literally dropped.

"Bagay naman sayo ah? Future Mrs. Pamela Londe. It suits perfectly, right?" he commented in a normal tone as if it's not a big deal.

"Misis ka dyan! Bakit? Papakasalan mo ako? Don't put my hope so high, Jake. Ni wala nga tayong label, tapos ang harot mo," she bitterly smile and sigh.

"If I'll ask you to be mine, would you accept it?" he asked casually.

"P-Pero kasi.."

"Oh? You asked for a label but you're the one who's uncertain with us. Don't dare me, Pammy. Mabiro lang akong tao pero iba ako sa 'yo. Baka nga ako pa 'yong asang-asa sayo. We'll never know, maybe in th end I'll be the brokenhearted here," he said in monotone making her guilty.

"Alam mo ang sitwasyon ko, Jake. I've got lots of dream, iyong pagjo-jowa.. wala pa sa isip ko," she confessed.

"Then stop bothering me and doing that shits, nahuhulog ako lalo eh. Be casual, or.. probably help me move on. Naisip ko tuloy, siguro papakasalan mo lang ako kapag pinikot kita?"

"It's not as if I don't like you. I have genuine feelings for you, alam mo 'yan," she defended.

"Oo alam ko, pero di ko rin sigurado. Look Pammy, di naman ako bobo. Maraming may gusto sayo, maraming nakapila. I didn't even know how the heck you found out about me that you even dedicated something for me on confession booth. Maybe that's just... infatuation. O di kaya baka na-challenge ka lang kung mapapansin kita," Jake then shrugged his shoulders as he opened up to her.
He's been overthinking recently, nalalabuan sya sa sitwasyon nila ng dalaga.

"You doubted me when I should be the one who feel that way. Malay natin baka hinanap mo lang ako out of curiosity? Are you satisfied now? Or are you disappointed?" di na rin nito napigilan na sabihin ang saloobin.
Their commitment was full of uncertainties and unanswered questions. They've got doubts making them more scared with how things will end up between them.
Pareho silang takot sumugal kaya nananatili silang naguguluhan.

"Did you love me?" Jake asked out of nowhere.

"Yes. Now, did you feel the same way?" she raised the same question.

"I am and will always be," he answered.

Few more minutes had passed but both of them remain quiet.

"Good morning everyone, it's already 6:45am so we will start the 'Be my Valentine' booth. Anyone can send their message now, happy Valentines day Universidad de Tourre!" it was an official opening announcement of a certain booth.

"Baka tanungin mo pa kung pwede mo akong maging date ha? It's a yes na kaagad," Pamela kid aside with a giggle.

Sinusupil ang ngiti ay agad umiling si Jake.
"Hindi ako ganoon ka-assuming. Ayaw kitang date, masyado kang maganda. Magmumukha lang akong butler mo," pagbibiro rin nito.

"For Pamela of Students council; Will you be my Valentine? From your crushmate este classmate; Rick.." mula sa malapit na audio speaker ay umalingawngaw ang mensahe na 'yon.

"May nagtanong na, congrats Pammy. May ka-date ka na." Jake teased as he tried his best to smile.

Nananatiling walang imik ang dalaga tsaka nagsimulang mag-tipa sa cellphone nya. He open a conversation with a guy na nakita naman ni Jake.

"Hoy, may gagawin pa nga pala ako. Uuna na ako sa 'yo ha? Enjoy ka mamay---"

*click*

"Gaga ka Pammy! Ba't kang basta nagpi-picture? Ibubugaw mo ako noh?!" agad syang lumapit sa dalaga at naki-usisa na sa ginagawa nito.

Pamela
Rick no, sorry

Rick
Ok

Pamela
sent a photo

Rick
So he's the lucky guy?

Pamela
No, I'm the one who's blessed to have him.

The guy just reacted a heart emoji then logged out. Jake can't contain his emotions letting him smile widely.

"Naks, makangiti ay wagas ah? Nanalo ka po sa lotto, sir?" pang-aasar ng dalaga tsaka natawa.
"May gagawin ka na dba? Paalis ka na dapat, ah? Layas na.." she continued.

"May gagawin nga ako," Jake replied shortly.

"Ah, sige. Ingat ka, by---"

"Jake!" she yell as he quickly stole a kiss from her.

"Mag-iingat ako, Mrs. Londe. Pipikutin pa kita eh, I love you!" sigaw rin nito matapos biglang tumakbo palayo. Malakas ang boses nito kaya maraming napalingon sa kanila at ang ilang nakakakilala sa kanila ay agad na mapanuksong ngumisi.

There's an underground site about the latest gossip in their university, afraid that their the latest issue.. Pamela hurriedly logged in on her account and check the feed.

"Guess who: A part of Students council was a victim of stealing. His future husband just stole a kiss from her in a broad daylight then confessed how he love her.
Clue: Her name is a title of an upbeat song from early 2000's."

Now, Pamela is doomed. While gritting her teeth, she type on her phone aggressively.

Pamela
I'll report you to the police! Magnanakaw! Argh, topic of the campus na naman tayo nito!

Jake
Walang tayo, Pammy.

Pamela
Gagu ka. Fvck you!

Jake
Ay, bitin sa kiss? Usto fv.. HAHAHAHA

Pamela
Damn you, Jake.

Frustratedly, she copy the last sent message and paste it repeatedly making their conversation on spam. She only stopped when a notification popped up on her screen;

Jake Londe tagged you in a post.

She clicked the notification and what she saw took her madness away. It's a short edited video clip of her with a background song; 'Til I met You'.

Jake Londe (2mins ago)
Everyday, I love you more each day. You're not just my Valentine, because you deserve to be my countless New Year.
For more years to come, I'll always be here for you my Mrs. Londe.

Drowning with emotions, Pamela commented with it saying;

"Di mo naman ako kailangang pikutin, someday, if it's meant to be.. I'll marry you anywhere, anytime. Happy Valentines day, Mr. Londe."

Arriane x Aldrin

  Arriane tried to pull her hands away but Aldrin didn't let her go. Naiinis na ay hinawakan nya ang kamay nito at pilit iyong kinakalas sa pagkakakapit sa palapulsuan nya.

"Aldrin! Ano ba? Bitawan mo nga ako!" the guy didn't bother and still dragged her. He only let her go when their in the Music Room already.

"Let's practice now, ako na ang ka-duet mo," diretsong sabi nito tsaka kinuha ang gitara. Itino-tono na nito iyon nang muli syang sulyapan.

"Bakit ikaw? Dapat si Andrew ah? Kanina kausap ko sya sabi nya makakapunta naman sya, why all of a sudden sisipot ka at hihilahin ako rito?" naiinis na wika ng dalaga tsaka pumwesto sa mic.

"I told you to be professional Ria, stop being hardheaded. I'll start strummi---" hindi na pinatapos ni Arriane ang kasama sa pagsasalita at agad na nyang sinimulan ang pagkanta.

"I used to think that I could not go on," she started. Nang lingunin nya si Aldrin ay masama na ang tingin nito sa kanya habang umiiling-iling. He's adjusting so he could synchronized with her.

"And life was nothing but an awful song
But now I know the meaning of true love.." he continue singing as he's playing the rhythm with his guitar.

Aldrin is an intelligent guy in Mathematics and Science, he excel academically and a singer too. He can play instruments as well and that's some of the reason why several girls saw him as an ideal guy. Isa na sa mga babaeng 'yon si Arriane.

"I'm leaning on the everlasting arms.." Ria continue.
Their gaze met making her knees weak, ang kasunod na ay ang duet lines nila.

"If I can see it, then I can do it.
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it.."

Aldrin nod encouraging her to start the chorus, so with a smile Arriane continues.

"I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky.." his stare make her nervous so she got to look away. Halos kinakapos na sya ng hininga, napahigpit na rin ang hawak nya sa mikropono.

"I think about it every night and day, Spread my wings and fly away.." pagpapatuloy ni Aldrin sa kanta na di pa rin sya nilulubayan ng tingin.

Hindi na nya nilingon ulit ang lalaki at sumabay na lang rito para sa mga susunod na linya nilang dalawa.

"I believe I can soar, I see me running through that open door.." accidentally, she glimpse at him and he caught her.

"I believe I can fly, I believe I can fly.." few more seconds and their still in a duet.
Arriane has catch her breath so she wasn't able to finish the last line together.

"I believe I can fly.." Aldrin still sing though he immediately approach her and handle her a bottle of water as the chorus ends.

"Are you still alright? If you're sick, pwede naman akong humanap ng prox--"

"Okay lang ako, kaya ko. Don't mind me, I'm good as new," she answer while biting the inside of her cheeks.
Hindi nya mapakalma ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso dahil malapit sa kanya ang lalaking gusto nya. Plus the fact that their going to sing together.

"You better rest for now, aaralin ko muna 'yong chords," Aldrin then walked away and sit not too far from her.
Secretly, she's observing him.

"Hindi ka fan ng Tagalog songs?" Arriane asked because she kinda feel awkward. The atmosphere doesn't just feel good.

"Magandang dilag, puso ko'y 'yong nabihag," instead of answering he started to sing one of the trending song.
Higit ang paghinga ay di na magawang makapagsalit ng dalaga at nakinig na lang rito.

"Wala ng hahanapin, ligaya kang labis.. Oh, magandang dilag.." he cooly hit the last note and continue on strumming alone.

"I love all songs. Be English or Tagalog, I'm fond of it. Ikaw?" he later said.

"Huh? Ano, kahit ano na lang. Bahala na, depende," nabubulol na sagot nya rito tsaka umiwas ng tingin. Nagmamadali nyang binuksan ang bote ng tubig dahil tila nanuyo ang kanyang lalamunan nang..

"Ria!" Aldrin had come to her as she starts coughing because of the water.
"Fvck! Nilulunod mo ba sarili mo?!" singhal nito tsaka marahang tinatapik ang likod nya.

"Ah, 'yong.." she gesture for the tissue but he rather gave her his handkerchief.
Nakailang ubo pa sya bago tuluyang napakalma ang sarili.

"T-Thank you.." mahinang tugon ng dalaga na hindi na makatingin sa kasama. It's a complete disaster whenever she's with him, naalala nya tuloy ang kapalpakan nya noong Christmas event.

"Relax, come on. Kaya mo ba talagang mag-perform? I'll do the solo if you can--"

"Kaya ko nga, ano ba? Nahirinan lang eh. Epal kasi 'yong tubig," pagbibiro nya tsaka ngumiti kay Aldrin.

"Arriane?" a call from the doorway caught their attention, it's the student council assigned for the Pre-serenade booth.

"Yow, start na ba?" she asked.

"Yup, punta na kayo. Arat na? Ready na ba kayo?" the guy asked while still looking at them.
Arriane glance at Aldrin then she gently nod as a sign that she won't ditch him. Nakailang beses umiling ang binata na halata pa rin ang pag-aalala sa hilatsa ng mukha.

"We're going.." he answered in defeated tone.
Tamango na lang ang lalaki at nauna nang umalis. Arriane just grab her shoulder bag and stand, pero bago pa man sya makapag lakad ay hinablot na sa kanya ni Aldrin ang gamit nya.

"Ako na magdadala, tara.." he said as he dragged him again just like awhile ago. The only difference is that unlike before, now he's holding her with care and in gentle manner.

They arrived at the AVR which was just near at the Music Room.

"Oh, Aldrin?" one of their clubmate looked at them surprised as they enter the room.

"I'll sing with her.." he shortly respond. Bakas pa rin ang pagtataka ng kasamahan nila pero hindi na ito nag-usisa. Maging si Arriane ay naguluhan sa ikinilos nito pero mas pinagtuunan na nya ng pansin ang gagawing pagkanta.
Aldrin on the other hand was fixing his guitar too.

"Hello UDT pips! As one of the request from our 12 songs Pre-serenade online voting, let's hear the song "I Believe I Can Fly" by the famous R. Kelly."

Silence envelope the place then Aldrin started strumming. Arriane just chose to close her eyes as she's humming low-key.

In a span of few minutes, the song was done. Everyone on the AVR smile satisfyingly at them.

"Good job, Ria.." someone commended and when she looked at him, it's Andrew.

"H-Hey! I thought di ka makakapunta kaya si Aldrin ang pumalit sayo?" she asked in shock state. His brows' bump into each other curiosly as if she said something wrong.

"I never said.. that. Sabi ni Aldrin hindi ka komportable sa akin kaya ni-request mong palitan nya ako?" kwento nito.

"Seriously?" when Arriane look at Aldrin's place, he's no longer there.

"What's going on?" Andrew asked puzzled.

"Uh, ako na bahala. Nagkamali siguro ako ng intindi, bye for now Drew! I'll just need to go.." she then runaway while searching for Aldrin.

"Fvck, nasaan? Nasaan ka na.. argh!" she looked around but there's no trace of him. Nagbabaka-sakali ay naisipan na lang nyang tingnan kung nasa Music Room ba ito.
And, she's right. Abala ito roon sa pagtugtog.

"Aldrin! Pinagtitripan mo ba ako?" agad ay tanong nya rito habang pilit na pinapakalma ang sarili.

"Why would I?" he asked her in a casual tone.

"Yeah, why would you? Stop messing around, if you're bored then find someone else to tripped. Nananahimik ako rito," singhal nya ulit tsaka nagtangkang umalis. Pero..

"I hate you.." he said in a low voice.

Tila nagpanting ang tainga ay agad syang humarap ulit sa lalaki.
"Pardon?"

"I hate you. I hate what you're doing with me, Ria. Ayaw ko nito.." he confessed. Slowly, he walk towards her while still talking.

"I hate how I don't understand myself whenever you're involved. I hate how I act stupid and dumb. I hate how I cannot control myself and act impulsively just like how I lied today. I hate it, Arriane.." he whisper as he's finally at her front.

"I hate how I wanted to be the only one who heard you singing, gusto kitang ipagdamot. I hate how I act dense just so I could hide my emotions. I terribly hate this shit, because.. it might just hurt you.." pagpapatuloy ni Aldrin habang nakatitig sa mga mata nya.
His gaze have pierce her soul. She can feel his sincerity and.. pain.  He sounded like confessing but Arriane knows that it's not just like that.

"I hate to admit because it's wrong, I hate the fact that I'm already falli---"

"Babe?" someone appears at the entrance and rush to them with a smile.
Nang makalapit ang dalaga ay agad itong kumapit sa braso ni Aldrin at tsaka humilig sa balikat ng binata.

"I've been reaching out to you but you're not responding, babe. Hmm, you sing good back there. I'm so proud!" she exclaimed cheerfully.

"Uh, thank you b-babe," Aldrin replied and smile.

"Sya ba?" the woman asked when she glance at Arriane.

"Iyong?" he asked too.

"Yung ka-duet mo. Grabe, ang soothing ng synchronization nyo. How I wish I have a voice like that, by the way.. hello miss," the woman greet her.

"Ahm, hi? I'm.. Arriane," then she force a smile.

"I'm Gheil, Aldrin's girlfriend. Nice to meet you," she responds and hold her arm in a friendly manner.
"I hope we could get along, gusto ko kasing maka-close mga friends ni Aldr--"

"We're not friends. Clubmate lang na nagkasama sa duet, I have to leave. Excuse me," at dire-diretso nang umalis si Arriane.

Now she understand it all. He already have someone else, the woman's wearing a visitor lace so it's look like she's not their schoolmate. That's easier, because she won't know how she stumbled to her boyfriend during the Christmas party.

Nanlalabo ang panigin dahil sa luhang patuloy na dumadaloy mula sa mga mata nya ay nagawa nya pang tumawag sa isa sa mga kaibigan nya.
She badly needed them now.

"C-Cherry..."

"Huh? Umiiyak ka ba?" the woman from the other line asked her upon hearing her shaking voice.

"Are you with the gals?" tanong nya habang mas pinipigilan ang paghikbi. Ayaw nyang pati sya ay problemahin pa ng mga ito.

"Yes, kasama ko sila.." Cherry replied shortly respecting her decision to don't answer her question.

"Hintayin nyo ako, I'll just fix myself. Nasaan ba kayo?"

"Uh-huh, sige.. Malapit lang sa AVR, kakain kasi kami," she again answered in an excited tone.

"Buo kayo? Woah, what's up? Why?" curious na tanong nya rito.

"You know, libre ni Elli kasi nanalo sila sa game," masiglang sagot nito na kasunod ang hiyawan sa background.

"I'm coming, wait.." Arriane said as she hurriedly went at the nearby restroom. Naghilamos lang sya at tsaka pinunasan ang mukha.
When she look at the piece she's holding, it was Aldrin's handkerchief.

"Patapos na ako, Che.." she updated while stopping herself to cry again.

"Okay sige.."

"I'm on my way, I'll hang it up now," pagpapaalam nya rito dahil nagbabadya na namang tumulo ang luha nya.
She's miserable.

"We'll wait, bye.."

Arriane then ended the call. Saglit syang napatingin sa repleksyon sa salamin at bahagyang napailing.

"That's enough, Ria. Calm yourself down, someone will came, someone.." she then let out a heavy sigh and drink from her hydro flask.
Mas kalmado na sya at kaya na nyang ngumiti. She's as cold as ice before, but when she met Aldrin she started acting crazy. It's not difficult to return to her original phase, to the emotionless and cold her.

Now she's more conscious of how she'll tell it to them. It's not obvious that she cried but with her friend's keen-eyes, she doubt that they won't notice it.
Nonetheless, she should hurry up. While plastering a smile that doesn't reached her eyes, she went out and decided to move forward.

As well in the ghoster's life.