"From sprinkler splashes to fireplace ashes
I waited ages to see you there
I search the party of better bodies
Just to learn that you never cared"
-Taylor Swift

***

What is the point of love if someone can't reciprocate it?

Loving someone from afar is fun not until your feelings got deeper. Admiring him from distance drowned me from loneliness.

Everytime I walk in the crowd, I always look at him. Craving at his gaze. His features, his eyes, his humor- melts me. He's like a fire that burn in my heart that full of fuel.

Everytime our eyes met, I am hoping that those eyes are for me. Wishing that someday, he could stare at me like he own me.

So, in this case, what can love do to you?

****

"Accept it if he doesn't like you!" I ignored Kaidon's opinion. He's one of my friend since I was a little. Parang kapatid na ang tingin namin sa isa't isa. His dad is my Dad's bestfriend. Classmate ko rin since kindergarten.

Today, may isang meeting sila Daddy about new project. They invited the famous Gonzales family para gumawa ng plano sa susunod na City Hall renovation. Gonzales is famous about their designs sa mga architecture. Kilala ang pangalan nila sa Isabela bilang magagaling na arkitekto.

Tinitignan ko si Dwayne. Simula kinder, crush ko na siya. He is my all time crush. Ngayon grade 10 na ako at nasa grade 11 siya, laging siya pa rin ang hinahanap ko.

"Malay mo? If there's a miracle? Magustuhan niya rin ako?" humagikgik ako.

Kaidon's eyes rolled.

"As if naman magugustuhan ng mga Gonzales ang mga magulang natin? Kilala sila bilang kurakot," tumawa siya. Tumawa rin ako.

We hates our parents. Alam namin ang mga baho nila. Bakit hindi? Sa amin nasisi ng mga tao ang mga maduduming ginagawa nila. At the very young age, bukas na ang mga mata ko sa lahat. I grew up without mother. I envied Kaidon a little bit dahil he had her Mom. Like, how about me? Toxic na nga ang bahay, wala pang kapatid. Wala pang nanay. I hate it.

"Kilala mo 'yong kasama niya? Sa Santiago City raw 'yon nag-aaral..." he pointed his index finger sa katabi ni Dwayne. I saw a  tall and intimidating man. Parang nangangain ng tao ang tingin nito.

"No," sumingkit ang mata ko para tignan ang mukha. New look. Pogi!

"Mahina!"

"You know him?" I raised a brow. Tumango niya. "Dumb ass, you know him pala, eh. Bakit mo pa tinatanong?"

Tumawa siya. Tinitignan ko nang mabuti ang kasama ng honey bunch ko. May konting resemblance sila, mas matured lang tignan ang lalaki kaysa kay Dwayne na jolly ang itsura.

"He's Ethan Jacob Gonzales, anak ng mag asawang kabit ang isa't isa? Honor student 'yan, matalino raw tapos wala pang girlfriend..."

Natawa ako.

"Mas pogi pa si Dwayne ko," I smirked.

"Gago, mas pogi si Ethan. If babae ako, luluhod ako sa kaniya," he joked. I made a disgust face.

Binuksan ko ang phone ko. I opened the camera to see my face. I slowly combed my blonde hair using my fingers. Kakapa-blonde ko lang noon para mapansin ako ni Dwayne. Of course, blonde girls slay.

"Sa tingin mo, kapag sumabay akong kumuha ng pagkain sa kanila mapapansin niya ako?"

Tinitignan niya ako. His blue eyes narrowed. "Pakulay ka ng neon green, mapapansin ka no'n, Cadence."

Inirapan ko siya.

"Do you think, in the future, magiging kami kaya?" I asked, kinakabahan ako. Yes, we're friends but we are honest to each other. Kung ano ang nakikita namin, we immediately tell it without hesitation. We don't lie.

"Depende, wala namang special sa 'yo. Why he would like you? Never nga kitang nagustuhan."

I stopped. I know it hurts but sanay na ako. I rather choose to be hurt in truth than to be satisfied in lies. I hate lies.

"Sakit, ah?"

Tumawa siya, "If you are going you like someone, tapos ganiyan mga lalaki, 'matic, dapat special ka."

Tumango ako. I know, he's Dwayne! Of course he deserve a special one.

"So I need to change myself to be special?" I raised a brow.

He looked at me seriously. His blue eyes fluttered. I envied it so much. Parang gusto ko tuloy alisin ang mga mata niya at ilagay sa akin. "No."

"Wow? Cold? Ikli mo naman magsalita ngayon?"

Pinandilatan niya ako ng mata at tinuro ang babaeng malapit sa amin. I smirked. Mukhang nagpapapansin sa crush niya.

She's here pala. Crush niyang taga Santiago sa nasa mayamang pamilya rin.

"Okay," I nodded. "Why no?"

"Don't put yourself in a situation that you can't be your self."

I grinned. I ignore it. Pake ko? Life is short, 'no? Don't waste your time.

"Was, basta, gagawa ako ng paraan para mahulog siya sa akin."

Tumango siya. "Okay, sabi mo. Pakatanga ka. Basta ako, feel ko gusto niya ako."

I turned my gazed on Fenica again. His all time crush. Lakas niya makapag sabi na don't put myself in a situation that I can't be myself pero nag a-act siya decent everytime their path crossed? Ano 'to kainan ng sinasabi?

"Court her na kasi..."

"Ih, hiya ako."

I laughed modestly. Bobo nito. If I were a man, liligawan ko agad? Why would I waste my time admiring my love one from afar if I had a chance to be with her. ’Di ba? This man, really.

"Ikaw nga, ligawan mo nga si Dwayne."

I stared at him for a long time and I gave him a creepy slime. "Okay, sabi mo, eh."

His lips formed an o. Gulat siyang tumingin sa akin.

"Kaya mo? Paano kapag na basted ka?" he uttered seriously.

Napaisip ako. If na basted, then go? Ano naman? At least I tried my best.

But no, ipipilit ko...

"If he's not for me, may he grow old without a wife," I said as I take a sip on my drink. I saw Dwayne stood up. Sinundan ko siya ng tingin. He walked through the garden. Tumingin ako kay Kaidon na parang may masamang balak.

"Okay, the chase begin, Kaidon," I smirked.

Tumawa siya. "Support, bes."

Agad akong tumayo at lumapit sa kaniya. Naka tayo siya sa garden habang hawak ang phone niya. I slowly walk.

He was wearing plain white t-shirt and mong pants. Even though it looks simple nakakaakit pa rin siya. When I almost reached him, I smile.

"Hi, Dway—"

I stopped. Napatigil ako sa narinig ko.

"Yes, babe. Sige-sige, nasa meeting pa ako ni Papa. I will gonna call you later kapag."

My eyes widened.

What the fuck? Dwayne Jared Gonzales have a girlfriend?! OMG. What should I do?!

*****
The Way He Loved Me
#UnconditionalLoveSeries
-kyahhhgorgeous

Hi gorjas, ito na! Story ni Quendall at Dwayne. Hope you will like it! 😭

Cadence is second name ni Quendall at ito ang tawag sa kaniya.

Pronunciation: Cadence- Key Dens / Kaidon - Kay Don