Two weeks have past after what happened at the school. Rico and I became more closer. My grandpa and Chanse even asked me different questions about him. I just told them that Rico is just my friend and nothing more.
Rico's parents are still want to meet me but I told Rico that I still don't want. Rico respect my decision, so he told his parents to wait until I'm okay with it. But honestly, I really don't want them to believe that I like their son.
About Zack and I, we haven't seen each other personally these past two weeks, but we're constantly having video call every night.
Wordlessly, I enter the ramen house to talk with Niger. I saw her at the counter, talking with one of their crew.
"Niger!" I wave my hand, stealing her attention.
"Excuse me," she told the crew and went to me. "You arrive early."
"Well, of course. So is it okay to rent it on Saturday?" I asked.
"Of course, come and sign this reservation paper." She guide me to their office place.
After bargaining with her, I went back to my car to attend my afternoon classes. Zack's birthday is on Saturday, so I rented the ramen house to be our celebrating place.
Zack doesn't know about this. I didn't tell him, since I want to surprise him. Parking my car, I went off, hoisting my backpack on my shoulder. Grabbing the box of ring from my bag, I stare at it for a minute and put it back again inside. I decided to answer him and become my official boyfriend on his birthday too.
I started walking to our strand building, seeing a lot of students. I know what will Rico feel if I answer Zack, but I don't want to hurt him anymore.
Mechanically, I went inside the classroom, taking my seat between Krystal and Maica.
"Is everything done?" Krystal asked, tapping on her phone.
"Yes, I already rented a place."
"How about the decorations?" asked Maica, leaning her back against the backrest.
"I already bought a lot too and I'll prepare it later," I answered.
"That's good. Then, we'll help you later," Maica suggested cheerfully.
"Is Leonel coming too?" Krystal asked.
"Of course he'll come for sure," I answered, trying to peek on her phone but she immediately turn it off. She's hiding something, I know it.
"Do you have any idea, how are we going to design the ramen house restaurant?" Krystal asked, putting her phone into her bag.
"Yes. Just trust me." I nodded.
"That's good."
"Anyways, is something going on with you Krystal?" I asked worriedly, making her expression changed.
"It's nothing, don't worry," she answered, letting out a forceful laugh.
Maica and I look at each other worriedly, but we remain silent to respect her. We know each other since we were young and we know that something is going on to her right now.
Our teacher enter the classroom. Of course we greeted him but after that he immediately started to discuss our lesson.
—
"Turn on the aircon!" demanded Leonel, slamming the back of my chair.
"Wait!" I shouts, turning on the aircon. We're now inside my car to go to my mansion to get the decorations I bought earlier afternoon.
"Nice!" he shouts, leaning his back against the backrest.
"Why y'all didn't bring your cars?" I asked angrily, stepping onto the gas.
"Because we know that you have yours, right Maica, Krystal?" he asked the two and they nod.
"Tch!"
"Wait look Aza, isn't that Aizen?" said Maica, who's sitting beside me.
Nosily, I look at the direction she pointed. I just caught a glimpse of her since the car is moving and she's talking with a red-head guy.
"What is she doing near at our school?" asked Maica, crossing her arms.
"Really it's Aizen?" asked Leonel as he look back.
"Yes," answered Maica.
"She was talking with a red-head guy, do you know that person?" I asked, glancing at him through rearview mirror. Krystal is still tapping on her phone.
"Red-head? I don't know." He shrugged.
"I see."
We arrived at my mansion and I told them to sit on the sofa. They greeted manang and the maids and they also did the same to my friends.
We get the decorations I bought and my friends help me to put it into the compartment.
"How are we going to put an air into this?" Leonel asked, holding the balloons
"I bought an airpump here." I throw the airpump to him and he catches it. "But don't pump it now, let's do it later."
"Okay." He pouted, placing the balloon and airpump inside.
We went inside my car after putting all the things into the compartment and drove off. They brought comfortable clothes with them, so we already changed our clothes.
"If I were Zack, I'll be super super happy if my future girlfriend surprise me like this." Leonel nodded, smiling.
"Stop that you're making me blush." I laugh.
"But unfortunately, I'm not Zack and I don't want a girlfriend too." He rolled his eyes, making Maica and I laugh hysterically.
"Speaking of that, do you have a boyfriend now?" I asked excitedly, spinning the driving wheel to the left side.
"I have a person I like but he's not yet my boyfriend," he answered honestly, wiggling his eyebrows. Maica and I screamed teasingly as we both slap each other arms. That hurts honestly.
"Why?" Maica asked.
"I told you it's still complicated." He shrugged. At that time, I saw how he glanced at Krystal. It's giving me another vibes.
"I see." I nodded. "Anyways, how did you become a varsity. I've been meaning to ask you this but I constantly forgot."
"Ahh our coach wanted me to be a varsity, so I agreed. And I want to play against the other schools too," he answered dismissively.
"Wow and why did your coach asked you?" Maica questioned, glancing at him.
"Perhaps because I'm so handsome and good at basketball," he boasted, running his fingers through his hair.
"Ewww!" Maica and I said in unison.
"How dare you!" He slaps the back of our chair as we laughed.
We arrived at the restaurant, seeing Niger and other staff inside. They already closed it for the customers.
"Did you bring your things?" asked Niger.
"Yes." I nodded, holding a plastic of decorations. Leonel, Maica and Krystal are holding a plastic bag too.
"I see. Then we can start decorating the restaurant, I also brought a designer with me," she introduced us the man who's about in early 30's
"Hello," I greeted the man and he started help us to decorate, he even brought some decorations with him.
"Um Niger why did you brought a designer with you?" I asked, pumping the balloons.
"Because I want to help you. Is not it alright?" she asked worriedly, pouting.
I let out a soft chuckle and shake my head. "Of course it's fine, thank you too."
"You're always welcome," she muttered, ruffling my hair.
We started decorating the whole restaurant while the designer is helping us to put the decorations. He even told us some decorating technique which we found helpful. He's fun to be with.
"So you're going to surprise your suitor and say yes to him in his birthday?" he asked cheerfully, hanging the balloons.
"Yes sir." I nodded, handing him the balloons.
"How sweet. I miss to be a teenager." He laughed. "Done!"
"It's really fun to be a teenager but we don't have enough freedom like adults," I agree, arranging the chairs.
"You're right. But you can't compare the fun you've experienced in teenage life," he uttered, placing table mats onto the table.
I didn't respond but I nod as an answer.
"So you better treasure it," he reminded, flashing a smile.
"Azalea come help me with this!" Leonel shouted, pointing at the confetti.
"Okay!"
After decorating the restaurant, Niger and I talked about the foods they'll serve tomorrow. I told her to serve maki, sushi and onigiri.
"11:00 am, sure?" she asked before I could completely enter my car.
"Yes that's sure!" I answered, closing my car door.
"Okay!"
"What time is it?" Leonel asked as soon as we got into the main road.
"6:00 pm," Maica answered, leaning her head against the window.
"It took us 2 hours huh." Leonel sighed.
"Shall we grab a bite?" I asked, spinning the drive wheel to the right side.
"No, I'm good," Leonel answered, closing his eyes.
"Same here." Krystal raised her hand.
"I'm good too." Maica nodded.
"Okay, then I'll just bring you home." I nodded.
Since Krystal's house is the most closest here, I accompanied her first then Maica. Once Leonel and I are alone, he suddenly spoke,
"Stop the car."
"Here? I thought you're living in Dasmariñas?" I asked, glancing at him.
"I do but I have a condo here," he replied.
"I see." I parked the car in front of the waiting shed, waiting for him to get off.
"Thank you for the ride!" He yawned, grabbing his bag.
Sighing, I shift my gaze on him and ask, "Is there something going on between you and Krystal?"
"Huh? Hahahaha! Of course we don't," he answers, opening the door. "Take care Aza!" He closed the door and walked away.
I watched him disappear from my sight first before I continue driving. Now where should I go? I don't want to go home yet.
Contemplating, I suddenly came up with an idea. I'll go to Zack's apartment to ask him if he has a plan for tomorrow.
Excitedly, I made my way there. What is he doing now? I hope I won't disturb him.
After few minutes of driving, I arrived in front of their apartment. Mechanically, I went off my car, pushing the doorbell.
While waiting, I started to fix my hair to look pretty in front of him.
"Sorry I'm late." The gate opened but instead of Zack, I saw Clarisse. "Oh it's you Azalea. Zack isn't in his apartment, he's with his friends. He said they'll play basketball."
"Ah okay. I just want to ask him if he has some plans tomorrow for his birthday. Anyways, come tomorrow at ramen house restaurant at 11:00 am. We'll surprise Zack there," I said, flashing a smile. I noticed how she put her hair on her neck. Is she hiding something?
"If I'm right, I accidentally heard him that he'll celebrate his birthday with you. And oh sure I'll come there," she muttered, smiling.
"Oh that's good. You can also bring Aizen with you," I muttered, placing my arm behind my back.
"I'd like too but she needs to attend their family gathering," she replied sadly.
"I see that's sad. Well then I'll take my leave now." I was about to turn around to enter my car but she speak again.
"Don't you want to wait for him in my apartment? I can make you some juice while waiting if you want," she asked genuinely, opening the gate widely.
She's really nice, no wonder Aizen fell in love with her. "No, thanks. I need to go home too since it's getting late. And I don't want to bother you." I laughed.
"I see. Then take care." She waves her hand.
"Yeah, I will. Tell Zack that I came here." I went inside my car and drove off.
Upon getting in the main road, my phone suddenly vibrated. Wordlessly, I check the message and it's from my mom.
"Do you have some plans tomorrow? Let's video call." — Mom
When the traffic lights turn red, I immediately reply to her message.
To: Mom
"I've got some plans tomorrow but I won't tell you what it is. Let's just video call tomorrow night."
Reply sent.
Putting back the phone into my bag, the traffic lights turn green and so I drove off.
Smiling, I lean my back against the backrest comfortably. I can't wait for tomorrow. I'm so exited.
"Oh I'll buy something first." I parked the car when I saw a convenience store.
Upon getting in, I saw Rico getting a yogurt. He's still wearing his school uniform despite how late the time is.
"Hey Rico!" I greeted, curving a smile, grabbing a chocolate drink.
"Oh it's you Azalea. You scared me, what are you doing here?" he asked, walking to the counter.
Once I'm done picking all the drinks I want to buy, I line up to the counter to pay for it. "I just went somewhere and got here to buy these."
"Okay. Next week is the last week for our practice, then next next week our tournament will began. I'm so excited yet nervous at the same time," he stated, clutching on his chest.
I laughed. "Same here."
"I just hope we'll win against our all opponents," he uttered, placing the yogurts onto the counter.
"Of course we'll win, we're all strong no." I chuckle.
"That's right." He went at the side, waiting for me.
After I pay the drinks I bought, we both went off the convenience store.
"Goodnight Rico, see you on Monday!" I waved my hand, running towards my car.
"See you. And oh—you should drive slowly!" he reminded, making me smile.
"Of course I will!" I shouted, hopping into my car.
Frantically, I revved up the engine and drove off. I didn't watch Rico to leave, since he wouldn't do that. He said that he wants me to leave first everytime we'll both go out the school, for him to see me go safely.
Humming, I turn on the radio to listen some music. Fortunately, it's a kpop song, so I sing along with it. I don't understand korean but I really like to listen to their songs.
***