Jeyah's POV
My name is Jeyah Abee Arguello, turning 23 in the next three months, a graduate of BS Psychology at UP Diliman. As of now, I don't have work because I need to rest for a while for some personal reasons. Currently, I'm not in the Philippines. I'm somewhere around the planet. hahaha. Kidding aside, I'm out of the country for about three weeks already. When I'll be back? Uhm, I don't know. Not unless he will be coming back too. hahaha.
Anyway, this story started a year back in time when I was in 4th-year college, taking BS Psychology at my most beloved institution, the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.
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I was sitting alone in the school's cafeteria at that time when I heard a group of students laughing while teasing someone in the group. Everyone around in that place was looking at them, especially the girls. I landed my gaze on them since I heard someone saying, "Guys, the group of Darren is here!",
These guys were sitting opposite to each other at a table not far from me. And as I counted them, they are ten; five males and five females. Unintentionally, my gaze landed on someone who was sitting at the center. My eyes were locked on him as he was also staring at me. And oh my God! he is undeniably handsome. He has those deep and expressive blue-grey eyes and finely chiseled features that could make any woman go crazy over him. He was wearing a dark polo that was rolled up to his elbow.
But wait, he has similarities with Ryle. Well, guys, I was talking to my past love. My heart was beating fast when I remembered Ryle. Of course, how could I ever forget him? I felt the pain creeping gradually inside my heart. I set aside those sad thoughts because I don't want to get emotional again.
"Go, and approach her Darren", the voice was coming from a lady with blonde hair, wearing a fitted pink blouse and blue jeans.
I know she was referring to me because she was looking in my direction. I averted my gaze and continued reading my book.
"Go ahead bro, c'mon you can do it", it was coming from a guy with semi-wavy hair, who was wearing a plain blue polo shirt.
I shook my head and I started fixing my things. I need to go because I still have to attend my class in my major subject. I stood up and I could feel they were all looking at me, as I passed by. But since I have this aloof attitude, I did not look at them because, in the first place, I didn't know them.
As I was heading towards the E-classroom, I was thinking about that guy's name. Sounds familiar because once I heard a group of female students, mentioning his name as they giggled to the bones. I heard them say, "Darren Laurel".
I forget about it for a while when I noticed I'm already inside the E-classroom. I went to the back and pulled a chair for me. I don't want to sit in the front even before when I was still in elementary because it would make me feel conscious when someone behind is looking at me.
I looked at my watch and it was almost time. Yet, our professor has not yet arrived. I opened my book for a while and did a quick glance at the topic for my class report. Suddenly, I felt a little tense for no reason. It's not my first time doing class reporting but why did I feel nervous?
After several minutes, our professor came in. A man in his early 40's who used to wear thick eyeglasses entered the room, with an intimidating personality. He is very strict in the class especially when it comes to reporting. He had a high standard since he graduated summa cum laude from Harvard University and he is a perfectionist type of person.
"Good afternoon class, who is assigned to report today?", he asked as his eyes looked around.
I raised my hand and stood up. Since the overhead projector was already set up, I just inserted my flash drive and after a while, I started my class report. All their eyes were focused on me as they listened intently to my discussion. My report did not last too long because each reporter was only given thirty minutes to discuss his/her topic.
"Well done Miss Arguello. It was an excellent report", Professor Arnold Sabandal complimented and smiled at me. I think he really liked my report because if not, he would not smile like that. I saw some of my classmates clapping their hands while others were just wearing a smirk on their lips. It's not new to me anyway that most of my classmates don't like me. The fact is, I cannot please everybody, no matter how much I've tried my best.
"Thank you sir", I responded and smiled as well. I removed the flash drive and then I took my seat at the back.
"I heard someone whisper, "She's not that intelligent! She is just trying hard to impress our professor"
I know she was referring to me, but I pretended that I did not hear it. It's not my problem anymore. I did not say I am intelligent. I was just trying my best to deliver my class report because that was expected from me by Mr. Sabandal.
My tears started to form in my eyes because even when I told myself not to get affected whatever people will say to me, still I couldn't help myself but get hurt. Well, this is me. This is my personality. And being sensitive and emotional were already embedded in my whole being.
When I was in the midst of deep thought, someone called my attention.
"Hi, I never thought we are classmates in this subject", she said smiling at me.
I looked at her and suddenly remembered she was one of those guys in the cafeteria. I also did not expect that she is my classmate in my major subject, so meaning she is also taking the same course.
"Hi, I'm Jeyah Abee Arguello. You can call me Jeyah ", I responded and shook her hand.
"My name is Clarisse Rofero", she said in a soft voice. She is pretty with her blonde hair and she stands 5'5 like me. She has a fair complexion and a slim body that made her sexy to look at.
We chitchatted for quite some time while waiting for our next subject, but someone informed us that our professor was on leave so he could not meet us. Clarisse and I went out of the E-classroom together, but later we parted ways since I still need to drop by at the library to return the book that I borrowed last time.
I enjoyed reading some books in the library that I forgot that I've been there for two hours already and it's time for me to go home. I looked at my watch and it's already 5:00 o'clock in the afternoon. I hurriedly went outside and headed towards the parking lot. I took the keys to my Toyota Fortuner and started the engine. Because it was peak hours already, I was caught by the heavy traffic for almost an hour.
I felt I was already starving like I wanted to eat my favorite chicken adobo and beef steak. So, I decided to drop by at NINYO Food Cuisine to order some of my brother's favorite food. I went inside and headed towards the counter service. While waiting, I sat for a while on a vacant chair. Then, I took my cellphone from my bag because I heard a beep sound which means someone has texted me. It was my brother Andre, who was asking me if I'm already on my way home.
Suddenly, someone approached me, and I was surprised when I recognized that it was Clarisse. I looked around and I noticed she was with her friends. And I saw him again. That guy whom they called Darren.
"Hi, Jeyah, I never thought I would see you here", she said as she held my arms.
" Oh hi! Clarisse, It's good to see you here!", I responded and we softly chuckled.
"I'm with my friends now. You know this is our favorite hangout", she said, pointing her fingers in her friends' direction. Then, she pulled my hand as we headed to where her friends are.
"Guys, this is Jeyah Abee Arguello, my classmate in Psychology 104. You know she is smart in the class", Clarisse exclaimed.
She introduced her friends to me starting off with the girls. I just nodded and smiled at them.
"And now, the last but not the least is the most handsome among these men, the leader of this group, our boss, Darren Laurel", she uttered and winked her eyes.
"Hi, nice to meet you Jeyah", Darren said as he stood and offered his hand for a handshake.
"Hi, nice to meet you too, Darren", I responded. I felt some butterflies in my stomach as he held my hand and met his eyes. I realized, why he is called the heartthrob of the school campus because he has this compelling and overpowering charm that allures women.
"Sorry", he apologized when he realized he was still holding my hand. He pulled a chair for me and offered me a seat, but my name was already called at the counter service for my order. So, I told them, I need to go.
When I was inside the car, I couldn't help but think about Darren. Now that I have seen him up close, I could say he has similarities with Ryle. And if Ryle were still alive today, they would be really mistaken as siblings.
Finally, I arrived home. I hurriedly went out of the car, after parking it in the garage. I took a long step heading towards the entrance door. I looked at my watch and it's already 8:00 o'clock. I know my brother was already waiting for me and has not yet taken his dinner. Of course, a lengthy interrogation was waiting ahead since it's my first time coming home at this hour, except if there were school activities.
"Good luck Jeyah", I whispered and flipped the doorknob.