Albert has always been fond of Diana, even before they were in high school. But he never had the courage to ask her out, so he became her friend, and that was enough for him back then.
They were young and having identity crisis, so he shrugged off the idea of asking Diana out. And then they went to the same college, just different course department.
Finally he had the guts to ask her on a date but she refused. And so they remain friends. But things are different now, yes, they are still friends but his fondness of Diana grew deeper, and he wants to try his luck on her now.
He asked her out again, and though she did not refuse yet this time, she’s indecisive. But he can be very persuasive if he really wanted to. And that’s what he’s going to do now: be persuasive.
He called Diana again to make sure she won’t refuse. As soon as Diana’s line rang, it was answered immediately.
“Hello, Albert.”
“So, have you decided?” he cheerfully asked from the other line.
“Yeah, about that… I just had a phone call from our school principal and she’s sending me to a seminar at St. Claire this afternoon. It’s a 2-day seminar actually, I’m afraid you need to cancel the invitation…” she finally declined.
There’s a silence from the other line. She declined, but he is persistent, and he doesn’t want to fail again with her.
“Albert?” she called out.
“Then, I guess I’ll just have to pick you up after the seminar then.” He said and cut the call.
He needed to hang up the phone so she couldn’t say no.
Everything was prepared, and now he needs to cancel it because of a seminar… just wow. At least, in to his advantage, it’s just a seminar. It won’t hurt. But he regrets having the guts to ask her out only now because she’s become busier with paper works, school works, and seminars, and the competition is a little bit tighter.
He called the place where he organized the date. They answered immediately.
“Karen’s Kusina.” The person from the other line greeted.
“Hi, Good morning! This is Albert Esguerra, the one who made the arrangements the other day.”
“Hello, Mr. Esguerra. How may we help you?”
“About my reservations this afternoon, may I reschedule it tomorrow? I’m afraid my date isn’t available today.” He said.
“That’s unfortunate to hear, sir. But we will reschedule it for you. So, it will be rescheduled tomorrow sir. What time would you want it to be?”
“Same time, 6:00 pm sharp. And same menus, please.”
“Okay, noted sir. How about the flowers, sir? Should we cancel it today, too?”
“No, not the bouquet. I will get the bouquet later, around 5:30, perhaps?”
“No problem sir. We’ll keep it then, sir.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Thank you for choosing Karen’s Kusina.” And the line was cut.
He went out of his room to look for her mother, but he only saw his father.
“Where’s mom, dad?” he asked.
“She left already. She said she needed to fix something in the venue before the seminar. Why, do you need anything?” his father asked.
“No dad. I just need to ask her something. I’ll just text her then.”
He went back to his room and laid back to bed. He texted his mom.
HI MOM! WHAT TIME WILL THE SEMINAR END LATER?
He waited for a few minutes. His phone chimed in.
AROUND 6 PM, SON. KINDLY TELL YOUR FATHER TO PICK ME UP LATER. – It is his mother.
I WILL MA. THANKS FOR THE INFO.
He texted Nez to tell her his plan. Nez is Diana’s best friend but he can always count on her when it comes to Diana.
HI NEZ, ARE YOU BUSY? CAN I CALL YOU?
His phone chimed. He checked it.
I’M ON MY WAY TO DIANA’S HOUSE. CALL ME LATER. – It’s Nez.
OKAY THEN. TEXT ME WHEN YOU’RE HOME. – He replied.
YEAH.
He went out of his room and straight out of the house.
“Where are you going son?” his father called out.
“I’ll just buy something, dad. I won’t be long.” He said and rode his motorbike.
He went to the city to buy some chocolate. He texted Nez.
WHICH CHOCOLATE SHOULD I BUY?
He waited for a reply, but he didn’t get any. He just bought a box of Ferrero rocher and a bundle of toblerone.
‘I hope she likes this.’ He said in his mind and went to the counter to pay for it.
He immediately went home as soon as he had paid for the chocolates. While driving home, his phone rang. He stopped on the road side to check the phone: it’s Nez.
“Hello, Nez. What’s up?”
“I just got home. So what is it that you’re going to tell me?”
“I will call you back. I’m on my way home. I just stopped on the road side to answer your call.”
“Oh, sorry. Okay, call me back when you’re already home.”
“Yes.” He said and cut the call.
He put his phone back to his pocket and drove off. As soon as he arrived at their house, he dialed Nez’s number. He got off his motorbike and grabbed the chocolate on the compartment. Nez’s line rang.
“Hello, Albert.” She answered.
“She declined my date invitation.” He began.
“Yes, she told me.”
“She told you already?” he asked, amazed.
“I just came from their house. And I am her best friend so what do you expect?”
“Fair enough. But I told her I’m going to pick her up at St. Claire later.”
“Really? Did she agree? She didn’t tell me that.” She said in disbelief.
He scratched his head.
“I uhh… I didn’t gave her a choice, actually. I hang up as soon as I told her I’m going to pick her up later.”
Nez laughed at the other line.
“You’re smart!”
“Is that a compliment?” he asked her.
“Yes, it’s a compliment. Well, good luck with that.” Nez stated.
“Thanks, whatever that ‘good luck’ means.” He said.
“I’ll hang up now. Bye!” and Nez hang up.
He went inside and put the chocolates on the fridge. His father called him out from the kitchen. He went to his father.
“Let’s eat now. I thought you weren’t here yet so I just started eating. Grab your own plate.”
“Yes, dad.” He said and grabbed his own plate. He sat across his father on the table.
“What time will the seminar end? Did you ask your mom?” his father asked.
“She told me to tell you to pick her up at 6.”
“Okay then.” His father replied and continued eating.
He started eating as well. After lunch, he went to his room to prepare his things and went to take a bath. When he’s done, he fixed himself and went out of his room. He still needs to pick the flowers needed for the bouquet.
“Where are you going, again?” his father asked.
“I need to go to the office, dad. I have to do something.” He lied.
“Okay. What time will you be home?”
“7 pm, dad.”
His father nodded. He went out and rode his motorbike to Karen’s Kusina. When he arrived there, he saw the owner of the restaurant and the flower shop. The lady smiled at him. He smiled back.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Esguerra.” Karen greeted him.
“Hi, good afternoon. I’m here to pick the flowers for the bouquet.” He said.
“This way, sir.” And she led him to the flower baskets. “Kyla, kindly assist Mr. Esguerra.” She told the florist.
“There are a lot of choices to choose from, sir. What is her favorite flower?” Kyla, the florist, asked.
“I don’t really know her favorite flower but I am certain she’s fond of sunflowers.” He said.
“We’ll have the sunflower, tulips, and limonium combination then sir. That’s the most popular combination.” Kyla suggested.
“Whatever is great to look at.” He said.
“Please pick 5 sunflowers and 8 purple tulips, sir.”
He choose the fresh sunflowers and tulips and handed it to the florist. He waited for it to be fixed in a bouquet. When the bouquet was done, Kyla showed it to him.
“That’s great! How much?” he asked.
“That’s P1000 sir. Please pay at the counter.” Kyla said and handed him the bouquet.
He went to the counter. Karen was there.
“She’s one lucky lady.” She remarked.
“Well, I’ll be lucky if she agrees to accept my date invitation.” He replied. “I’ll pay for the reservation for tomorrow, too.” He said.
“That’ll be P5000 all, sir.”
He handed her the bills. She gave him the receipt.
“Thank you.” he said.
“Thank you, sir. See you with your date tomorrow, sir.”
He smiled and went to his motorbike. He checked the time. It’s already 5:30.
He rode his motorbike and went to St. Claire. He parked where his father couldn’t see him when he will come to pick his mother. He waited until they seminar ended.
After a while, he can see people walking from the seminar venue. He couldn’t see Diana so he texted her but he didn’t get a reply. He finally saw her but she’s with someone. A guy? Who could that be? He walked towards them.
“Diana!” he called out.
Diana and the guy looked at his direction. Who could that guy be?