“Now talk,” I said as we sat down in an empty booth that serves meals and snacks.
He sat there quietly and fidgets with his hand. He keeps on sighing as he stared at the table. I observed him silently which made me realize that he is nervous.
“Okay, think about what you want to tell me. I will just go and order some food.” I said standing up
I could notice him throwing glances at me as I stood at the counter waiting for our orders. I guess I was not mad at him for what happened yesterday. I was hurt by my expectations.
“Is your mind still wandering around? Are you ready to talk?” I said as I placed the food on the table
He started devouring the” Sinigang” or sour soup based that I ordered to help with his hungover. I slowly drank my milk tea as I watch him eat.
“Thank you for the food. I’m feeling better now,” he said after eating
“Did you just call me to accompany you in having breakfast? If you don’t have anything to say, I need to go now as Vladimir might be looking for me.” I said
He sat there drinking the iced coffee and didn’t say anything so I stood up and was about to walk away.
“How impatient! Fine, I will talk,” he said that had stopped me from my tracks
“Go on.” I stood in front of him
“Sit down. It is uncomfortable talking while looking up.”
“Now you know how I feel when I talk to you while you are standing next to me,” I whispered
“I’m sorry,” he said
“Now we are talking. Continue and tell me what you are sorry for.” I sat down
“I’m sorry for what I said and did yesterday. I didn’t mean those words. I was a coward for not standing up for you when some of my companions started forcing you.” he said
“Okay” I replied
“Are you that mad?”
“What do you think?”
“You can hit me if you’re mad at me. I know how strong you are but I can manage,” he said softly
“Are you telling me that I am violent?” I said aloud
“You are the one who said that. You do have tendencies to get violent,” he answered
“What? Can you say that louder? I am not quite sure if I heard you correctly. I might seriously hit you for real.” I glared at him
“I was just joking. You aren’t violent at all,” he said
“I will forgive you on one condition.” I smiled
“Oh come on! Why are you doing this to me? Can’t you just forgive me like what you did before?” he complained
“I am not forcing you. You can accept or not, it is up to you.” I said
“Fine, what condition is that?”
“I don’t know where it had gone wrong between you and Jackson. I am not asking what happened. There seems to be some grudge between the two of you. I want you to talk about that.” I said
“That isn’t happening. If you don’t want to forgive me then it is also up to you but I will not talk to Jackson,” he said walking out
I did not go after him because I don’t want to insist on what I wanted. I know that I shouldn’t meddle with their affairs but I have a hunch that I am involved or one of the reasons why they aren’t on good terms.
“Is everything okay? Something might be bothering you.” Vladimir asked when I handed him his water
“Nothing.”
“Share it with me at lunch or after the game. Can you wipe my sweat?” he demanded
“How sweet! It’s making us puke.” his teammates said while making a gagging sound
“You’re just jealous because your friends aren’t as sweet as her.” Vladimir joked
I gave his teammates a bored look because they can’t get tired of teasing us even if they have seen it happen a couple of times while they were practicing or training. They laughed at me before turning their backs to go back to the field.
“Shall we go and enjoy the festival now? We already won the championships so I don’t have to worry about anything.” Vladimir said as soon as their game was over
“Aren’t you going to eat with your teammates?” I asked
“No need,” he said before shooing his teammates away
“Did something happen between you, Allyson, and Jackson? I noticed that the three of you didn’t even talk with each other this morning,” he asked while we were walking
“Can you buy me cotton candy? I want a blue one.” I said to shift the topic
“Since you have worked hard and did your best on doing all my nonsense requests, I will treat you today. It is also the last day of our contract,” he said
“Thanks,” my face lit up when he bought me the cotton candy.
“Do you want to eat something else?”
“Can we go and sit somewhere? You have been dragging me around these stalls.” I said
“You should have used rubber shoes. Why are you wearing a sandal anyway? It even has a three-inch heel if I am not mistaken. ” he said
“Maybe because I don’t want to feel so small standing next to any of you,” I said in a sarcastic voice
“But you are small,” he said
“Oh no, you didn’t!” I glared
“Don’t worry because I like petite girls. Some of my teammates even said that they like you.”
“Pardon?” I said
He ignored me and continued walking as if I did not say anything.
I was sitting in the living room that afternoon when I heard a knock on the door. I am feeling lazy to go and open it but the person was so persistent in knocking.
“I’m coming,” I shouted to stop whoever it was from knocking
“Can I come in?” Jackson said as soon as I opened the door
“Oh sure. Come in.” I said
I let him walk ahead of me after closing the door. He stopped midway when he noticed Allyson sitting in the living room. He looked at me with a confused look.
“I think I better come back next time. I didn’t know that you have company,” he said turning back
“Why would you do that when you are already here? It has been a long time since we hang out together.” I said pulling him
An awkward silence spread in the living room as soon as we sat down. Jackson sat down beside me while looking the other way.
“Where are you going?” they both asked when I stood up
“Why don’t you talk within yourselves and I will go prepare snacks. I also need to prepare dinner soon since Nana isn’t home.” I said
“Do you need some help? I can help you.” Jackson said standing up
“Are we seriously doing this? Fine, come and help me.” I sighed
“Is your Nana not coming home tonight?” Jackson asked
“She had some things to do in the city. They are trying to buy another property there so she is getting busy checking necessary documents.” I explained
“Are you mad at me?” he whispered
“What do you mean by that?”
“Stop trying to be ignorant. I am talking about what Jackson said. I know that I was wrong on all the occasions that he mentioned.”
“Umm okay, but aren’t you supposed to tell me something. I am not mad anymore but if you have talked to me yesterday then we would seriously be not on good terms for who knows until when.”
“I’m sorry for watching all the bullying that happened.”
“If Allyson hadn’t got mad the other day then you wouldn’t even say sorry. Are you just saying sorry because someone told you off?” I said
“It is not like that.” he bowed his head
“Then what were all those about? Care to explain so I can understand.”
“I don’t want you to get in more trouble that is why I chose to ignore you.”
“Oh come on! Spill the tea now. I am not mad anymore but I might if you keep on beating around the bush.”
“I am not sure about what happened but I am back with Nathalia. I know that you like reading a lot of romantic pocketbooks so you should have a hint already on what is happening.”
“Meaning? You cannot control your girlfriend so she decided to bully me secretly while acting like an angel in front of many people.”
“I don’t know what to say. I wanted to die due to embarrassment and guilt. I would understand if you will cut off your friendship with me. If you cannot forgive me for what happened, that is also fine with me.”
“Don’t worry about that. I am not that cold to not forgive you but since you are taken then we should keep a distance from each other. I mean we can continue avoiding each other just like what you did before.”