Two Faces of Love

Chapter 3: Savior Indeed

“Hi Aly.”

“Hi,” I was already seated in my chair but Alex can't stop himself from bugging me. I'm starting to feel irritated.

“Ahm, Alyson about yesterday,”I guess he wont stop until he gets the answer for me since yesterday, so I decided to finally tell him now. I took a deep breath before facing him. I shouldn't have let him wait too long and hope. I should have given him the answer on the spot so that he won't expect.

"Alex, about yesterday, I'm sorry."

"Huh? You two? Is there something we don't know?" Mai interrupted.

“No, it’s okay Aly. I can wait. Maybe you need some time to process things. I also made you dazed.”

"No, ahm, it was actually my fault. I should've told you the truth."

"What truth?!" Mai and Jai asked at the same time.

“What’s happening here?”John and Mart suddenly entered the room, at next to them was Tristan. I just ignored them and continued talking to Alex. I felt all of them are staring at me.

“Alex, you see, I appreciate you admiring me. And I'm thankful for that. But you see, I can only just be a friend to you.”

Everyone was so silent for few minutes. I looked at Alex, still, and his face looked like he was about to cry like a kid. But then he suddenly laughed forcibly.

“Bro? Are you okay?” John asked.

“Of course! Of course I’m okay! I mean, I knew it already! Don’t worry Alyson, I’m okay. I understand you. I mean, I just need to go to the restroom first. Excuse me,” Alex stood up and walked out of the room.

"Is he really okay?" Jai asked.

"Aly! Why do you have to do that?!" Mai shouted, as if scolding me.

"What do you want me to do? Keep his hopes up for nothing?"

“You have a point.”

"That's exactly what I'm talking about! From that moment we bumped into them, everything was all messed up! I just wanted to graduate peacefully in this school!" And then I sat properly on my sit. I opened my book on my table and started to fake read. None of them talked at all and just sat on their respective chairs as well, including Tristan. I was half focused on my book when Tristan whispered to me.

“I can’t believe we’re feeling and thinking the same.”

I looked at him. I was about to ask him what he meant by that but then our teacher came in. What does that suppose to mean? Feeling the same what?

It was afternoon again. I was walking jolly off to the Publication Room. Its my happy place after all, specially because I'm seeing kuya Art again. When I entered the room, there he was fixing his stuffs.

“Kuya?”

“Oh Aly.”

"Am I late?"

"No not at all. Im actually leaving early. Kris and I have already compiled the recycled articles. You just have to put everything on the designated folders and set aside. Tomorrow, the Arts department will collect it."

"Oh okay, I see. Are you going somewhere?"

Just before he could talk, a pretty lady knocked on the door.

"Yes ma'am? Do you need anything?" I asked.

"Oh ahm,"

Babe! You're here!"

"Babe?!" I blurted. Did kuya Art called this lady his babe?!

"By the way Ann, this is my girlfriend, Joey. Joey this is Aly, one of our writers here in the Publication Team."

"H-hi." I greeted awkwardly. She greeted back with a wide smile that could literally melt anyone staring at her. She is just so beautiful you would think she is some kind of a model! I've been secretly admiring kuya Art for long I never knew he has been into someone, and a girlfriend as well! I felt a little sad. Funny how, earlier this morning I busted someone who liked me and now I feel like I got busted by kuya Art. The irony.

"So Aly, we'll go ahead. I'll leave the works all to you."

"Sure kuya! Don't worry. Enjoy your date with Joey!"

They both laughed at me.

"We'll tag you along next time."

"Oh no! Don't. I might ruin your perfect date together. So just go ahead."

“Bye Aly, nice meeting you again.” and then the two left. I peeked outside to see them one last time before they totally fade out of my sight . They're just too sweet!

I went back inside and sat on my chair. I started fixing and compiling things. When I finished everything, I decided to open the computer and logged in on my social media account. How long has it been since I last opened it that I got so many notifications? I thought of searching kuya Art's account but it says it's not found. I remember he actually don't have one. He once told me he is not into social media as it can only add stress to him. Then a name suddenly came out of my mind then immediately typed. Tristan Johnson. Yes, him. I was about to press enter when the electricity blacked out so I shouted out of shock. It was a bit late and almost evening so it's a little dark now outside.

I calmed myself down and sat on the nearest chair. I looked for my phone to use the flashlight but it's not on my skirt pocket. I tried reaching for my bag around me but I can't find it. This is just pissing me off and the dark is starting to scare me a little. I have no choice but to stand up and tried to sneak out of the dark. I know every angle of this room so I guess I can go out and ask for some help in case. I just keep sneaking and slowly walked, touching everything I can touch around me. I was almost there when I suddenly bumped my right knee on an edge so hard that I shouted.

"You're so stupid Alyson!" I said to myself getting teary eyed from the pain. I caress my knee to lessen the pain a little when I heard someone suddenly speak out of the dark.

“Is anyone there?”

"Who's there?"

“Alyson?”a light suddenly flashed straight to my face that I almost closed my eyes because it was too bright. But his voice seems so familiar to me.

“Tristan?”

“Yeah, it’s me.”

“Tristan! Help!" The light slowly approached me until I can see his face already infront of me.

"What are you even doing here alone?”

"I was left here. Wait, I'll get my bag." I walked with my knee in pain I almost look like I was crawling. Tristan noticed.

“What happened to you?”

"I hit my knee somewhere sharp here while sneaking in the dark."

“Can you walk?"

"Yeah, I guess I can."

“Lies.” He then turned his back and kneeled, looking like he is offering a piggy back ride.

"What are you doing?"

“I’ll carry you. You can't even walk properly with your broken knee.”

“Broken? It just hurt a little. I said I can walk."

“Are you hopping in or do I have to push you?” he said impatiently.

"Just don't mind me."

“I don’t want to repeat the same question again, Alyson.”

I don't know why I felt like I have to follow him or else I die kind of feeling. So instead of fighting with him, I hopped on his back slowly. Might as well do it than leave me here alone in the dark again. I picked and wore my bag before totally hopping unto him. He let me hold the flashlight he was holding and stood up, and then he started walking out of the room.

We were just quietly walking at the hallway down to the second floor until we reach the campus grounds.

"Wait, where is your car? Why are you left here too? Where are your friends? Your driver?" I curiously asked.

"You ask too much."

I pouted.

When we reached the exit gate of the university I told him to put me down already, and so he did.

“My friends went home early. I feel like staying. And my driver?”he pointed at an arriving car in front of us and said, “he is so late.”

"Oh okay. You can go. Thanks for helping me out."

“I didn’t say I’ll offer you a ride though.”

Then he rode straight to his car and left. I was left there dazed. What did just happened? I couldn't even react to what he just said! I was thanking him for his oh so nice help a while ago but he returned it with a not so nice answer?! So rude! You're indeed a show off Tristan Johnsohn! How annoying!

I started walking my way to the terminal. Lucky enough, I reached the last trip of the jeep. It's still an advantage that our school is near a mall where there too is the terminal for transports like jeepneys and tricycles. As for the ride going to my aunt's house, it only takes one jeepney rode for about 15 to 20 minutes to a public market and then a 10 minute walk off to the house.

When I arrived at the public market, it was already closed because it's past 7 pm. I started walking my way and noticed that there is no more people outside like the usual. Maybe because of the black out a while ago. I was just silently walking when I suddenly saw two drunk men from afar that slowly approached me.

"Hey miss, are you alone?" asked by one drunk fat man.

"Are you crazy dude? Can't you see she is alone why do you have to ask?!"

"Oh yeah right, I guess I'm totally messed up!" then they laughed.

“You are messed up indeed!"

I just ignored the two and keep on walking. But then I started to get nervous when they followed me.

Miss, do you wanna join us?" I did not answer.

"I think she is deaf. Let's go closer to her."

Oh no please don't. This is scaring me truely. I started walking a little faster than usual but then perhaps there steps were bigger than mine that theyre already right beside me, one guy putting his hands on my shoulder. I got chills.

"K-kuya, please don't." I begged as calmly as I can.

"What did you say miss? I can't hear you."

"It won't take long miss. We're just going to play." I was about to run away when I saw the other guy holding a small knife. I'm almost about to cry. The other guy touched and caressed my cheeks while the other was holding bothy hands tight at my back.

You sent

"Don't be too naughty miss, okay? Just follow us, you won't get hurt."

My tears started to fall from my eyes.

"Kuya please don't. I'm going home." I begged one last time.

"Calm down miss. It's just us." He started to put his fingers on my collar and then down to the bottons of my uniform and started opening it. When he reached the third button, he leaned his face close to mine. I can smell the alcohol as I closed my eyes and continued to cry silently. He moved closer and closer, tempting to kiss me so i started shouting.

"Kuya stooooppp!"

The moment I shouted my lungs out, I heard a big bang as if someone fell off the floor. I don't know exactly what happened. I felt no one was holding me already, but I also feel so weak that I fell off the ground. I hold my uniform so tight and continued bawling. And then someone came close to me again.

“Aly?”

"Kuya stop! Please don't!" I shouted again.

“Aly! Hey, it’s me. Alyson!" I tried to open my eyes and saw Tristan's worried face.

“Tristan!”the very moment I saw him, I immediately hugged him tight. He took off his jacket and covered it on me and then he carried me until we were inside his car and left. I even heard him calling a police for a report. While on our way, I was still crying and still holding on to Tristan so tight. Until I got tired and fell asleep.

When I woke up the next day, I saw myself lying on a very comfortable, huge king-sized bed and a very large and spacious room. Where am I?

The door suddenly opened and a familiar guy with three maids holding delicious foods came in.

"Tristan?"

"You're already awake..I asked them to prepare your breakfast. Please just put it on the table." He told the maids. They followed him and then left.

"Wait, where am I?"

"Where do you think?"

I looked at what's around me, then a picture frame placed on one shelf near the bed catched my attention. I took it and looked at the picture, and then looked at Tristan.

"Your house?!"

He did not respond. Instead, an old man entered a room and another two maids holding uniforms, bags and shoes.

"Sir, here are the things you asked." the old man said.

"Sir?" I looked at Tristan but still he did not respond. The old man smiled at me and greeted.

"Good morning ma'am."

"Ma'am?!"

"Yes ma'am. Here are your new uniforms, a bag and a pair of shoes for school. Sir asked as to get you new ones."

"What?! Why?! Tristan!"

"Why? You don't remember?"

"Sir took you home last time here at the mansion. You were so scared and almost don't want to let go and keep holding tight to sir's clothes. Your uniform were all ripped off so sir told us to get you new ones."

You sent

"Wait, what?! Last night?" I suddenly remembered what happened last night and got shivers all over my body. I then hugged myself immediately. But wait, I'm wearing a different cloth now. I looked at Tristan sharply. And then he looked at me, and got what I'm saying even without speaking.

"Don't think anything dirty! I did not touch you okay? I asked my maids to take good care of you last night. But those are my clothes you're wearing." I calmed down hearing him say that.

"I-i didn't say anything." I felt guilty and shy at the same time. I can't believe he was actually doing all these and was being nice to me out of the blue.

"What?"

"T-thank you." I whispered.

"Ano? I can't hear you." I know he heard me. He was just making fun of me again.

"I said thank you! For saving me last night and then this. You don't have too, but still you got me a bag, a uniform and shoes. It's not really necessary though, but still, thank you."

I suddenly smiled. I feel like little by little, my impression of him is slowly changing. The show off and bully Tristan that I knew, is actually gentle and soft inside. Who would have thought?

"Why are you smiling? Are you crazy?"

"Nothing. I just realized, you look good from up close."

There was a long silence inside the room. Tristan's face turned red, so I started laughing.

"What's funny? Why are you laughing?!" He looks so embarrassed already. I laughed even more because of his cute face.

Wait, what did I just said?