A Love Like Hell

Jade's Admirer

Jade's Point of View

These days, parang ang layo ni Ruben sa akin. I know that he's determined to focus on his studies but i kinda miss talking to him. Kung hindi sya nagbabasa ng libro, tinatapos nya ang mga assignments namin. Tapos pag bumibisita ako sa kanila, sasabihin ni tita na nag-aaral si Ruben.

Kaya nitong recess, i decided to talk to him. "Mag-aaral ka nanaman ba Ruben?" He used to be the most laziest person when it comes to studying, pero para na syang nag-aadik sa mga libro nya at sa pag-aaral.

"Of course i do, i still have a lot of catching up to do." Then he suddenly opened his book. But before he could read, ipinatong ko ang kamay ko sa kanyang libro so that i can get his attention.

"Ano ba Jade?" Iritable nyang sambit at sinubukang tanggalin ang kamay ko.

"I think we need to talk." I told him.

"Talk about what exactly?"

Now that he asked that, parang gusto ko syang tanungin tungkol sa girlfriend nya. Gusto ko ding sabihin na sana wag na syang magsikreto sa'kin. Pero habang nakatingin sya sa'kin, parang ayaw nya na 'kong makita dahil nakakaabala ako.

I think mas prefer ko yung dating Ruben-- hindi sya palaging busy, nakakausap ko sya, tas nakakapag-gala kami. Ngayon kasi parang wala na syang oras para sa'kin, it's like we're not even best friends anymore.

Di ko sya nasagot at napabuntong hininga na lang ako. "Nevermind, kukunin ko lang yung science book ko." Umalis na lang ako at pumunta sa locker ko.

Maybe this is for the best. It's not like Ruben will be with me forever. May sari-sarili din kaming buhay after all. Tsaka tama nga sya, may mga bagay akong di alam tungkol sa kanya. Ang unfair lang talaga dahil pakiramdam ko ay kilalang-kilala nya ako at alam na alam nya ang buhay ko, tas samantalang sya na best friend ko di ko masyadong kilala.

Pagbukas ko sa locker ko, nagulat ako ng makakita ako ng maliit na notebook dito. Hindi sa'kin 'to, puro libro lang naman nilalagay ko sa locker ko. Kinuha ko yung notebook at binuklat ito and it wasn't actually a notebook, isa pala 'tong scrap book.

And i got even more surprised when i saw my picture in this scrap book. "Holy sh-- puro picture ko ang laman ng scrap book! All the pictures were taken in school, and some were from the malls. Oh my gosh, kanino naman galing 'to!? I can't believe may stalker ako!!

Nang makarating ako sa dulo ng scrap book, merong iniwang mensahe yung may-ari nito.

I hope you liked my gift for you ^___^

I've always liked you, and i still do. I wish you

notice me someday.

Your admirer,

August.

Uminit ang mukha ko sa nabasa, at parang tumatakbo na kabayo ang puso ko. This is my first time to receive such a thing from an admirer. Whoever this guy is, sana magpakilala naman sya ng maayos. Hindi yung pamisteryoso pa!

And who the hell is August? May pangalan na ganon!?   

Napangiti na lang ako at naisip, if Ruben always keeps secrets from me then i'll have this as my own secret from him! I kept the scrap book in my skirt's pocket and went back to class.

Ruben's Point of View

Nang maka-alis si Jade, naiwan akong naguguluhan. Lately she's been acting so strange and weird. She would always roll her eyes on me or puff her cheeks with glaring eyes everytime our eyes meet. Umiiwas na lang ako na baka sakaling tumigil din ang topak nya.

What's with her these days? Ano kaya nagawa ko para mainis sya sa'kin nang ganon?

I just shrugged off the stupid thoughts and continued on reading my book. Then suddenly, our art teacher came into our class looking for me. "Is mister Chevalier here?" He asked.

Tumayo ako at lumapit sa kanya. "Ano po 'yon sir?"

His face looked so disappointed while looking at me, "I heard you started trying to improve your studies."

"Yeah, is there a problem?" I asked.

"Yes, you're failing in my subject mister Chevalier." Sigh. I can't doubt what he just said, art is the most subject i hate. I mean, art is useless so i don't give a crap on studying about it.

"Then how can i improve my grades?" He gave me a piece of paper, and as i read it, it was a recommendation letter for a club. "I can't give you remedial tests since all activities done in my subject can't be done so easily, so i'm giving you the chance to improve your grades by joining the theatre club."

"Wha-- Why the theatre club!?" I can't believe this, he wants me to act!?

"Theatre is also art mister Chevalier, so if you'll excuse me, i'll go to my next club now." Then he left.

Napakamot na lang ako sa ulo ko habang nakatingin sa letter na hawak ko. So straight after classes, dumiretcho ako sa theatre club gaya nung sabi ng art teacher namin.

Knocking at this club's door, bumukas ito kaagad and a familiar face showed up. "Good afternoon, how can i help y-- what the-- ba't ka nandito?" Tinarayan nya ako kaagad.

Napataas kilay ko sa kanya. "That's what i'd like to ask you myself as well miss clean freak." I told her.

"Okay, you can go now. Don't ever show yourself to me, ever, again." Isasara nya na sana ang pintuan ng harangan ko ito bago nya ma-isara.

"If you're a part of this club, then i'd like you to see this letter." Pagkabigay ko sa kanya ng sulat, nagulat sya at napatingin sa akin ulit. "The heck!! Mister Ferrez was recommending you for this club!?" Aniya.

"Yeah, so what now? Papapasukin mo ba ko o hindi?" I asked her.

Tas mukhang labag pa sa loob nya na pagbuksan ako ng pintuan. "Tch, fine. You can go inside." Kung makatingin sya sa'kin, parang mapapatay nya 'ko.

Napangisi ako sa kanya. "Thanks for letting me in, miss clean freak." Sambit ko.

"I have a name you know." Yeah, and is this suppose to be deja vu? Di ko na lang sya pinansin at kinausap ang president ng club na 'to.

to be continued