The Secret She Kept

CHAPTER 3

After our ice cream date, bumalik ako ng school para kunin ang bag ko sa locker. As I was walking outside to find my bike, I caught a glimpse of Ethan. Pero as soon as he saw me, naiwas siya ng tingin at hindi ako pinansin.

I raised an eyebrow, feeling a mix of confusion and irritation. “Seriously?” I muttered to myself. Did he really think he could just ignore me after all his teasing?

As I approached my bike, I couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed. I thought maybe we could’ve had a proper conversation after all the chaos he usually brought. I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away. “Walang kinalaman si Ethan dito,” I told myself, but the words felt weak.

I got on my bike and pedaled away, but I could still feel Ethan’s presence lingering in my mind. Parang ang weird na he was acting this way. Just a few days ago, we were joking around like it was nothing. Now, he was suddenly avoiding me?

“Whatever,” I said aloud, trying to convince myself that it didn’t matter. “Dapat nga masaya pa ako na tahimik ang buhay ko ngayon.” But deep down, I felt that nagging curiosity about what was going on in his head. It was frustrating—part of me missed the banter and the chaos he brought, even if he drove me nuts sometimes.

As I rode away, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that this wasn’t over. I wondered if I’d see him again and if things would ever go back to normal.

After a long day, I finally finished my assignments and flopped onto my bed. The soft mattress felt like a cloud as I sank into it, and I let out a deep sigh, releasing all the tension from the day. The evening light filtered through my curtains, casting a warm glow around the room.

The next day, as usual, nag-breakfast kami sa cafeteria, but still, no Ethan’s teasing. Rora and Min were chatting animatedly about their plans for the weekend, while I poked at my pancakes, feeling a strange void in the air.

“Bakit parang ang tahimik mo?” Rora asked, looking at me with concern. “Hindi ka ba masaya?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I replied, trying to sound casual. “Minsan lang talagang gusto kong kumain nang tahimik.” But the truth was, I missed the chaos he usually brought.

“Eh si Ethan, nasaan na?” Min added, glancing around as if expecting him to pop up any moment.

“Dun sa ibang table, mukhang busy,” I said, trying to shrug it off, pero deep inside, I felt a weird mix of relief and disappointment. “Siguro nag-study o something.”

As we continued to eat, I couldn’t help but glance at his table. Ethan was chatting with his friends, and for a moment, I caught his eye. He looked away almost instantly, and it felt like a small punch to the gut. “What’s his deal?” I whispered to myself, feeling both annoyed and curious.

“Still thinking about him?” Rora asked, raising an eyebrow.

“No! I’m just… observing,” I said defensively. “Teka, hindi ba dapat masaya ako na walang panggugulo?”

“Maybe you’re just used to it,” Min teased, nudging me. “But seriously, don’t let him get to you. You have us!”

“Yeah, I know,” I said, forcing a smile. “Let’s just enjoy breakfast.” But in the back of my mind, I wondered how long this quiet would last.

Just then, as if on cue, I saw Ethan look my way again. This time, he held my gaze for a fraction longer before breaking into a smirk, quickly looking back at his friends. My heart raced. Was he avoiding me on purpose? Or was he just caught up in whatever was happening over there?

I was lost in my thoughts when William called out, “Elara! Gusto mo ng cookies? I baked it. I heard cookies are your favorite!” He said with a bright smile as he walked toward us.

Min and Rora exchanged knowing glances, their eyebrows raised like they sensed something fishy. “Aww, sweet naman ni William,” Rora said, trying to suppress a grin.

“Yeah, look at him! Parang siya na ang knight in shining armor,” Min teased, giggling.

I felt my cheeks warm as William approached, holding out a plate of cookies that smelled heavenly. “Here! I made them just for you,” he said, looking genuinely excited.

“Wow, thanks! You didn’t have to,” I replied, trying to sound casual, but my heart was doing flips.

“Of course! I wanted to,” he said, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

I took a cookie, and it was soft and warm, just how I liked it. “Mmm, sarap!” I exclaimed, and I couldn’t help but smile.

As I savored the treat, I caught Ethan glancing at us from the corner of my eye. He seemed to have a frown on his face, which only made me more curious. Did he really care? Or was he just annoyed?

Min leaned in closer, whispering, “Do you think he’s jealous?”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the smirk forming on my lips. “Jealous? Please, like he cares.”

But deep down, the fluttering feeling in my stomach said otherwise. As I bit into another cookie, I wondered how this would all play out.

I smiled and said, "Thank you, William!" as I took another bite of the cookie, savoring the sweet taste.

William beamed, clearly pleased. “I’m glad you like it! If you want, I can bake more next time,” he offered, his enthusiasm contagious.

“Definitely!” I replied, feeling a warmth spread through me. Just then, I glanced over at Ethan again. He was still watching, his frown deepening. Parang gusto niyang malaman kung ano ang nangyayari sa pagitan namin ni William.

Rora nudged me, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Looks like someone’s feeling a little left out,” she whispered, pointing subtly at Ethan.

“Shhh!” I said, trying to stifle a laugh. Pero sa loob-loob ko, naguguluhan ako kung talagang nagmamalasakit siya.

“Okay, okay, enough about him,” Min chimed in, trying to redirect the conversation. “So, Elara, anong plano mo for the weekend? Maybe we can all hang out?”

I thought for a moment, feeling excitement bubbling in my chest. “That sounds great! Maybe we can go to the mall or catch a movie?”

William nodded eagerly. “I’m in! I could use a break from baking, anyway.”

“Same here!” Rora added, her eyes sparkling. “It’ll be fun!”

As we continued to plan, I could still feel Ethan’s gaze lingering on us. Nakaka-distract, pero medyo thrilling din. Bakit ko nga ba siya iniisip? I shook my head, focusing back on my friends.

Just then, William reached for another cookie, but he accidentally bumped into my arm. “Oops, sorry!” he said, laughing.

“Watch it, knight!” I teased, and we all burst into laughter. Ang saya talaga ng mga kasama ko. But every so often, I caught Ethan's eye again. He looked like he was debating whether to come over or stay where he was.

“What do you think he’s thinking?” Min asked, glancing at Ethan.

“I don’t know"

We made our way to our class, but I decided to let Rora and Min go ahead. “Sige, unahan niyo na ako. May kukunin lang ako sa locker,” I said, waving them off.

“Okay, see you inside!” Rora replied, giving me a quick smile before they disappeared around the corner.

As I grabbed my notebook, I heard footsteps approaching. I glanced up, half-expecting to see William again, but instead, it was Ethan. He leaned against the lockers, arms crossed, looking both casual and intense at the same time.

“Hey,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Hey,” he replied, but there was a hint of something in his tone. “So, cookies, huh?”

“Yeah, William baked them. Sarap!” I said, closing my locker and trying to play it cool. “What’s it to you?”

“Just wondering,” he said, a smirk creeping onto his face. “Didn’t know you were so close.”

“Close? We’re just working on a project. Normal school stuff,” I said, raising an eyebrow.

Ethan shifted slightly, and I could see a flicker of jealousy in his eyes. “Right, normal school stuff. Just don’t let him steal you away, okay?”

“Steal me? Oh please, like anyone can take me away from your endless teasing,” I shot back, trying to sound playful.

“Exactly!” he exclaimed, feigning indignation. “That’s my thing! William’s just… too nice, don’t you think?”

“Nice is good! Maybe you should learn a thing or two, Ethan,” I teased, unable to hide my smile.

“Learn? Nah, I’ve got my own style,” he said, but there was a softness in his eyes. “I mean, teasing is way more fun, right?”

“Fun for you, sure,” I replied with a grin. “But seriously, at least I’m getting some cookie action instead of your usual jokes.”

Ethan stepped a little closer, lowering his voice. “I just… don’t want him getting any ideas, that’s all. You’re too easy to get along with.”

I felt my cheeks warm at his words. “Wow, protective much?” I teased, raising an eyebrow.

“Protective? Maybe a little,” he admitted, scratching the back of his head, his expression slightly sheepish.

“Admit it, you’re jealous!” I challenged, loving the rush of this back-and-forth.

“Maybe,” he said, a playful grin spreading across his face. “Just don’t let him think he’s got a chance. You’re mine to tease, remember?”

As I processed his words, a mix of excitement and confusion swirled inside me. Was he really claiming me in that way? It was amusing, but at the same time, I felt a warm blush creeping up my cheeks. The way he said it made me wonder if his teasing was his own way of showing that he cared, even if he’d never admit it out loud.

I tried to push the thought away, reminding myself that this was just Ethan being Ethan—playful, infuriating, and undeniably charming. But there was something thrilling about knowing he didn’t want anyone else getting too close to me. It made me question if there was more to our banter than just jokes. Did he actually like me more than he let on? Or was I just reading too much into it, letting my imagination run wild?