The Promise Ring (Dear Jann Series 1)

Chapter 13: Trio

I nevertheless went about my established routine trying to forget about my previous conversation with Markus. I wanted to return the ring to him, but I wasn't ready to see him yet. I actually tried avoiding him whenever I could. Why did I accept the ring anyway in the first place? The sole difference between the two rings was the letter "M" engraved on the ring that was given by Markus. Of course he would know, we were together when I saw that ring. I was still wondering how Marvin was able to know about it.

Speaking of Marvin, it's been a while too since I spoke with him. I had no idea what he had been up to. The last time we saw each other was when he presented me with the ring. Then we both got so busy with school. I completely understand because I had been busy in school too. It was our finals, and I did not go home to Philex for those past weeks.

Honestly, I had been trying to build the courage to see Marvin again. He probably knew already that Markus and I met. I was just hoping we won't have any argument when we see each other especially that we shared a very special moment last Valentine. I suddenly missed him. I decided to go home that weekend after our final exams. I wanted to surprise him and make up for all the lost days that we didn't spend together. 

 *****

I've learned from Drake that Marvin was in school that day for the signing of clearances. It was one of the school requirements before the school closed. Every student should have a clearance signed. I decided to go there and surprise Marvin. Good thing, Jessa was home too, so I invited her to go with me. Drake also decided to join us. I was so excited but I never expected what happened next. It was the first time I doubted Marvin and it sucks.

 Signing of clearances was held at the high school gym so we went there and sat at the top most bench. The gym was so crowded with students and teachers and it was making it impossible to spot where Marvin was. While I was trying to search for him in the crowd, Drake asked me the most absurd question I heeded that day.

 "Why are you looking for Marvin? Why do you love him?" he asked.

 "What kind of question was that? He is my boyfriend and as far as I know, we love each other." I responded.

 "You know his parents don't like you," he added.

 I looked at him and felt like he just whacked me across my face. It was like a frozen water was being poured over me. My curiosity rose.

 "Why? How did you know?" I asked.

 “Have you met his parents? Does he have any plan of introducing you to them? Did he ever talk about them on what they were saying about you?" he asked instead of answering my queries.

 I didn't know what to reply to him. Reality struck me. Come to think about it; all my answers to his questions were "No". Drake's questions made me think really hard. He was right, Marvin never spoke of his parents on what they think about our relationship. We've been dating for months already, but he never invited me to their house. Was he scared? Was he hiding something from me?

 I already saw Marvin's mom before. How would I not? His mom was friends with Markus' mom. When I met Markus' mom, she introduced me to her. So basically, Marvin's mom knew I was Markus' girlfriend. One time, I saw Marvin's mom looking at us when we are together but he never introduced me to her as his girlfriend. It made me wonder what was going on, especially that Drake was asking me with all those questions. 

 Before I could ask Drake about it, Jessa spotted Marvin in the crowd. I momentarily disregarded Drake's questions as I was looking at Marvin’s direction. My face turned red as I saw him in the crowd. My smile turned into a smirk and I can feel my anger rising. All my excitement was gone with the sight of him with another girl. 

 "What the hell…" Drake muttered looking at the direction I was looking at.

 Marvin was chasing the girl like they were on some beach on a date. I was so furious at that very moment. What the hell was he doing? Who was that girl? Why is he chasing her? Why does he look so happy while chasing her? More questions but no answer. My feet started walking towards them. Before I could go down to confront him, Drake pulled my arm to stop me. 

 "Probably, just a classmate." he said and gave me an unsure smile.

 "Are you nuts?! Who the hell chases a girl like that? Damn you!" I shouted.

 "Okay. Jann, maybe it's better if we go out of the gym and get some fresh air. Marvin will have many explaining to do, but not this way." Jessa said which helped me to calm down.

 I saw Drake gave a big sigh and smiled at Jessa. Still frustrated, I let them lead me out of the gym before I lose my wits and confront Marvin and the girl. I looked back and saw how they giggled at something that he said. How could he? Is this what he was busy with in the previous days? I thought he was different.

 Jessa and Drake led me to the top of the gym. They knew I loved that place. There was a grotto there which was overlooking the mountains. It was a very peaceful place to unwind. The grotto was so memorable to me because Jessa and I were part of the Boys and Girls Scouts who made and assembled it. Whatever Jessa and Drake were thinking of bringing me to the place to calm me down, worked.

 "Ladies, I will just leave you here for a moment. I will go check on Marvin and will be back. Jann, are you okay?" he asked.

 "I'm fine Drake. Just go." I replied. He nodded then left.

 "What was that about?" asked Jessa referring to the scene we saw inside the gym.

 "I have no idea." I said as I was looking at the mountains.

 After a few minutes, Jessa and I decided to sit by the bench near the gym entrance. It was a good spot to wait for Drake and Marvin. While waiting and chatting, two girls sat beside us. They were giggling a lot and talking about this certain classmate of theirs.. 

 "OMG, he is so cute and he is still in the gym. My heart will explode." says one of the girls.

 "True. I am so excited for the summer break but at the same time sad. We won't be able to see him for a while. Urgh." says the other. 

 Jessa and I tried ignoring them, however, the name of Marvin came up. He was actually the person they were talking about. Like a dormant volcano, I suddenly erupted and confronted the two girls.

 "Excuse me, are you talking about Marvin, Marvin Bravo?" I asked.

 "Yes and mind your own business." says one of them as she gave me an eye roll.

 Her answer and smug face made me furious. Oh how I love to erase that smile from their faces. They were giggling a lot and it’s making me more furious until I couldn't contain it anymore. I blasted them out.

 "Oh yes missy, it's my business. You see, Marvin is my boyfriend. As far as I am concerned, if I see girls flirting with him, it is my business. If you know what's best for you, you better not flirt and go away from my man." I said as I was stepping closer to them.

 Jessa pulled me by the elbow to stop me from getting closer to the girls. She knew it was going to be trouble if I got my hands on those lovely hair of theirs. The two girls looked so shocked as they stepped back with my advances. They looked at each other and hurriedly left.

 "That's the Jann I know. Way to go, girl" Jessa started laughing I needed to laugh too.

 When Marvin finally came out of the gym with Drake, he was chirpy and bubbly. He was telling Drake about something he saw inside the gym he didn't see me. Drake needed to stop him from walking and pointed me out to him.

 "Babe! You're here! What a surprise." he exclaimed.

 He approached and hugged me. He pulled back and looked at me again. This time, there were questions on his face. I guess Drake didn't tell him what we saw.

 "What happened to you? You look..." he didn't finish talking.

 Jessa and Drake started to talk at the same time, but before they could finish what they were saying, I butt in. I had to make my voice louder so both of them would stop talking.

 "Nothing! Nothing happened to me. I'm okay." I said as I looked at both Jessa and Drake.

 Good thing they both got my message and both shut up. Marvin invited us to go home after the awkward silence.

 "O-kay. Let's get home." he said.

 While walking, he held my hand and looked at me. He smiled and kissed me on the forehead. After everything, a kiss on the forehead is only the thing I got? Urgh

 "Babe, they were just my friends and classmates. Nothing else." he said

 I didn't tell him anything about the girls, but I guess he figured out why I was acting that way. At least I didn't have to admit to him I was jealous or whatever. Before my thoughts of the girls consumed me, he squeezed my hand and pointed on the ring I was wearing.

 "The ring says it all, babe. It's just you. Don't even doubt that." he said and kissed me again on the forehead.

 I looked at the ring on my finger. It was the wrong ring, and he didn't even notice it.

 *****

 That same night, Markus surprised me by showing up in our house. I was busy watching tv with my family when Markus came knocking on our door. It was my dad who opened it and told me that he was there. I was so damn surprised when he asked my dad if he could speak with me. I saw how annoyed my dad was but he said yes. My dad and Markus have had some bad start since we started dating. I guess my parents were just being protective of me especially that they saw how pathetic I was when with Markus.

 "What are you doing here?" I asked.

 "Jann, please let's talk things over. I mean everything I said to you last time and-" he wasn't able to finish what he was saying because my mom came.

 "Jann, someone is here and wants to talk to you," my mom said.

I wasn't expecting anybody so why the hell are these people simply popping out in our house? I looked at Markus and excused myself. I went out seeing who it was, it was Drake. He was speaking with my dad.

 "Yes sir, I really like Jann and-" I butt in to stop whatever he was about to say.

 "What the hell, Drake. What are you doing here showing up unannounced?" I said.

 He smiled at me and to my dad. My dad signalled me to let him go inside the house. What the hell is happening? Is this some kind of a joke? Just when we were going in, Marvin was there calling me. He was all smiling at the same time confused looking at Drake.

 "Good evening, sir." he greeted my dad and looked our way.

 "Hey man, you're here. Am I missing something?" he asked confusedly with what he was seeing.

 "I just dropped by to see Jann. We were about to go inside. Wanna join us?" Drake said.

Damn you, Drake. What is wrong with you? I looked at both of them. I don't want them to go inside because Markus was there but I didn't have a choice. I don't want to be rude and send them away, so I moved aside so they can get in. My parents were left outside.

 "We needed some air. Go ahead." my mom said.

 Mom was smiling at me but my dad looks like he wanted to drive away those people inside the house. I can see how annoyed he was. I was sure I would be in a hot seat before the curtains were drawn.

 Marvin was so surprised when he saw Markus already seated inside the house. He looked at me with so many questions in his eyes. I didn’t have any answer. 

 "Oh. Hey man. How are you? I didn't know you were here. What brought you here?" he said to Markus.

 "I'm good man. I just wanted to speak with Jann. I want her back, Marvin." Markus said.

 "And you, Drake. You are here because?" he asked Drake.

 "Because I like Jann. I was hoping to woo her?" Drake answered.

 Marvin looked at me and smiled. I can see he was hurting. This is unreal at all. What the hell was wrong with these people? My wits are going both ends as I feel the tension rising between the three men. All I could do was stare at them hoping that there would be no brawl happening. I simply didn't understand what was going on. All I could do was stare at them.