The Promise Ring (Dear Jann Series 1)

Chapter 18: Penny for a Thought

What happened to Marvin and I that blissful night, cautiously made a significant change in our relationship. We became more open to each other, and we always made sure that there were no dull moments when we were together. I guess it really makes a considerable difference when you are sharing bed with your loved one.

The next days that followed was a bliss. As I always wished for, everything was voluntarily going on how I always wanted it to be. No pressure, no bureaucratic hassle, and most especially, no Markus. I guess he finally accepted my decision because he never showed up. However, there were times I imagined he was silently watching me. But every time I looked around, he wasn't there.

Disappointed. Why am I disappointed? Probably because you still wish he will bother you and his bothersome was already in your system? Replied my other "self". That's crazy. So why am I still hoping to see him whenever I go home to Philex? My other "self" keeps arguing about it.

Forget him. You have Marvin. Didn't you make love with him already, properly sealing your decision of choosing him? Yes, I did choose him for a lot of different reasons. And what are those reasons, Jann? Name a few.

He loves me even if I can't love him the way he wants me to. He cared a lot for me. He was loyal. He fought for his love for me, especially to Markus. He was willing to do anything for me.

So, how about you? 

I was dumbfounded. What about me?

Do you really love him? Do you really care? Will you do anything for him?

Yes, I will. He was all I got now. I would do anything to keep this relationship going.

I spent the rest of my summer in Baguio because I was having summer classes. It was difficult because I have been missing Marvin each day that I was not with him. But like what he said, I just have to look at the ring and our stars then I will be with him. 

Each night, I was out looking at the star and wishing that we will be together again. Good thing my boarding house had a great view of the vast sky at night. I didn't need to go up the roof just to look at it. It just felt good to look back to all the things that happened and realizing that we made it. I believed our relationship was a lot stronger, and I was holding on to all his promises.

Marvin called me up one afternoon of May saying he wanted to see me. He was in Baguio with a friend. I was excited to know he came and wanted to see me. I had been busy, so I wasn't able to go home for a couple of weeks. But why with a friend?

I was thinking more of a romantic date by the local park, but we ended up in a bar. Yes, we were in a bar with a loud sound from the videoke machine and beers on our table. This is a date?

When he called and told me the name of the place where they were, I thought it was a typical restaurant. The place was near Burnham Park too. I planned to go hung out in the park after an early dinner in the restaurant. But there I was, standing in front of a bar.

The sign said, "Tracy's Videoke  Bar". I was looking at it and still couldn't believe that Marvin invited me to a bar. I saw two drunk guys outside. One of the guys was throwing up and the other was laughing hard at him saying he was weak. I jerked my head to erase their image. I went to the entrance and a lady approached me. Her face was covered with thick make-up and was wearing very skimpy clothes. I could practically see her under garments. She smirked at me and asked.

"Are you lost?"

"No. I was supposed to meet some friends here." I informed her.

She chuckled and allowed me in.

"I bet your friend is a regular customer here," she asked loudly so I could hear her.

There was someone singing joyously on the videoke machine and was actually screaming just to reach the high notes of the song. It made me laugh because aside from being drunk, he never hit any note of the song.

"Why do you say he's a regular?" I turned to see her.

"Well you see, baby. This place is not really an advertised place. The people who come here are usually hiding from the public eyes. You know. Wanted to have a good time but not let anybody know." she said and laughed.

Before I could say more, she left abruptly. She was right. I've been in Baguio for a long time, but I never heard of the place. But why and how would Marvin know it? Maybe, it was the friend who knows the place. Geez, Jann. Don't be so innocent, or better yet, don't be stupid.

I was startled when someone grabbed me by my elbow. I turned to the person and saw that it was an intoxicated guy. He was smiling wildly at me, and he was reeking of alcohol.

"Hello, miss. Can I buy you a drink? You can sit there with me on our table, or you can just sit on my lap." he said stupidly.

Genuinely shocked, I pulled away my elbow and stepped back. I didn't want to make a scene, so I contained my annoyance and still replied politely.

"Sorry I don't work here."

"Oh, is that so? Then maybe we can have a date then." he said with a grimace smile.

He was making me scared, so I stepped back again. Where the hell is Marvin? I hated the place. Before the guy could step any closer, a hand wrapped around my waist and landed a kiss on the cheek.

"Hello gorgeous. Sorry man. She's already taken." he said.

I was so relieved to see Marvin to my heroic rescue from that drunk guy. The drunk guy looked at us then silently left. I looked at him and made it visible I was so annoyed at the moment.

"Woooh, that face. Sorry?" he chuckled.

"What the hell, Marvin? Where were you? I thought I was in the wrong place and -"

I didn't finish what I wanted to say because he kissed me. I was out of breath when he gently parted.

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry." he said.

I wanted to get mad more but I can see how sincerely sorry he was so I just smiled. I could see his face was flushed as well as his eyes.

"Are you drunk? What's going on?" I asked.

"No, babe. I'm not drunk. I may have a couple of drinks already, but promise, I am not drunk."

He even raised his hand as if making a pledge to indicate that he was not drunk. I forcibly smiled and let him lead the way to their table. I was positive he was going through something. He never drank like that before. I wondered what happened.

"Hello, Jann. How are you? Marvin had been telling me much stuff about you. You're really more beautiful than what Marvin says." said the guy on the table that we slowly approached.

"Babe, this is my friend, Arthur." Marvin promptly introduced him.

He extended his hand for a handshake which I hesitatingly accepted. He was beaming as our palms touched which sent distinct chills to me. I never recalled him being with Marvin. It was the first time I saw him, but he seems to recognize me a lot.

"Hi." I managed to say.

Marvin asked me to sit beside him as Arthur started searching for a song in the songbook. Seems like, he knew almost everyone in the place and he was a regular. Was Marvin, a regular, too? I still have to know.

"Are you okay?" asked Marvin.

"No." I answered and looked at him intently.

"Sorry I didn't tell you about this place. It's just that Arthur and I never saw each other for a long time. And when he invited me here, I couldn't say no." he gently explained.

I heaved a sigh and he hugged me. I looked at him again, and I can see he was almost drunk by the way he looked and spoke to me. I was really annoyed, but I can't leave him there. I missed him too.

"Why are you drunk?"

"I am not drunk." he persistently denied.

I was about to say more, but then Arthur started talking to us after his song.

"You know, Jann. My friend here is so in love with you. I never thought he would ever fall in love. Now that I met you, I know why he is head over heels for you." Arthur said and laughed loudly.

I smiled with what he said, and I looked at Marvin. He didn't seem to hear what he said because there was no reaction from him. He merely filled his cup and drank the heavy alcohol. There was something wrong, and I was determined to know what it was.

"Let me tell you a secret, Jann." Arthur suggested and gave me a knowing wink.

"Marvin said you are perfect, and he wants to spend the rest of his life with you. Marriage. He wants to marry you." he smiled naughtily.

Arthur's revelations made my heart skipped. I loved everything he mentioned. I smiled back at him and looked at Marvin. He doesn't seem to be happy with his friend talking too much.

"He's very jealous too, Jann. With this guy named Mar-, what was the name again, man?" he inquired Marvin.

"Shut up, man. You're talking too much." Marvin answered, sounding irritated.

He was trying to escape the embarrassment. I knew Arthur was talking about Markus.

"Here's the thing, Jann. You are perfect. Too perfect for Marvin." Arthur instantly added.

What was he talking about? It just confirmed Marvin was holding back something. It made me more curious about what he was going through. Before I could ask what does he mean, Marvin interrupted eagerly asking me to sing in the videoke machine.

"Please, babe. I want to hear you sing a song for me." he pleaded.

I could see he was determined to promptly stop his drunk friend from saying more. So I took the songbook, selected a song and sang. While I was singing, Marvin was speaking with his friend. I never knew what they spoke about, but after my song, his friend obviously started carefully avoiding my questions and went about his drinking spree.

"What is going on, babe?" I asked after I sang.

"Nothing, babe." he said, and he leaned and rested his head on my shoulder.

I stroked his head. I was startled when Arthur laughed and spoke up.

"Hahaha. Man, don't make me jealous. It is your turn to sing and don't make excuses." Arthur shouted.

I smiled with what Arthur said. I could see he was a jolly guy. Probably better if not drunk, maybe. I looked at Marvin, and he started selecting a song from the songbook. I honestly haven't heard him sing. I didn't even know that he had interest in singing. I smiled with the idea that I will hear him sing for the first time. Yet, embarrassed that I didn't know this side of him. I guessed he had so many sides that I still needed to know.

He selected the "Champagne Supernova" by Oasis. Another discovery for me. He enjoyed my kind of music too. Geez, what have I been busy with that I didn't know about him? While he was singing, I was shrinking in embarrassments to myself. I felt so bad and terrible. How could I not know stuff about him and yet he knows a lot about me? I was a useless girlfriend.

How many special people change?

How many lives are living strange?

Where were you while we were getting high?

Slowly walking down the hall

Faster than a cannonball

Where were you when we were getting high?

Someday you will find me

Caught beneath the landslide

In a champagne supernova in the sky

Why was he singing that song? I knew the song and its lyrics. As far as I know, the lyrics of the song had one of the complex meanings. But why do I feel he was telling me more in the song? He was making me feel there was something coming. Something big, something like a cannonball or a supernova. I suddenly felt uneasy with what was going on.

"Babe, are you okay? You look so pale." he asked after he sang.

"I'm okay. It's just too much smoke here and the smell of alcohol is turning my tummy upside down." I lied.

"Okay, let's get out of here." he said.

He spoke with Arthur, and I could see that he was just nodding. Looked like Arthur drank a little too much but agreed to leave the place anyway. We left the bar, and I was sure glad to smell the fresh air at the park again. My lungs felt so clear of all the smoke I inhaled inside the bar.

"Better?" asked Marvin.

"Better." I replied.

"Let's go home."

He said and started to assist his friend who was going nowhere already. I looked at them swaying while walking. This can't be real. Marvin was still trying to avoid me questioning him. But I was sure there was something else. I wanted to know. I needed to know what it was.