Life After Love

Begin

I was looking for an available table that Anj and I could sit so we could eat our lunch. It was a full busy day today for all of the students. We’re almost through with our finals for the first semester. I’m so done with college already and I just want this semester to be over.

My brother’s graduating in 3weeks and I’ll be spending my semestral break in the US to attend his graduation.

I was able to find one after one group of students got up. Good thing they practiced CLAYGO. I sat and waited for Anj who bought our food in one of the food stalls.

“Here” I called her attention when I saw her looking through the crowd trying to find me with a tray of food that she bought for us. She find me right away.

“Angela!” We both looked at the direction if came from. Anj immediately blushed and that’s when I remember that it’s Enzo, the guy from the field 2 weeks ago.

I gave Angela a did-he-just-called-you-angela? look as Anj does not let anyone know her full name aside from her family and close friends. She just smiled at me.

Enzo is sitting at the far end of the cafeteria, not far but also not too close from us. He’s with I think the same group of guys he’s with when I first saw them in the field. He went towards our direction and sat beside Anj. Okay, cocky. I secretly rolled my eyes. I am getting bad vibes from this guy, but I think it’s too early to judge.

“Did you got home last night safely?” He asked Anj. My eyes went quickly on Anj and asked her what’s happening using my eyes. She looked back at me before answering him with a yes.

“Good. We should do it next time. I really enjoyed it with you.” I am still shocked. She didn’t tell me a thing that they already went out on a date, not that she should but atleast give me a heads up so I know if she’s safe.

“Sure. Me too.” I rolled my eyes at her. They continued with their chit chat while eat my food. I then noticed his friends trying to sign something to him and pointing at me. When I looked at them they suddenly tried to act cool as if I didn’t caught them pointing at me.

“By the way, Lucy right?” I nodded. “My guy, Sean, likes you and I believe he already messaged you but you didn’t replied?” he continued.

“Am I obligated to do so?” I asked him in a condescending manner.

“Lucy” Anj called my attention saying as if I should play nice. I smiled.

“Yeah, sorry. Really? It must’ve slipped my mind.” I answered again.

“He’s right over there. And he really likes you.” He said.

“Sure.” I responded not knowing what to say.

He became silent after that, he then said goodbye to Anj and went back to their table, I think he took the hint that he’s disturbing our lunch time and that I don’t want to talk to him.

“Red flag.” I immediately said right after he left.

“He’s just confident. That doesn’t mean he’s a red flag.” She defended him.

“Whatever.” I said then we proceed in eating our lunch. They then left the cafeteria after a few minutes but they went to say hi to Anj first. I didn’t bother looking at them because they give off a vibe that I don’t like.

“You could’ve been nice you know. How are you gonna find someone to date while we’re in college?” She said right after they all left.

“Who said I’m interested in dating somebody right now?” I joking said and act as if I am looking for someone. Anj laugh.

It’s 6pm and we just finished our last exam for that day. We’re not that tired so we decided to walk home. We live in the same building but different rooms so we basically are with each other everyday that’s why I am shocked when I found out that they went out on a date.

“Lu? I have something to tell you.” Anj suddenly stopped when we were just about to go out our building.

“Enzo’s going to walk me home, he also asked for to eat out for dinner.” She said and looks a bit hesitant.

“Okay? Do you want me to go with you guys? Are you not comfortable? Or you’re just letting me know?” I asked. Making sure what she meant by her looks.

“Good you look like you’re cool with it.” She looks relieved. I laughed. “yeah I’m just letting you know.”

“Sure. You enjoy and please let me know if anything happens and if you’re home safe.” I assured her.

“It’s going great you know. He really just looks so confident but when you talk to him with just the two of you, you’ll realize that he’s not that shallow.” She started sharing and we continued to walk out. They agreed to meet us in our school’s church. Cliché much?

“First of all, I don’t plan on talking to him in private, second, good for you. Just don’t let your guard down right away. Take your time to know him as much as possible first.” I advised and she seemed to agree.

We kept on talking until we reached the church and there we found Enzo with Sean.

Anj and Enzo might’ve planned this the whole time as they left us right away.

“Hi.” He started. I looked at him and shooked my head smiling. Unbelievable.

“What? You’re still not going to reply in person?” he said again.

“Hey.” I said.

“I’ve been wanting to talk to you since I saw in the field a few weeks ago.” He said.

“Really?” I smiled at him. “You must really like me, huh?” I said again.

“I think so.” He smiled too. Dang! I just realized that he has a great smile. And he smell good too.

“You have something that really makes me so interested.” He said again.

“I’m not even doing anything.” We then started to walk together. We didn’t talk about where to go, we just started to walk.

“Senior?” I asked him.

“Nope. Sophomore. Engineering.” I nodded.

“I thought you’re in the same year as Enzo.” I said.

“Oh is that why you ignored me?” I nodded again. “Seniors really gives off a vibe that screams red flag. I’m not going to blame you.” I laughed a little.

“You got me there.”

“But as you can see I’m not yet a senior.” He gave me a side eye. I don’t know but I felt somewhat giddy.

“So are you saying you’re not like them?”

“You want to find out?”

“Nah, I don’t do risks.” He laughed.

“Ouch?” We now both are smiling.

“Here” he suddenly handed me his phone. I took it, confused. He might’ve got it. “Your number.” Oh.

I typed in my number. He dialled it and my phone rang.

“Just making sure.” I laughed at it.

“This is your building right?” I just realized he walked me home. Damn that was smooth.

“This is great. I’m glad you find me interesting.” I stood in front of him.

“Hope you find me interesting too.” I made a thinking look.

“Let’s see about that.” He laughed. God he really has a beautiful smile.

“Goodnight.” He said and I just smiled and went inside the building.

I was smiling the whole way on my dorm room. I even greeted my roommate.

“Okay? Are you sick?” She asked. We’re not that close and we barely talk to each other. I just ignored her and went straight to the bathroom to take a quick shower.

I was reading my notes to review for my exams when a notification popped up on my phone.

seanarthuro: hey

I immediately smiled when I saw his message. This time I want to reply but I stopped myself but doing it right away. We don’t want him to know that we’re excited to reply.

It was the longest 5minutes of the life. I then replied “hey” then I followed him back which he accepted right away.

His IG feed is so clean and he seems to travel a lot.

Seanarthuro: finally. I’m not ignored

Luciellies: actually thought about it

We exchanged messages for a good 2hrs not until I realized I have finals tomorrow and I still have to study.

***

Present

I woke up from a call from my phone. I must’ve slept while crying. I saw a familiar name on the screen and I was groggy enough to answer it as I was used to answer it before right away.

“Love.” The moment I heard his voice I came back to my senses. I end the call and blocked his number right away.

My heart was racing with mixed emotions. There’s a part of me that wants to call him back to ask why, maybe he’ll explain? But there’s also a part of me that keeps me rational that regardless of his explanation, he still did what he did.

I started to cry again. When am I going to stop crying? How long is this gonna last? When I calmed down that’s when I noticed that my room is already dark. It’s night, and I felt my stomach begging me to eat something. I haven’t eaten all day.

I turned my lights on and went outside to find something I can eat.

My mom is nowhere to be found so I checked my phone to see if there’s any message from her, and there is. She just basically updated me that they have something to check for work so I’m home alone.

I heated some food that I saw on the fridge, and I tried to eat. I still don’t have any appetite by it’s my body that’s begging me already to eat so I did. I don’t want to get sick.

I called Anj. I know it’s late and she might be sleeping already but I badly want to talk to a friend right now. I’m so tired of crying and I need a distraction or someone I can vent out my emotions.

Luckily, Anj answered the phone right away. She’s doing some skincare and welcomed me with a smile but replaced with a worried look.

“What happened?” She asked right away.

I then heard my parents car pulling up in the garage that’s why I quickly cleaned the table but left my dished in the sink just so my parents won’t get worried to think that I didn’t eat anything all day.

Anj was just on the other line and silently waiting for me. When I got into my room I ready myself in letting her know what happened.