Foretold by the stars

FBTS 5

That's it. Thats where Lucas probably found out about the foods I'm craving for today.

It's the first time someone sent me foods just because I'm craving for it. I think it shouldn't be a big deal but I feel shy.

I looked again at my insta story. Its been posted seven hours ago.

It's now six in the evening and I'm already at home. I still have work tomorrow but since it's Saturday tomorrow, we're only going to be half day at work.

"Thanks for the foods. We enjoyed it."

I typed then sent it to Lucas. He is not online.

I sat by my dresser, still staring at my phone. Wondering now what to reply to Jace.

My phone beeped. It was from Lucas again. They're on vacation that's why he has a lot of vacant time.

But with Jace...Tsk! He probably doesn't have time for me.

@lukehale:

Glad you enjoyed it.

Before I could type a reply, he sent me another text.

@lukehale:

Dinner?

I felt nervousness rush in to me. Why in the world?

Is he inviting me out to eat?

@lukehale:

Sent a photo.

Oh! This guy!

I sighed in relief. I thought he's asking me out. Dang! My heart leaps over nothing.

He sent me a picture of his dinner.

I replied.

Me:

That looks yum!

@lukehale:

It sure does.

...

What d'you have for dinner?

Me:

I did not have anything yet.

@lukehale:

Why? Still craving for pizza and sushi?

Me:

Nope. Had too much a while ago...

@lukehale:

Haha

Me:

Btw, you went to our Company's bldg.?

@lukehale:

Yep.

...

Had to do something. But I canceled the last minute.

...

I chickened out.

Me:

Niks said she saw you.

@lukehale:

Yeah?

Me:

Yep.

...

At first, Jen, my cousin and I did not believe her. Turned out it's true.

@lukehale:

Yeah haha. I sent you a photo of the store you and your friends used to go to

...

Thought the place was familiar.

...

I bought snacks from there. Wanna see?

I furrowed my brows seeing his consecutive messages.

My chinky eyes squinted more when I saw the photos he sent. I smiled a little.

He bought a pack of mikmik, haw haw candy, potchi and my favourite sweet and crunchy rice pops called ampao.

Me:

Wow! That's a lot!

@lukehale:

You made them look so delish

Me:

Huh? When did i?

@lukehale:

Your mydays

Oh?

I grinned. I guess someone is always watching my stories.

@lukehale:

I really wanted to try these foods during my stay here. Looks really good.

...

Might slab these later haha

I was about to type in my reply when i suddenly stopped on my tracks. A message from Jace came in.

@jjehale05:

Can we meet?

I felt a striking pinch inside of me. Before, whenever he's in the country and whenever he asks me to meet him somewhere, i can instantly feel the excitement and nervousness all over me. Now, all i can feel is the latter.

I'm nervous because I feel like I know what he's going to say.

@lukehale sent you another message.

I went out of wassup and opened insta.

Me:

When?

***

After sending that, i immediately turned off my internet. I don't want to read his reply now.

I laid on my bed and tilt on to my side. I hugged my pillow as my mind went back on how I met Jace Josef Edward Hale.

July 05, 2016 2:14 pm

Quiapo, Manila

"Tell me again, Anika Marie Sales...why did you bring me here? Why did i decided to ditch my supposed to be marathon of The King and decided to accompany you here instead in this..." I stopped talking to look for the most suitable adjective to describe the place we're in now.

"...this bizarre looking place." I said slowly afraid that I might offend the person my friend is going to meet. Or whoever owns this place.

My friend who's already looking so pissed threw me a glanced before answering me.

"I told you, Shie. We're here to meet Tala. A relative of mine recommended her to me. She said she's a really good fortune teller."

"And how so?" I asked.

"You should've brought Jen with you here instead of me. You know I'm not into these kind of things."

"You're into astronomy so you'll be interested in this. Besides, Jen can't come here with me. I asked her before and you already know the reason why." She said while looking around the house.

The place looks placid because of the aesthetic vibe. Anika and I sat in the tiny sofa while waiting for the woman.

In front of us is a tiny circular table with a beige colored mantle.

It's going to be my first time to see a fortune teller. I admit that I'm a bit curious also. I want to see how this person do her job.

We both looked at the door when the wind chimes rang.

"Good afternoon, ladies!"

A petite woman in i think in her late 30's or early 40's sat in front of us.

I can't help but compare her to those fortune tellers I often see on television. She's far from what I have imagined.

She's not wearing a long dress and any dangling accessories.

She also doesn't have any make up and whatnots on her hair.

She smiled when she notice me gawking at her.

I should stop doing that. It's rude to stare at people.

She then looked at Anika who's looking so excited right now.

At first, i listened on how the woman explained the cards. Sometimes, I get confused because of the pictures and the meanings behind every card while Anika beside me looked so amazed.

I stood up and looked around the room once more and saw a beige colored dream catcher painting on the wall. It has a waning crescent moon-shaped web and three little stars are dangling on the circles center and white feathers served as it's tails.This one looks so pleasant in the eyes. Like it gives a serene feeling to whoever sees it.

Below the painting is a big ornate metal gothic hourglass. Inside is a golden-colored sand that flows very smoothly.

That caught my attention for a while until my friend clapped her hands feeling so giddy all over. I turned to look at them.

"How about your friend over there?" The woman looked at me and smiled.

"Don't you also want to know what the stars foresee in you?"

"Huh?" I asked confused.

"Come here, child."

July 27, 2016, Wednesday.

Anika's Place.

Jen is with me and we're planning to do sleep over at Anika's place. It's her birthday today and we're planning to surprise her. Actually its like a tradition to the three of us to sleep over to the house of the celebrant. But Jen and I planned to come early as planned because we're going to crash what has been keeping Anika busy these past few days.

"Happy Birthday, Anika Marie Sales. Live as long as you

wish!" I shouted the moment Aunt Anna, Anika's mom opened the door for us. Jen is holding a small birthday cake while I'm beside her holding the party popper which I popped immediately even before we got near Anika who's lying on her bed while holding her phone.

Anika's mom laughed at her daughters shock reaction.

"What a bunch of crazies!" Anika said while holding her chest.

We laughed.

"Niks..." Auntie Anna, although smiling, warned her daughter.

"...your language"

"Gotta go, Drew. Talk to you again later. I'll just deal with something here." She said hurriedly to whoever she's talking on the phone.

She looked at her mother.

"I'm sorry, Mommy." She jokingly threw me and Jen her dagger look when she saw us forcing ourselves not to laugh at her.

After blowing her cake, Aunt Anna left us in her room. While sitting on the floor and eating her cake, a certain Andrew Barnes appeared on her cellphone's screen. She looked at me and Jen then grinned sheepishly.

We let her talk to the boy for a while while still eating the cake. Later, we will devour her with our queries.

When Anika put down her phone, Jen immediately bombarded her with questions.

"So birthday girl, who is this Andrew? Is he your boyfriend? Where did you meet him? How long have you been keeping this a secret from us, huh?"

Anika rolled her eyes before answering.

"His name is Andrew Barnes. He's from England. I met him online..."she glanced at my cousin.

"...happy?"

"Boyfriend?" I asked.

"But he's very far from here. I thought you don't like LDRs?"

"I know." She sighed.

"Have you seen the signs in him?" I asked again.

"Well..." Anika struggled to look for an answer.

"...somehow he has it?"

"You sounded unsure" Jen raised her eyebrows.

"Uh...yeah. But whatever, okay?

I mean... you can't dictate your feelings. If he has or doesn't have the signs Tala told me...it doesn't matter to me anymore. I like Drew."

"Okay." Jen said.

"I'm frustrated. I'm actually a bit scared. But i want to give this a try. Besides, we just started our relationship. Maybe soon, I'll be able to see the signs in him..."she paused.

"Well, hopefully."

Two weeks ago, Anika was so intent on following what Tala told her. I guess being so easygoing make her move on with things so easily. Good for her though. If she's happy, then we'll be happy for her. We'll just support her with whatever she wants to do. He's her first boyfriend so I hope everything goes well between them.

She started talking about how happy she is with Drew. She even told us where she met him. There's this app called Bottled Feelings. She said it was nice to use and it helps her ease her boredom. It seems fun that's why Jen and I was convinced to give this app a try. And since the birthday girl is busy again with her boyfriend, Jen and I decided to just focus on our phone.

I don't know what to write that's why I decided to write what happened in my day so far.

And just like what Anika teached me and Jen, i swiped my screen up.

"Your bottle traveled to India." it said.

"Arkan from India kept your bottle."

"Arkan added you. Confirm or delete."

I pressed confirm.

"Arkan wants to send you a message."

"Hi"

"Hello" I replied.

"Where are you from?" he asked.

"Philippines."

"Cool. A lot of fantastic beaches there right? My family went there once."

"Really? How's their experience? I'm hoping they like it here?"

"Yeah. They loved it. They're planning to visit Bora next time."

...

"I hope this time I can join them."

"Why? They left you the last time?"

"No."

...

"But I was in London that time"

"For studies?" I inquired.

"Nope. I worked there."

"Cool."

"Would you like to exchange numbers? You have wassup?" He asked.

This Arkan looks okay and seems nice so I guess there's no harm if i give him my number. If something goes wrong, I can just block him.

We talked for a while in wassup. He was nice but our conversation is getting boring. That is why I decided to make another letter.

I looked at Anika who's laughing with what Drew told her.

"Distance means so little if someone really means so much to you." I typed.

Just seconds after I threw my bottle.

Someone kept it immediately.

"Your bottle traveled to USA."

"JJ from California kept your bottle."

"JJ added you. Confirm or delete."

"JJ wants to send you a message."

Looking back now, I don't regret using Bottled Feelings and accepting his request.

Although what I have for him is a roller coaster ride of emotions, I'm thankful for the stars because our fate still collided.