Irene

"Does she... does she won your heart already, Seul? Talo na ba ako? Does she finally made your heart flutter before I do? Tell me, Seul. I'm begging you." Pagmamakaawa mo.

You know it will hurt big time once na sabihin niyang 'Oo'. But you still want to hear it coming from her.

And if she does? What will you do? Will you stop? Maybe.

But what you hear next gave you a relief, but still. It's not what you've been wanting to hear.

"Hyun, you're not in a competition with anyone in my heart. You know you'll always come first." Liar. "You know it will always be you above everything, anyone else, you're my best friend. No one can beat the company you give when I'm with you. No one. Stop crying, Hyun. She won, but where am I?"

You were so tired of this, her being push-pull with her own feelings. Isang araw ipaparamdam niya sa'yo na higit pa sa kaibigan ang tingin niya sa'yo, kinabukasan balik na naman kayo sa dati. 

Sa feelings mo nga nafu-frustrate ka na dahil kahit anong pagpaparamdam at pagpapakita mo, she won't budge. Ganoon pa rin, paano pa kaya sa ginagawa niyang push-pull sa pagpaparamdam ng kung ano-ano sa'yo?

"I am with you." Hindi mo na napigilan ang paglapit niya, hanggang sa nasa harapan mo na siya at pinupunasan ang mga luha mo. Naisubsob mo na lang ang mukha mo sa dibdib niya. Your make-up will be ruined, but who cares?

"You didn't answer my question tho." Giit mo.

"Did she make your heart flutter, Seul?" 

"No." 

"Did I... make your heart flutter?" It's close to impossible but you still try.

"Hyun," 

"I get it. Hindi ko rin pala magawa. Pero okay na 'yun 'di ba? Pareho naming hindi kaya." You forced a smile. "Tara na?" Aya mo sa kaniya.

Nanatili lang siya sa kinatatayuan niya, inalis niya ang pagkakatago ng isang kamay niya sa likod niya. Your heart skipped a beat, you always wanted to receive that specific flower.

Does she know what this flower means? Of course not. She's not the type to search up for the meaning before giving you something. If she thinks you'll like it, she'll buy it.

"Congratulations, Hyun! It's your first time, but it's not that bad. At least you tried. Come on, give me a hug?" Aniya. "Don't just stand there. Nags-scroll ako doon sa app kanina tapos nakuha nito 'yung atensiyon ko. I thought you would like it, the tulips I gave was for a good luck. This one? Pang-congratulate." Aniya ng hindi ka pa rin lumapit sa kaniya.

Lumapit ka at kinuha mo 'yung bouquet ng white chrysanthemum sa kaniya.

"The flowers I gave to Tzuyu was from the organizers. Iyan, para sa'yo talaga 'yan. I bought that."

"Thank you, Seul." Niyakap mo siya. She hugged you back.

Tulips were your fave, the white ones to be exact. Hindi mo alam kung bakit, pero you always prefer the white ones other than the colored ones. Siguro kasi white flowers means purity and even peace dahil malamig siya sa mga mata mo.

But the flowers she gave, you expected to receive that from someone who promises to be loyal and devoted to you. Ganoon kasi 'yung nabasa mong meaning nun, noong sinearch mo sa computer lab ng high school niyo 'yung chrysanthemum kasi nakita mong binigyan 'yung kaklase mo at nagandahan ka sa bulaklak na 'yon. 

Tinanggal niya 'yung suot niyang itim na flannel at isinuot sa balikat mo. Isang puting sleeveless adidas croptop na lang tuloy ang suot niya.

"Tara na." 

Paglabas niyo ay nakahilig si Yeri sa labas ng cr.

"Uwi na tayo, Ate. Kanina pa tumatawag si Mam