Chapter 18: Yes I do the meddling!

It has been a couple of weeks since we resided together. The first two weeks have been quite a disaster, to be honest. I've been doing all the house chores and all Luke did was sit on the couch and spent hours on his phone. I used to do the errands when my family was here but it feels different when Luke is around. I felt like I'm his personal maid.

He used to criticize my cooking skills. He even bought a cookbook for me to try other stuff. I'm still trying to learn how to cook well but he seems to begin liking what I prepare for him as I get better and better.

It was Saturday morning and Luke got up early to be at the café before it opens. He asked me to report to work after lunch after I'm done cleaning the house. I'm almost done sweeping the floor when I glanced up to the wall clock and it's only 10:15 AM. I still have time to do other chores. I thought of doing the laundry. I'm feeling quite active today so I planned to include his laundry as well. But I would need to know where he hides his room key so I texted him that I would need to get his laundry basket inside his room.  I didn't get a reply but as I tried to unlock his bedroom door, it opened. Luke forgot to lock his bedroom. I thought to myself that was my chance to look around his room. I got to clean his room every now and then but he has to be present in his room when I do it. He doesn't want me to touch his stuff.

I went inside his room and the first thing I noticed is the bolster pillow. I picked it up and looked at its design. I went to my room and brought my own bolster pillow to his room. I laid them both on his bed to compare. They really have the same print, a yellow star with our names on it. I'm getting convinced that Luke was the one who gave me the pillow... but why?

I looked around his room and I noticed a camcorder on the top of his study table. I can't recall anything about him having an interest in photography. I turned the camera on and check on it's save files. I saw one untitled video. I went out of his room and headed to the living room to watch it. Good thing I have a cable that I can use to connect the camera to our TV.

I sat on the couch and waited for the video to play.

"Hello... Hello... Is it recording? Good... good..."

It was Luke recording himself in his room.

"Hi, Kris... If you ever saw this video... That means... You snuck up to my room (laughs)... Just kidding."

"Uhm... I wanted to tell you so many things but I can't do it in person... That's why I got this camcorder to film everything I want to tell you... I will show you this video once I'm ready... And you're ready to accept me."

What does he mean?

"So where will I start? Ah! Let me tell you how I first met you... I was there at your university during last year's open fair... I saw you playing your guitar with your friends... I don't know what gotten into me but after I saw you that day... I can't stop thinking about you.."

So Claire was right... He was there.

"Every day after that I only want to see you and hear your voice once again... I even went to the university unannounced just to find you but I failed every time. So after the school year, I decided to transfer to your university hoping that way it would be easier for me to find you... Remember the first day we met at the faculty building? I was so happy to see you that day but you called me arrogant so I acted like one. Let me also apologize for leaving without telling you, I was just so excited to tell my friends that I finally found you!"

What is this? Why he's saying these things?

"What else?... Oh! Let me show you something..."

He stood up and walked out of the frame. When he came back he's holding an empty bottle of my favorite yogurt drink.

"Remember this? You found this in my apartment... I told you my friend left it there but the truth is... This is the same bottle that you gave me in class. I told Jessie to keep the bottle and gave it to me. It's the first thing that I receive from you so I kept it here... I got here... these, as well... "

He pulled something out of his wallet.

"These cards... Ace of Diamonds and Two of Clubs... This was from the first time you let me in in this house... And this picture of us that you gave me... Our first photo together... There is still other stuff that reminds me of you but I won't tell them right now... Because I don't know how long this video would be and I still got a lot to tell you."

I can't believe how sentimental he is...

"I also want to apologize for hiding the truth about the café... I'm afraid you will not accept the job if you found out that I'm the owner so I pretended to be staff as well. I also followed you once on your way home but you ran so fast like you've seen a ghost or something..."

So that was him! I really thought it was a mugger...

"Maybe you're wondering why am I telling you all these?"

Yes, I am.

"All I want you to know and what I want to tell you is..."

Is?

"I like you so much, Kris... I really do..."

Right after I heard him say that my heart fluttered so much and I can't stop myself from smiling... He likes me... Jenna was right!

I paused the video and I tapped my face... Am I dreaming? Is this for real?

"Why did you pause it?"

I heard a voice from someone that made my heart skipped a beat. I turned around and saw Luke walking towards me from the doorway.

"Hey! Luke! I... Uh..."

I stood up and I got very nervous. I'm not really sure if it's because of the video that I just watched or because he might be pissed with me for meddling with his stuff.

"I know what you're thinking right now... So don't worry... That's fine." He said with a gentle smile.

"You're not mad?"

"How would I be mad? I knew this would happen the moment I saw you're message." He explained.

"I'm sorry... Uhm... The things you said in that video... Are those...." I was cut off.

"True?" He uttered.

I nodded. Then he walked closer to me. He looked deep into my eyes and said...

"Everything you have heard, everything that I've said... They were all true..."

My face grew warmer when he said that. This is no longer a dream. This is for real.

"I've been liking you for so long that it hurts me every time I need to make an excuse right after I flirted on you..."

"You flirted with me? When? How?" I asked quizically.

"See? I'm tired of making excuses whenever I flirt with you... From now on... I will hit on you for real... No pretensions... No excuses..."

"What?"

"I won't stop hitting on you until you agreed to be my boyfriend, Kris."

-----

"And what did you say?" Jenna asked me.

We were at the café and I was just taking a break from work when I told Jen about what happened this morning. The memory was still fresh in my mind.

"I was not able to say anything... I was in total shock... I just nodded."

"What? He just confessed his feelings for you and all you did is nod!"

"I know! He confessed and that's what stunned me! I didn't know how to react."

"You like him too right? You should have told him about that!"

"I told you I was not ready for it when he said that"

"Haist, Bes. You're really hopeless when it comes to your own love life!"

"Hey! That's my line!"

Since when did Jenna know much about love? She's just like me... Single.

"Well... You have nodded... So that means you're letting him court you until he got your sweet 'Yes'..."

"Uh-huh..."

"But you should not make him wait for too long... You don't want him to change his mind, do you?"

"No..."

"Good then... So when do you plan to tell him about your feelings?"

"I don't know yet."

I really want him to know that I like him as well but I don't know how will I do it? Should I make a video as well? Nah... That would be a cliche now... I want it to be on a special day... A day that would be memorable for me...

"Hmmm... Oh! I know! Why don't you do it on your birthday?" Jenna implied.

"On my birthday?"

"Yes!... It's only a few days away. It would be the best gift that you can give yourself and Luke as well."

"I'll think about it..."

Actually... It's not a bad idea. It might work. Okay... I better make plans on how will I do it.

"Okay... But please take my suggestion okay?"

I just nodded then she got a message alert from her phone. She checked her phone and I saw her smile from ear to ear while reading the message.

"Hmmm... That's Alex for sure... You can't hide your excitement while reading his message." I teased her.

"Well, that is because he's my..." She suddenly stopped and glanced at me.

"Huh?"

Did she just trip on words?

"Uhm Bes, please don't be surprised... I'll tell you a secret..."

"What secret?"

"Alex and I are... Officially..."

"What! You're together now?" I said it aloud. I was really surprised and happy at the same time.

"Keep your voice down! Yes! We're officially boyfriend-girlfriend!"

"Wow! I'm so happy for you Jen... How did it happen?"

"Well, it's already a week ago when he surprised me with dinner at this luxurious restaurant. He said that their family owns it. He asked me the question and I said 'Yes' and guess what?"

"What?"

"He gave me this..."

She showed me the gold necklace she's wearing with her first name initial as a pendant. I looked closer and I noticed it was embedded with rhinestones.

"Jen... That is so beautiful..."

"I know right!"

"Don't tell me you said 'Yes' because of that?" I asked giving her the side-eye.

"No! Of course not! He gave me this after I said 'Yes', " she explained.

"I see... That's good then. I'm so happy for you, Jen."

"Thanks... Actually... He also got one like this but it got his initial."

"Really?"

"Yes... It's like a 'couple' thing. He got the idea from his brother Luke... He said something like writing our names in the stars... But he chose to be different so got us these necklaces."

"Wait... writing names in the stars? Just like in our pillows..."

"Oh! Right! Now, that you've mentioned it... It makes sense now... But unlike you two... We can't live yet under the same roof"

"Who lives with who?"

A familiar voice went ringing in my ears... I turned around and saw Chad.

"Chad... What are you doing here?"

"I... Uh... I came here to apologize... Wait. Who lives with who?" He asked.

I saw Jenna scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"Luke and Kris... They lived together now." Jenna said firmly.

"What?" Chad uttered.

"That's true... They sleep under the same roof... and soon on the same bed", she added.

"Jenna, stop it," I called her out.

"Why? He needs to know that. After being such an ass to you... I can't even believe he can show his face to you!"

I saw Chad's reaction as it changed. Suddenly I felt bad for him.

"Uhm... I'm sorry to bother you... I gotta go." He said those words looking down and did not make any eye contact with me. He pulled out a bouquet of flowers that he hid behind his back and put it on top of our table. Then he stepped back and walked away.

"Cheap flowers..." Jenna mumbled as she pushed the bouquet away.

"Jenna! That's rude! You don't need to do that"

"And he doesn't need to do what he did to you! if only he had been a good friend, I won't be harsh on him."

I do get where Jenna was coming from. I remembered telling her about what happened back at the villa. But there is still something inside of me that tells me what she did just now is over the top.

"Tsk... Just stay here." I stood up to follow Chad.

"Bes! Where are you going?"

I didn't respond back. I headed out of the café to find Chad.

-----

"Chad! Wait!" I called to him who was already a few blocks away from the café.

He stopped walking to face me.

I was catching my breath when I got closer to him.

"Sorry about what happened back there. She just can't stop her mouth sometimes."

"But all she said was true... I shouldn't be here..."

"But you had already apologized and I do accept it."

"Really?"

"It's been a long time ago... I already forgot about it."

"Thanks, Kris..."

"But to be honest with you... I don't think we can be back to what we were before..."

"I understand."

"I was happy to be your friend and I enjoyed your company but I think it would be better for both of us to never see each other again and move on."

"It's Luke, right?"

"Huh?"

"The moment I saw that kiss at the beach and how you look at him... I know I'll never get that chance with you... So I tried to force my way to you but it only made it worse..."

He walked closer to me...

"I'm willing to move on without you in my life but I want you to answer a question for me..."

"What is it?"

"Do you love him?"

"What?" I didn't expect him to ask me that.

"Do you have feelings for him?"

"I... Uh..."

But before I even got a chance to answer him he pulled me into his arms and enclosed me in his embrace...

I was not able to do anything against it. I let him do it. Why? Because he said something... Something that really hit me hard inside.

"I know you do... But I don't want to hear it... Just let me hold you for the last time... This is goodbye..."

We stayed in that position for a while until someone yanked me away from his arms...

"That's enough..." Luke said as he pulled me to his back and faced Chad head-on.

"Luke..." I uttered.

"I want you to get your ass moving before I beat you black and blue..." Luke warned Chad with glaring eyes...

"It's okay Luke... He's leaving now... He just said goodbye." I tried to pull him away from Chad but my strength was not enough to drag him.

"Please Chad... Just go..." I begged.

"I will... Bye, Kris..." He said then he walked away...

Luke calmed down and turned towards me. He cupped my face and said.

"Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

"No... I'm fine... I told you he's just saying goodbye... For good."

"Well, I'm glad you're okay... I thought he's troubling you... Jenna told me you went after him."

"She's just overreacting... I'm fine... See?" I made some turns to show him I'm unscathed.

He put his hand on my head and gently caressed my hair.

"There... There... I believe you..." He said as he smiled and I smiled back.

A lot had happened in a day. I really hope that Chad finds his own happiness. I know my forgiveness was just the beginning of his new chapter in life and I wish the best for him.

Now... All I have to think about is my own story... Luke has been so sweet recently and I appreciate everything that he does for me. My birthday is soon to come but I haven't come up with a plan on how will I tell my feelings for him. I really want it to be special... I want him to feel special.

-----

"Bes! Have you seen the bulletin board? They had announced it." Jenna shared excitedly as she joined me in the cafeteria.

"Announced what?" I asked as I chewed on my food.

"The homecoming! It would be next week Friday!"

"Next week, Friday?"

"Yes! And I can't wait to find a gown that I can wear to the ball."

"Wait... Next week Saturday is my birthday!"

"Oh! Yeah! I know right! That's why I'm here to tell you that you can confess your feelings to Luke at the homecoming!"

"Well... That would be a good idea but how should I do it is the real question here."

"You do have enough time to plan for it. Just tell me and I'll help you carry out the plan."

"Okay... Fine... By the way, have you heard anything about Niko? I haven't seen him in class."

"No I haven't... Have you tried to call him?"

"I did but he didn't answer his phone."

Jenna took her phone out...

"Well... He must have skipped classes to roam around with his new motorbike..." She said as she showed me a picture posted by Niko in his IG account.

I looked at the date and time... It was just this morning. Suddenly, my phone rang and I pulled it out of my pocket. It's Pam.

"Hello, Pam? What's up?"

I listened to what she said and I was horrified to hear her news.

"What! W-what happened? What hospital?"

My heart was beating so fast and I began to panic.

"Who's in the hospital?" Jenna asked worriedly.

"Okay... We'll be there..."

I dropped the call and asked Jenna to come with me...

"What's going on?" Jenna was getting frantic.

"Niko and Miya got in an accident. They're in the hospital right now!"

"Oh my God! Are they okay?"

"We better go now... We'll ask Pam for the details."

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