Chapter 11: Past Relationship

Dan's POV

I fidgeted on my phone's keyboard a few times while thinking of the right words before chatting with Vi.

Should I write this? Nope, too formal. This? Still no, this just sounds weird. Oh my, this doesn't even sound human. How should I start a conversation with Vi?

Grandma gazed at my phone's screen. "You should just talk to her directly. Don't go circles around your words. Ladies would like direct people much more."

I covered half of my face with my palm. "Really grandma? Please give me a bit of privacy whenever I'm using my phone."

Grandma grinned, "Well, technology changed so much since my time. It's so fascinating. You know that I have precognitive dreams, right? That's why looking back at it, I should have introduced the concept myself. I could have won an award for it!"

I raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure that you can see the future? And not going insane? Grandma, people with your 'gift' don't exist. These powers are only told in fairytale stories."

"Frankly speaking, you'll find out soon. I can't tell you because it might alter the future I dreamt of. And I promise that the future you have looks promising. Just send the message. Starting a conversation isn't scary at all."

As instructed, I sent the message. Staring at my phone's screen shouldn't make me nervous but thinking that she might not reply made me rack myself back and forth.

"Hey Vi, there's something I wanted to ask. Are you busy?"

After a few minutes, I read her message with a bit of hesitation.

"Really? Around this hour? Let's make this short 'cause I'm really busy"

I drop my phone by my side after sending back my replies.

"Oh really? Nevermind then, it wasn't an urgent question. I just noticed something but it isn't important."

"It's really fine. Just message me only if it is urgent. If it's not about math or any subject, don't. Please."

"Okay, I understand. Have a good night's sleep!"

I stared at the ceiling feeling uneased. "Grandma, it didn't work. Are you sure that you can see the future?"

She laughed, "If only you knew about your own future. Be patient for now. I bet that you'll get along soon."

"I don't want to hope too much. It feels much worse since both my ex and my best friend left me. Even though my feelings for Vi aren't sure yet, I can't be hers."

She smirked, "You should move on from your ex. It's been already a year grandson! Don't wait too long because it will be late for you to court her. Think of many possibilities, what if she already has a bf once you confess?"

I huffed, "I just know that this isn't the right moment yet. After all, it was my fault that we became distant from each other."

~Flashback: One year ago~

"Good morning class, for today we will be working in pairs. You'll be assigned with your corresponding class number. 1-30, 2-29, 3-28, and so on. Read your laboratory report in advance then you will do the laboratory experiment tomorrow. Is that clear?," ma'am Cheska blurted out.

Everyone chorused back, "Yes ma'am."

All of us gathered around the list, pushing each other a bit for us to glance at the list of partners. I tiptoed as I quickly glanced at the paper. Gravity quickly pulled my feet to the ground. Sapphire Ritchie will be my partner for this lab experiment.

As I was about to approach her, a set of hands pressed onto my shoulder blades. This made me turn around and step back.

"Dan, we're lab partners! Let's work well for this report!," she exclaimed with an excited tone in her voice.

I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms. "Sapphire, don't just touch my shoulders. It's uncomfortable that someone that I'm not closesld with touched me. It's creepy."

"Pffttt, you got started that's why you're so defensive. Anyway, let me keepbour lab report since I will research on all required questions later. I'll already write the answers here so that we will only focus only on the experiment and its results."

Woah, she really won't stop, would she?

I replied back, "Alright. Let's talk about it again tomorrow."

~The following day~

Uneasiness surrounded us ever since buo class has started. "Let me get all of our laboratory apparatus needed for this experiment. You can read through it before we'll start."

She didn't budge. Usually, she isn't this gloomy. What's wrong with her?

"Sapphire."

She shook her head and turned her head. "I'm sorry. I was thinking of something else. What were you saying?"

"I'm just going to get our stuff."

"Oh okay. Go ahead."

While we were following the procedure of the experiment, I couldn’t help but think that she might have cried based from her puffy eyes. She isn't as outgoing as yesterday.

After a while, we went on writing our observations onto the extra sheet of paper and began to clean. As we were washing the used apparatus, I leaned closer and asked in a soft voice, "Sapphire, is there anything wrong?"

"I'm fine."

"Well, you don't look okay. Did you cry?"

Her eyes widened. "Is it that obvious?"

"I'm afraid so. Look, if you ever need a friend, I'm here to listen. And I'm always here to help."

She put her hand on shoulder, "Thank you. I need to vent out this frustration."

"Don't worry. This conversation is safe with me."

After class, we went to the canteen and sat on the wooden chairs.

My lips curled into a smile. "Okay, no one's here. You can vent out now."

She fidgeted with her fingers, "Do you think that I'm too flirtatious around our batchmates?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like yesterday, I touched your shoulders which made you uncomfortable. I heard that the others complained about it as well. "

I shook my head. "You just have an outgoing vibe. Like, it's your personality and no one can change it except you. Maybe you've been a bit clingy to us but it didn't bother us that much."

"If so, let me ask you this: Is it wrong to be friends with guys? I know that it can go off into the wrong idea. I feel more comfortable bonding with the guys than girls. I can relate to them more than my girl friends. But, they see my situation negatively."

"At the end of the day, the truest friends stay. If you think that the friends you choose are the right ones, then keep them. Don't let others control your decisions. If you want, you can try to befriend some of those girls."

"Maybe you're right. I'll try. Thank you for the advice."

"No problem!"

We high-fived each other before we went home. This is how our friendship started.

Conversations with her became more frequent. I liked to be in her company and listen to her. She tells me her ambitions while her eyes twinkled. And whenever she feels better after ranting out, I feel better.

Yet, as time flowed my heart began to skip faster. I couldn't stop this heart that beats faster at every encounter. Maybe there was something else developing.

It was an unsual giddiness within me. We have a strong trust with each other and we became closer as friends. However, why do I feel that this isn't friendship? Maybe I'm going insane, but this isn't the case.

It might be love. It was a feeling that made me long for her presence. I got used to her sweet voice. I remembered all of our talks, whether they were about her life or answers to time-consuming assessments.

I wanter her to feel appreciated because she is special. I want to see her glowing aura from her bubbly personality. I want to give everything to her, even myself. But how can I risk the friendship we already have? There are a lot of "what ifs" that I can't answer.

Months went by and stopped at February. We started binge-watching movies in the living room of my apartment. "Is it okay if I come here often?"

"I'm afraid not. But look on the bright side, I spared some time with you. So, let's start the movie marathon?"

"Alright. Let's enjoy the movie marathon. I brought us some snacks."

"Alright, let me set-up my computer. You can sit beside me."

We started with horror movies and planned on finishing the Conjuring series. I know, it's an unusual way of celebrating Valentines but still we enjoyed the jump scares and thrills.

"Dan, can we watch something else after this?"

"I wish but it's almost curfew. Aren't your parents worried about you? It's already late."

Her face went blank. "My parents are not at home at this moment. They work overtime. And they never really cared about me. I took care of myself most of the time."

I caressed her hand slowly, "Look, I know you've been through a lot of issues. Yet, I hope they'll try to find time with you."

"Thank you Dan. You're the only friend I can rely on. You really do care, don't you?"

"I do. And know that I'll be here for you."

"But Dan, I know this sounds ridiculous but I want to confess something."

"Confess? About what?"

"Dan, I don't want to ruin our friendship but it's been bothering me a lot. If I don't tell you, I might burst. Dan, I like you. I really do."

She likes me?

"Sapphire, you know that I can't be the suitable boyfriend. Look, I'm financially struggling and I have to take care of my grandmother. I don't have the leisure of time nor enough money to spend on dates and gifts."

"Dan, I don't need gifts nor money. I am happy with these simple moments with you. Please, give me the chance to love you."

"As much as I admire you, I'm not sure. I still like Vi. But you make me wonder whether my feelings have shifted towards you. So I can't give you an answer."

"Dan, let me love you. We can pretend to be with each other."

"What do you mean Sapphire?"

"Vi will get jealous once she finds out that I'm going out with you. It will work. Trust me. If she doesn't bother with your feelings, you can choose me. Learn to love me. Please Dan."

I might have developed feeljngs for her but can it replace my feelings for Vi? I'm still undecided on whether to trust my brain or my heart. Yet, I have to trust my brain for now.

"Fine. I'll reconsider your feelings for me."

She shouted towards the moon, "Yes! Dan is mine!"

She turned onto her side and raised her right hand, "Honor this pledge and never break my promise, okay?"

"Okay."

I took a deep breath and dictated every word she said, "I, Daniel Roberts, hereby declare his love for Sapphire Ritchie. Please give me the opportunity to love you more. Each and everyday. If I won't fall in love within this school year, then I shall let Sapphire go."

****

This might be one of the most memorable moments of my life. Yet this still causes the pain to come back. I feel guilty for letting her go to a trustworthy friend. A friend who crushed my trust with a boulder. Yet, how couldn't I let go if it weren't for her wicked jealousy which brought down Vi in the end?