Chapter 16: Assumptions

Vi POV

"Really? I don't think so. Maybe you're just jealous?"

He coughed while swallowing up the last piece of chicken. "No, I'm not. Look, everyone knows he seems like a playboy ever since Sapphire broke up with him, right? He always dates other girls then breaks up with them after two months. "

I rested my cheek on the palm of my right hand and leaned forward. "There's a reason why he became like that. Remember, he dated Sapphire first during grade 7. His attitude changed after their break-up according to a few rumors. And you know Sapphire."

"Well, that's true. Just to be safe Vi, don't fall in love with him."

"Pffft. Me? Fall in love with him? I promise you that would never happen. We're just friends and nothing else."

"Let's see. Anyway, are you done with your plate? I'm finished with mine."

"Oh sorry, wait a second 'cause I'm not yet done."

I looked down at my meal. My eyes widened as I noticed his plate. I haven't realized that he has already finished eating dinner while I'm just halfway finished. I ate faster and

slurped the remaining soup. I gently laid my utensils in a fixed position. I didn't want to give him the impression that I'm a messy eater.

"Let me return our plates."

He took my plate along with his plate. "You don't have to. Let's return the plates together."

"If we return the plates together, somebody will steal our seats."

"We're almost done anyway. Thank you for the treat but I'll get going now."

I was about to get up from my seat yet the sound of thunder startled me. Instantly, heavy rain started to pour. I grabbed my bag and started looking for my umbrella.

I searched my bag, zipping the bag open and double-checking every pocket. Why isn't my umbrella here?

Ugh, Elaine forgot to return my umbrella from yesterday.

He smirked as he pulled his chair and sat back in his seat. "See? Let's just wait for the rain to settle. We haven't been in touch for a while and maybe we could talk more."

Well, he's right. I didn't give him a chance to explain himself when we lost touch with last year's issue. Now that I can see his sincere gestures, maybe it's alright. Yet, I should still have my guard up just to be sure.

He returned our plates and came back to his seat. "First of all, is the rumor the only reason why you’ve kept your distance away from me?”

I liked him before. Now, I’m not sure. I didn’t know why I liked him in the first place. He understood and made me feel less lonely. Yet, I couldn’t look at him the same way again after what Sapphire told me. After that, I couldn’t fully trust him anymore. I didn’t want to believe Sapphire, yet I still have unresolved personal issues which replay in the back of my mind.

I slightly tilted my head to the side. “Why? Are there other reasons why our friendship broke? Next question.”

“How come that you’re so close with Frank?”

“Why? I’m I not allowed to? ”

“I mean, why are you close with him? There must be a reason.”

“It’s not really a big deal. We’ve been classmates since elementary and it just so happens that we went to this school so I would say that it’s normal that we seem close. Plus, he’s been one of the volunteers as well so you know, we had some bonding moments. You know that I’m not friendly, but he’s been friendly with everyone so I have no doubts that someone would not like to be his friend unless they heard the rumor about him.”

“But you heard the rumor too, right? Why aren’t you avoiding him?”

I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow. “I just know that Sapphire has something to do behind it and I’m sure that he never wanted to be one in the first place.”

“So you’re avoiding me because Sapphire is threatening you with a rumor from the past but you are still close with Frank even if he’s bad news? That doesn’t make any sense.”

“Maybe it doesn’t, but how well do you know me? Some issues are better left behind.”

“Yes but –"

“Nice to meet you here Vi and Dan! Didn’t expect to see you both here.”

Both of us turned our heads to the source of the voice. It was Ma’am Bea and Sir Eu. Dan greeted, “Good afternoon Ma’am Bea and sir. Ma’am Bea, boyfriend ninyo po? (Ma’am Bea, is he your boyfriend?)”

I hit his arm with my elbow. What he just said was too straightforward and a bit rude.

Sir Eu exclaimed, “See, even one of my students thinks that I’m your boyfriend. Hope you don’t mind us, we’re just stopping by for some snacks. I’m Sir Eu, and I’m just accompanying Ma’am Bea here.”

Ma’am Bea instantly pulled him away from our table and covered his mouth. “Let’s buy coffee already.”

“You’ve already drunk too much coffee. Let’s buy something else. Lugaw na lang (Let’s buy lugaw instead).”

“Says the person who already drank three cups of black coffee.”

“I have a great tolerance for caffeine, but I highly don’t recommend it. I only do so because I want to finish checking my students’ papers and complete my tasks early. You bring your papers home, you’re even bringing them right now. “Work is life”, they say, but not for me.”

As they went further from our spot, both of us loosened up and felt a sense of relief. “It felt really awkward. They act so sweet and seem extremely close. Haven’t you noticed, Vi?”

I took a moment before I respond. “What are you talking about? You made the situation worse. Who would ask whether Ma’am Bea’s co-worker was her boyfriend? You have the guts, do you?”

“Well, isn’t it obvious? I would even assume that they are going out.”

“Can’t they be friends? You suspected that Frank likes me but honestly, we’re just close since we were classmates before. How about us? We were close before but there wasn’t anything between us. Anyway, why do people assume that there’s always something between a boy and a girl whenever they’re close? It doesn’t make sense at all.”

“I’d agree with you, Vi.”

We both turned our heads as we didn’t notice Ma’am Bea approaching our table. How come we didn’t hear Ma’am Bea’s footsteps? “Sorry for eavesdropping on your conversation. We were looking for seats when we heard your voice. To make it clear, Sir Eu and I aren’t in a relationship, we’re just friends. If any of you have come across rumors about us, don’t believe them.”

Both of us replied in unison, “Understood ma’am.”

She looked at Dan and teased, “I’ve been noticing that you and Dan seem to be close. I hope that you are using your time in improving your performance in my Math subject. Make sure that you use your time for studying and not for flirting, alright?”

I chuckled while his cheeks blushed with a light pinkish tone from Ma’am Bea’s suspicion. He looks cute when he’s embarrassed. I should try to take a picture and tease him with it next time.

“I will study well ma’am. Babawi po ako, promise! (I’ll make up for it, I promise!)”

“Alright. Make sure to study well, I’m going to announce in our class tomorrow that we will have a long test next week. Good luck to the both of you.”

“Thank you, ma’am Bea, and I’m sorry for my rude comment a while ago. I shouldn’t have made an assumption nor asked about your relationships.”

She laughed and pointed out, “It’s okay, Dan. I heard that rumors were circulating about Sir Eu but no worries. I believe that you wouldn’t start a rumor, correct?”

“Definitely not ma’am!”

“Then, I don’t have to worry. Besides, I don’t blame you for the rumors, I blame Sir Eu.”

Sir Eu’s eyes widened. “It’s not my fault. Plus I asked you if –”

Ma’am Bea covered Sir Eu’s mouth. “Anyway, have you both eaten dinner? If you’re both finished, may Sir Eu and I sit here?”

We hurriedly stood and wore our backpacks. I replied, “Yes ma’am, we were just about to leave. Goodbye and stay safe ma’am!”

“Stay safe as well. Goodbye!”

As we were walking out, he brought out his umbrella and opened it outside. He winked and grinned. “I came prepared, so just accept that we share the same ability. Let me walk you to the dorms.”

I rolled my eyes and continued walking along with his pace. “Sure.”

Tiny droplets of rain continue to drip from the leaves and shrubs nearby. We were strolling down the cemented sidewalk under the dimming sunset without anyone behind us. Warmth slowly slipped onto my hand with his touch as it intertwined with his bare hand. “I hope you don’t mind, I didn’t want you to feel cold in this rain. Let’s just hold hands, at least for now when no one is looking.”

My pulse pounded faster than usual. We used to hold hands and pull each other when we’re playing around, but his touch feels different. Maybe because I haven’t held his hand for a while? Or was I hoping that we would fix our broken friendship? Rain sometimes reminds me of loneliness and endless sorrow, like tears pouring out after keeping it in for an indistinctive amount of time. Yet, rain is proof that even the weather has its emotions, and not every day is a sunny day. Rain even helps colorful flowers bloom and sturdy trees grow. Without it, these plants would wither away with the dry land. I didn’t mind the rain at all because I knew that colorful petals of flowers were gradually embracing the rain they received and would grow much more beautiful the following day.

I didn’t want this. I never wanted this. Yet, I’m not ready for anyone to know my past. I want to run away and pretend that it has never happened. If he knew my past, would he understand? Can he accept the broken side of me?

We arrived at the dorms after a short walk. He let go of my hand and kept his distance.

“Do you want to know your score in the upcoming math long test?”, I asked while filling up the logbook.

“Of course. Tell me, did I pass?”

I lied, “You almost passed. Out of 60, you got 35.”

“Really? If that’s the case, I’ll study harder so that I’ll pass. Don’t worry Vi, I’ll make sure to pass the long test so that I won’t disappoint you.”

“Let’s wait and see. Go home now, it’s already late. Don’t want you to be stuck in traffic.”

“Fine, I’ll send you a message if I have questions later while reviewing. Bye!”

He turned around and began to leave. I entered the dorms and jumped onto my cozy bed. Gosh, why did I react that way when he held my hand? It wasn’t a big deal, right? I covered my face and turned around.

“Looks like something happened”, Brianne pointed out.

I turned and faced her. “Huh? Nothing happened.”

“I’ll just borrow some notes from our Math lecture if that’s alright with you. I’ll give it back to you after an hour”

“Oh sure, let me just get them.”

I reached out for my bag and took out the blue notebook filled with legibly written notes.

“Thank you.”, she whispered and went to her study table to read.

I turned around and let my eyes rest for a while. It’s been a tiring day and I definitely need a nap.

***

Sapphire narrowed her eyes and pressed her lips. “You’re still flirting with Dan? Haven’t I warned you already?”

I crossed my arms and replied, “He is just a tutee assigned to. There's nothing between me and Dan?”

She took a step closer and stood firm. “Well, should I remind you about that rumor between you and Sir Mateo from elementary?”