CHAPTER 40: THE CALL
THE GIRL WHO CAN’T DATE
By Eleventh
CHAPTER 40: THE CALL
AT GRAYSON UNIVERSITY
It’s two in the afternoon and Ira spent her break once again at her desk waiting for a text message or a phone call, chin resting on her hand, fingers tapping the table, eyes fixed on her phone with crinkled eyebrows and pouted lips. She barely even took a bite on her burger carelessly placed next to the bottles of ink.
For two days, she can be seen walking around looking at her phone, checking it every once in a while during classes, and even eating meals beside it like an obsessed woman waiting for a message from someone who just ghosted her.
Knock! Knock!
Maggie knocked on her table.
“You and Adrielle, okay?”
“Yeah!”
Seeing that she did not budge, eyes still fixed on her phone, Maggie asked once more.
“Has he not been texting you?”
“He did. We’re going to the carnival later.”
Maggie grinned with excitement, grabbed a chair, and sat in front of her. “That’s great! You should be excited then. You’re on your third date already, and I think it’s time that you should talk about your real score.”
“Mmkay. Sure.” She responded weakly, eyes still on her phone.
Perceiving that her colleague wasn’t paying any interest, sighed in deep frustration and grabbed the phone.
“Alright! What’s bothering you, girl? Why are you always on your phone?”
“Argh! Mags… Give it back, please!” But Maggie isn’t going to give it without a trade. “I’m waiting for Carlos…”
“That kid again? I thought it was all over? He's already home. What are you still worried about?”
Ira sighed. “I don’t know. It feels odd. I haven’t heard from him since he left the house.”
“I’m sure he’s okay! He must be too busy making up with his uncle that's why he forgot to message you.”
Ira bit her lip. She was verily unconvinced. Her guts are telling her that something is going on.
“Good afternoon, Teachers!” a familiar voice greeted the teachers in the room. Ira turned around knowing that it was Tristan’s. “Hello, teachers! I’m here to submit our essays to Miss Dessa.”
“She’s still in her other class. You can put the papers on her table right there, next to the window.” Maggie replied.
“Thank you, Miss Maggie.”
Ira watched Tristan place the essay papers on Dessa’s table and followed him as he makes his way out of the Faculty Room.
“Tristan!” she called.
“Yo, Coach P. What’s up?”
“How’s Carlos? Have you heard anything from him? I told him to call me when he gets home but he didn’t.”
Tristan crossed his arms and tilted his head, wondering. “Mmm… Mimi saw him enter the house with Mr. Doroja two days ago. But…”
“But what?”
“It’s weird. I never did see Carlos out of the house not even once.”
“Do you think he ran away again?”
“Mmm… if he did, then Mr. Doroja should have been shouting and cursing already, but… it’s odd that their house was really quiet and I see Mr. Doroja every morning, shoveling the ground, and tending the yard. He told Mimi yesterday that he decided to grow some vegetables in his backyard. He never does that. He’s a lazy bum. Aaand… he kinda looks sober too.”
“So… do you think he changed?”
“Mmm… I couldn’t tell, though. I mean… he was a drunk man all his life and then, one day… he suddenly changed? It feels so odd.”
“Right.” Ira agreed. The bell rang and Tristan had to leave. “Please try to check on Carlos and let me know how he is doing.”
“I’ll try to sneak later and report to you asap!” Tristan winked and left for his class.
“Thanks!” she yelled as her student left.
She turned around and bumped unto a sturdy chest. When she looked up and saw Skye’s face, she frowned.
“You really have a habit of popping out of nowhere, do you?”
Skye did not reply. Instead, he looked at her very confused.
“Tsk! Whatever!” she muttered, snubbing him as she entered the Faculty Room.
Skye was still puzzled. “What’s her problem? Is she on her period?”
“Sooo… what are you wearing for later?” Maggie asked while waiting for Ira to get her stuff and head out to their next class.
“I’m not gonna change.”
Maggie dropped her jaw. She glowered at Ira from head to foot and shook her head in disappointment. PE clothes won’t cut it. They’re too tacky and not to mention stinky and dirty from field activity.
“WHAT!? NO WAY!”
“YES WAY, MAGGIE! I’m not wearing anything but my PE clothes. And YOU ARE NOT changing my mind.”
Ira pressed a smile and headed to the door with her things. Maggie scuffled to follow still contending for date dress codes.
“Girl! Are you serious? This is your final date. You’re gonna set the record straight with this guy who’s very intentional with you and all you’re gonna wear is PE clothes?” Maggie stood in Ira’s way and glared at her. “Are you taking this seriously, Ira?”
Ira gulped. “Honestly? I don’t think I want this.”
“What do you mean? Don’t you like him?”
“I can’t say I don’t like him. He’s nice and intentional like you said, but…”
“But what?”
“I don’t think I can sustain a relationship, Mags. I think I’m not ready for it.”
“Ira! Listen! You will never know you’re ready until you try.”
Ira went past Maggie and started walking again. “I already tried, didn’t I? But I’m not enjoying it. I mean… I don’t know. I just…”
“You’re being unfair, Ira,” Maggie remarked faintly.
“Am I now?”
“Someone’s finally serious about you and is intentional in pursuing you and this is how you respond to him?”
“You know I can’t force myself to be in a situation that’s uncomfortable to me.”
Maggie heaved a sigh. “No one’s forcing you anything, Ira. All they want from you is to TRY as much as they do.”
“What do you want me to do?”
Maggie shrugged her shoulders. “Make up your mind!”
And Maggie left.
_________
Later that day, Ira wore the clothes she borrowed from Maggie when she went out to see Joey. She kept it in her locker when she wasn’t able to return it the day Maggie left early until she forgot that it was there. Perhaps, she’s being fair now if she at least wears something nice on her last date. She also comb her hair and tied it in a neat bun.
She was applying some gloss on her lips when she received a call from an unregistered number. But before she could ever click the answer button, it stopped ringing.
She missed the call.
She called him back. Unfortunately, the phone was turned off.
“The phone must have died.” She muttered. Then, she checked her watch and panicked. “Oh no! I’m late!”
She rushed downstairs and out of the school grounds. It was six in the evening and it was raining. She received another call, this time from Adrielle, telling her to meet him at a café. After the call, she tried her best to hail a taxi but it was always occupied.
“Oh, come on!” Ira yelled in frustration.
While waiting for another cab to pass by, she received yet another call.
This time, from Tristan.
She wondered.
Why would Tristan call her at this hour? They could just talk tomorrow when they see each other. But Ira still answered it.
“Tristan? What’s up?”
“Miss Ira! Help. Call the cops!!!”