Sorry

ANGELLE

"Let's get to the bottom of this, are you courting my cousin?"

The whole place fell silent as everyone focused on Ate Jove and Link. I know why Ate Jove dislikes Link so much and prefers Isiah. That's why she's been pushing Isiah on me, but sometimes she teases me about Link.

Link smiled before speaking. "I've told her that I like her. But I'm not courting her yet." He answered Ate Jove with a smile.

"Just make sure, Link? The last thing I want is for my cousin to not get hurt." Ate Jove said.

"Yam, Link isn't like that." Andre interjected, but Ate Jove gave him a stern look, so he fell silent.

"Jove, I won't hurt her like you think." Link said.

"Okay." That was all Ate Jove could say before she continued eating her lomi.

"Look at that! Is this leading to a wedding?"

Link just shook his head at his teasing friends, glanced at me, and smiled. I avoided his gaze and focused on my lomi, eating it. It was indeed delicious as they said, it would also be delicious to pour it on Link.

"Couz," Ate Jove, who was sitting to my right, caught my attention. Link was on my left.

"What is it, Couz?"

"Are you sure about Link? Will you let him court you?" she asked softly, so only I could hear.

I smiled. "Couz, just support me in my decision. Is that okay?" She closed her eyes and sighed as if she didn't agree with what I said.

"Okay, but I'm here. If you're confused, I'll help you. Just call my name and I'll be there." I laughed at what she said.

"Okay."

After we finished eating lomi, we decided to go home and rest early. After all, it's Saturday tomorrow and we can meet up again, especially since we don't have classes for two days.

Upon arriving home, I found Mama and Hero preparing to go to the market. They were going to buy our dinner.

They left shortly after, leaving me alone in the house. Lica was at Mommy's place with Jr.

I went up to my room and changed into my house clothes. Then I went down to the living room to watch TV. I lay on the sofa and stared at the high ceiling.

"I like you, Angelle."

I sighed as I remembered what Link said before I went home yesterday. I can't explain what I'm feeling right now. I used to be uncomfortable with guys getting too close, but when it's Link, I can't resist. I feel like ever since we moved here, I've changed, I mean, I'm feeling things I didn't feel before.

I haven't agreed to let Link court me yet. Link is confusing. He says he's courting me, but I don't feel it. It's like it doesn't matter, we're always arguing and teasing each other.

I adjusted my position on the sofa and closed my eyes. As I was consumed by my thoughts, I didn't realize that I had fallen asleep and drifted into a deep dream.

•~•~•~•~•~•

I woke up at five o'clock because Mama woke me up. She had just finished cooking our dinner and was waking me up so we could eat.

I got up from the sofa, stretched, and then stood up, walking like a zombie to the dining area. When I got there, my eyes nearly popped out when I saw Link sitting next to Mama's chair. I quickly hid under the table and clung to my leg. Was I hallucinating? Was he really in the house?

I heard Mama laughing along with him, which made me even more nervous. Shit, did he see me just waking up?!

OMG!

"Angelle, Link is here. Be formal in front of him," Mama said, somewhat amused.

It was true that Link was here and I wasn't mistaken or hallucinating. I fixed my messy hair, took a deep breath, stood up, and smiled at them. Just show them that I'm not affected by his presence.

"You're crazy, Sistah. What were you doing under the table?" Lica asked sharply.

"I-I saw my hair clip," I made an excuse. She sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Okay, Angelle. Hurry up, we're going to eat," Mama said.

I glanced at Link and gave him a dirty look, which he returned with a smile. Why is he here?

I washed my hands first, then returned to the dining table and took my seat, where I was facing Link, which seemed to be Lica's doing.

We prayed first before we started eating. I took some rice and a dish, then sighed and looked at Link.

"What brings you here?" I asked him, causing him to look at me.

"Um, your mom knows why I'm here." I raised an eyebrow at his response.

Mom?

"Whose mom?" I asked, confused.

He smiled again and glanced briefly at Mama. "Your mom,"

Eh?

"Why are you calling her 'Mama'? She's not your mom?" I said, slightly annoyed.

"Angelle, it's nice that Link calls me 'Mama'." Mama scolded me, seeming to really like being called that.

I frowned and glared at Link, who just laughed at my comment. It's not that I don't want anyone calling my mom 'Mama', but when it's Link, it just doesn't sound right. We're not boyfriend and girlfriend for him to call my mom that way.

"Kuya Link, Papa will be home tomorrow, so will you come back here tomorrow?" Lica suddenly asked.

"Yes." Link answered briefly and took a bite of his food.

What does he need from Papa? First from Mama, now from Papa? Does he also want to call my dad 'Papa'?

"What do you need from Papa?"

"I'm going to ask for permission," eh?

"For what?"

"I'm going to ask for permission to court you."

I stopped mid-bite and stared at him. I was momentarily speechless because of what he said.

He's going to ask my dad for permission? To court me?

"Are you sure? No one has ever faced my dad to court me." I told him.

Isiah asked me first, then Mama, until Mama told Papa that Isiah was courting me, that's how he found out.

"If a man is truly determined to court a woman, he must first go through her parents before the woman herself." I was speechless when he said that.

"You're really amusing, Link. You know a lot about courtship." Mama said, laughing, which made Link smile.

I just sighed. Mama was acting like a child, joining in the fun. I just shook my head and continued eating.

While we were eating, I was secretly glancing at Link, who was busy chatting with Mama and my siblings. If you look at them, they seem very close.

Did I miss something in my life? I don't know how they became so close.

Link glanced at me, so I looked away and focused on my food. Is he serious about courting me? Or is he just feverish today?

After we finished eating, Mama let Link and me go out to talk. Link took me to the river side, and we sat on a flat rock and happily watched the rushing water.

"Once I've properly asked your parents for permission, I'll start worrying about you." He broke the silence between us.

I looked at Link when he spoke. "Aren't you going to ask for my approval?"

"I don't need your approval. Courtship is done, not asked."

"Will you last?" I challenged him.

"We'll see."

The deafening silence once again dominated between us. It was only broken when Link's cell phone rang. He took out his phone and frowned when he saw the caller ID. He immediately answered it.

"Hello... ha? What are you talking about, Sel?... Clarify, I don't understand you, where are you?..."

I was puzzled when I saw the change in Link's expression. What's happening?

"Fuc— yes, wait for me."

After he finished talking to Russell on the other line, he put away his cell phone and faced me. He smiled at me, trying to show that everything was fine. He's good at hiding his true feelings, but he can't hide his problem from me right now.

"I'll go ahead of you, I'll just call you later." He smiled, about to leave when I held onto his arm, causing him to stop. "W-why?" he asked, looking at my hand holding his arm.

"Where are you going?" I asked plainly.

He smiled. "Come on, we'll still see each other later." I gave him a stern look, causing him to let out a sigh.

"I know there's a problem with Russell. Just based on your reaction while talking to him, what happened?"

"It's Prof,"

"What about him?"

"He was beaten up by outsiders." W-what?

"I'll come with you."

"No,"

"I'll come with you, I want to see Prof."

"You might get into trouble there, just go home."

"I don't want to!"

He closed his eyes tightly and faced me in frustration, the last time I saw him look at me with frustration and anger was during our first encounter.

"You're not coming," he said calmly but with a hint of firmness.

"I am coming—"

"What's so hard to understand about what I said, Angelle?! Do you want to get hurt?!"

I let go of his arm and stepped back in shock from his outburst. I bit my lower lip, trying to hold back the tears welling up in my eyes.

He seemed to realize what he had done with his shouting, so he approached me, but I just moved away.

"I-I'm sorry, I was just startled."

I forced a weak smile. "It's okay," I said and ran away from him.

"Angelle!"

He called out to me, but I ignored him. I knew it. That's why I really don't like interfering and forcing people because I'll just get scolded or shouted at. I'm too emotional, and even with just a simple shout, I take it to heart.

When I arrived home, Mama wasn't there, so I went straight to my room and let out all my emotions there.

I didn't do anything wrong, I just wanted to go with him to see Prof. But why did he react like that?

I know he just didn't want me to get involved, but it's still not right for him to shout at me. And then he'll apologize as if it's that easy?

Isiah doesn't even shout at me. Even Mama doesn't shout at me, and he just does that?

I sat down on my bed and wiped away the tears staining my face.

Why am I crying? Link just shouted at me, but I'm acting as if he's my boyfriend who hurt me. Tch! From now on, I won't pay any attention to Link anymore to avoid any more problems.

On Sunday, Papa invited us to attend mass at Antipolo church. Tomorrow in the evening, Papa will be leaving to go back to Makati where he works. After the mass, we went to Jollibee to have our usual bonding time over food. I just had fries and a burger since I'm always on a diet.

"Papa, we're going to buy a volleyball ball." Lica said while we were halfway through our meal.

"What for?"

"I joined the volleyball team for the Intramurals, Papa."

"That's great," Papa said with a smile, then he looked at me. "What about you, Angelle? Did you join too?"

"No, Pa."

"Tch! Papa, when did you ever see her join any sports at school?" Lica sarcastically remarked.

"Yeah, Angelle. Why don't you join?" Papa asked.

I swallowed my fries before answering Papa's question. "I'm not really interested in sports, and it's just a waste of time for me." I replied.

Papa just nodded slowly, knowing that if I don't want to, it can't be forced upon me.

After eating, we bought a volleyball ball for Lica before we went to buy a cell phone for me. It took a while before Papa bought me one, but I didn't complain because I knew they still had other expenses, so Papa couldn't buy what we wanted that quickly.

"Is that okay?" Papa asked as I checked the cell phone that caught my eye.

It's the same brand as my previous cell phone that got broken. But this one is a newer version, so it's a bit more expensive.

"That's fine, Sistah. At least it's a newer version for you," Lica commented, and I gave her a glare.

"I don't need it to be a newer version, as long as I can use it, it's okay." It retaliated with an annoyed expression.

"Just buy it for her, Pa." Mama said.

I agreed, and Papa paid for the cell phone I chose.

"Do you want me to share to you the new videos?" Lica asked, showing me the newly downloaded videos.

"Thanks, but no thanks."

When we got tired of strolling around, we decided to go home and rest. We walked a lot inside the mall, and Papa bought us a lot of things, so each of us had something in our hands.

Papa said he's buying us what we want now because he won't be able to come home for two weeks. They'll be in Baguio for two weeks, so he won't be able to come home.

When I arrived home, I saved the numbers of Mama, Papa, Lica, and the people I know. I also texted Isiah, but he didn't reply right away because he's busy with school and their business.

He's graduating next year, so I understand why he just asks about me through text with Mama. He knows that my cell phone is broken, but he doesn't know the reason why.

It's sad because I don't know how to tell Isiah everything.

BZZZTT!

I checked the notification bar to see who texted, and I smiled when I saw Isiah's name.

From: Isiah

I heard that Uncle bought you a new cell phone, that's good to know. By the way, how are you?

I composed a reply and sent it.

To: Isiah

I'm fine, thanks. How about you?

sent<

He replied shortly after.

From: Isiah

I'm okay too, just tired because of school. There are a lot of requirements to submit since I'm graduating.

I smiled at his reply, imagining that he's going to be the next President of his family's company.

Their company produces a popular brand of body soap, and since Isiah is the only son in the family, it will be passed on to him.

Our text conversation with Isiah ended when he said he had something to do. I was about to complain to him because we rarely text and now he's saying goodbye again. But I also thought that maybe his time is important and he has something to do, so I bid him farewell as well.

I threw myself onto the bed and let out a sigh. I'm worried about Isiah's health. The last time he visited us, he looked a bit thinner, probably due to lack of sleep and stress.

"Sistah!" I looked up when someone entered my room and raised an eyebrow.

What does she need now?

"What?" I asked as she sat on the bed.

"The Intramurals will be for two days, will you come and watch?"

"What if I don't want to?" I retorted.

The Intramurals will last for two days, and for two days, we'll just go to school to watch and support our friends who joined.

She smirked and hugged me while I was lying on the bed. What's wrong with this girl?

"Please! Record me and Drex!"

"Excuse me? You're making me your cameraman?" I said sarcastically.

"We're on the same team with Drex, it would be a waste if we don't have video of our game."

I pushed her away and sat up properly on the bed.

"I'll agree on one condition."

She smiled. "Okay, what is it?"

"One month of treating me to food," her smile disappeared from her lips, and her shoulders slumped at my response.

"Get yourself together! What's with one month of treating me to food?!" she said irritably.

"One month of treating me to food or no video?"

She sighed. "Okay, fine. Deal, jus

t make sure you record it properly, okay?" I saluted and raised an eyebrow, which annoyed her.

"Then prepare your DSLR, right?"

"That's why," she sarcastically replied.

She got off my bed and stormed out of my room, and I couldn't help but grin. Ugh! Do you really have to do everything when you're in love?