The four corner room is filled with laughter and joy. His classmates from college were teasing and throwing silly jokes. But amidst the happiness and laughter, I can't feel anything but nervousness. It's a pleasant sight to see-- the joy, but my mind is throbbing and my heart wavers from time to time. I easily get chills creeping on my insides every time there's silence in between their laughs.

"You didn't change a bit!"

The man at the center of the crowd said with a smile on his face that I wished from this moment on, he won't wear it off.

He's happy. I can see that from where I'm at. He didn't know who to look at or who to hear out first because everybody is so eager to talk to him. But that didn't hinder him from glancing my way before he faces someone.

I always wanted to see him smile because it puts my heart at ease but seeing him smiling and laughing now, it tears my heart into pieces, bit by bit.

"We're happy that you're back," Deliah, a close friend of him from college said with relief.

Revi squeezed my hand and secretly glanced my way before smiling at her friend, Deliah. "I'm happy that I'm back too."

I saw how Deliah's eyes pooled with tears but she immediately looked away before a tear escaped her eye. Her boyfriend, Cleo, caressed her back to calm her down.

Her girl classmates from college were crying already and some of her guy classmates from college are on the verge of crying too but they just kept it all in. The girls are already emotional as it is, they don't want to add up.

I saw how Revi looked away and I heard his soft sob. He doesn't want anyone to see that he sheds a tear because he wanted everyone to see that he's a strong man like what everyone has anticipated.

He didn't change at all despite the world he chose to come back had already experienced its changes a long time ago.

This is his first step towards braveness.

I know that it's hard for him to see that all of his classmates in college are now having a better life. I know he yearned for life just like theirs too. He was supposed to live like them but... life for him was so cruel.

"I... I am an attorney now Rev," Noel, his classmate said. "If you want legal counseling in the future, come to me."

Noel said that to ease the heavy tension inside the room which was effective because some laughed. The sounds of crying were slowly being covered with laughter.

"Dude, I'm such a good person!" Revi jokingly screamed after wiping his watery eyes with the back of his hand.

Laughter then roared inside the room.

"I am happy with what you've accomplished, guys." Revi tried to hide his bitterness but it is still evident from the tone of his voice. It can't be helped. He lost years and he even lost the track of time.

"And we are happy that you're now back, Revi!" Anthony screamed in joy before standing up from the couch to go and hug Revi who's sitting on his bed.

I shifted on my seat when I remembered Revi's stitches but he didn't let out a sound of pain so I remained glued on my chair.

"Mario might get jealous because of this, ah!" Revi kid while caressing Anthony's back. Anthony let go of Revi in a sudden before protruding his lips which made us all laugh with his reaction.

"They broke up a year ago, Rev." Someone said from behind. Revi's eyes widened upon hearing and carefully looked at Anthony, seeking for an answer through judging Anthony's reaction.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you two are still... together," he apologetically said. This was hard for him too. Being left behind hurts. Not knowing a thing from the past years was a pain.

Anthony shook his head. "That's fine. I've already moved on... I think," Anthony answered in his weak voice.

Anthony is gay inside and out. Ever since Revi introduced me to Anthony back when we were still in college, he is already together with that Mario guy. They lasted long, I know that because I was one of those people whom he has shared about his love life. But we don't know anything for sure so they eventually broke up last year.

"We should go, Rev. We still need to go to work but we'll come back to pay you a visit tomorrow," Cleo said before standing up from his seat beside his girlfriend, Deliah, who's been eyeing me suspiciously.

"Yeah. We'll prepare a lot of gossips the next time we visit," a woman in her corporate attire said before giggling.

Revi nodded, laughing. Before they went out of Revi's hospital room, they waved me goodbye while others just simply smiled at me. I know all of them. After all, they witnessed how Revi and I exchanged our love then.

When I felt someone staring, I turned to the entrance again and found Dehlia's serious and piercing gaze while Cleo was secretly nudging her just so everyone would be able to go outside already.

I controlled Revi's bed and lowered it down just so he would lie down comfortably and sleep. When he's now comfortably lying on his bed, he smiled at me.

"What a beautiful view," he mumbled as he traced my cheek dearly with his fingers.

I froze in my place, making me unable to move.

I missed his touch.

I couldn't smile at him so I swiftly avoided his gaze and bent down to check if the gears were properly fixed beneath his bed.

"You should sleep, Rev," I told him after standing up properly.

"Will you be here when I wake up?" He asked with his eyes full of hope.

I gave him an assuring smile. "I will be here when you sleep and when you wake up, Rev."

When he fell asleep, I went outside his room to fill my bottle with water but I was shocked to see Dehlia upon sliding the door open.

When she saw me, she automatically stood up with her handbag in her front.

"I thought you already left," I said, still surprise.

"I want to talk to you, Amelia."

I nodded and glanced at Revi's room before closing the door completely.

"Let's talk in the somewhere," I said before gesturing her the way to the hospital's cafeteria.

I filled my bottle with water before going to Dehlia's way who's now sitting at the table far from the crowd. She was sitting against the crowd, being cautious. Stealing the public's attention would make a huge mess so she tried hard not to be noticed. Whatever she will say, it seems confidential.

"Uhh... you want to talk. What is it?" I said upon sitting on the chair across her. I have an idea of what we're going to talk about but I still need to ask her.

Dehlia transferred her bag from the table down to the floor just so her line of vision won't get hindered.

"About Rev and your relationship with him."

I had a feeling that what she wants to talk about is this... my relationship with Revi. And I was right.

"I know that everything was hard for you. And I know... we all know that you're with someone now but Amelia, Revi finally woke up after... 15 long years. What are you going to do?"

My eyes glided from Dehlia down to the table between us. She's right, everything was hard for me. But that still doesn't justify that I'm with someone now while my boyfriend was asleep for that long.

But what can I do then?

"I... I don't know, Dehls. Revi's mom thinks that I should just keep it a secret from him until then. But-"

Dehlia immediately reached for my hand which was placed on top of the table and held it tightly while tears are now pooling on the corner of her eyes.

"I... I don't think so, Amelia." She said while shaking her head. "You should tell him. You should tell Revi that you're with someone now. Don't let my friend hope for you when there's nothing... you can give anymore. Please... please... tell him now-"

I immediately pulled my hand away from her hold which made her lips part. I was shocked at what I did too.

She looked at me with bloodshot eyes. Anger was evident from her face. "You're selfish, Amelia! What are you planning to do, huh?! Will you still keep Revi even when... even when..."

Dehlia's chest lifted up and down because of her sudden outburst. She was seething with uncontrollable anger but she was being careful not to lash out because we might steal everyone's attention.

"I... won't, Dehlia! I won't tell him that for now. Maybe if he is completely healed then I will but... Revi! Revi-- just woke up a week ago!"

Telling him that now made me afraid that it might put him to sleep again or worse, maybe he'll never wake up again! If I will tell him the situation now, I am afraid of the certainties that he'll hate me.

Revi never hated me. Revi loves and cherishes me. But the image of Revi lashing out his anger towards me made me scared to death.

I am grateful that he finally woke up. After a deep slumber, after being in a coma for 15 long years, after almost losing hope that he'll ever wake up... he unexpectedly woke up!

It's a miracle!

Dehlia stood up from her seat while looking at me with dagger-like eyes that would probably kill me. But the case is, I won't die from just that death stare but maybe I will if Revi, the man I once loved and the man I don't wanna hurt will look at me with his eyes in rage, I think I will die.

"You don't intend to tell him, do you? Amelia, he's a great friend and your boyfriend who you spent half of your life then but here you are, hiding all your secrets because of your selfishness!"

I clenched my fist, trying to suppress the anger and desperation I am now feeling. I know that I don't have the right to be angry right now because what Dehlia said is not out of pure emotions but she spoke to me with rationality. I know that she's right. I know that I should tell Revi but I just cannot take the risk and lose him again!

Revi deserves every right to know but goodness gracious, he just woke up a week ago! What could he possibly feel if I will let him know now?

To welcome his awakening from a deep slumber with the truth... it's just so cruel. And whether I'll tell him sooner or later, it remains cruel.

I know Dehlia's right and she's right that I am just afraid of the certainties that Revi will hate me but I deeply care for him. That is why I am not telling him even if that means that I will fool him in the meantime.

"I said, I will not tell him Dehlia! I will wait for the perfect timing-"

"Why wait when you could just tell him now that you're now fcking in love with someone, not him?! Why? Do you still love Revi?"

I pursed my lips tightly as I clenched my fist harder under the table that it might bleed my palm any time soon.

"Answer me, Amelia! Do you still love Revi?!" She asked, desperation and anger are etched in her tone.

I closed my eyes as honesty ruled my head. "Y-yes," I stammered. I lift my head only to meet Dehlia's eyes blazing with anger.

"I love Revi, Dehlia-"

She closed our distance and I then felt the heat of her palm on my cheeks which made my face turn to the side. I could taste blood on my lips as I breathed heavily.

I heard gasped and indistinct chattering from the crowd. The heavy intensity brought by Dehlia's slap stole the attention of the people near us but she couldn't care less. She couldn't contain her emotions anymore that the stares of the people around us weren't her concern now.

"What did you say?" Dehlia asked with seething anger.

When I looked back at her, what welcomed me is the deeply drawn anger on her eyes.

"I said I love Revi--"

I wasn't finished talking yet she cut me off with another slap on the right cheek, this time, with much more heavy intensity.

When I looked back at her, her chest was lifting up and down every second and I could hear his hoarse breathing, showing that she's having the struggle to breathe at this moment.

If this is not a heavy conversation but a normal one, I would feel her heartbeat's pace and recommend her an appropriate medicine but it wasn't.

"I always wanted to say this, Amelia."

My breathing is ragged now too. Both of my cheeks are hot and painful but I couldn't put care because Dehlia is dead serious now that she's almost close to killing me.

"Even if Tita approved of your relationship with someone, not her son, my opinion regarding that differs. You're in a relationship with a man sleeping on his hospital bed for 15 years and the man you saw that you'll spend this life with him and the next, yet you fell in love and had a relationship with someone. I don't know what else to call you but you're a cheater, Amelia."

My eyes widened and my lips parted in disbelief. Dehlia is a very close friend of Revi and mine since then. She rooted for Revi's relationship with me and she was there, supporting us every step of the way and hearing this from her now, struck my chest straight through my heart.

It hurts.

It still hurts even though I was already looking forward to this to happen.

"You're a cheater, Amelia. You cheated on Revi while he's asleep!"

As much as I want to discard the thought and deny that I am indeed a cheater in love... the situation says so. I cheated with someone I loved while he's on his death bed. I know that my loneliness and emptiness don't justify my actions but with Revi sleeping for that long, leaving me alone, made me feel empty. I held on to our memories together as I could but seeing him every day on his bed, sleeping, where no one knows if he'll ever wake up or not anymore, it made me lose hope.

Dehlia's right. I cheated on Revi while he's asleep.

I keep on glancing at Camila beside me because she looks drowsy and her head keeps on falling on my shoulder but because she's still half-awake, she automatically sits properly right after even when our professor's voice from our minor subject was soporific.

When the bell rang, the professor then dismissed the class and left. It was our last subject in the afternoon and it doesn't help most of us because the subject was boring plus our professor's voice was pulling his students to feel sleepy. And the time scheduled for that subject is already a given.

Camila yawn while we are in the hallway. "Good thing, I didn't fall asleep back then!" She hissed while her eyes watered because of her yawning.

I chuckled. "You were dozing off."

"Anyway, are you going with me or... you still have somewhere to go with lover boy?" She asked with tease while slightly poking my side.

I nodded shyly as I felt the hotness on my cheeks.

Camila looked at me in awe. "You two lasted for this long yet you're still blushing like it's new?"

My lips parted and I then shook my head. "We'll just go out for a while but I'll go home right after," I diverted.

She snickered. "Oh fine! Take care."

We bid each other goodbye and we then parted ways. My boyfriend called in the morning and he said that we'll have our date this afternoon.

Our class for today ended early but he didn't text me again since his last message during lunchtime. Maybe he still has class so I decided to go to their plaza just right in front of their building and wait there for him until his class finishes.

I typed for a message but deleted it right away when I realized that it will just disturb him so I placed my phone in the small pocket at the bottom end of my white uniform blouse.

I met some friends and acquaintances along the way to Revi's building so it took me some time because we exchanged pleasantries and talked for a bit. It was a quarter to 5 when I reached the College of Sciences building and I still haven't received any message from my boyfriend, probably still in class.

People were hanging out in the plaza but it wasn't crowded because it's already five in the afternoon and most class has already ended or some are still in class. I sat on the table in which I could see the people going in and out of the building so that I could see Revi if he goes out.

Some students near me who are sitting on the patios of the plaza are constantly giving me glances. I awkwardly smiled at them which they returned with their forehead creased, confound. Maybe confused as to why someone who doesn't belong in this department was hanging out here.

From my all-white uniform-- from my blouse and my pencil skirt down to my white shoes, it is obvious enough that I am a Nursing Student. This is the building of the College of Sciences but Nursing students don't belong here because we belong to the College of Medicine so that explains it. But somehow or another, we're related to each other.

It's close to 5:30 and Revi hasn't texted me yet so I presume that he's still in class. This is not new though because sometimes it's me who takes longer in class and there are times that it's him. If I am the one who's late on our date or errand, he'll wait for me even if it takes an hour or more. We were used to this kind of situation so it's nothing tiring.

I snatched my reviewer from inside my shoulder bag and thought that it's better if I would read while waiting. We have an exam tomorrow and I already studied in advance yesterday but surprise exams are to be expected at the tertiary level so advanced reading would save me in times of crisis like surprise exams.

I was so engrossed in reading that I lost track of the time. If only Revi didn't nudge me, I wouldn't notice his presence.

"Hey," Revi called in his usual manly voice.

I smiled upon lifting my head to meet his eyes and his bright smile. "What time were you here?" He asked.

"4:30?"

His forehead creased. "You should have gone home first and I will just fetch you after I finish my class."

I raised my brow after putting my reviewer back to my bag. "I told you. I like to see us wearing our uniforms when we're out for a date."

He shot his brows up and snatched my shoulder bag from my hold and carried it himself.

"Was your back wet?" He asked in a worried voice before glancing on my back.

I rolled my eyes as I stood up from where I'm sitting. "I'm a Nursing student, for Pete's sake!" I cried which made him chuckle. And I could handle myself just fine. Wiping my back is something manageable.

"I found a good place for our date but that's far away and we don't have the time because we still have class tomorrow so we'll just go there the next time."

I nodded while we are walking our way to the university's gate. We are not heading to the parking lot so I supposed that we'll just hang out across the street.

This. This is what made me stay with him. Besides saying yes when he courted me when we were in Senior High School, everything about Revi made me stay. The way he decently carries himself made me like him and he's much more than that when he's with me. His principles are never-bending and strong and he always speaks his thought, never leaving anything behind. He's a 'this is what I think, this is what I feel' kind of a person. The way Revi talks that even foul comments or statements would never be recognized as one because he has this way of words.

And by just that statement, he cares for me, for us, and our studies. That's what I like about him. And there is so much more that I like about this man that I cannot express into words.

Even though it's already 6 in the evening, there are still a lot of students whom we've encountered while we were on our way to the gate.

"Hey Revi! With Miss Perfect again?" A guy with a familiar face said.

I don't know but some address me as 'Miss Perfect'. I don't want to be called like that because it makes me shy and besides, I somehow disagree with that. No one is perfect and I believe that. Even I, the person they referred to as the person of perfection, is flawed too.

"What's new?" Revi replied in a cocky manner which made the other guy laughed before bidding the both of us goodbye.

Revi held my hand swiftly, interlocking our fingers. "There's nothing new, right? Still you."

Heat then gushed through my cheeks that even my nose feels hot of a sudden.

Revi pinched my nose lightly. "Let's go?"

I nodded while touching my nose he just pinched.

"Mister, five kwek-kwek and 10 pieces of fishball," Revi said to the old man we happened to see selling street foods across the university road.

He then turned to me with a smile that didn't wear off since we're together.

"Fries and kwek-kwek for mine, Mister."

I watched the big frying pan on the cart with sizzling oil. I was watching the food we ordered which was currently cooked with hot oil.

"How's school?"

I snapped and turned to Revi who's now watching me, waiting for my reply.

I shrugged. "The usual. There's still surprise quizzes."

"Those are nothing new."

"Are you even studying?" I asked him for tease but I tried hard to sound suspicious.

He looked at me offended, obviously faking it. "Of course! Does that need to be asked?"

Oh right. I forgot. Revi is a very proud man but that kind of proud who could show something through actions and not just merely spouting.

"I just want to tease you, Rev." I giggled.

"Oh, that was a tease?" He asked as if he didn't notice that it was a tease.

When our food was cooked, I snatched coins from my purse and was about to hand the money to the vendor but Revi already paid for it.

"It was my food so it must be me who should pay for it!" I told him, annoyed, while we were on our way to my boarding house.

"Oh come'n! It was just 30 pesos and that wasn't sore to my wallet, Amelia."

I frowned. "I always value any amount-- small or big, Rev!"

I was just proving a point here but he didn't seem to get it.

Oh, I won't let this off easily. Even though it was just a mere 30 pesos, that doesn't change the fact that it was my food and I wasn't a fan-free of anything. My parents are well-off but I was raised decently and that includes the knowledge they instilled into my mind that there's nothing free in this world nor I would spend my money on anything nonsense!

I know I shouldn't make this big and I don't have any plans for doing so. I just want to let him know. Small or big, it could affect our relationship so as long as possible, I am already resolving it before it could become a problem.

He sighed before eating his last kwek-kwek. "Okay, fine. I'm sorry but this is just for today."

I hand him my bill of 20 pesos and a 10 peso coin, an exact 30 pesos. His mouth gaped at the sight of it.

"I insist on paying my food," I said with warning. I was just so serious about this matter, I couldn't just let it go. I couldn't let him have his way.

He massaged his temple, obviously not agreeing that I will pay but is giving up because I just won't budge. "Well, if you insist. I'll take that."

He accepted my 30 pesos money before pocketing it inside the pocket of his pants even though I could see from his reaction that he was really against it.

I smiled at him brightly which made him laugh.

"Yeah, right. I could add this 30 pesos to my gas."

I shook my head and before I could eat my last piece of kwek-kwek in my skewer, Revi forestalled me and snatched my kwek-kwek before bringing it near his mouth.

My grip on the hem of his short-sleeve tightened as I pleaded silently while looking at him who's now teasing the kwek-kwek to his mouth.

"NO!" I screamed.

After screaming 'no' in its full glory, he ate it without mercy. I immediately whack his shoulder which made him groan.

He immediately ran away from me and stopped just to wait for me even though we're now metered apart.

When I was about to touch his uniform, he ran at full speed, leaving me behind, leaving a huge gap between us.

I looked at the naughty guy with his light golden hair swaying along with the smooth wind who just stole my last piece of kwek-kwek and who happened to be my boyfriend, Revi Abracosa!

"You! How dare you steal my boiled quail eggs coated with an orange batter!"

“So... bye?"

He nodded before smiling. "Bye. See you tomorrow, love." He said and kissed my cheeks dearly.

He waited for me to go inside before leaving. I always admire that about him. He's a gentleman then and that didn't change one bit even when we are now officially together.

I know him before he courted me. I mean, who won't? He is a popular guy because he has everything. He's handsome, rich, and intelligent. Besides those three factors, he has a talent for singing. He's the guy that every girl on the campus is dreaming of. And even when we are now together, his admirers stayed but that wasn't a bother to me or the two of us. It doesn't affect our relationship either. We didn't have any problem with that matter because I already know that he's popular with girls even then. I guess that part of him is intangible.

I said yes when he courted and I said yes, accepting all of him. Well, it includes his admirers.

"How's the date?" Megan, my board mate asked with a tease. She's a year older than me and we get along because she's a Nursing student too.

I chuckled shyly before taking my shoe off from my feet and wore my slippers before going inside.

"It was okay."

"Amelia is so lucky! She's beautiful and smart. She even has a boyfriend who's a dream to most! I hope everyone has that."

I felt my cheeks heated when one of our board mates screamed from the kitchen who's peeking at us in the living room. Some who heard laughed with what she said.

I studied for three hours after eating my dinner before going to sleep. My class is going to be early tomorrow and because I was tired for the day, I immediately doze off to sleep.

I woke up by the sound of my alarm clock. I couldn't help but smile while massaging my temple. Who wouldn't smile upon hearing Revi's gentle voice first thing in the morning?

"Hey, love! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!"

I shook my head before putting a stop on my alarm clock. I grabbed my towel and necessities before going outside of my room to take a bath. There are just three bathrooms and two comfort rooms here in our boarding house and it wasn't the same as dormitories and condominiums like having both bath and comfort rooms in every room. It's different in boarding houses so we need to wake up early to take a bath especially if our class was set in an early time.

When I went out of the comfort room with my towel wrapped around my head, Camila welcomed me with my phone and with Revi's name on the screen.

She pointed my phone when I looked at her with my forehead creased.

"I accidentally answered the call. I'm sorry!" She apologized, panicky.

I gasped and immediately took my phone from her.

"Hey," I said when I drew my phone near my ear.

"Why was Camila the one who answered my call?" Revi asked me, confound.

Camila apologized again before going inside the bathroom.

I glanced at the closed door of the bathroom and sighed. "Her phone broke so she used mine."

"Oh, is that so? Isn't that a hassle for you?" He asked while I'm walking towards my room.

Revi always speaks his thoughts. He is blunt but in a good way.

"Ames! Breakfast?" One of my board mates offered.

I put my phone down. "I'll grab a quick breakfast outside because I might be late. But... thank you!"

She nodded and continued eating. I drew my phone near my ear again to answer Revi's question earlier.

"It's not, really. I have my laptop with me if I would need to research something," I answered before locking my room.

"And? Where will she be able to buy a new phone?"

I put my phone down on my bedside table and put the speaker on. I pulled my uniform which was hanged inside the cabinet before putting it on my bed.

I shrugged as if he could see me doing it. "I'm not sure. But in the meantime, I'll let her borrow my phone." I said before blow-drying my hair.

"What? I can't hear you at all. Are you perhaps blow-drying your hair?"

I chuckled. He really knows me or was it just because he's aware of everything? Either of the two, he made me laugh.

"I'm sorry. Can you call later, Rev?" I asked and turned my hair blower off for a moment.

"Sure. I'll call you later. Take care, love." He said before I heard the sound of the 'call ended.'

When I finished preparing, I applied light make -up and checked my notebooks and other things in my bag that I would need for this day.

When I went out of my room, Camila walked pass by with her body wrapped with just a towel and her wet short hair.

"You're going already?" She asked, surprised.

"Yes. My class is early today. You?"

She sighed when she realized something. "Oh, right. My class is set at 8 this morning."

I nodded and bid my goodbye.

She's a 2nd-year student of Nursing while I am in my 3rd-year. Their professor of a minor subject was on maternity leave, I think. So, starting yesterday, their class was asked to join ours so that we could share one professor in the same subject with them. That explains why I was with Camila in one room yesterday. We already went through that subject when we were still in our second year of college so some of my classmates decided to cut classes.

When my morning class came to its end, I received a text message from Revi. I was in the midst of a group meeting regarding one subject and because I don’t entertain anything that could disrupt our meeting, I secretly opened and read my boyfriend’s message under the table.

From: Revi

Yey! I’m vacant from 1-3 in the afternoon. Where you at?

I didn’t notice that it was already one in the afternoon because I was too engrossed in our discussion. I haven’t had lunch yet!

I turned my cellphone off to listen to my group’s plan. Our project at this subject would be something big thus it cannot be taken lightly. And even though it’s something light and could be taken frivolously, I won’t do it so easily. I can’t be carefree when it comes to my studies and good thing, my boyfriend indulges me into that too.

"What’s left is only clarifications. I’ll send it through group chat,” Joey, the leader of our group said before dismissing all of us.

Some already ate their lunch while some are on their way to eat lunch somewhere. I’m free for an hour this afternoon so I still have time to eat my lunch although it’s late for one.

I went to the nearest carinderia outside the university premise. I ordered one cup of rice and a certain viand of my favorites when I remembered something.

I fished my phone out from the pocket of my blouse and immediately checked Revi's message. Besides the message he sent to me earlier, there are two more messages from him, still unread.

From: Revi

Love? Did you eat your lunch already? Let’s eat together.

From: Revi

Still in class?

I immediately typed for a reply when a message popped out from the side of my screen, coming from my messenger. When I saw Millena’s picture, my block mate, displayed on the chat head, I tapped it to read her message.

From: Millena

A friend sent this picture to me.

My brows furrowed upon reading her message. Seconds after, Millena forwarded me a picture which caught me in surprise.

It was a picture of a woman who's hugging my boyfriend from behind. I could barely see the face of the woman because of Revi and because the picture was taken from a distance which made it a little blurry.

From: Millena

I saw Revi with the same clothes earlier. You’re not together?

Was this taken just this day?

The picture got me perplexed. Why would a woman hug a man who has a girlfriend? It was obviously not the hug of a friend! I know that almost everyone knows my relationship with Revi. Even our professors are aware of that too. So, why?

Maybe it's an admirer. He never loses that but this is the first time I saw him being hugged so dearly and... possessively by someone.

Me:

We're not together.

Me:

Who's the woman?

I bit my lower lip when I realized my way of asking a question. I sounded like a jealous girlfriend but I have all the right to feel like it, right? I am his girlfriend!

Yes, he has admirers and I know that. But this is the first time that a woman went physical to him. I was having a mental battle of what I should feel. I was in between frustrated and cool. I was feeling frustrated because Revi was held by someone so possessively and feeling that everything should be cool and fine because it was just a mere hug and not a kiss but I couldn’t get over the fact that I was not that someone.

Gosh. I am not a possessive girlfriend but why am I acting like I am?

Who’s she, by the way? A dedicated admirer?

From: Millena

That's Aubrey.

I sighed after reading Millena's reply. I have a feeling that the woman in the picture she sent was Aubrey and I was right!

I know her. We’re classmates from when I was in junior high to senior high school and she was my… friend. It ‘was’ because she doesn’t consider me as one anymore. She doesn’t consider me as her friend now. If I remember it correctly, our friendship was torn apart when Revi started courting me and we then drifted away from each other the moment I said my ‘yes’ to Revi.

I had a feeling that it was because of Revi because she might have a crush on him but she didn’t tell me anything about that. I just assumed that that’s the reason why. But from what I saw on the picture which Millena sent, it proves my assertion from before. If that’s not it, what would be her reason to cut off ties with me when we were friends for so long, right?

It has to be because of Revi. If that’s not it, then what is?

I tried hard not to think about it anymore and forget the picture I saw in the meantime. It was already afternoon and it is already past my lunchtime. If I’ll get swayed by those disturbing thoughts, I wouldn’t be able to satisfy my hunger. I value my health that is why I need to eat although it's already late for lunch.

I would just think about it all after eating. That’s better.

I paid for my food and then went my way back to the university. It was so hot especially at a time like this. I stopped walking under the heat of the sun when my phone beeped for a message.

I went to the nearest tree to get some shelter from the sun and so I could properly read the message.

I was planning to think about everything after class but I guess Revi knows me so much.

From: Revi

I think something's bothering you. Where are you?

Despite how baffled I was because of the picture I saw, I can't help but smile upon reading my boyfriend's message. He really knows me. Oh, right. Who wouldn’t know a person whom you’ve been together for 4 years, right?

I typed for a reply.

Me:

Yup, but let's talk later after class.

I was about to insert my phone in the pocket of my blouse when I heard the sound of a new message.

From: Revi

Okay, then :)

I raised my hand, the one holding my phone, to shield my face from the heat of the sun until I reached my building. I was on my way to get inside when I saw a familiar woman standing not that far from me.

I checked the time on my wristwatch. There’s still 30 minutes left for my class so it would be fine to spare some time to talk to Aubrey. She seems like she wants to talk to me about something too.

I went to her and stopped to leave a meter distance in between. I pocketed my phone and I let my hand stay in the pocket of my blouse.

“I was waiting for you,” she said. I didn’t know how to approach her, actually. Are you familiar with that kind of feeling when you talk to someone again who used to be your friend? That’s what I feel right now.

But with all the whirling questions in my mind, I managed to reply. "I had lunch."

She nodded.

I am mad at her but I am not the type to lash out. I always think rationally and I don't want any unnecessary thoughts to go between the conversation if possible. But my intriguing and perhaps, curious questions on my mind can't stay unasked.

"Why are you here?"

I have a feeling that what she wants to talk about is not our broken friendship that was torn for some reason. I have a feeling that this talk would be about Revi and between the two of us, not as ex-friends but as a woman of our own.

"I like your boyfriend. Revi," she said. She even mentioned Revi's name as she had to make it clear. It's not like I have a boyfriend other than Revi!

And I wasn’t even surprised anymore when she confessed that she really likes my boyfriend. That was what I thought back then.

She closed our distance and only left a few inches from me. She held a few strands of my long, straight hair and twirled it a little with her finger.

She advanced her face a bit towards mine like our distance from each other wasn’t enough for me to hear whatever she will say.

"He's mine in the first place... you just snatched him," she whispered in a soft voice yet with emphasis.

She distanced her face away and let out a smirk as if she won a certain competition or something like that.

I am an unica hija of the Savamontes and I was raised decently but I was told to be fierce if there's a need to. I can't be soft and kind every time because, at some point in life, I will encounter some people who need to be fiercely deal with.

And that's Aubrey.

"You're delusional," I said. My brows furrowed as her eyes widened in surprise.

"What? Revi's yours? Why is he my boyfriend, then?"