Darylle held a coin and knocked it on the steel handle bar in side the jeepney. Such action is to indicate the arrival of the passenger on their destination. The jeepney slowly stopped.
He turned to Quillan. "I'll go ahead." To which he replied with a smile and said. "Take care and see you soon." He told him as he stood up and get out of the jeepney.
He was standing on the side of the highway as he watched Quillan waving at him while the jeepney started and quickly disappeared in the horizon.
Darylle couldn't help but smile. Did that just really happened?
•••
"We haven't seen each other for a long time and now you are dating not just one, but two guys." Belle said as Darylle told them about Erik and Quillan.
He arrived in the pharmacy that Belle runs in her hometown, Lou. His friends noticed him blushing as he tried to calm himself down when they suddenly questioned him what happened on his way here.
They have been friends for nine years and they knew something was not right about him. So he can't lie to them and told them about Erik and Quillan.
"Where did this Erik came from?" Mich asked as she passed Darylle a cup of ice cream. "Sorry to pop your bubbles but there's something mysterious about him." She said. "I agree. He offered you to drive you home." Jillian said.
Darylle then felt anxious as all of them were looking at him right now. "Relax guys, he showed me his I.D. and he is also a graduate from UB." He told them which surprised them and even made Belle scream.
"What was his course?" Mary inquired. "Maybe business, he is helping his dad with their family business." He told them. They all gone quiet and he knew they were trying to remember a guy named Erik in the business college in the university. "As if I haven't done my research as well. There are a lot of guys back then. But we're too busy to notice." He said.
"He's right." Belle said as she tapped his back. "We should support Daryl instead, now that he's going to have a lovelife." She added and the whole group agreed. "Just tell us if he hurts you. You know the drill." Jillian said as she winked at him.
Darylle straightened up from his seat. "Actually, I'm still confuse. You know what happened to my last relationship. It somehow made me afraid to love again." He said. Mich and Jillian looked at each other as they haven't been on a relationship since birth, while Mary and Belle nodded to each other.
"You should give yourself a chance." Mary said. "Life is too short for being afraid. It's the risk that makes life exciting after all." She added.
"Okay. But how am I going to do this?" He asked.
"Just be yourself." Mich said which somehow surprised the group, knowing she didn't have any experience being involved in a relationship. "Yeah. You have to show him what he will get." Mary added. "If he loves it, then he's the one for you. If he doesn't, you still have Quillan." Belle said. Then the group burst into laughter.
"But we are not even dating." Darylled cleared the matter. "I bet you two will meet again randomly. If that happens, well, you have two princes waiting for the taking." She teased him. "Erik, the one who pursues you. Quillan, the one whom destiny wants for you." She added.
"I will bet with destiny." Mich said. "I bet for love." Mary said. And the group was suddenly divided into team Erik and team Quillan. "This is rididulous. I'm not Bella Swan." He said laughing. On team Erik are Mary and Jillian. On team Quillan are Mich and Belle.
"Trust me when I say you'll be one now." Mich said as they were all now excited for who will he choose. "You will have to choose sooner or later. And if you do, you must choose for love. Because love conquers all, even destiny." Mary said to which Jillian agreed with an applause. "He will learn soon enough that you are the one for him once he realize that it is destiny doing its thing to you and him." Mich said. Belle applauded as well.
"But I still don't know guys." Darylle said as he finished his ice cream and passed his cup to Mich for another serving. "I barely knew them and I still have to wait and see." He said as he smiled at them. "But thank you guys. Don't worry, I will ask for your help whenever I need it." He added. "Oh trust me you will." Belle and Mary said in unison which made the group burst into laughter again.
The group discussed other matters which somehow made Darylle comfortable as he never talk much about his relationship with them. Although he made it sure that they are well aware about his dating and relationship status. But this was not something he can't brag to them. After a long time, someone finally made an effort to pursue him. He just hopes he won't give up easily on him.
They had their lunch inside the apothecary prepared by Belle's father. Her mom brought it from home and was delighted to find the group liking it. It was as if just like the old days. And Darylle miss doing it.
After a few hours or so, the group decided to go back to the city. They bid farewell to Belle and her mom, Tita Vickie.
They were all heading towards the highway to wait for a bus or jeepney that was heading for the city when a familiar car stopped in front of them. Darylle realized it was Erik's. The window on the driver's seat opened and revealed his handsome face. "I knew you were still here." He said as he smiled at him.
He could hear his friends whispering to each other behind him. "But, how did you know I was heading here?" He asked. "I saw you inside the jeep, you were with a guy." He said, though no sign of jealousy could be sense from him.
"Oh, him. I just met him recently and we happen to be riding the same jeepney." He said, avoiding to lie to him. Someone cleared her throat behind them. It was Mary.
"Erik, these are my friends by the way. Mary, Mich and Jillian." He said as the girls waved at him. "Girls, this is Erik. My new found friend." He said but Erik said something. " Although I'm planning to change that label." Darylle was surprised at what he just said. He just smiled awkwardly at him then back at the girls.
"So are you heading to the city?" He asked. "Yes." Darylle answered. "Come on in. I'll take you and your friends with me." He said.
He was about to stop his friends but they hurriedly walked towards the car and climbed in the back seat, leaving him no choice but to sit with Erik in front. "Girls!" He cried. "Oh, stop being choosy. Erik is being kind to us." Mary said as she talked to her through the window.
Darylle sighed as he walked towards the other side of the car and climbed in. "Everyone settled in?" Erik asked. "Yes." The three girls in the back seat replied and he started driving.