Aila went back to her classroom and found herself engulfed in the lessons that she barely noticed it was time to go home already.
"Aila, where are you headed to? I can send you home." Rey, her new classmate; confidently offered Aila a ride.
"No thanks Rey, I'm good." Aila politely rejected Rey.
"Is that guy going to send you home? He does not even have a car" His air of arrogance was evident in his tone.
"I'm sorry?" Aila was in disbelief on how one can be judged because of his lack of material things.
"That guy isn't that him… the one from the public university that you went with during lunch."
Rey pointed in their opposite direction where Yhuan was standing wearing that familiar hooded jacket, while both his hands are inside his pocket.
Aila really finds Yhuan such a simple person, but she can't quite describe how he affects her mood. It suddenly becomes brighter and interesting.
Her mouth curved into a smile; she glanced at Rey.
"You're right, I was going with him. Bye, see you in class tomorrow."
Yhuan did not notice Aila was already by her side. Aila gently tugged at his jacket.
"Hey Mr, are you waiting for anyone?" She playfully asked Yhuan.
"Yes, I was waiting for the most beautiful girl in this school. Have you seen her?"
Aila looked around and shook her head.
"No, not really… haven't seen her" Aila tried playing around with Yhuan.
"Here, let me introduce you to her…"
Yhuan slouched a bit and took out his phone; he used the front-facing camera to take a selfie of them.
Aila smiled at his gesture.
"That's a nice one, the first time this sort of pick up line was used. Hahaha"
"Boy, I'm glad I'm first." Yhuan pumped his fist in the air.
Aila giggled at the childish reaction of Yhuan.
"So, do you want to walk with me to the bus stop?"
"Of course, that would be ticking one off my bucket list."
"Hahaha… another good one."
The two walked to the bus stop which was not too far from the campus, having Yhuan around is like a breath of fresh air for Aila. He is funny yet sensible, he is goofy yet hot at the same time; Aila just can't describe him in one word.
The bus was crowded when they boarded it; Yhuan offered the seat to Aila while he stood beside her.
Aila felt safe with Yhuan around, the corners of her mouth curved up with the thought of having him around.
They went down the bus when they arrived at Aila's stop.
"I'm good here; you don't have to walk me home."
"Why not?" Yhuan was persistent.
"My mom might see you, I can't be seen with a guy, and my parents are strict you have no idea."
Aila had to lie just to stop Yhuan from walking her home.
"Okay, I don't want you to get into trouble; I'll just stay here and watch you walk until I can't see you anymore." Yhuan smiled sincerely at Aila.
"Goodness, you really are an efficient negotiator." Aila commended Yhuan, she waved him goodbye as she walks further away.
The weekend finally came, Yhuan was Aila's constant lunch companion for the past week, and he also walks her to the bus stop. He was so consistent that his efforts were greatly appreciated by Aila.
Aila is lounging in her window seat, wearing her headphones, her acoustic playlist is on loop. Aila loves this particular part of her room because she finds it so relaxing, with the wind that gently breezes and the sound of leaves rustling calms her more.
Her back is leaning against the window while she placed her sketch pad on her lap. She finally had the urge to do something creative after a long time.
Suddenly her cell phone rang.
"It's Yhuan... Why is he calling me this early…" Aila's heart fluttered.
"Good morning."
"What's up?"
"Because it is the weekend, I won't be able to see you today... I miss you already"
"Okay ..." Aila answered sparingly
"Why are you not in the mood?"
"Hmm ... is that simple response rude? I honestly don't know how to answer what you said... Okay please choose... 1. I do not miss you; 2.thank you for missing me."
She heard Yhuan chuckled, nevertheless, she continued with her argument.
"The first option is rude, the 2nd one just doesn't seem right"
"Okay, okay It's not like I'm expecting you to miss me back." Yhuan was still giggling with the smartass answer of Aila.
"Okay". Aila's closed and ended response was not what Yhuan was expecting from her.
"What can I do to have longer answers from you?" Yhuan was sincerely frustrated to make their conversation more meaningful.
"Can you not flirt with me?" Yhuan did not expect such a straightforward answer from Aila.
"Huh?"
"It's just that I want a normal conversation with you, no trying to impress me or anything of that sort because I cannot reciprocate anything at this moment."
"Okay, I get it now ... I'm sorry if you felt like I pressured you, this is how I show affection, but I am willing to adjust to make you more comfortable."
"Hmm okay, let's just have this type of Q & A interview-style conversation. You will definitely get longer answers from me and I can guarantee you 100% that I will answer with all honesty."
Aila gave her end of the bargain to make it a more comfortable conversation for them.
"All right that is much better, can I go first with the question?" Yhuan cannot hide his excitement.
"Sure thing, go ahead."
"Have you ever noticed me in high school?" Yhuan's tone of hope was evident.
"The thing is I've known you as three different people; the first one the hooded guy, the second one the mystery guy, and third as Loki… I never really thought that in the end, it will all be you"
"I am definitely aware of the hooded guy, I'm sure you did not see my face back then since I was always wearing my hooded jacket and mask… also about Loki I created that persona, but what about the mystery guy?"
She tensed up thinking if she will tell Yhuan everything about the mystery guy.
"Shoot… I promised to be honest, but I can't tell him I found him hot as the mystery guy…. Well I will not lie but I will just leave out some details…" Aila was convincing herself that she's not actually lying.
"I guess it's because I bumped into you a couple of times but we never really had a conversation, except that one time during graduation dinner, I don't even think that counts as a conversation."
"Oh okay, now it's clear…it's your turn to ask"
"Hmm ... What do you remember about me the first time you saw me?"
"The first day of class, I was sitting in the hallway when I saw you walking fast with your head down, I asked about you right away."
"Hahaha, you really are not loyal to your girlfriend back then. The thought of that is not comforting you know…"
"I know, that's why I never really approached you until we had broken up. I did not intend to cheat on her I just really fell hard for you."