5 ARE YOU OKAY?

***

“Are you okay?” Krist simply asked.

Vanessa, Mitch and Krist were studying on a bench beside the library for their upcoming preliminary exam. Everyone was stressed; they looked worried on how to divide their time in studying each subject. Mitch was holding her notes but was looking from afar, Krist was drinking iced coffee to freshen up but Vanessa looked more obviously agitated and burdened, reason why Krist asked her condition.

Krist knew that Mitch was thinking about Austin and he never bothered to ask what she was thinking but Krist was clueless on what’s on Vanessa’s mind that’s why he asked her directly when she didn’t respond to his first question.

“What’s the matter Vanessa?” Krist asked her again.

Her entire thoughts were occupied by what happened to her last night when she sent her apology message to Austin. Uncomfortably, Vanessa was restless about it. She was in the midst of telling them the truth and keeping it to herself. Confused as it may sound, but she was having trouble saying what’s on her mind. Vanessa was thinking about Mitch and her adoration toward Austin however, Krist was so determined to know her condition as well but she knew that she could not divulge everything to her friends. That’s why to answer Krist’s question, she intentionally mentioned that she was okay.

“I don’t believe you. Tell me, what happened?” Krist insisted.

Vanessa looked angrily towards Krist and at that time, Krist knew that he had to be quiet. But Krist couldn’t focus on his review. He loved sticking his nose to the business of her friends – especially Vanessa. While Vanessa was reading her notes, Krist intentionally stared at her with his snooping attitude. He tried to look the girl from head to toe and he tried to smell some suspicious acts cooked by her friend, Vanessa.

“Did you talk to Aus…?”

Vanessa was shocked. She immediately covered Krist’s mouth before he uttered Austin’s name. He was trying to talk irrespective of the hand covering his mouth. To satisfy his friend, Vanessa stood up and asked Krist to buy some drinks.

“We will buy drinks and snack Mitch. Do you want some?” Vanessa asked.

“Okay. No, I’m not hungry.”

Then, after that, they immediately went to the cafeteria to buy some snacks and drinks. While walking, Vanessa was still not convinced if she’s going to disclose everything to Krist but since, Mitch was not around, she was comfortable enough to at least inform Krist about what happened last night. After getting the drinks, they stayed on the other bench to talk.

“Okay, I want to know everything. What happened?” Krist asked.

“He asked me out on a date!” Vanessa answered.

***

“Apology Declined! ~ Austin”

Vanessa was actually waiting for his response. After sending her apology message, she was patiently waiting on how Austin would react. She was reviewing her lesson at that time and could no longer focus on her studies because minute by minute, she was checking her phone as if she was waiting for her special someone to send good morning messages. After several minutes of waiting, her phone was still quiet – no text message.

She was restless and thinking to send another message. However, she forced herself not to because she was thinking that’s not a good idea – to feed his ego with her action may spoil her intention to apologize. She made herself believed that acknowledging she committed a mistake and sending sorry was enough to dispel her guilt away.

“Why I am waiting for his reply” she asked herself.

The night was getting darker and it was not young anymore especially for students like her. 11:00 is her usual time of slpeeing but she was still awake and waiting for something she didn’t even know would arrive. Her words were totally opposite to her behavior. She said she would never wait for his response but she was actually waiting, a fact that she didn’t accept initially. After reviewing, she went to the bathroom to take a shower until she heard her phone ringing. Someone was calling her. For her anticipation that it was Austin, even if she just stayed there for five minutes, less time than her usual bathing time, she managed herself to go out and pick the phone call up.

Then, when she took her phone to pick the call, she got disappointed. She didn’t even want to pick the call anymore because she knew what Mitch wants. She was just asking about her notes for their review tomorrow.

“Hello.”

“Hi, Good thing, you’re still awake. I am just reminding you about the books and notes. Thanks!”

“Okay. Bye!”

She also mentioned to air that why there was a need to call if she can just send the message about those books and notes, believing that her message will be sent through the air. She wore her bedtime gear and was ready to sleep. She lied on the bed, sealed her eyes on her sleep mask until her phone beeps. She quickly removed her sleep mask and took her phone. She immediately opened the message from Austin. She felt sad when Austin was declining her apology.

“What do you want me to do?”

“Can we go on a date?”

“What?”

“You were asking what you can do, right? So, be my date”

When she read the consequence to redeem herself, she could barely breathed, unable to respond and she paralyzed herself with certain thoughts on her mind, reason why she was awake all night long.

***

“Really, he was asking you on a date?” Krist reassured.

“Yes, and I don’t know what to do. He is waiting for my answer. He is expecting it after pre-lims.” She answered.

Krist analyzed the entire situation and he believed that Vanessa could use the situation on her advantage. They both knew that Vanessa was chasing Austin, maybe that was the best time for her to know Austin well – his attitude, behavior and motive. Krist mentioned that Vanessa could view the situation as a blessing in disguise. Somehow, Vanessa was trying her best to be objective and she viewed those ideas of Krist as an essential factor to consider. Worrisome, her stream of thought jumped from one point to another – she was thinking about Mitch.

“How about Mitch? Would I tell her?” Vanessa asked.

She was considering the feeling of her friend, especially that she was still under the spell of Austin. Krist decided not to tell it to Mitch because in the first place they won’t view it as a date but as a meeting instead. With what she heard, confidence boosted within her. She made up her mind and telling her situation to Krist was a great relief.

“Let’s go back. Mitch is waiting!” Vanessa uttered.

***

While Mitch was sitting and pretentiously reviewing to their upcoming exam, Rick saw the girl. Mitch looked terribly lonely and sad, reason why Rick approached her and asked her if she was okay. Mitch was surprised when she saw the face of Rick. Her mood suddenly lifted and she began to slightly smile.

“You’re more beautiful when you smile.” Rick mentioned.

“Thanks!”

Rick was worried about Mitch. He noticed that she was the most persistent ex-girlfriend of Austin, doing everything she can to win him back. However, the worried man reiterated on her face that her dream to be with Austin again was like lighting up a candle using a wet match – it was totally impossible. He knew his friend so much and it would be better for her to fully forget him. Mitch smiled when she heard that Rick was concerned about her. She sent her thanks and Rick was so glad to see her face in slightly uplifted manner.

“So, what are you doing here?” Rick asked.

“So, what are you doing here?” Mitch asked.

They posted the same question at the same time. They both laughed awkwardly when they heard the question of each other. Rick asked her to answer the question first but Mitch insisted, she wanted Rick to answer the question. Timidly awkward, the two had fun talking with each other. Mitch mentioned that she was waiting for her friends who went to the cafeteria to buy snacks and drinks. On that same reason, Rick was also waiting for his friends because they’ll be having group review in the library. When the two were laughing because of some jokes cracked by Rick, Vanessa and Krist were coming.

“We’re here. We bought iced coffee” Vanessa enthusiastically uttered.

“Vanessa?” Rick surprisingly mentioned.

“Rick?”

“Do you know each other?” Mitch asked.

Vanessa was shocked when she saw Rick. Mitch was surprised when she knew that Rick and Vanessa know each other. Rick was in awe when he discovered that Vanessa and Mitch are friends. He never imagined that Austin’s ex-girlfriend was friend with Austin’s current apple of the eye.

“This is gonna be exciting!” Rick murmured.

His phone rang and Andrew was actually waiting for him inside of the library. While talking with him on the phone, he sent his farewell and went to the library. Mitch then asked if she personally know Rick. Vanessa urged to say no but she mentioned that they knew him and his friends well.

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