I don't know how to explain everything. I don't know if I'll be grateful, that within more than a year in a dozen people secretly admiring Asher in the distance, he finally noticed me as well. I don't know if it's a blessing or a nightmare because he caught sight of me when I'm in my worst state.
"Are you okay? I can accompany you to the clinic. It was still open," Asher asked. I slowly nodded. "Are you sure?"
I shyly smiled assuring him I am fine. He smiled back which made me calm down a bit. I also gradually loosened up and all my worries seemed to be relieved.
I abruptly became conscious around me. I wondered if somebody is watching because we're making a scene. I felt relieved when I only saw a few are around but busy with their stuff.
"Okay, let's grab some food to eat," he said. I pulled my hand from his grip and fixed my uniform. I lifted my head to see his expression but he's smiling widely. "I'm hungry. Do you want to grab a snack? I know someone who serves a delicious noodle soup nearby."
I bobbed.
"Okay."
He walked first and I followed. From behind, I can see how manly he was. I can't help but notice how attractive he is. He's a tall man with a nice complexion. His jawline is so exquisite that he looks like an American but yet like a pure-blooded Filipino. He looks neat with his well-trimmed haircut.
I stopped enumerating his features because I suddenly realized that it's not acceptable and I felt conscious about myself. I began comparing myself with another girl. Of course, I'm nobody but a girl named Andrea Madrigal without nothing to be proud of.
"Why are you behind me?" he said and stopped for a bit looking at me. "Do I smell bad?"
I felt embarrassed. "No. I didn't say anything."
He chuckled. Even chuckling sound music in ears. Where is justice? Maybe if I'm the one who laughs, it'll sound like a can, annoying.
We just walked and turned left. After a minute, we are in front of a small fast-food chain. He ordered while I looked for a seat for us. There was a vacancy at the end so I went there but there were two girls who were rude and quickly sat down regardless of whether I would back down from their actions. I glared at them but they just ignored me.
Instead of getting into trouble, I looked for another vacancy. It was exactly that a group of men wearing a uniform like us were leaving. The vacancy is better than the first one. I smiled because it was a good spot. I didn't hesitate but to occupy the spot and reserve the other chair.
After a couple of minutes, Asher headed to where I seated myself. He sat on the reserved chair.
"Let's just wait," he said as he put his backpack beside his chair. I saw him put his chin on his left hand and slightly look at me cause me to look away. And I do not know why but my cheeks reddened.
I diverted myself with the view of the stall. It would be unthinkable to have such an eatery near the school. In the time I've been going through here I've only just discovered about it. The ambience is relaxing and they are playing solemn music that suits the theme of the eatery. There are also non-flowering plants lined up every corner portrays simplicity. I gazed glued to the two girls earlier, they are eyeing our direction. I followed their gaze, only to see them admiring Asher and giggling.
"Andrea," Asher called my attention. I looked back at him again frowning. How did he know my name? We're not even close. We don't even have a connection, to begin with. Most of all, this day was only the day we crossed our path. "You're still thinking about what had happened this morning?"
With his question, all my worries went back and I'm starting to feel uncomfortable. I stooped out of nowhere in time. Mixed emotions, negative thoughts and possibilities running through my head. Sadness overpowers me.
A slight touch in my hand brought me back to reality. "Sorry."
"No, don't apologize," I insisted. Before I continue, a middle-aged woman went near us while holding a tray.
"Thank you," I said. When she went to the other table I asked Asher if how much.
"It's on me."
"Huh? No, I can pay," I reached my bag and get my pouch inside to get money.
"Andrea, don't bother yourself to pay. It's my treat," he smiles.
"Thank you. I'll pay next time, okay?" and he agreed happily. So it means, next time is going to be real. I blushed with my thoughts.
"Put some chilli powder if you want and a bit citrus, it makes it tastier," I did what he suggested and he's right. It is way better than the plain soup. I added again more chilli because it was not enough. The noodle soup is delicious. It suits my taste buds and other customers.
"I didn't know that you like spicy," he asserted looking at me intently. I avoided his gazed and continued eating. After a while, I wasn't even halfway but he had already finished his noodle soup so, I have no choice but to speed up the sucking and chewing.
"Be careful."
My worries suddenly vanished in a short span and I'm thankful that he rescued me in my almost broke down scenario. If he was not there, I don't know what might likely happen.
"Okay."
I tried to finish the noodle soup because it's bad wasting food. Many people are found in the street looking for food. It's not fair for them that those who can afford to buy, don't give value with their blessing while they are happy with just a small amount of blessing even from the trash is just okay with them.
I slung the bag over my shoulder and stood up. He stood up as well and we leave the eatery. We walked in the lane filled with silence between us. Our conversation earlier was not followed up conveying that we have our world but it's kind of not awkward.
I looked at the sky.
The sun is gradually lowering its position on the horizon. The sun's searing brilliance became duller as the sunset, transforming into a large disc of orange and yellow. The orange of the sun mingled with the pale blue of the sky, creating a stunning contrast of hues, from pale purple to a greyish-blue. It seemed as if I were watching a screen gently changing colours in the middle of a busy city.
Looking at how beautiful the sunset is made me realized that it has its beauty.
"Andrea," he called my name and keep his pace.
"Why?"
"Have you ever wondered what sunset brought to us? When we gaze out into the sun, the sunset serves as a gentle reminder that, indeed, everything will be fine. As it fades away, so do our issues of the day; when it emerges, it's a new chance to become a better you. And, at the end of the day, we always have the option of starting afresh," he spoke up.
"It conveys new opportunities saying that after the sunset, there's a moon, which beams brightly and reminds us of our brightness, will take its place," yes, it was indeed true. But why it was hard to take the chance to be better despite my issues? Why can't I be like a sunset that everyone appreciates its uniqueness?
"Don't overthink," he reminds me and I nodded. I didn't expect that he has a side like this. That he has a word of wisdom. He's way mature than I am.
"What I curious about, how did you know my name?" I suddenly asked out of the topic. He let out a sweet laugh.
"Silly," he paused. "Well, it's not hard to know your name."
I was about to respond when I saw a guy seems familiar to me. He with a petite girl and they are doing holding hands in the middle of the street across to what we are taking. They look like a sweet couple.
Flooded thoughts and uncomfortable feelings consume me. I grabbed Asher's wrist and went near to that guy to confirm my hunch enough space for him not to notice. Asher seems surprised when I pulled him. I removed my hands to his wrist when I felt a strange spark. He looked at me in disbelief asking what exactly is happening.
"Who is he?"
"My sister's boyfriend, Dondi," I murmured, enough for the two of us to hear. His lips form an 'Oh' as if he understands now the scenario.
"Let's follow them," I eagerly said.
"Are you nuts?"
"I just want to confirm if he was cheating on my sister."
"What we can see, is it not enough that they are dating?"
"Yeah. But they are just doing holding hands while walking. I want to convince myself that he didn't betray my sister. They are about to marry a month from now. My sister will break down if she will come to know about this," I confessed and my hands began shaking. Asher didn't respond, instead, he held my hands. I can feel the coldness of his hands but enough to calm me down.
I don't want my sister to get hurt. I didn't want her smile to fade. How unfortunate this day, that two unpleasant scenarios happened!
We followed them like a spy until they stopped in a two-storey apartment.
They are so sweet talking in front of the apartment. From afar enough for us to see them clearly, the ants will be ashamed of their sweetness. He pulled out the runaway hairs and put them behind her ear. He cupped her face and kissed her passionately. They even tilted their faces to an angle to have more access and deepened the kiss.
I can't take anymore. Of all places, they do not have a shame doing a public display of affection. I'm the one who's hurting my sister. She doesn't deserve a jerk like him. I marched and decided to go home not minding what will happen when I went home.
"Why are men like that? Not satisfied with one. They are too selfish. Don't they think they are hurting someone else after you rely on their promises and you will just be thrown away as if nothing happened?" I can't help myself but burst out my frustration. I don't even worry if Asher will be disappointed in me and I will be even more disliked. I will just pray for a miracle.
"Don't generalized because there are still sensible men left in this world," he said. I blinked. Did I go overboard?
"It's my first seeing this side of yours," he mumbled which widened my two eyes.