Artistry of Love (Abstract Series #3)

"H-Happy April fools?" I chuckled sheepishly while he was peering at me, almost like devouring my soul.

He sighed, looking away. "June ngayon, Ely."

My smile disappeared, face turning seriously, leveling his expression. He has a gummy smile all the time, but now he is dead serious and I can't help but assume maybe he isn't joking or pranking me.

"Trip—"

"Crush lang naman!" he exclaimed, cheeks blushing profusely.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "I was always ignoring you. How come?"

"Ah, basta! Crush kita! Hindi mo na dapat malaman kung paano at kailan nagsimula," he murmured, brushing his hair.

I nodded slowly. "O-Okay?" We became silent so I continued, "Why are you saying this to me?"

"I want you to know," he answered and didn't hesitate.

Napatitig ako sa maalikabok na kalsada. I'm at a loss for words. Many guys and even ladies have admitted to having a crush on me, and I have sensibly replied, but Trip is an exception. I'd been avoiding him all along, and now he's expressing his feelings for me. Everything is starting to go south. This isn't the scenario I'm used to seeing.

"I don't know how to respond, but I am really grateful that you invest your time…" I trailed off. "...having a crush on me."

Mahina siyang tumawa at tumango-tango. I expected him to be offended, but instead he appeared amused, as if I were a child in his eyes.

"Look," I muttered, closing my eyes and breathing out a long sigh. "Can we pretend this never happened? I don't want to add to the awkwardness." I glanced at him, who was beaming and crossing his arms. "I'm not going to ignore you any longer. We can be friends as long as we pretend this confession never took place."

Marami na akong iniisip, ayaw kong dumagdag pa itong sinabi niya.

"Hindi naman talaga ako umaasa na crush mo rin ako." He chuckled when I became silent. "Pero kung gusto mo talagang friends na ulit tayo, sino ba naman ako para tumanggi, 'di ba? Isang Eliana Ysa na ang nag-offer, tatanggapin ko, syempre!"

I anticipated to be annoyed by his statements once more, but today was different; instead of marching out, I flashed him a friendly smile in acknowledgment to his words. His jaw dropped, staring at me.

"I am sorry for avoiding you all these years," saad ko. Siguro hindi naman masama na maging magkaibigan kami ulit. It probably wouldn't bother me as long as we don't talk about the past. I'm good with him blaming me quietly as long as he doesn't say it verbally.

Tinikom niya ang bibig at nagpakawala ng maliit na ngiti. He seemed so pleased, as though he was interacting with my eyes.

"It's okay, Ely. Hindi kita tatanungin kung bakit mo ako iniiwasan noon basta 'wag mong gawin ulit 'yon," he said.

"At paano kung iwasan kita ulit?" I teased.

He grinned. "Ipagkakalat ko sa buong campus na crush kita."

My eyes widened. "Okay! I won't ignore you anymore! Just please… keep your feelings hidden."

"Bakit parang sobrang allergic ka naman na malaman ng ibang tao na crush kita?" Humalakhak siya.

"Oh, your fangirls will undoubtedly slam me! I want a calm life," I replied, demonstrating my opposition to the idea.

"Hind—"

"Ely?"

I turned around and noticed Keith watching Trip and me with interest. Pabalik-balik ang tingin niya sa aming dalawa, siguradong gustong itanong kung bakit nandito kami ni Trip sa walang masyadong tao.