Chapter 40: Chapter 40

For two days of staying here, we just roamed around New York City. It was the best days for me. I was with my family for those two days. I still can't forget what we did. We even ate at a fancy restaurant and we shopped in the mall. When we spent the third day here, we decided to help with Mamita planting on one of her plantations. We even fed animals who were always in their cabin.

The fourth day of staying here was exhausting. I was taught how to milk the cows. My grandfather has a farm here far from the city. We stayed three days there, It was quite exciting and happy. I learned a lot of things. We even bond like we don't have something to do once we go back to the Philippines. The important thing is that I am reunited with my family as usual. I was happy to be here.

When we got back to Mamita's house, I immediately packed up because we would be back to the Philippines tomorrow. Maybe I'll just tour Grandma's village later.

After I took a shower, I've dressed into a simple jeans paired with black shirt. It is very comfy. I just let my hair down. I climbed down and said goodbye to tour.

It was already 5 P.M in the afternoon. I used the bicycle I found in the yard of Mamita and went around the village. I even passed a park that I think was made for children. There weren't many people so I stopped first and rested.

The sun is already set. The view in front of me was breathtaking. Opposite the setting sun is the chirping of birds in the branches of the tree that seem to be calming as they were chirping. I smiled at the scene I saw. It was very relaxing.

Few bikers also stopped and looked at the sunset until the darkness of the night replaced it. Some of the bikers I saw earlier left until one of them stayed. There is a gap between us. I can't see the face of this one as he wears a helmet, but I am sure that he's a guy because of his physical features.

He's been here for too long so I got a bit nervous too. Maybe he is also like me, finding the peace of mind I needed. Because once I came back to the Philippines, I can't figure out what to do with my situation there. I still want some time to be free just for the moment.

One last glance at the guy before I turned back. As I haltered my way to my bike, I heard the guy spoke that made me froze. I looked at his direction and he was still looking in front where the sun sets.

“Do you miss the sun as it sets and is replaced by the moon at night?” he asked huskily and he looked at me.

"James?" I uttered his name.

“Nice to meet you again Jane,” he mumbled. I can still see the smiled plastered on his lips. "But you didn't answer my question yet." he added.

He came closer to me until my back leans on bike I am using. He was moving closer and closer.

" What are you doing? How did you—"

“Tell me, Jane. Did you miss me?”

I stared at him, on his blue eyes. Only the street lights were giving us light to see each other. He stared back at me, giving me those unexplainable emotions I always felt when I am near him.

"Yes, I really miss you." I said directly. He give me those cheeky smile that I can say was very cute act of him.

"That's nice to hear, best friend." He suddenly grin that made me confused because of his words.

"Best friend?"

"You don't want that?"

I hold back a laugh because of its sudden shaking. I covered my mouth so it wouldn’t notice that I was laughing at what he said.

"You can stop laughing now," he said.

I calmed myself first before looking at him again who was an inch close to me. It was so close that I could no longer stare at him and was the first to dodge.

"Hey, how are you right now, Jane?" he asked casually.

"I'm okay," I replied. "You still can understand Tagalog, don't you?" He laughed.

"I thought you forgot about me." He said sincerely.

I smiled as I shook my head. "And why would I do that? I thought we are friends? ”

"Yeah, we're just friends."

"Did I say something wrong James?"

"You are still naive, tsk." he said, with a flat voice. He then laugh but I can't feel any humor at it. Suddenly the expression on his face changed and became serious.

"Can't you still feel that I like you more than just a friend?"

I felt my heart beating quickly as if I am running for a hundred mile. It was beating so fast that it made me nervous all of the sudden. The atmosphere between us quickly changed to being serious.

"What do you mean?"

"I like you, Jane."

I didn't utter a word and all I can do is to give him a questioning look. I don’t know what word I should say to him. I am a bit shock and I didn't expect it for him to tell me this one. My sister told me this but I couldn't believe it.

“Did you just confess to me?” It was like a whisper that even me can't hardly hear it. James forehead furrowed and was giving me a sly smile.

"I am confessing to you right now."

" Since when did you like me?" I asked.

"Since my eyes saw you at the halo-halo stand."

I remember that. It was the first time we met. He even asked for my number. I can even sense that he was just joking that time. I even call him a jerk.

“I thought ‘you like me as your bestf friend?’” I seriously asked. He heaved a sigh.

"I lied, Jane."

I was dumbfounded by his answer. He said it directly as if he didn't even blinked his eyes. He was smiling but those smiles didn't reached his eyes. It was full of emotions I can't identify.

"Why?" That was all I can asked.

“ It just happened but I got dumb to confess to you when I saw you, with those eyes that you like someone else, Jane. I was hopeless when I saw those smiles you gave to that Madrigal. It was different. You admired him so much that you didn't see someone likes you too. ”

I was taken aback. " You knew?"

"You are good at pretending that you're always fine but your eyes are not lying that time when you look at him."

I looked away. I don’t want to see the emotions in those eyes of his anymore. I don’t want to see those emotions especially since they came from him.

"Look at me Jane." He touched both of my cheeks and turned to face him. He was smiling like nothing happened.

"I'm sorry, James." I suppressed my own tremble. My hands were shaking for no apparent reason. I don't want to reject him but my heart can't choose. I was supposed to choose the one I really like but why does my heart still beating this fast? Why am I confused now?

“Don’t be. I just want you to know what I feel for you. That all that matters. And also, we are still young, I can wait for the perfect time to be with you. ”

He instantly leaned forward and kissed my forehead. I close my eyes to what he did. It gives me chills as he kissed my forehead but at the same time, it causes me to breakdown for the decision I will make. I can feel my tears were slowly rushing down my cheeks as my chest were like tightened up because of this sudden emotions. My throat was already dry and all I can do is to stop myself from making some noise.

After a couple of seconds, he moved away yet still holding my cheeks. I looked down so that he can't see my swelling eyes. He lift up my face and our eyes met.

"What's wrong?" He asked worriedly. He was stll looking directly at my eyes.

"I am really s-sorry, James." I burst into tears. I can't handle this anymore. "I'm going to marry him." I said making him bring his hands down and slowly giving distance to the both of us. I know he heard and knew who is the guy I am talking about.

"No... you can't."

"Let's j-just stay as f-friends James." I was trembling as I said that. He suddenly took my hand and knelt down.

“Please, don’t agree, Jane. I promise, I will wait for you. ”

"I really like him, James." With that, he loosen the grip on my hands. It was like a bomb thrown in front of him. “I can’t wait for you as I like someone else. And that is Zaine. ”

I turned around, ready to get on the bicycle when it suddenly spoke. Before I left I heard the last thing he said. I didn't wait to see his reaction.

“I will wait for us to meet again, Jane. I promise you that. ”