🐰25th Charm🐇

...🌻...

II entered the Plant Preservation Laboratory and saw that no one was there. I walked to the table where Vitto usually stays and noticed that the red light on the Reseach lab was still on. Maybe they were still inside.

I sighed and put the Unsweetened Iced Green Tea Lemonade I bought in Starbucks for Vitto on the Lab table. I also bought him a spinach, feta and egg white sandwich in case he hasn't taken his snacks yet. I saw my reflection on the large glass windows and grabbed the chance to check on my outfit, no, actually, to check whether or not my back was still safe from back leak since today is my dreaded red day. I wore a floral red off- shoulder top tucked in a white skirt. I don't know but it became my habit to wear something white whenever my time of the month comes. Guess it makes me feel fresher and neater.

Something from the door dinged as it opened and from there appeared the four women with attention deficit disorders for my carrots, wearing lab gowns.

They stopped walking to inspect me from head to toe and their brows jerked when they finished. One side of my lips lifted to give them a smirk. I know I look fabulous so sorry not sorry, girls! I flipped my hair to irritate them a little more just when my carrots emerged from the door.

"Carrots!" I excitedly called him at the same time my heart was pounding hard. He was also wearing his lab gown but unlike those four annoying girls, he wore it with fashion. Peeking from the open lab gown was his lose white button down tucked in black pants. He threw me one look before walking towards the lockers leaving me with the Mitch and her minions.

"Why do you keep coming here? Geez." Fiona hissed but I just smiled to tease her.

"Wala ka bang klase?" Tila dismayado pang tanong ni Riza ngunit sa mababang boses. Of course, she wouldn't want Vitto hearing her bitching me.

"I feel like she's not really studying." Pagpaparinig ni Mitch na sinegundahan naman ni Thalia ng isang mapang- uyam na ngisi.

"I'm sorry girls but if you're being mean to me just because I'm beautiful, then I'm not sorry." I retorted and their jaws hanged open. I flashed them my practiced sweet smile knowing that it would make me even more beautiful just to annoy them even more.

"Beautiful?" Thalia scoffed. "The SSC vice president had replaced you with an ugly woman. Just maybe his standards are only for women with unacceptable faces."

What she said hit a nerve and for a second, I was speechless. They looked at each other laughing while Riza was smirking at me. The nerves! I breathed deeply and smiled sweetly at them. Why is Vitto taking so much time coming back? I want to get out of here!

"Well," I intentionally trailed off as I demurely tucked a strand of my long strawberry somber hair behind my ears. I am having all intention to act innocent to get back at them. "If I would be considered ugly, then what about you? At least I haven't had any plastic surgeries yet. I bet it hurts." And I smiled sinisterly when they gasped as their eyes widened. Riza was biting her lips as if I threw her a boulder. So even her too?!

"When did you learn to drink tea?" Came Vitto's voice, who I wasn't aware, was already behind me. All the teasing on my face vanished and it was replaced by a genuine excitement brought by his presence. I turned to him and he wasn't wearing his lab gown anymore. He looked taller as he stood with his hands on his pocket. His necklace was slightly peeking from his shirt and below his collarbone revealed his tiny mole. I swallowed yet tried so hardly to stay sane even when his sexy collarbones were causing my insanity.

"It's for you. I also bought you a healthy sandwich." I said as he walked closer.

"You went alone?" Tila nagtataka niya pang tanong. Wala kasing Starbucks sa loob ng campus. Kailangan ko pang pumunta sa Greenhills Mall para makabili. I would want him to taste some green tea in Café Uno but it doesn't have a branch in Greenhills Mall. Still, both cafés are the best.

"Yeah." Sagot ko. Lumapit siya sa mesa upang kunin ang inumin. "Nag- taxi ako since Heaven is too busy to drive me there."

He looked at me for a second, I thought I will melt.

"Thank you." He whispered like he's flustered to say it making me smile. He looked away before I can make out the reddening of his cheeks and sipped on his tea.

"Uhm, Vitto." Riza called and almost forgot that they were still there. I automatically threw her a glare but she was good at ignoring it. "Birthday ko kasi ngayon." Anito at napatikwas naman talaga no'n ang isang kilay ko. E ano naman?

Vitto looked at her, "Okay." He answered blandly and turned his attention back to the tea he was sipping. I bit my lower lip to suppress a victory laugh.

"Vitto, she wanted to invite you over snacks." Pagsalo ni Mitch dito, "I mean, the five of us." She even emphasized the "five" word as she looked at me with raised eyebrow. No way! I did not wear this gorgeous outfit just so they can take my carrots away wherever the hell they like!

I looked at Vitto, trying to mask the worry on my face since my jealousy was the reason of our fight the other day and I don't want it to happen again. I caught him staring at me too. That's when I gave up and revealed my sulking face. He tore his gaze from me, looked at Riza then back at me.

"Do you want to go out today?" He asked me.

Gosh, is this a test? Was she trying to find out if I am still in a competition with these girls? Think, Oreo, think! If I say yes, then I would give them a chance to flirt with my boyfriend, if no, then he would still think that I am still competing with them. This is giving me wrinkles!

"O-Okay lang naman na sumama ka, Oreo." Biglang sabi ni Riza at naiinis na humarap ako sa kanya.

"Of course, I will go!" I announced in spur of the moment and I was surprised myself. I failed again. Vitto would think that I'm in it for competition!

"Let's go?" Yaya ng excited na si Riza. Vitto packed away our things while I busy myself wondering why he agreed to go with them. Yeah, maybe this is a test.

...........

"Thank you for coming with us, Vitto." Riza said smiling sweetly at my boyfriend as we exited the restaurant. "Thank you din sa treat although ako naman dapat ang manlibre." Tila nahihiya pang anito habang nakatingin sa carrots ko.

It took everything in me not to scoff. Vitto had paid the bill and Mitch and her minions were already looking dreamily at Vitto saying he's such a gentleman and all. Samantalang noon naman ay halos isuka nila ang boyfriend ko. Mabuti na lang at nauna na silang umalis para magshopping daw. Good riddance!

"We should get going." Vitto said but leave it to Riza to make a way to be with my carrots longer.

"I have one favor to ask pa sana." Anito na tila nahihiya pa. I mentally rolled my eyes.

"What is it?" Ako na ang nagtanong saka nakasimangot na kumapit sa braso ni Vitto.

Riza ignored me as if I wasn't there, "I need one book from the bookstore. Can you help me find it? It will help a lot in our research project. Please?" She hopefully supplied and I pursed my lips to contain my outburst. Ang lakas naman talaga ng loob ni ate girl! Ilang kilong asukal kaya ang nilagay nila sa kinain nitong cake kanina at ganoon na lang siya ka- sweet sa boyfriend ko sa harapan ko mismo? Clearly, this girl doesn't know when to give up.

Vitto looked at me but my face remained grim. Unlike Riza, I don't want to pretend in front him.

"You still up for a walk?" He asked and I was suddenly smiling. He was asking me, like he was waiting for permission. It might not look sweet for others but it meant so much for me.

"After eating all those calories, I don't mind having some walk." I replied then looked at Riza. "Are you sure nasa bookstore talaga dito 'yong book na hinahanap mo?" Tinikwasan ko ito ng kilay pero sa halip na sagutin ako ay kay Vitto ulit ito tumingin. The nerve!

Una naming pinuntahan ang National Bookstore pero wala doon ang librong hinahanap ni Riza. Lumipat kami ng ibang store ngunit wala din iyon doon. That's when I started to doubt about her intention. Maybe, she wasn't really buying a book but just wanted to have more time with Vitto. And everytime they talk about something, I couldn't really get in between them since they were talking about science and plants. It's like she's intentionally bringing up the topics where I will have no choice but to stay quiet and she's starting to really get into my nerves. But I have to keep my cool. Vitto and I fought about how I behaved yesterday and I don't want it to happen again.

Naglalakad kami papunta sa iba pang bookstore nang napilitan akong bumitaw sa pagkakakapit sa braso ni Vitto dahil sa bigla- biglang pag-atake ng menstrual cramps. I winced as I felt yet another spasm in my lower abdomen. And my Jimmy Choo wedge sandals wasn't really helping in steadying my balance since we've been walking back and fro for almost an hour now. Vitto, who was few steps ahead, stopped and looked back at me.

"What's wrong?" He frowned.

I straightened and smiled at him. No way I would tell him about my period and period cramps! Just thinking about telling it to him made me flustered.

"I need to go to the washroom." I replied, gripping onto the strap of my Chanel flap bag.

"Mauna na lang tayo sa Fully Booked, Vitto." Agad na pag- eksena ni Riza na mabilis na nakalapit sa kanya. I glared at her but she had the nerve to smile at me. Gusto kong lumapit at ilayo rito si Vitto pero masakit na talaga ang puson ko pati na rin ng mga paa ko. And I would save my energy for later. At sino bang nagsabing hahayaan ko siyang masolo si Vitto?

"Carrots, aren't you going to walk me to the washroom?" I looked at him expectantly.

"I have to buy something, too. I'll see you in the bookstore." Sagot niya na ikinalaglag ng mga balikat ko. Huling- huli ko kung paano ako nginisihan ng bruhang si Riza. of course, I won't give this girl the satisfaction to see me downhearted.

I forced to smile, "O- Of course. I'll see you." Sagot ko saka mabilis na tumalikod. Uunahin pa talaga niyang bumili ng libro kaysa sa akin. Kaya ba napilit siya ni Riza na sumama ay dahil may bibilhin din siyang aklat? Hindi ko tuloy alam kung maiinis ako o matutuwa idagdag pa ang pagsakit ng puson at mga paa ko.

Ugh! I knew it. These are all part of Riza's scheme to be alone with Vitto! Nagsisisi tuloy akong nagsuot ng three inches na wedge sandals. Paano ay nagmumukha akong maliit sa tabi ni Vitto. Is it wrong to like to be a perfect fit for him? Pero sumama siya kay Riza at hindi sa'yo.

I can feel my tears pouring out and I inhaled to choke it. Basta mas maganda ako. At lalo pa akong gaganda paglabas ko ng washroom. Just watch, Riza!

I walked to Fully Booked after finishing changing pads and refreshing in the washroom. Of course, I look downright fabulous again. I put on some pressed powder and blush with my favorite Dior Stellar Shine Lipstick. I went inside the store to look for them although it took me quite longer to reach the bookstore because of my uncooperating legs.

Pero halos maikot ko na ang bookstore ay wala akong makitang Riza at Vitto sa labis na inis ko. Saan na dinala ng babaeng iyon ang boyfriend ko? Did they leave me? Have Vitto already went home with that witch?! Halos maiyak sa inis na lumabas ako sa bookstore upang maghintay sa labas. Sa sobrang inis ay kagat ang ibabang labing sumandal ako sa glass panel at bahagyang yumuko upang hilutin ang nanakit na mga binti ko nang biglang may magsalitang lalaki sa harapan ko.

"Miss, kailangan mo ng tulong?"

Agad na napaangat ang tingin ko upang tingnan kung sino iyon dahil sa boses pa lang ay walang- wala na iyon sa boses ng boyfriend ko. A lanky man in blue shirt and jeans was staring at me smiling widely revealing his braced teeth. Geez.

"Gusto mong samahan kita? Treat kita ng coffee?" he expectantly asked in a tone full of confidence making me winced. I was about to throw him a snide remark when a familiar voice called my name.

"Vitto!" I straightened. He was holding a shopping bag from a famous store. Lumapit siya sa akin at tumingin sa lalaking kanina lang ay nagyayaya pang mag- coffee. There was something on the way Vitto stared at him that made him backed off and left with his arms raised in the air as if to surrender.

"Hold on the edge of your skirt." Seryoso niyang utos na ikinahulog ng panga ko.

"W- What?" I was flustered.

He didn't comment any further but knelt in from of me and pull out a pair of plush bunny slippers. my heartbeats raced like from running several lapses. Words left my mouth as he carefully unstrapped the wedge sandals on my left foot, set it aside and put on the bunny slipper in me. He did the same with my other foot and the comfort the soft slippers brought to my feet made me even more speechless. He put my sandals on the paper bag and stood up. I was still in awe while looking at him.

How can he be so silently sweet? I was mentally melting into a puddle of emotions full of Vitto. I didn't know why my hands are shaking and why I wanted to cry so badly. He then came forward and held my shaking hand.

I thought he was indifferent. I thought he doesn't care. But he was so sensitive he felt of my discomfort even without me telling it. And my heart... it's drowning in an ocean of him.

"Vitto, I already found the book." I heard Riza said waking me from my trances. Riza stopped from her steps and seemingly awestruck looking at us hand- in- hand.

"You weren't with her?" Finally my voice came back.

"Obviously I couldn't buy a pair of slippers in a bookstore." He said casually then turned to Riza. "I think we already served the purpose here. I have to send Oreo home." Aniya kay Riza na awang pa rin ang mga labi mula sa pagkakatitig sa amin. Then she blinked like she was waken up from a dream.

"Y- Yes. Thank you." Riza gave out a clipped smile I doubt if it had reached her own eyes. And before we can go, she had called his name again. "Vitto, do you really like her?" She asked making me gasp.

"Of course, he likes me! I'm his girlfriend!" I snapped at her.

I caught the pain in Riza's eyes. "She is?" He asked Vitto for confirmation and I puffed out a breath in disbelief. What was she trying to prove now? Gusto niya bang isampal ko pa sa kanya ang slippers na binili ni Vitto para sa akin? He left her to buy me these comfortable slippers. Isn't that enough?

"Vitto," Riza wasn't giving up, "is she really your girlfriend?"

"She is."

...🌻...