I left dumbfounded, hindi ko akalain na iba pala ang tinutukoy niya.

Akala ko talaga ay dahil sa parehas kaming pasado sa entrance exam ng kolehiyong gustong-gusto naming pasukan.

"Oi Denisse, tulala ka na! Hindi ka ba natutuwa na kami na ni Zion?"

She's asking in a worried voice. I force myself to smile.

"Masaya ako.....masaya ako para sayo."

Sabi ko then pumasok na sa room. Ewan ko ba kung bakit lahat ng excitement at tuwa ko ay biglang nadrained.

Bakit hindi ko magawang matuwa para sa kanya? Best friend niya ako, and I know masaya siya kay Zion kaya dapat sinusuportahan ko siya. Pero bakit parang end of the world na ang feeling ko. Even if there's no such thing.

Ala ang OA mo na Denisse.

Hay...siguro masyado lang akong napaparanoid.  Hindi kasi kami madalas magkasama nitong mga nakaraang araw. At I think mapapadalas pa nitong susunod na mga araw.

Sanay na akong siya lagi ang kasama ko. I want to hate Zion pero I know he has nothing to do with this. Argh!!! Why do I sound so selfish?

Pumikit ako at yumuko sa lamesa ng upuan ko.

It's her life. She can do what she want.

I told myself.

"Oi, Denisse? Okay ka lang ba talaga?"

Tanong ni Micah na nakaupo na pala sa tabi ko.

Hala! Denisse you're being obvious! Mahiya ka nga sa kaibigan mo!

Sabi ko sa isip ko. Iniangat ko ang mukha ko then I look at her.

"Okay lang ako Micah.."

I assured her. Yinakap niya ako.

"Thank you Denisse, I thought magagalit ka kasi hindi ko sinabi agad.. I love you besty!!!"

I just smiled and hug her back.

***

"Whoa!! Thanks for the treat Micah! You and Zion are really cute together!"

Mark exclaimed and it makes my best friend blushed. I look at Zion expression too. It seems that he was pleased about what mark said awhile ago.

Magkatabi sila ngayon and I'm on the opposite of them.

"Oi...Denisse, parang gustong ilibing ng buhay si Zion ah. Tatalim ng tingin mo sa kanya te.."

Jasmine whispered but it almost heard by everybody. Nanlaki ang mata ko at tinakpan ang bibig niya.

"Shot up.."

I said in a low voice. Itinaas niya ang kamay niya as a sign na she will shot up kaya I let go of her big mouth. Sorry medyo harsh.

"Paano ba yan denisse, I think you need to find another bestfriend na..."

Mandy grinned. Kaklse namin siya and she's with us.

" mukhang hindi ka na maasikaso ni Micah oh she's---"

"No!!"

Micah and I said in chorus. We look at each other then laugh until everybody laugh. Except him, the boy named Zion. He just smile a little bit which I think it's not genuine.

Sounds like I'm being judgemental here. What am I observing this guy?

Actually we were eight people here hindi sumama yong iba naming kaklase, kaya ako, si Micah, si Jasmine, si Mark, si Mandy, yong kambal na si Glen at si Gabby and si Zion.

Si Zion lang ang hindi namin kaklase, section 1 kasi siya samantalang section 2 naman kami.

Yes, mas matalino siya kaysa sa amin ni Micah and rich kid din siya. Pero alam kong hindi siya minahal ni Micah dahil sa talino at pera niya.

"Zion, did you really loved my Micah?"

Out of the blue I asked that as if I own my bestfriend. He blushed and si Micah naman ay mukha nang kamatis ang mukha dahil siguro sa tanong ko.

I really loved my tongue it says what I wanted to know.

"Denisse, can't you see they were in love with each other."

Haist, Mark was really a talkative guy.

"I want to hear it. ."

I demanded.

"Denisse?.."

Halos pabulong nang sabi ng kaibigan ko.

Oh, sorry besty, I want to confirmed. Of course I don't want you to be hurt in the end.

"Why do you asked?"

He said in a serious voice.

Omygaad!!! I guest he doesn't really love my friend. Napakadali lang nong tanong ko. It's either yes or no lang naman.

"Because I want to know..."

I simply said trying to say it in a serious tone. Nakayuko na si Micah, while the others were looking at us, sensing the tension between me and Zion.

He smirk, which I found irritating.

"Of course miss, I don't need you to trust me. Beside you don't own your best friend and if you forgot she choose me."

He really get into my nerves.

Calm Denisse..love your enemy, the bible taught you that.

I thought as I was composing a sentence to answer him.

"Okay, if you really love her, attend our worship service this sunday."

I said irritated to him. I saw Micah bite her lower lips. I think she was embarrassed right now.

My interrogation with her boyfriend makes her uncomfortable, but it was for her din naman. I wanted her to know her boyfriend well before it's too late. And I can't stop my bold tongue to ask him right now.

"What church are you attending?"

He asked in a bored voice. I was about to tell him but Micah stopped me.

"Denisse, please stop, that is too much!....I'm sorry Zion. Let's get out of here. "

Hey Micah can't you see? I'm just helping you?

I wanted to tell her that, but I was left dumbfounded. It's the first time she shouted on me.

They stood up and Micah was not looking at me anymore. Instead Zion look at me with his cold eyes.

"If you don't worship the crucified Jesus as your God, I will attend your church but if you do, I'm sorry I'd better bring her in our church."

What!?

My eyes widened. No! This is not happening. What is this man religion? Jesus is the Savior how can he insulting him like that?

And my best friend. She was already in the right path, I don't afford if she'll be lost again.

Something bothered me, that's why I can stop myself to ask Micah about this even if they were already meters away.

"Where were you last sunday Micah?"

I almost shout so loud, she stopped. And Zion look at her. Their back was facing us because they didn't bother to turned around.

I waited until she'll reply but she doesn't speak at all. So Zion speak for her.

"She's with me.......in our church!"

That crashed my world. How come Micah give up her faith so easy because of that guy.

I was left dumbfounded.

"Easy, Denisse. Okay lang yan. It's not a big deal naman. Ako nga kung saan-saan ako nagsisimba ng sunday."

Said my unbeliever classmate, Mandy.

"Tomboy ka ba?"

Mark asked as if he was confuse to my gender. Inirapan ko lang siya.

"I guest, tomboy ka nga.."

He said in conclusion. Hay naku, pinapasakit lang niya lalo ang ulo ko. Kaya bago ko pa siya mabugbog, nagwalk out nalang ako.

I half my way out of the canteen when I heard Gabby speak.

"Denisse do you want me to come with you, I guest you need someone to talk to."

He said in a worried voice and he's already near me.

I look at him and smiled.

"So kind of you, but no thanks! I will go home."

I was about to turn and continue walking When he grab my wrist. That's why I look at him again confused.

"Here, that's my calling card. Call me when you change your mind."

Actually, ngayon ko lang nakausap si Gabby. Napakakind pala niya. Ngumiti ako sa kanya at inabot ang kapirasong papel na inaabot niya.

"Ehem, nice move bro!"

Glen shouted at the back. Hindi ko maintindihan kong anong ibig nitong sabihin but I saw Gabby blushing at hindi ito makatingin ng deretso sa akin.

I just sigh and then leave. I ruined everything today! Argh!

➡ thanks for reading! God bless you :))

Sorry for grammatical errors, wrong spellings and typo errors !!