Kiss by kiss (Completed)

Chapter Seventeen

-Joaquin-

I can see the confusion on her face. Three days since I last saw and heard from her. Did I forget to mention I don't do second dates?

I'm not being a jerk or something pero I'm trying to resist her. Did I enjoy it? No! I tried hard not to call or text her. I kept looking at her name on my phonebook like some lovestruck high school.

When I went to personally fetch Mitch, I didn't expect to see her. Nang nakita ko siya, I know I lost it. The moment their car went away, I grabbed my phone and texted her.

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To: @}-----

I missed you.

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I hit sent. There. Maybe you're wondering what is that... Well, that's a text art of a rosebud.

Cess is like a rosebud. She needs care to bloom to a rose and that's the time when she will be ready.

I waited for 3 hours for her text and she replied.

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From: @}-----

Then how come you

are ignoring me? :-(

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I smiled at her text and felt guilty at the same time. I had been busy actually aside from actually ignoring her. I enrolled at Ace Academy. I decided to study business so I am knowledgeable about our family business. I'm a premed graduate at UCLA but dad forced me to come home and study here. I got myself a special two year crash course on business management.

I could have chosen UP, La Salle or Ateneo but I'd rather be here so I can keep an eye on Mitch and see Cess as well. I can't be seen with her yet. Two years may not be a long time. I will watch my rosebud bloom.

As I was about to reply, my father called me to his office. I left my cellphone at the bed and went out.

-Cess-

Andito ako kina JC at nagfifit ng gowns. Kakanta kasi ako ala Regine Velasquez. Gusto ni Tita Stella na magred gown ako para sa Through the Fire number ko. May isang Britney Spears song and dance number din kami ng ibang glee club members. Hiningi ko kay Miss Jill yung song number ng basketball team pero ayaw ibigay kasi pang-finale daw sila.

Napatingin ako sa calendar na nakasabit sa wall ng living room area nila JC. Sa sunday na ang birthday ko at hindi ko alam kung maghahanda kami ni tatay. Si JC lang naman ang bisita ko. Hindi ako loner pero mga kaklase ko kasi puro rich kids kaya hindi naman pwede na ipaghain ko sila ng pancit at cake lang di ba? Okay lang naman sa akin kahit ganun setup namin every year. It's not the party that matters but the people you spent it with. Kagagaling ko lang sa restroom dahil finit ko ang last red gown.

"You really look like a princess!" Narinig kong puri ni JC.

"Talaga? At ikaw ang knight in shining armor ko." Nagbow si JC at inabot ang kamay ko. Inikot niya ako na parang nagsasayaw kami ala medieval style.

Nakita kami ni Tita Stella at tuwang-tuwa sa gown ko. Sweetheart neckline na mermaid gown at may beads sa waistline kasi ang napili ko. Medyo na-conscious ako kasi may cleavage na ako. Hindi kasi ako sanay sa mga revealing dresses tulad nito.

"How times flies ano mga anak?

Binata at dalaga na kayo. Gagadruate na kayo sa high school." Mangiyak-ngiyak na sambit ni Tita Stella.

"Ma, ang drama mo naman." Pabirong sagot ni JC at niyakap si tita. Hinablot niya rin ako.

"Oh siya magbihis ka na Cess at ilalagay ko na sa plastic and gown mo."

Bumalik ako sa restroom at nagpalit ng biglang may nagtext.

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From: J <3

Sorry I was busy. What are you doing today?

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Nagreply agad ako. Hihihi!

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To: J <3

Fitting for my gown for the foundation day next month. How about you? :-)

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Lumabas ako ng restroom ng matapos na ako magbihis. Nagpaalam na ako na uuwi ako pero hinatid ako ni JC.

"Princess, ano gagawin mo if may unexpected na tao ang manligaw sa iyo?" Nahihiyang tanong niya sa akin.

"Hindi ko alam eh. Wala pa naman nanliligaw sa akin." Sagot ko sa kanya. Is Joaquin considered my suitor? Hindi naman ako sure if nililigawan niya ako.

"Ah mabuti naman. Of course Princess kita kaya ayaw kong may umaaligid sa iyo" sabi niya sabay akbay sa akin.

"Overprotective mo. Lahat na nag-attempt noon tinakot mo na kaya wala na talaga manliligaw sa akin." Biro ko sa kanya.

"Basta Cess if meron man pakilala mo muna sa akin ha?"

"Oo naman. You're my bestfriend kaya ikaw ang unang makakaalam."

"Mabuti naman para makausap ko ng masinsinan. Tatakutin ko! Hahah! Biro lang."

Nagtataka ako bakit biglang nagtatanong si JC. Natutunogan ba niya na may kinahuhumalingan ako?

Nang makarating ako sa bahay ay umuwi agad si JC. Nagsound ulit ang cellphone ko.

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From: J <3

Thinking of you.

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