RENDEZVOUS

CHRISTIANNE B. TENORIO 21ST CENLIT

HUMSS11- ST. RITA MS. MENOR

The sculptures above the ceiling of the cathedral church, and the long white gown I am wearing

flowing as I walk along the aisle, all the memories came flashing as how did we end up here.

It was a hot afternoon of November, Raki planned a short staycation for her birthday with some

friends and acquaintances. Well, not bad for all the stress we’ve been through... And aside from

the unwinding that we want, of course I agreed to this for my crush will be included in our circle.

I got to know him for he’s a former classmate of Ash, one of my dear friends.

“Look who’s smiling from ear to ear…” Ash teased me. I know where she’s getting at.

“I like One, okay? But not as if I’ll do something unethical later.”

”I’m not saying anything!” She laughed and turned around to get something. This! This is the

reaction she wants to get from me. Well, can’t really blame her. I’ve been crushing on One since

freshmen year, and now that we’re on our senior year in college, the feeling that I invested on

him just got worsen.

I don’t even know why I invested feelings on him that much. Hell, I don’t even know why I have

feelings for him! Ash just introduced him to our circle on her 18th birthday and voila! Little did I

know, I am curious on him already!

"Chris, go get in the van. We're leaving five minutes from now."

Raki told me while she's busy fixing her stuff she'll need later on the staycation. And no, it's not

something like a grill, food or something. It's all her skin care.

The van we'll be using is owned by Raki's family. Glad they have this large and comfortable car.

Very convenient at times like this. But not this time. Ivo will be the one who will drive and did I
say that Ivo is really a reckless driver? And what can we do? He's the only one here who knows

how to drive.

The hotel we'll be staying at is not really far from the metro so it really didn't took us long to

arrive from the location.

As we step out from the van, Raki's other circle of friends- which also includes One's friends, are

already at the lobby of the hotel waiting for us to finally check in.

"You should really worship me, Chris. It's me who made it possible for One to be here. If it's not

because of you, I won't really include him on my list."

I laughed. Well, what friends are for, right?

"Whatever girl. I love you too!"

And while we're laughing together, I saw One looking on our way. I even thought he's looking at

someone behind me so I looked back, there was no one. My eyes widened when I realized...

Could it be that he's looking at me? For those three years crushing him, never did he laid his

almond eyes on me. Heck, even when Ash introduced him to us. That's because he got a

girlfriend then. He's a loyal and faithful one. Only let his eyes lay on what he owns. Such a lover

boy! I used to be so bitter about it though. Who wouldn't be, right? But I guess the heavens
changed their minds and gave me their favor! One and Kat, his girlfriend then, just broke up last

week. One of the reasons why I had the guts and courage to invite him here.

Woke up from the evil thoughts I had for they already settled everything at the receptionist. We'll

just put our bags in our suite and then we will proceed at the pool area for the party.

"What are you plans, Raki?" I asked. Because if they're just gonna swim, I don't know I'll rather

sleep.

"Ivo's planning a game while swimming. Don't you dare sleep on me! Join us there!"

She even point her finger on me to emphasize that I need to socialize.

After we put our bags and changed our clothes, Raki, Ash and I went to the pool area together.

They rented the whole pool area so it'll be private among us. They also settled the big speakers

and other party things only adults are allowed to use or drink.

We party, though I really don't want to, I refused to spoil the fun. Good thing, after fifteen

minutes, they decided to swim already. And me? I'll just sit on the tiles while laying my legs feel

the water from the pool as I watch them play. It's late and I don't want to catch a cold.

"Chris! Why are you still there?"

"Don't be a kill joy and join us here!"

They shouted telling me to join them. Ugh! The peer-pressure that I really hate! But am I really

being a kill joy? The thought made me somehow guilty and just when I was about to go swim

and join the crowd, a man sat next to me. I turned my neck to see who it is and... OMG I CAN

DIE RIGHT NOW!

W-what made him sit next to me? My gosh, am I in the show 'Wow Mali'? Is this a prank set up

by my friends?

"You also don't want to swim?"

AND NOW HE'S TALKING TO ME!

I can't believe this! I stared at him for three seconds in disbelief that he's actually initiating a

conversation to me. And then, he chuckled.

"Sometimes, you're so serious. Sometimes, you're funny, just like now."

As the situation finally sank in me, I smiled to stop the awkwardness between us. My smile looks

so horrible probably!

"Uhm, y-yes. Not in the mood to swim. How about you?" WOW CHRISTIANNE, STOP

STUTTERING YOU BRAT!

"Just same. Also, it's cold already." We have the same reason! Awww, is this what you call

meant to be? Yikes!

"What course are you taking?" Yes self, sustain the conversation!

"Civil Engineering... and you?" wow, so he's cooperating huh.

"Political Science." I answered shortly.

"Wow, attorney!"

"Soon to be, engineer!"

He laughed.

"I'm also a "soon to be", just like any of us here."

"Yes. I hope we all make it."

I unconsciously said. We're all students here, striving hard to survive and become what we want

to become in the future.

I think I caught his interest. He agreed of what I said that made the conversation long. We didn't

even noticed that we've been talking for hours already. Only when our colleagues felt the need to

rest and called it a day, we bid our goodbye to each other and promised to talk tomorrow.

"I had fun talking with you. Tomorrow then?"

"Alright. I'll wake up early so you should too."

He chuckled and nod his head.

"I'm expecting an early breakfast then." And he turned around to join his friends.

That early breakfast messed my mind and made me really excited that I woke up at four in the

morning! Chris, calm yourself! But what should I wear though? OMG I'm so sick!

I just took a bath get myself a red long sleeves shirt and tuck it in my black high-waisted shorts.

Well, much better than a dress that I'm thinking earlier, right?

Before I leave, I woke up Ash and Raki to let them know that I'll have my breakfast, but didn't

tell them it's One that I'm with. They just nod and get back to sleep. I understand. They're all

tired and it's only five in the morning. The hallway of the hotel even looks creepy as I was

walking. I used elevator for convenience. As I reached the ground floor, I thank the gods and

goddesses for they let me wear this long sleeves because it's so cold! The wind breeze coming
from the outside is making my legs shake. I ran to the only open restaurant here to avoid the cold

breeze and also, to wait for One. He didn't took long. He arrived after four minutes of waiting

and he looks apologetic already.

"Morning..." I greeted and smiled at him.

"Sorry did I kept you waiting?" Scratching his head, he's really cute!

"Nope. I also just got here. Have a seat please. I might have a stiff neck if you keep on standing

there and talks to me."

He chuckled and sat next to me. I'm shocked because I expected him to sit in front of me... but

okay.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"Pancakes and coffee please..."

He ordered the same as mine. He asked me random questions like what's my favorites, what's my

stand on things and also my other personal informations while we're eating.

It's like... we're having a rendezvous. I feel like a French! Lol.

"I enjoyed this trip. Though, it's very short, I'm glad I got to know you though."

Uhm, he's glad that he meet me? Mom! I made it! This is your future son-in-law!

"Yes. Later at eleven o'clock, we'll be leaving so we'll only have our brunch."

It's making me empty that we're leaving already but that's life. Vacation is over. They had their

brunch at ten o'clock while I did a sight seeing at our suite's balcony. It's magestic here even

when it's daylight. You can see how people get busy every minute.

When it's time to go home, One approached me and asked if he can get my number. Of course I

gave it. Who am I to be choosy, right?

Months had passed and we've been texting each other after that staycation. We're also meeting

and having lunch or dinner sometimes when our schedule meets since we're from the same

university.

Ash and Raki are beginning to have suspicions. I'm not yet telling anyone about this, not that

everyone needs to know though.

And one time, we agreed to each other to have a dinner after my evening class, which he waited

for almost four hours, he finally asked me to be his girlfriend. Others would say that he didn't

even court me. Well, we've been dating for a month now and old enough to do all the process to

be an official couple. Therefore, I said yes.

We're happy. Our happiness even doubled when our label was finally official. But not until

someone spoke that I'm just One's rebound to his ex.

It was when he told me that his blockmates are planning a trip in Sagada.

"They are planning a trip to Sagada. I'm thinking, should I join?" he asked.

"Why not? The semester will be over. You'll be on your fifth year just soon so enjoy this."

He took my advice. A week later, they did their Sagada trip. They'll be staying there for two

weeks and it's fine for it is really out hell week and I'm too busy reviewing everything.

On the first three days, when he was in that trip, he calls me almost every hour but on the

proceeding days, he only calls me three times a day. And it is completely fine to me since I have

exams. But I didn't expect when I'm done taking my last exam, a friend of Kat, One's ex, is

waiting outside our room. She approached me and showed photos of One and Kat, talking,

laughing, and hugging each other.

"I hope you understand what this means. Kat is there in Sagada because One asked her to come.

I'm Kat's friend, I know what happened to them. You made your entrance just after their break

up. One loves Kat and probably just entertained you because he's broken and now that they're

back together, I hope you make your exit peaceful." She didn't even waited for me to speak as
she immediately walked away.

I am telling myself that they're just bitter but what she said actually made sense. One and Kat are

in a long term relationship! And I made my entrance just when their break up is fresh! Okay! I

get it! How assuming of me to think that... to think that... ours is serious...

I am so angry but I know it's my fault!

But I need enlightenment! If this is true...

I tried calling One. After five rings, he answered.

"Hello. Who's this?"

Suddenly, I'm speechless. It's not One who answered but a female voice.

"Hello? This is his girlfriend. May I know who is this please so I can tell him when he get back

here? One is currently outside and your phone number isn't registered to his... so may I know

who's this, please?"

I ended the call. I can't take it anymore. I don't need his explanation because Kat clearly made it

clear. She boldly said that she's the girlfriend to an unregistered number! and that speaks volume

already.

I got home crying. Thank the heaven for the hell week is finally over. And eventually, I fell

asleep.
I woke up from a ring. It's my phone ringing. I checked who it was and saw that it was One. I

didn't answer it, rather, I composed a break up letter to him and sent it.

Well, what I want to do right now is to smash their head to each other. How dare them!

My phone rang again and it was One calling. I rejected it again… and again and again and again!

What does he want? Is he mocking me? Why does he keeps on calling?

And as I was supposed to reject again his call, I pressed the wrong button that made me answer

it. Now, I'm trap in the situation.

"You finally answered!" He exclaimed but I did not respond. I'll let him talk to himself alone.

"Hello..." He sighed as he still didn't got a response from me.

"Alright. What was that break up text all about? Care to explain? I am on the way home and we

will talk once I get there." He waited for me to response but I still didn't. I don't care if you get

here! Just go to your Kat! Fix your broken relationship, losers!

"Did I do something wrong-"

I ended the call. I can't take it. I'm confused! It's clear already that he and Kat are now back

together so why is he still talking to me, huh? He should be fixing his relationship and enjoying

his time with Kat right now!

I won't let him affect me. I did my usual routine. I took my time pampering myself. And in the

afternoon, since we have no classes, I decided to go to the mall to unwind. And just when I was

about to go out to our house, he came! He came carrying a big bag on his shoulders. Straight

from Sagada! OMG! What is he doing here? Did I agree to talk to him, huh? Feeler!

I looked at him. And he looks... angry? Wow! And why is he angry? Huh? He has the guts to be

angry?

"What was that text all about?" he started.

I cannot take it! He's really asking that!

"I'm breaking up. I don't know why you're still asking but I think I made it sure in the letter what

I want."

I made myself calm as possible. Alright. He wants to talk and he's very angry. It's not nice if I'll

get angry too. This talk will just be nonsense.

"Yes? And the reason why? Why do you want a break up, huh?"

Wait. I can't believe that I'm the one who needs to explain! Alright then! Let's be angry together

if that's what you like!

"I don't owe a single explanation to you when in fact, it's you who turned his back on me!" I

screamed.

He got shocked at my reaction but recovered soon. Now, he's confuse. Wow!

"And now you're confuse suddenly, huh? How dare you be confuse when you just got back to

Kat!"

I'm not hysterical. I hate that he's pretending that he doesn't know anything.

"What..."

"Oh yes! I know it now! Kat's friend told me that you're back together! And when I called you...

it's Kat who answered the phone. Boldly claiming that she's your girlfriend and asking me to

introduce myself because my number isn't registered to your phone!"

I'm crying really hard. He tried to close the gap between us and touch me but I didn't let him.

Now, he looks so soft... very opposite to his angry face earlier.

"I have no relationship with Kat. I don't even know why her friend will come at you..."

"Then why is Kat there? You said that that Sagada trip is exclusive only with your blockmates!

You even have pictures together!" I sound so hopeless seeking for his explanation.

"It's coincidence that she was also there with her family. I don't know about the pictures but our

conversation didn't last that long." he explained.

He showed his phone to me only to see that my number was really registered on his contacts.

"I hate it that you already concluded things. But also my fault. I'm sorry." He said.

"I'm sorry too...”

He hugged me and whispered...

"We will marry the day we both graduate so you'll stop concluding." He chuckled.

"You still have your fifth year." I said.

"I can't wait to finish my fifth year..."

"I still have four years to finish my law school."

"Oh..."

I chuckled. You will wait after four years huh.

"I'll wait for you then..."

"You should."