Playing Match

“Jasmin, please. I really like your brother.” her classmate pleaded.

Jasmin stood from her chair.

“I’m sorry, Danica, I can’t do it. That’s against my rules.” Jasmin told her.

Lisa was packing her things when she saw Danica walked gloomily away from Jasmin.

“What happened?” Lisa asked as she approaches Jasmin.

“She wants my brother.”Jasmin replied.

“Why not let her?”

“Because he likes someone else.”

“But he is single. I thought that’s okay. “

“He is still off limits. You and Kevin are also off limits.”

“Us? Why?”

“You’re close to me and I want to know if that person really deserves you.”

“Jas, you are so sweet.”

“Want to hang out this Saturday?”

“Where are we going?”

“Picnic. Just the two of us”

“Sure. I’ll take care of the food.”

“Good!”

♥♥♥

That Saturday, Michael knocked on Jasmin’s door to wake her up.

“Hey, monster, wake up. It’s already 10 am. Aren’t you supposed to go out with Lisa?” Michael said.

He didn’t hear any response from the other side. He opened the door and saw Jasmin on her bed.

“Hey! Monster! Wake up!” Michael said.

He was shaking her so she would stand up then he noticed that she is hot. He became more alarmed when he touched her forehead.

“You have a fever.” Michael said.

“Isn’t it obvious, freak?” Jasmin told him.

“Strange. I thought monsters don’t get sick.”

“Very funny. I have to stand up and meet Lisa.”

“You are not going anywhere.”

“What about Lisa?”

“Call her.”

“But she is already at our meeting place.”

“Text her.”

“She’ll be sad once she knew I could not go. She planned everything.”

“What about your condition?”

“I don’t care! Lisa is important to me and I don’t want to break her heart!”

Michael glared at her.

“What do you want me to do?” he asked.

“Take my place.” she replied.

Michael was very surprised to hear Jasmin’s suggestion.

“What?” he asked.

“Take my place.”

“You’re crazy! Mom and dad are out so if I go, no one is left here to take care of you”

“Then I have to get ready.”

“You are not going anywhere.”

“But, Lisa.”

“I’ll take care of her.”

“You are going, right?”

“I will.”

“Then, have fun and promise me you won’t tell her I’m sick or I’ll destroy your little project.”

“You would not dare!”

“Try me!”

Michael glared at her then stormed out of her room. After a few minutes, Michael went back of her room with a glass of water and medicine. He also changed his clothes.

“You look good.” Jasmin complimented.

Michael blushed then gave her the medicine.

“I’m going now. I’ll be back soon.” he said.

“Take your time.”

“I can’t. Thanks to you.”

Michael left the house and went to the park to meet Lisa. He saw her under a shade. She was constantly looking at her watch.

“Are you ready for our date?” Michael told her.

Lisa was surprise to see Michael approaching her.

“I’m sorry. Jasmin can’t make it.” Michael added.

“Why? What happened to her?” Lisa asked.

“You don’t want to know.”

“I want to know.”

“She…”

Michael looked at the basket beside Lisa.

“You’re supposed to have picnic together.” Michael said.

Lisa nodded.

“You prepared everything?” Michael asked.

Lisa nodded.

“Well, what are we waiting for?” Michael asked.

He opened the basket, took a large cloth, placed it on the ground and sat on it. He invited Lisa to join him. Lisa was a bit confused but sat by the edge of the cloth. Michael noticed that Lisa was a bit uneasy in her position.

“What are you doing there? This mat has enough space for the two of us. Come closer.” Michael said.

Lisa moved a little closer. Michael kept telling her to move closer but Lisa barely moves. Michael was a bit irritated with Lisa’s actions so he pulled Lisa closer to him. Lisa was shocked and surprised when her face was suddenly close to his face.

“Don’t be shy. Be yourself when you are with me.” he said.

Lisa blushed. She never felt this tension before. She just froze while adoring his eyes.

Michael’s mind is also uneasy. How come he felt this tension while gazing in her eyes? He loves Jasmin and he realized that since their parents’ wedding. What is he feeling towards Lisa?

♥♥♥

Kevin was ringing the doorbell of the Santiago family’s house.

“That’s strange. I thought someone is inside.” he thought.

He took a key from his pocket and unlocked the door. He saw Jasmin lying on the floor. He rushed to where she is.

“Jasmin!” Kevin called.

Kevin noticed that she is hot.

“You have a fever.” Kevin said.

Jasmin opened her eyes and smiled at Kevin.

“Food.” Jasmin said.

Kevin was surprised with Jasmin’s request but he lifted her and put her on her bed.

“I’ll go cook some for you.” Kevin told her.

Jasmin just nodded. After a few minutes, Kevin returned with a something he cooked. Jasmin tasted it.

“How was it?” Kevin asked.

“It’s good.” Jasmin replied.

“Where is everybody?”

“They went out.”

“You’re sick. How could El leave you here?”

“Don’t blame him, K, it’s my fault.”

“You’re fault?”

“I made him go on a date with Lisa.”

“Why? Does Lisa like him?”

“El likes Lisa.”

“So she is that girl.”

“Right.”

“And this is your plan.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t do that again. If ever you need help so they would go out often then ask for my help.”

“You’re going to help me?”

“I would. Just don’t make me worry.”

“Okay.”

“That’s good.”

Jasmin ate all the food Kevin prepared. Kevin cleaned up the plate and went back to Jasmin’s room.

“I’ll be your nurse today so be grateful.” Kevin boasted.

“How come you’re not wearing a uniform?” Jasmin teased.

“I’m not really a nurse. I’m a future chef.”

“I know.”

“You should behave, okay?”

“Is that even necessary?”

“Just do it.”

“Okay.”

♥♥♥

Lisa and Michael were eating Lisa’s food.

“This is good.” Michael complimented.

“Thanks.” Lisa said.

“Too bad. Jasmin is sick.”

“She is sick?”

“Yup. She’s home. She said I should take her place or else you’ll be sad.”

“She said that?”

“Yes.”

Lisa stood up.

“We should go now. We can’t leave her there alone.” Lisa said.

Michael pulled her back.

“Don’t worry. Kevin is there.” Michael assured her.

“But I think this is just a set up.” Lisa told her.

“I don’t think she would do such thing to us.”

“We’ll see. I sensed that she is just pretending.”

“Then let’s go.”

Michael stood up. They packed the food and blanket but regret leaving early.

♥♥♥

Willie and Michelle are back home. They went to Jasmin’s room to check on her. They saw Kevin and Jasmin sleeping together on a bed. Willie and Michelle were surprised to see them together. Kevin woke up and greeted them.

“We have to talk.” Willie told Kevin.

Kevin went out of Jasmin’s room and followed Willie to their corridor.

“Kevin, you should not sleep beside Jasmin anymore.” Willie told Kevin.

Kevin was puzzled.

“Why, uncle? We’ve been sleeping together since we were kids.” Kevin said.

“You see, Kevin, things are different now. You are already a man and Jasmin is a woman. Haven’t you noticed that your bodies are changing?”

“Come to think of it. I can feel her breasts were a bit big.”

“That’s my point.”

“Okay, uncle. I’ll try.”

“That’s fine. Thank you for understanding.”

“What are you talking about?” Michael asked.

“Nothing.” Kevin said.

“Where is Jasmin?” Lisa asked.

“She’s asleep. Her temperature went down a bit.” Kevin replied.

“She really has a fever?” Lisa asked,

“Told you she would not fake this.” Michael said.

“Lisa, are you there?” Jasmin asked when she heard her voice.

Lisa went in Jasmin’s room.

“Lisa, I’m sorry if I didn’t appear. I’m sorry if I forced Michael to take my place.” Jasmin apologized.

“Don’t mind that, Jasmin. I know that you’re only thinking of me. I’m sorry if I doubted you.” Lisa said.

“Don’t worry about her, Lisa. Go back to your picnic with El. I can take care of her.” Kevin said.

“No. I’ll take care of my best friend.” Lisa told Kevin.

Lisa stayed at Jasmin’s side while the boys watched them. Jasmin looked at Kevin and smiled. She motioned Kevin to come near her.

“See. My plan worked a bit.” Jasmin whispered.

“Be careful next time.” Kevin told her then kissed her forehead.

Lisa and Michael were a bit jealous when they saw Kevin kissed Jasmin’s forehead but they could not protest because Kevin and Jasmin seemed to be very happy.