Status: On going! :)
Parallel Lines
Rainy.
“How are you?”
She lied on the warm bed, the rays of the sun practically blinding her. She dug her face deeper on her pillow, not wanting to reply his stupid question.
“Tell me one more stupid question and I’ll hang this up.”
”Jen,” the person on the other line laughed, “Stop being grumpy. You’re lucky our professor is not here yet and I had the time to call you.”
She coughed first before she moved her phone closer to her mouth, “Whatever, Jereek, I just want to lay here and sleep all day. Now cut the line and I’ll have my sleep,”
”Aight,” Jereek chuckled, ”I’ll visit you after my last class, don’t forget to –“
Jennifer groaned, slamming her phone, “Yeah yeah, boyfriend, I love you. You already know that now cut the line; my head is practically killing me.”
”Haha, I love you too, feel better now.”
She heard the beeping sound as she coughed. Was she really having a cold or the Lord was trying to torture her for sleeping at class?
-
“You know I’m busy lying flat on my ass, right?”
“Does it look like I’m asking?
Jennifer flicked her tongue in annoyance and glared down on her phone. God, she didn’t ask for this boy to call her and make her day worse.
“If you have nothing good to say, Jarod,” she scoffed, “End the call. Luckily Jen didn't have load anymore."
She heard the boy on the other line laughed as the sound of rain felt like playing on the background, “I’m sorry for bitching. I know this is not the good time.”
“Good,” she answered, keeping the layers of blanket close to her, “Because even though I love the rain, it’s starting to be one of the reasons why my sickness is getting worse every minute.”
She heard the boy laughed and winced in pain. She licked her bottom lip as she asked, filled with curiosity, “Hey, are you alright?”
“Sort of,” She heard him let out a light chuckle, “I’ll drop by. Wait for me.”
“What –“
“I went to the nearest shop here so I could call you. Also, I’ll bring you your favourite, kid.”
“You’re not supposed to go here go ho—“
As she heard the beeping sound from the receiver, she almost felt her eyes rolling at the back of her head. Pretty much sure, she was glad not to see anyone from her class that day since that was what she clearly needed – a rest day all by herself.
And that includes having company. She knew she was in agony when she heard the footsteps of her mother and the sound of her room’s door being opened.
“What are you thinking?!” Her mom exclaimed, hold a cup of hot cocoa. “You’re sick! How can you still invite someone over?!”
She licked her bottom lip as she pulled herself up, eyes widen, “I swear, mom! I didn’t invite anyone.”
Her mom kept on cussing loudly until she placed the mug on the table beside her bed; Jennifer let out a groan and added, “Where is the visitor?”
“I’ll tell him to go up,”
“No, mom, please just tell him to get out of the house, I’m too sick!”
Her mother closed the door with force, making her rub her temple harder than she should. God, that boy was totally testing her patience. She stood up from her bed and opened the door; she almost felt her soul leave her body.
“MOTHER OF JESUS, JAROD!”
The boy had his bottom lip bitten down to refrain himself from laughing. She clenched her chest, sending a glare to the boy in front of her.
“Stop glaring,” Jarod smirked down at her and simply entered, pushing her away from the door. “Aren’t you happy I visited you?”
She couldn’t help but look at this turd. His polo and slacks were wet, probably one of the reasons why he was holding one of HER towels – mother, why?! -. He got his fluorescent pink bag slung on his other arm and a plastic bag being carried by his left hand. But what truly bothered her was the bruise he had on his cheek.
“How are you?” The boy sat on the carpet, placing his things beside him. She shifted her eyes at him, as she let out a sarcastic laugh, “Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that?”
She watched the boy shrugged his shoulders and patted the space next to him, “Sit.”
“Sit?” She replied plainly, “Really, Jarod, you want me to sit beside you? Why? So I can painfully kill the hell out of you on my white carpet?”
The tall guy chuckled, rubbing his hair with the towel. “I like your mom. She gave me a towel when she saw me calling your name in front of your house, drenched.”
“Remind me to not use that again.” She rolled her eyes and grabbed her hot mug, finally sitting on the carpet beside him. She couldn’t help but just stare on the bruise on his cheek as she held her drink with both of her hands.
He grabbed the plastic bag and held it in front of her, “I bought you your favourite.” He let out a smile, placing it on her lap.
She took a glimpse and saw 3 apple pies inside. She smiled, “You could have just spent your 75 pesos on your way home, right? It’s already flooding in our street.”
He shrugged his shoulders and chuckled but ended up wincing in pain; he tried smoothing his bruise. Her eyes widen as she said, “What happened to you, Jarod? Who the hell did that?”
“N-nothi- damn it,” He rubbed his cheek, trying to ignore her eyes. “Rieza got me.”
She stood up from the carpet and took the cold handkerchief that was placed on her forehead from the table, lending it to him. “Use this.”
“Thank you,” he smiled, “Stop worrying, sit and talk, I’ll listen.”
She sat beside him again, leaning on the side of her bed, “Go home, kid. I’m healing. You aren’t.”
“I needed you when I never knew I do.” Jarod said under his breath, his head bowed down. She looked at him, letting out a sigh, “What? The towel was covering your mouth.”
She swore, this boy needed to talk a bit louder.
The rain got harder as she looked at her wall clock. It read 5:50pm, wow, it was just five? She thought it was around seven already. She turned to him and met his eyes, “I’m sorry, I just checked the time,” She grinned goofily at him, “What did you say again?”
He had his mouth a bit open when he shook his head, turning his glance to the window in front of him. “Nothing, I just winced, haha…”
She laughed, patting his shoulder, “Why did Rieza punch the living hell out of you, anyway? What did you do?”
She watched him bored her eyes on her, making her bend her head to her side, “Rodja, you there?”
“Can we just talk about other things?” He replied, his eyes still on her presence. “Like, what are you feeling? Are you okay? Can you come to school already?”
She felt a bit surprised, letting it pass, “Oh,” she nodded, “alright, I’m fine, I guess. I can’t flunk another school day again,” she laughed, and coughed.
“Good,” he grinned, “Tell me if you’re going to be absent again, aight?”
She nodded, grabbing the nearest pillow she can cuddle, “You should know Jereek will drop by. Around six thirty, I think, want to meet him?”
She watched him move uncomfortably, giving the cold towel to her, “Sure,” he smiled, “Don’t need that anymore. I can handle it.” He smiled, shifting his eyes to hers.
“Alright,” She grabbed it and placed it on the table, “I like it better when you’re this quiet. I can peacefully take a rest.”
She watched the boy bore his eyes on her. She wasn’t even bothered, but she was wondering what was actually running inside his head.
“You ready for our retreat?” Jarod asked, lying on the carpet as he faced her. She tapped the bottom of her mug as she replied, “Maybe?” She smiled, “I haven’t fixed my things yet.”
Jarod nodded; she knew how he wanted to make the ambiance a bit euphoric.
“Same,” He grinned, “I’ll just do it the day before our retreat. Too lazy to do anything.”
She sipped her hot cocoa, remembering the fact she hadn’t taken a shower yet. Well, she couldn’t just risk getting a fever again from cold water. She watched him glimmer his eyes around her room and brought it back to her presence, and grinned as he said, “Funny how you were just inside my room a few days ago, and now…”
“At least we didn’t cut,” she replied, laughing.
“Wow,” he smirked at her, “We’re both legal on both sides already, brown eyes.”
She coughed harder when she heard what he said, almost choking on her cocoa, “Oh, please. Sure we’re “”legal”,” she rolled her eyes, “But aren’t you afraid that the cops haven’t arrested you since your face is illegal?” she stated, trying not to laugh.
“You just indirectly told me I’m handsome as hell,” he winked, shifting closer to her. “God, I knew it, you do have a crush – “
“Shut up before I choke you to death.”
The tall boy laughed out loud, and reached for her hair to ruffle. She groaned, slapping his hand away, making the boy laugh again.
“I’m a bit happy now though,” he confessed, his voice lower than the original, “I know this isn’t the good time for me to visit you – with all the rain pouring and your nose sneezing -, but thank you.”
She raised an eyebrow at the tall guy who was now leaning on her right thigh, tracing circles on the carpet. She never liked the idea of pushing people around, squeezing the hell out of them, just to know every single thing about them. She loved listening to people, even though she confessed most of the time that she was more of a talker.
“Whatever’s bothering you,” She replied, rubbing his hair, “It’ll be fine soon. Maybe it was well, bound to happen, ya know,” she chuckled, making Jarod let out a snort, “To have your cheek be punched by your own friend… But always remember I’m here whenever you’re ready to open up.”
She tapped his shoulders as she added, “Feel better, dude.”
She watched him as he looked at her, a grin plastered on his face, “Thanks, brown eyes.”
“I’m always here for you, bud, “ she ruffled his hair once again and said, “Now stand up, I need to check my phone if Jereek already texted.”
She stood up, sitting on the bed where she last placed her cellphone. She bit her inner cheek, bringing her legs on the bed, her sight on her friend who was already leaning his head on the far edge of the bed. She opened her phone, grinning.
From: Jey-jow
6:05pm
I’ll be a little late. I’m stuck here around Baclaran since it’s already traffic and well, flooding. Haha. Please don’t forget to close the screens of your window; the rain is way too heavy. Also, please don’t forget to drink your meds by 7pm! I love you. :--)
She puckered her lips as she read his message.
To: Jey-jow
6:07pm
It’s alright. Please do take care. Jarod’s here by the way, I want you to meet him. See you later. I love you too. :)
She threw her cellphone beside her and lied on the bed, groaning.
“He’s stuck around Baclaran isn’t he?”
She rubbed her head, “Yeah.” She replied, wrapping both of her arms around her bed side pillow. She sighed as she looked down at Jarod, “I’m hoping he ain’t riding a mini boat as he enters Gatchalian later.”
“Well, if he does love you,” the boy chuckled, “He will, just to get to you before eight pm.”
She let out a snort as she replied, “Why, would you do it for Fatima?”
As she said those words, she never expected the sound of her friend’s laugh to actually fade. She stared at the back of his head, still grinning when she realized he didn’t even dare to reply anymore. She bit the bottom, already realizing the situation he was in.
“I-,” she stuttered, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring her u-.”
She saw him nod his head, making her stop from talking. She let out a throaty sigh as she pushed her head closer to the pillow, wishing she could have just shut her mouth. Jarod wasn’t a person who usually shuts up whenever the conversation was about someone he actually liked. She let the silence be the comfort between them as she tried to look down on her phone.
Her phone was a birthday gift from her father. Her phone was actually cool and famous back then – actually, also one of the reasons why she chose to have it. Though, she felt betrayed when she found out it didn’t have any connection for Wi-Fi. Long story short, yes, she indeed had survived her whole high school years with… that phone.
She rested her eyes on the ceiling, feeling coldness between her toenails. She covered herself with her blankie, closing her eyes.
“Jarod, I’ll just take a – “
“Jen, you know I would do anything just to make sure she’s safe.”
Her insides woke up when she got cut off by him. She easily straightened her body as she replied to him, full of sympathy, “Of course, Jarod.” She muttered under her breath, “I know.”
“But if you were also on that case, I’d go for you first.”
The air on her lungs got pulled down as she heard his reply. Her eyes dug unto the back of his head, wondering what the expression on his face was. She felt the thickness of the atmosphere as she carefully replied, “But,” she licked her lips, “I’ll be fine. I’m a big person. Fatima is, well, has a small figure, she’ll need you more.”
“But it’ll be like lying to myself.”
She pushed her glasses, “Why?” she replied, trying to let out a chuckle.
“I don’t know.” She heard him coughed, “Brown eyes, you’re all I have.”
She raised her eyebrow; a smile plastered on her face, as she stood up from the bed and sat down beside her friend. She leaned her head on his left shoulder as she said, “I can’t say that I’m all yours cause, technically, no, but,” she chuckled, “If you need someone, you have my time, okay?”
“Why can’t I have you?”
“Because,” she ruffled his hair, “No one owns me, Jarod. I can be eaten up by my own anxiety and no one will even know.” She removed her head from his shoulder, smiling at him.
“Then let me be the person who can take you away from that.”
She chuckled, “You’re like a kid,” she replied, shaking her head lightly, “Only I can do that, okay? Don’t worry about that. It comes and goes.”
“No,” he shook his head, shifting his sight on her, “Why do you experience that?”
She smiled for a second and let out a sigh, pushing her legs to her chest. This case wasn’t exactly the easiest thing that you could explain to someone. Neither she couldn’t comprehend how it usually happened. Jen just shrugged her shoulder as she replied, “It happens. All I know it just feels like it’s eating me alive and – well, and, the water is so deep that, sometime, I think I’ll just simply drown with no one to hold on to.” She stammered but smiled at him once more, leaning her chin on top of her knees.
The boy looked at her, eyes glimmering as he said, “Let me be the one who’ll keep you steady on the ground.”
“It’s not easy,” she grinned, “Maybe you can lessen the pain, but not for a lifetime.”
“I can,” he nodded, running his hand on her hair, “I can be the anchor that will keep your feet on the ground, Jen.”
She laughed, a strained one, head shaking as she replied, “You don’t understand, Jarod, I can’t let you be the anchor. I can’t just let you drown with me. I can’t just –“ she plastered a smile, shaking her head.
She watched Jarod nodded; as she nodded as well, trying to not cry in front of Jarod. “I won’t drown. I won’t drown for you. You won’t be my downfall; you’re the exact opposite cause I know you’re building me up and it’s starting now.”
“Thank you,” she licked her bottom lip, eyes digging onto his, “Thank you. Just –“ she smiled at him, pinching his cheek, “-just always remember, Fatima sucks cause she lost a boy like you.”
The boy just let out a smirk, his eyes not removing from hers. She ruffled his hair once more as she added, “You’re something, Jarod. Your future girlfriend is lucky as hell.”
She smiled once more because she knew she was an expert on it. She just laid her back on the carpet beside her friend, feeling her sickness lessen. She felt Jarod’s hand on her hair as he whispered things.
“What are you saying?” she chuckled, raising an eyebrow.
The boy shook his head as he replied, a smirk on his face, “Nothin’ much, brown eyes.”
She thought of a new topic, trying to lighten up the mood.
“Aren’t you going home now?” Jen asked as he watched him braiding her hair. “Wait, Jarod,” she tapped his hand, “You’re aware I haven’t taken a bath yet, right?”
The boy’s eyes widen, still continuing the braid he was making, “What? Take a bath now!”
“I’m sick, dude,” she rolled her eyes, “I still smell good, an-“
“I’ve been wondering why it smells like trash here-“
“HEY!” she groaned, pushing him away, “I don’t smell like trash! You smell like acid rain but I still let you enter this house, you asshat.” She folded her arms, glaring at him.
The boy laughed, his other hand trying to caress his bruise, “Oh come on, we all know acid rain smells better than trash.”
“If I do smell like trash,” she replied, a smug on her face, “At least I don’t smell like acid rain and look like a trash at the same time.” She raised a hand in front of him as she twitched her head to her right shoulder, meaning: “oh, please.”
The boy shook his head, glaring at him, “Playing this shit is like playing with the devil. You won’t shut up unless you already started pissing me off.”
“At least you know,” she shrugged her shoulders, “Now carry your ass and go home. It’s not easy to commute with that weather,” she glanced at the window and back to him.
The boy shrugged his shoulders as he leaned the back of his head on the edge of her bed, “I want to meet Jereek, come on. It’s a once in a lifetime chance to meet the, uh –“ he scoffed, grinning, “man of your filthy dreams.”
“Don’t worry he also wants to meet you.” She grinned at him, “I’ve told him stories about you, you know. That’s why I’m pretty sure he’s looking forward to meet you.”
She heard her phone rang loudly. Perhaps a call from Jereek? She took her phone and felt disappointment to see it was an unknown number.
“Uh, hello?” she said, her eyebrow knitted into one.
”Iris, hi, it’s me Fatima, is Jarod there? Can I talk to him”
She held the phone far from her and covered it, her eyes locked with Jarod.
“Who’s that?” Jarod asked her, full of curiosity.
She bit her bottom lip, wondering if answering his question was a good idea, “Jarod, it’s Fatima. She’s looking for you.”
Their eyes were still locked, not knowing what to do next. She coughed a bit and returned the phone to her ear again.
”I know he’s there, Jen. Can you tell him I really need to talk to him? I’ve been searching for him for two days. He doesn’t want to talk to me.”
“Oh, alright, I’ll just ask him,” she stared at Jarod who was now in front of her, trying to listen to their conversation, “if he wants to talk to you.”
She slowly handed her phone to him, his eyes stayed fix on hers. She simply nodded, signalling him that this was the good time for him to finally have a meaningful talk with her.
The tall guy took the phone from her, and sent a grin. She knew that if he somehow needed a closure, well, this was the right time.
Jarod went out of the room and she saw him went straight to her balcony. She decided to stand up and go down for a while to get snacks. Just chips and popcorns that her friend could chomp on after having the “closure”. She took her mug and went downstairs. She let out a throaty cough, seeing her mother lying on the sofa.
“What do you need?” Her mother asked, switching move channels.
Jennifer shrugged her shoulders as she went to the kitchen, placing the mug on the sink. “Snacks for Jarod and Jereek, mom.”
“Jereek will still come? Look outside, it’s already flooding.”
She opened the fridge and looked for leftover popcorns from her movie marathon the night before as she replied, “I think so. But I told him if the water’s way too high, he should just take some rest.”
“Alright, I’ll just bring glasses and iced tea upstairs.” Her mom said, now focused on the tv show Keeping Up With The Kardashians. “Don’t try to drink iced tea okay?”
She nodded, carrying tons of junk food. “Alright.” She went upstairs and threw the food on her carpet. She focused her eyes out the balcony. Is the conversation going well? He seemed a bit, gloomy, she murmured under her breath as she grabbed her ipad from her bed side, checking her social media accounts.
@jenn_iris: ew school tomorrow. can I somehow have my fever back? lolz
She tweeted and closed her ipad, finally seeing Jarod enter her room.
“It was really Fatima,” he simply said, sitting on the edge of the bed, facing her. He looked like he was stunned with what just happened. She just nodded and held her head with her right hand, looking at his presence.
“What did she say?”
Jarod held his head with both of his hands as he sighed in dismay, “She wanted to talk to me the other day because,” he looked down to his lap, “She wanted to have me back.”
Jennifer felt a rush of anger ran inside of her. What did she think of Jarod? A toy that she can just pick up whenever she wanted to? She blinked harder as she replied, “I’m sorry, but is – is that a good thing? Please,” she licked her bottom lip, “Please think this over.”
When the atmosphere started to felt foreign, she saw her door started to open. It was her mother, handling a pitcher of iced tea and two glasses. Jennifer stood up and took it from her, placing all of it on her bed side table.
“Drink first, Jarod dear,” her mother said, about to exit her daughter’s room, “I know you’re pretty tired.”
Jarod was snapped from his thoughts. He sent out a smile and nodded, “Sure, thank you Mrs. Iris. I appreciate it.”
When her mother closed the door, she let Jarod have his time thinking. She took one of the glasses and filled it with iced tea. She nudged his arm, “Here, freshen a bit.”
He gladly took it from her and drank it, leaving no drop.
Well, we got a drinker here. She murmured under her breath as she lied on her bed, wishing that Jarod could handle all of these problems. She wasn’t used to seeing one of her close friends in this kind of state. She was used to the fact that she was the one who was always carrying a lot of problems.
It took him more than ten minutes before he could actually sentence out the next thing he wanted to say.
“I think I should go now.” He stammered, standing up from her bed. She easily stood up and dusted her sweater. She respected what would be his act after talking to Fatima. She knew how much bullshit he was going through and she respected the fact that he needed to be alone.
She watched him grab his bag, “Alright, please do take care, bud. Chat me if you’re already home.”
“I’m sorry. Please tell Jereek I’ll meet him next time and thank you to your mother.” He sent out a tired half smile, “Maybe this really isn’t my day.”
“Alright, please do take care.” She nodded, guiding him to the door, “Let me drop you to our gate.”
He shook his head, tapping her shoulder, “No, it’s fine. Stay here. Just rest, I’ll chat you later.”
“I should be hugging you goodbye now,” she chuckled, “But I can’t. Take care, Jarod. Rest as well, that’s what you also needed.”
He paused for 5 seconds and proceeded to wrap both of his arms around her. Her eyes widen, truly stunned with the action he was doing. She chuckled lightly, patting his back, “I haven’t taken a bath yet, dork.”
“You do smell like trash,” he whispered to her ear, making her laugh, pushing him away from her. He laughed as well, tiredness could really see through him. He went out of the door, waving at her.
“Goodnight,” he smiled at her, “I’ll see you tomorrow, brown eyes.”
She waved at him, watching as he went downstairs and greeted her mother. She let out a sigh as she entered her room. The first thing she saw was her phone lighting on her bed.
She slowly strolled to her bed, rubbing the back of her neck. Well, a lot of things happened at this kind of night. Before she could pick her phone up, she took the glass of water beside the pitcher of iced tea, popping out her Decolgen.
After drinking her meds, she turned to her cellphone.
From: Jey-jow
7:03pm
Have you taken your meds? I’m already here, by the tricycle lane. Jarod? Oh the boy you cut with? Right. Yeah, I’ve wanted to meet him as well. Probably shit on him as well. Kidding.
To: Jey-jow
7:07pm
Yep. Whatever. He’s my friend, dude. Hurry up. :<
From: Jey-jow
7:08pm
I don’t trust him.
She lied on the warm bed, the rays of the sun practically blinding her. She dug her face deeper on her pillow, not wanting to reply his stupid question.
“Tell me one more stupid question and I’ll hang this up.”
”Jen,” the person on the other line laughed, “Stop being grumpy. You’re lucky our professor is not here yet and I had the time to call you.”
She coughed first before she moved her phone closer to her mouth, “Whatever, Jereek, I just want to lay here and sleep all day. Now cut the line and I’ll have my sleep,”
”Aight,” Jereek chuckled, ”I’ll visit you after my last class, don’t forget to –“
Jennifer groaned, slamming her phone, “Yeah yeah, boyfriend, I love you. You already know that now cut the line; my head is practically killing me.”
”Haha, I love you too, feel better now.”
She heard the beeping sound as she coughed. Was she really having a cold or the Lord was trying to torture her for sleeping at class?
-
“You know I’m busy lying flat on my ass, right?”
“Does it look like I’m asking?
Jennifer flicked her tongue in annoyance and glared down on her phone. God, she didn’t ask for this boy to call her and make her day worse.
“If you have nothing good to say, Jarod,” she scoffed, “End the call. Luckily Jen didn't have load anymore."
She heard the boy on the other line laughed as the sound of rain felt like playing on the background, “I’m sorry for bitching. I know this is not the good time.”
“Good,” she answered, keeping the layers of blanket close to her, “Because even though I love the rain, it’s starting to be one of the reasons why my sickness is getting worse every minute.”
She heard the boy laughed and winced in pain. She licked her bottom lip as she asked, filled with curiosity, “Hey, are you alright?”
“Sort of,” She heard him let out a light chuckle, “I’ll drop by. Wait for me.”
“What –“
“I went to the nearest shop here so I could call you. Also, I’ll bring you your favourite, kid.”
“You’re not supposed to go here go ho—“
As she heard the beeping sound from the receiver, she almost felt her eyes rolling at the back of her head. Pretty much sure, she was glad not to see anyone from her class that day since that was what she clearly needed – a rest day all by herself.
And that includes having company. She knew she was in agony when she heard the footsteps of her mother and the sound of her room’s door being opened.
“What are you thinking?!” Her mom exclaimed, hold a cup of hot cocoa. “You’re sick! How can you still invite someone over?!”
She licked her bottom lip as she pulled herself up, eyes widen, “I swear, mom! I didn’t invite anyone.”
Her mom kept on cussing loudly until she placed the mug on the table beside her bed; Jennifer let out a groan and added, “Where is the visitor?”
“I’ll tell him to go up,”
“No, mom, please just tell him to get out of the house, I’m too sick!”
Her mother closed the door with force, making her rub her temple harder than she should. God, that boy was totally testing her patience. She stood up from her bed and opened the door; she almost felt her soul leave her body.
“MOTHER OF JESUS, JAROD!”
The boy had his bottom lip bitten down to refrain himself from laughing. She clenched her chest, sending a glare to the boy in front of her.
“Stop glaring,” Jarod smirked down at her and simply entered, pushing her away from the door. “Aren’t you happy I visited you?”
She couldn’t help but look at this turd. His polo and slacks were wet, probably one of the reasons why he was holding one of HER towels – mother, why?! -. He got his fluorescent pink bag slung on his other arm and a plastic bag being carried by his left hand. But what truly bothered her was the bruise he had on his cheek.
“How are you?” The boy sat on the carpet, placing his things beside him. She shifted her eyes at him, as she let out a sarcastic laugh, “Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that?”
She watched the boy shrugged his shoulders and patted the space next to him, “Sit.”
“Sit?” She replied plainly, “Really, Jarod, you want me to sit beside you? Why? So I can painfully kill the hell out of you on my white carpet?”
The tall guy chuckled, rubbing his hair with the towel. “I like your mom. She gave me a towel when she saw me calling your name in front of your house, drenched.”
“Remind me to not use that again.” She rolled her eyes and grabbed her hot mug, finally sitting on the carpet beside him. She couldn’t help but just stare on the bruise on his cheek as she held her drink with both of her hands.
He grabbed the plastic bag and held it in front of her, “I bought you your favourite.” He let out a smile, placing it on her lap.
She took a glimpse and saw 3 apple pies inside. She smiled, “You could have just spent your 75 pesos on your way home, right? It’s already flooding in our street.”
He shrugged his shoulders and chuckled but ended up wincing in pain; he tried smoothing his bruise. Her eyes widen as she said, “What happened to you, Jarod? Who the hell did that?”
“N-nothi- damn it,” He rubbed his cheek, trying to ignore her eyes. “Rieza got me.”
She stood up from the carpet and took the cold handkerchief that was placed on her forehead from the table, lending it to him. “Use this.”
“Thank you,” he smiled, “Stop worrying, sit and talk, I’ll listen.”
She sat beside him again, leaning on the side of her bed, “Go home, kid. I’m healing. You aren’t.”
“I needed you when I never knew I do.” Jarod said under his breath, his head bowed down. She looked at him, letting out a sigh, “What? The towel was covering your mouth.”
She swore, this boy needed to talk a bit louder.
The rain got harder as she looked at her wall clock. It read 5:50pm, wow, it was just five? She thought it was around seven already. She turned to him and met his eyes, “I’m sorry, I just checked the time,” She grinned goofily at him, “What did you say again?”
He had his mouth a bit open when he shook his head, turning his glance to the window in front of him. “Nothing, I just winced, haha…”
She laughed, patting his shoulder, “Why did Rieza punch the living hell out of you, anyway? What did you do?”
She watched him bored her eyes on her, making her bend her head to her side, “Rodja, you there?”
“Can we just talk about other things?” He replied, his eyes still on her presence. “Like, what are you feeling? Are you okay? Can you come to school already?”
She felt a bit surprised, letting it pass, “Oh,” she nodded, “alright, I’m fine, I guess. I can’t flunk another school day again,” she laughed, and coughed.
“Good,” he grinned, “Tell me if you’re going to be absent again, aight?”
She nodded, grabbing the nearest pillow she can cuddle, “You should know Jereek will drop by. Around six thirty, I think, want to meet him?”
She watched him move uncomfortably, giving the cold towel to her, “Sure,” he smiled, “Don’t need that anymore. I can handle it.” He smiled, shifting his eyes to hers.
“Alright,” She grabbed it and placed it on the table, “I like it better when you’re this quiet. I can peacefully take a rest.”
She watched the boy bore his eyes on her. She wasn’t even bothered, but she was wondering what was actually running inside his head.
“You ready for our retreat?” Jarod asked, lying on the carpet as he faced her. She tapped the bottom of her mug as she replied, “Maybe?” She smiled, “I haven’t fixed my things yet.”
Jarod nodded; she knew how he wanted to make the ambiance a bit euphoric.
“Same,” He grinned, “I’ll just do it the day before our retreat. Too lazy to do anything.”
She sipped her hot cocoa, remembering the fact she hadn’t taken a shower yet. Well, she couldn’t just risk getting a fever again from cold water. She watched him glimmer his eyes around her room and brought it back to her presence, and grinned as he said, “Funny how you were just inside my room a few days ago, and now…”
“At least we didn’t cut,” she replied, laughing.
“Wow,” he smirked at her, “We’re both legal on both sides already, brown eyes.”
She coughed harder when she heard what he said, almost choking on her cocoa, “Oh, please. Sure we’re “”legal”,” she rolled her eyes, “But aren’t you afraid that the cops haven’t arrested you since your face is illegal?” she stated, trying not to laugh.
“You just indirectly told me I’m handsome as hell,” he winked, shifting closer to her. “God, I knew it, you do have a crush – “
“Shut up before I choke you to death.”
The tall boy laughed out loud, and reached for her hair to ruffle. She groaned, slapping his hand away, making the boy laugh again.
“I’m a bit happy now though,” he confessed, his voice lower than the original, “I know this isn’t the good time for me to visit you – with all the rain pouring and your nose sneezing -, but thank you.”
She raised an eyebrow at the tall guy who was now leaning on her right thigh, tracing circles on the carpet. She never liked the idea of pushing people around, squeezing the hell out of them, just to know every single thing about them. She loved listening to people, even though she confessed most of the time that she was more of a talker.
“Whatever’s bothering you,” She replied, rubbing his hair, “It’ll be fine soon. Maybe it was well, bound to happen, ya know,” she chuckled, making Jarod let out a snort, “To have your cheek be punched by your own friend… But always remember I’m here whenever you’re ready to open up.”
She tapped his shoulders as she added, “Feel better, dude.”
She watched him as he looked at her, a grin plastered on his face, “Thanks, brown eyes.”
“I’m always here for you, bud, “ she ruffled his hair once again and said, “Now stand up, I need to check my phone if Jereek already texted.”
She stood up, sitting on the bed where she last placed her cellphone. She bit her inner cheek, bringing her legs on the bed, her sight on her friend who was already leaning his head on the far edge of the bed. She opened her phone, grinning.
From: Jey-jow
6:05pm
I’ll be a little late. I’m stuck here around Baclaran since it’s already traffic and well, flooding. Haha. Please don’t forget to close the screens of your window; the rain is way too heavy. Also, please don’t forget to drink your meds by 7pm! I love you. :--)
She puckered her lips as she read his message.
To: Jey-jow
6:07pm
It’s alright. Please do take care. Jarod’s here by the way, I want you to meet him. See you later. I love you too. :)
She threw her cellphone beside her and lied on the bed, groaning.
“He’s stuck around Baclaran isn’t he?”
She rubbed her head, “Yeah.” She replied, wrapping both of her arms around her bed side pillow. She sighed as she looked down at Jarod, “I’m hoping he ain’t riding a mini boat as he enters Gatchalian later.”
“Well, if he does love you,” the boy chuckled, “He will, just to get to you before eight pm.”
She let out a snort as she replied, “Why, would you do it for Fatima?”
As she said those words, she never expected the sound of her friend’s laugh to actually fade. She stared at the back of his head, still grinning when she realized he didn’t even dare to reply anymore. She bit the bottom, already realizing the situation he was in.
“I-,” she stuttered, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring her u-.”
She saw him nod his head, making her stop from talking. She let out a throaty sigh as she pushed her head closer to the pillow, wishing she could have just shut her mouth. Jarod wasn’t a person who usually shuts up whenever the conversation was about someone he actually liked. She let the silence be the comfort between them as she tried to look down on her phone.
Her phone was a birthday gift from her father. Her phone was actually cool and famous back then – actually, also one of the reasons why she chose to have it. Though, she felt betrayed when she found out it didn’t have any connection for Wi-Fi. Long story short, yes, she indeed had survived her whole high school years with… that phone.
She rested her eyes on the ceiling, feeling coldness between her toenails. She covered herself with her blankie, closing her eyes.
“Jarod, I’ll just take a – “
“Jen, you know I would do anything just to make sure she’s safe.”
Her insides woke up when she got cut off by him. She easily straightened her body as she replied to him, full of sympathy, “Of course, Jarod.” She muttered under her breath, “I know.”
“But if you were also on that case, I’d go for you first.”
The air on her lungs got pulled down as she heard his reply. Her eyes dug unto the back of his head, wondering what the expression on his face was. She felt the thickness of the atmosphere as she carefully replied, “But,” she licked her lips, “I’ll be fine. I’m a big person. Fatima is, well, has a small figure, she’ll need you more.”
“But it’ll be like lying to myself.”
She pushed her glasses, “Why?” she replied, trying to let out a chuckle.
“I don’t know.” She heard him coughed, “Brown eyes, you’re all I have.”
She raised her eyebrow; a smile plastered on her face, as she stood up from the bed and sat down beside her friend. She leaned her head on his left shoulder as she said, “I can’t say that I’m all yours cause, technically, no, but,” she chuckled, “If you need someone, you have my time, okay?”
“Why can’t I have you?”
“Because,” she ruffled his hair, “No one owns me, Jarod. I can be eaten up by my own anxiety and no one will even know.” She removed her head from his shoulder, smiling at him.
“Then let me be the person who can take you away from that.”
She chuckled, “You’re like a kid,” she replied, shaking her head lightly, “Only I can do that, okay? Don’t worry about that. It comes and goes.”
“No,” he shook his head, shifting his sight on her, “Why do you experience that?”
She smiled for a second and let out a sigh, pushing her legs to her chest. This case wasn’t exactly the easiest thing that you could explain to someone. Neither she couldn’t comprehend how it usually happened. Jen just shrugged her shoulder as she replied, “It happens. All I know it just feels like it’s eating me alive and – well, and, the water is so deep that, sometime, I think I’ll just simply drown with no one to hold on to.” She stammered but smiled at him once more, leaning her chin on top of her knees.
The boy looked at her, eyes glimmering as he said, “Let me be the one who’ll keep you steady on the ground.”
“It’s not easy,” she grinned, “Maybe you can lessen the pain, but not for a lifetime.”
“I can,” he nodded, running his hand on her hair, “I can be the anchor that will keep your feet on the ground, Jen.”
She laughed, a strained one, head shaking as she replied, “You don’t understand, Jarod, I can’t let you be the anchor. I can’t just let you drown with me. I can’t just –“ she plastered a smile, shaking her head.
She watched Jarod nodded; as she nodded as well, trying to not cry in front of Jarod. “I won’t drown. I won’t drown for you. You won’t be my downfall; you’re the exact opposite cause I know you’re building me up and it’s starting now.”
“Thank you,” she licked her bottom lip, eyes digging onto his, “Thank you. Just –“ she smiled at him, pinching his cheek, “-just always remember, Fatima sucks cause she lost a boy like you.”
The boy just let out a smirk, his eyes not removing from hers. She ruffled his hair once more as she added, “You’re something, Jarod. Your future girlfriend is lucky as hell.”
She smiled once more because she knew she was an expert on it. She just laid her back on the carpet beside her friend, feeling her sickness lessen. She felt Jarod’s hand on her hair as he whispered things.
“What are you saying?” she chuckled, raising an eyebrow.
The boy shook his head as he replied, a smirk on his face, “Nothin’ much, brown eyes.”
She thought of a new topic, trying to lighten up the mood.
“Aren’t you going home now?” Jen asked as he watched him braiding her hair. “Wait, Jarod,” she tapped his hand, “You’re aware I haven’t taken a bath yet, right?”
The boy’s eyes widen, still continuing the braid he was making, “What? Take a bath now!”
“I’m sick, dude,” she rolled her eyes, “I still smell good, an-“
“I’ve been wondering why it smells like trash here-“
“HEY!” she groaned, pushing him away, “I don’t smell like trash! You smell like acid rain but I still let you enter this house, you asshat.” She folded her arms, glaring at him.
The boy laughed, his other hand trying to caress his bruise, “Oh come on, we all know acid rain smells better than trash.”
“If I do smell like trash,” she replied, a smug on her face, “At least I don’t smell like acid rain and look like a trash at the same time.” She raised a hand in front of him as she twitched her head to her right shoulder, meaning: “oh, please.”
The boy shook his head, glaring at him, “Playing this shit is like playing with the devil. You won’t shut up unless you already started pissing me off.”
“At least you know,” she shrugged her shoulders, “Now carry your ass and go home. It’s not easy to commute with that weather,” she glanced at the window and back to him.
The boy shrugged his shoulders as he leaned the back of his head on the edge of her bed, “I want to meet Jereek, come on. It’s a once in a lifetime chance to meet the, uh –“ he scoffed, grinning, “man of your filthy dreams.”
“Don’t worry he also wants to meet you.” She grinned at him, “I’ve told him stories about you, you know. That’s why I’m pretty sure he’s looking forward to meet you.”
She heard her phone rang loudly. Perhaps a call from Jereek? She took her phone and felt disappointment to see it was an unknown number.
“Uh, hello?” she said, her eyebrow knitted into one.
”Iris, hi, it’s me Fatima, is Jarod there? Can I talk to him”
She held the phone far from her and covered it, her eyes locked with Jarod.
“Who’s that?” Jarod asked her, full of curiosity.
She bit her bottom lip, wondering if answering his question was a good idea, “Jarod, it’s Fatima. She’s looking for you.”
Their eyes were still locked, not knowing what to do next. She coughed a bit and returned the phone to her ear again.
”I know he’s there, Jen. Can you tell him I really need to talk to him? I’ve been searching for him for two days. He doesn’t want to talk to me.”
“Oh, alright, I’ll just ask him,” she stared at Jarod who was now in front of her, trying to listen to their conversation, “if he wants to talk to you.”
She slowly handed her phone to him, his eyes stayed fix on hers. She simply nodded, signalling him that this was the good time for him to finally have a meaningful talk with her.
The tall guy took the phone from her, and sent a grin. She knew that if he somehow needed a closure, well, this was the right time.
Jarod went out of the room and she saw him went straight to her balcony. She decided to stand up and go down for a while to get snacks. Just chips and popcorns that her friend could chomp on after having the “closure”. She took her mug and went downstairs. She let out a throaty cough, seeing her mother lying on the sofa.
“What do you need?” Her mother asked, switching move channels.
Jennifer shrugged her shoulders as she went to the kitchen, placing the mug on the sink. “Snacks for Jarod and Jereek, mom.”
“Jereek will still come? Look outside, it’s already flooding.”
She opened the fridge and looked for leftover popcorns from her movie marathon the night before as she replied, “I think so. But I told him if the water’s way too high, he should just take some rest.”
“Alright, I’ll just bring glasses and iced tea upstairs.” Her mom said, now focused on the tv show Keeping Up With The Kardashians. “Don’t try to drink iced tea okay?”
She nodded, carrying tons of junk food. “Alright.” She went upstairs and threw the food on her carpet. She focused her eyes out the balcony. Is the conversation going well? He seemed a bit, gloomy, she murmured under her breath as she grabbed her ipad from her bed side, checking her social media accounts.
@jenn_iris: ew school tomorrow. can I somehow have my fever back? lolz
She tweeted and closed her ipad, finally seeing Jarod enter her room.
“It was really Fatima,” he simply said, sitting on the edge of the bed, facing her. He looked like he was stunned with what just happened. She just nodded and held her head with her right hand, looking at his presence.
“What did she say?”
Jarod held his head with both of his hands as he sighed in dismay, “She wanted to talk to me the other day because,” he looked down to his lap, “She wanted to have me back.”
Jennifer felt a rush of anger ran inside of her. What did she think of Jarod? A toy that she can just pick up whenever she wanted to? She blinked harder as she replied, “I’m sorry, but is – is that a good thing? Please,” she licked her bottom lip, “Please think this over.”
When the atmosphere started to felt foreign, she saw her door started to open. It was her mother, handling a pitcher of iced tea and two glasses. Jennifer stood up and took it from her, placing all of it on her bed side table.
“Drink first, Jarod dear,” her mother said, about to exit her daughter’s room, “I know you’re pretty tired.”
Jarod was snapped from his thoughts. He sent out a smile and nodded, “Sure, thank you Mrs. Iris. I appreciate it.”
When her mother closed the door, she let Jarod have his time thinking. She took one of the glasses and filled it with iced tea. She nudged his arm, “Here, freshen a bit.”
He gladly took it from her and drank it, leaving no drop.
Well, we got a drinker here. She murmured under her breath as she lied on her bed, wishing that Jarod could handle all of these problems. She wasn’t used to seeing one of her close friends in this kind of state. She was used to the fact that she was the one who was always carrying a lot of problems.
It took him more than ten minutes before he could actually sentence out the next thing he wanted to say.
“I think I should go now.” He stammered, standing up from her bed. She easily stood up and dusted her sweater. She respected what would be his act after talking to Fatima. She knew how much bullshit he was going through and she respected the fact that he needed to be alone.
She watched him grab his bag, “Alright, please do take care, bud. Chat me if you’re already home.”
“I’m sorry. Please tell Jereek I’ll meet him next time and thank you to your mother.” He sent out a tired half smile, “Maybe this really isn’t my day.”
“Alright, please do take care.” She nodded, guiding him to the door, “Let me drop you to our gate.”
He shook his head, tapping her shoulder, “No, it’s fine. Stay here. Just rest, I’ll chat you later.”
“I should be hugging you goodbye now,” she chuckled, “But I can’t. Take care, Jarod. Rest as well, that’s what you also needed.”
He paused for 5 seconds and proceeded to wrap both of his arms around her. Her eyes widen, truly stunned with the action he was doing. She chuckled lightly, patting his back, “I haven’t taken a bath yet, dork.”
“You do smell like trash,” he whispered to her ear, making her laugh, pushing him away from her. He laughed as well, tiredness could really see through him. He went out of the door, waving at her.
“Goodnight,” he smiled at her, “I’ll see you tomorrow, brown eyes.”
She waved at him, watching as he went downstairs and greeted her mother. She let out a sigh as she entered her room. The first thing she saw was her phone lighting on her bed.
She slowly strolled to her bed, rubbing the back of her neck. Well, a lot of things happened at this kind of night. Before she could pick her phone up, she took the glass of water beside the pitcher of iced tea, popping out her Decolgen.
After drinking her meds, she turned to her cellphone.
From: Jey-jow
7:03pm
Have you taken your meds? I’m already here, by the tricycle lane. Jarod? Oh the boy you cut with? Right. Yeah, I’ve wanted to meet him as well. Probably shit on him as well. Kidding.
To: Jey-jow
7:07pm
Yep. Whatever. He’s my friend, dude. Hurry up. :<
From: Jey-jow
7:08pm
I don’t trust him.
♠ ♠ ♠
HAHA hi