"How was your removal exam?" Mariely asked her advisory class.
"It went fine, Ma'am," one of them answered.
She just nodded, worry creeping in about how the results would turn out. Especially for math—that was the only subject she was waiting on for possible changes in their grades. Thankfully, she was finally done with all her late nights, and today she'd get to go home early.
Later in the afternoon, however, she didn't head straight home. She had to buy some materials, and, honestly, she was craving something to eat. On impulse, she stopped by a place to indulge herself, forgetting to tell anyone that she'd be getting home late.
"This is what you get for your cravings, Mariely. Cravings, really?" she muttered to herself in frustration. "Now you're stuck waiting for a ride."
She also bought donuts—for her family, and of course, for herself. She patiently stood by the roadside, trying to catch a ride. Gosh, I'm going to be mosquito food again. Why is it that everything's always full when night falls? she thought.
Then, she heard a car horn. Turning, she saw who it was—of course, him. He pulled over in front of her.
She scowled and simply stared.
"Get in," he said.
She rolled her eyes. "No thanks. You'll just get me in trouble again," she snapped, still unable to forget what happened before.
He laughed at that, making her eyebrows arch higher. She glared at him.
"Look, we're even. You kicked me in the balls," he said, grinning.
"You deserved that. I still don't know what nonsense you were spouting about me," she shot back.
"Come on. You know it's going to take forever for you to get home tonight."
Well, Ely, just swallow your pride… again. she thought bitterly. Without another word, she got in.
She buckled her seatbelt, sitting stiffly next to him.
"Here," he said, handing her his phone.
She frowned, looking between him and the phone. "What's this?"
"My phone."
"I know that. What do you want me to do with it?"
He started driving. "Just type in your number. Add yourself to my contacts."
"Why should I?" she asked, clearly confused by what he was doing.
"For emergencies. If you're ever stuck again, call me," he replied.
She squinted at him. "Are you insane?"
He sighed. "Just save your number already. Stop being difficult."
"I am not difficult," she muttered.
Fine, I'll just do it so he'll shut up. And besides, I know he won't do anything weird with it. She reasoned internally as she typed in her number.
"Here," she handed it back.
"Great," he said, smiling.
She raised an eyebrow suspiciously.
***
Because of the heavy traffic, and since he already had her number, he finally decided to talk to her a bit.
"Lately, I noticed your brother hasn't been picking you up. Is he mad at you?" he asked.
"Busy. He's getting married soon," Mariely answered casually.
"Oh, I see. He's busy planning the wedding. When's it happening?"
"Maybe four months from now."
Frank nodded silently, the ride falling into a lull again.
"You didn't tell my mom what happened at school, did you?" he asked, side-eyeing her.
She frowned. "Why would I care if you were fooling around in there? Just don't do it in front of the students."
Frank laughed. "Teenagers are wild nowadays. You never know what's going on in their heads."
Mariely shook her head. "I bet you were like that too. I heard you broke a lot of hearts."
"Yeah. I can't deny that. It's true."
Frank looked at her. "At least you admit it. So, when are you going to confess?"
"Confess what? You're delusional," Mariely shot back.
Frank sighed. What should I do to make him remember? He wondered silently.
They were nearly at her house when she suddenly spoke, "I'll just get off here."
Mariely handed him two hundred pesos. "For gas. Everything's expensive now."
Frank shook his head. "I don't need it."
"Then what do you want?" Mariely asked, clearly annoyed.
Frank just smiled meaningfully. As she fiddled with her seatbelt, Frank leaned closer—she hadn't noticed until she looked up and saw his face, startled.
"What I need right now… is to make you remember," he whispered.
Mariely tried to pull away, but he grabbed her arm. Their eyes locked—confused, startled, questioning.
He undid his seatbelt for her.
"Stop messing with me," she said, pushing him away.
He smiled. "Messing? I'll help you remember."
He yanked her toward him.
"What the hell!?" she shouted, struggling.
But he kissed her.
She froze, stunned.
He took the opportunity to kiss her deeper while she tried to pull away.
When he finally let her go, her eyes welled up in shock, maybe even tears. She raised her hand, ready to slap him.
But he caught her wrist—and kissed her again.
He grinned after, clearly amused by himself. She immediately stormed out of the car without saying a word.
"Hey! At least answer my calls!" he shouted after her.
She didn't look back.
He just laughed, shaking his head at his own madness. Then, he drove off.
Later, at home, his mother gave him a suspicious look when she saw his face. She raised an eyebrow, but he just headed straight to his room.
She didn't even reply… Did she tell her brother? Or maybe not? he wondered.
Here we go again—playing with love.
The victim this time?
Mariely Faith Celestial.
Again.
2.0.
He laughed to himself at the ridiculous thought.
Totally unhinged.