Chapter 26

Why did he come here in the first place? Is it possible that he didn't read my chat with him or that he purposefully ignored my request?
I forced a smile at her as I said, "I'll just approach her." She returned my smile and nodded.
I got up, irritated, and walked over to Ivan. He was alone, yet there were still a lot of students around him. They were all staring at me as I approached, and he didn't seem to mind.
"What's up with that face?" he asked, smiling, and I couldn't return the smile.
I openly said, "Didn't you read my chat?"
He looked at me with a puzzled expression, as if he didn't understand what I was saying "Chat? You chatted with me?" He asked and get his phone on his pants pocket.
"You were online at the time I chatted with you, but you didn't even notice?"
He didn't answer right away, and he's currently reading my chat. He put the phone back in his pocket when he was done before glancing at me and spoke.
"I'm sorry, El," he said, "I did not bother to read. I didn't check my phone. I'm sorry, I'm always online because my data was turned on."
At the same time, I gasped and nodded.
"Come back inside, it's fine with me; sorry, are you mad at me?" he asked, to which I replied with a shake of my head. "I'll go to the cafeteria, and you and your friend can just follow me; I won't approach you," he added with a smile.
"All right, I'm sorry as well," I said.
I felt guilty for him because he came here, but I'm not going with him. I felt terrible for rejecting him, but it was for our own sake, and I'm glad he understands.
He smiled and said, "It's okay. Bye, I'll see you when I see you."
I gave a small smile and a nod at the same time. I walked into the room and sat down right away. I'm glad Aly and I are the only ones in the room because they're all in the cafeteria, because now that Ivan has visited our room, they won't be able to take their gaze away from me.
"Are you okay? Good and he agreed," Aly stated. "Are you sure you were just friends? Maybe you only know, El."
I put my belongings in my bag before i answered. "He knows, Aly. Don't worry, everything is clear to him. In fact, there's nothing wrong if we're together and we"re just avoid any issue. Because people can't just keep quiet and not interfere with other people."
She nodded and asked me, "where did you come from earlier?"
"I chatted him not to come here, but he didn't read my message," I explained and stood up to invite her into the cafeteria. "Let's go."
She stood up and was confused. "Where?" she asked me.
I grabbed her wrist and dragged her out of the classroom. I ask her when we go out. "You don't want to eat anything?"
"I'd like to," she replied, "but I thought you didn't want to go to the cafeteria."
"How come you said i didn't want to?"
"Because there are so many people there, and I thought you didn't like crowded, noisy places."
"I'm not afraid of people; I'm afraid of their attention.I prefer a quiet and calm feeling, and when the attention is on me, even if I haven't done anything wrong, I'm nervous and uncomfortable," I explained.
"I'm not imitating you, but we're the same. Even recitation in class makes me nervous because I know how many people are listening and watching me. I also don't want attention or people staring at me, so I'm always bent over. But when it comes to you, I can't feel ashamed. At first, yes. I was afraid of you because you looked acrimonious, but once we had an interaction, I immediately felt comfortable with you," she said and she intertwined our fingers. "It's my first time having a friend with the same personality as me, El. Perhaps we got along because we both prefer the low-key person, so don't leave me because I'm not sure I'll be able to find another like you."
I got a pleasant sensation in my heart when I heard her last sentence. I clenched my grip on her hand, and she became aware of it. She smiles when I look at her, and I smile back. It was the first time I heard someone say that to me, and it was a compliment. Even with Jas, I've never had somebody say that to me, and I never expected it.
"Aly Martin is also alone in the world so I won't really leave you and I hope you are too."
I'm very grateful she came into my life, and even though we've only known each other for a short time, I already feel like we've been friends for a long time as I feel at ease with her. I enjoy her personality, and I'd like her to get to know Jas because I think they'll get along well together.
It's nice to have someone to talk to. Silence and being alone is not always enjoyable because everyone needs sympathy.
"Your hand is so soft, Aly," I stated. "Are you doing anything in your house?"
I was struck by how delicate her hand was as our fingers intertwined. As her palm was so gentle, I immediately assumed she was doing something at home. I'm not sure what kind of life she leads, but I'm sure her parents are well-off. As her friend, I was interested in knowing more about her and her parents.
"It's embarrassing to say," she said hesitantly, "but since we're friends, I'll say it." She sighed and proceeded to tell the story. "You're right, I don't do anything at home but study my lessons; my parents were very rigorous, especially with my studies; they wouldn't give me what I wanted if it didn't help my academics, so despite my family's wealth, I'm just a simple girl," she continued. "We are also not close because they are too busy with their various work; my mommy and daddy just arrange mirage so I can't feel their love; I feel like we are not human beings; we are like robots who feel nothing for each other."
I swallowed and fixed my gaze on her. Her sadness was palpable, so I tightened my grip on her hand to indicate that she was no longer alone, and that I was open to helping and support her at any time.
"I didn't foresee your story behind your gentle face to be like that," I said as we approached the cafeteria.
There were only a few people so we could easily find a seat. We choose the marginal and not the passage of customers.
"I"ll treat you, El. What do you want?" She asked as we faced each other in the chair.
I shook my head and said, "I'll just pay for my food, Aly." I will not allow her to pay for my food, despite her wealth. I have money and am not in financial distress, and I don't want to rely on her for food.
"You should agree," I shook my head again, and she just sighed. "All right, I'll treat you today, and you'll treat me tomorrow. Deal?"
I smiled slightly but agreed with a nod. Aly's trip was likewise unique, but I accepted because I would be responsible for our dinner the next day. And at least, I can get back to her what she spent today.
"What do you want?" She asked.
I answer smiling, "anything you want, that's all for me."
She stood up from her chair with a nod. "I'll order our snack," she said cheerfully as she walked away from our table. "Don't let anyone sit in my chair."
I privately laughed at what she said, and to keep myself from becoming bored while waiting for her to return, I took my phone out of my pocket and type a message for Jas, asking if he could come home to my apartment later. I'd want to invite Aly to stay with me for the night and introduce her to Jas. But I'm not sure if Aly would agree to spend the night with me; she might refuse.
I couldn"t help but be unhappy with her situation. Her family is complete, yet she is unable to sense their love for her. They are wealthy, but Aly's choices are limited due to her parents' power and influence.
When it comes to family, Jas, Aly, and I are in the same boat. We don't have family, so we can't experience love, but they still provided us the money we needed. We were both hurt, although in different ways, and I'm glad our paths crossed.
Aly returned with our snack not long after. She sat down next to me and placed the food in front of me.
"Who are you messaging, El?" she asked, a smile on her face. She didn't say anything, but I had a feeling Ivan was what she was thinking.
I deleted the message that I typed and answered Aly, "he"s not. What you are thinking is wrong. I have another friend. "
"I thought you had no friends. I thought I was your first friend. Are your pals also studying here at CU?" she said, her face flushed with surprise.
"We're batch mates," I said with a nod.
"Really? Why haven't I seen you with your friend yet? You were usually alone while we weren't friends, so who are you talking about? What section is your friend in?"
"HUMMS-A is my friend section, and you haven't seen us yet because we haven't been together here at CU."
She was even more surprised and her question immediately followed what I said. "Why aren't you together? Aren't you friends when you were in a campus? So weird."
I laughed and replied, "the schedule of my friend is always at night so you haven't seen my friend yet."
"Why? Why does your friend always schedule at night? Did your friend change it? Did your friend also asked the dean to make the schedule a night class like Baki did?"
When she asked me a series of questions, I smiled, but it vanished like a bubble when I heard Baki's name. Baki hasn't crossed my mind in a few days, and now that I hear her name again, my smile vanishes.
Can I really forget how I feel for Jas? Now that I hear Baki's name again, I don't know why it entered my mind not to let him go even if he hurts me.
Because of thinking about Baki, I just now realized what I heard from Aly. Is it true that I heard that Baki asked the dean to change her schedule?
"Hey, El, are you okay? Did I say something you didn't like cause for your expression to change like that?" Aly"s asked as she waved her hand in front of me.
I shook my head and asked her directly, "Is what I heard right? Baki asked to change her schedule?"
Aly nodded and her face was confused. "Why does it seem like a big deal to you? Do you know her—" she didn"t continue what she was saying and she put her hand on her mouth. She look shocked and she gulped at the same time. "Don"t tell me, Baki is the friend you are talking about. HUMMS-A is also her section like you said. Oh my God, introduce me to her," she said excitedly.
I forced myself to smile at her, but deep inside in my heart, I felt melancholic. Even my friend Aly, likes Baki too. I can't blame her, I'm the only student at CU who doesn't admire Baki and I have no right to persuade her not to like the woman but I'm curious, will she still like Baki if she finds out my story on between me, Baki and Jas?
"El, i change my mind," Aly"s said and smiled at me. "I don't want to face her."
I was the one who wondered about what she said. "Why did you change your mind?" I asked.
"Nothing. I just want her as a soccer captain, but I don't want her to be my friend even if she is your friend," she answered.
"Why don't you want her to be your friend?" I asked again.
I"m curious as to her answer as to why. I have no idea what she could be reasoned because when you look up at someone, you want to get close to him or her, but Aly doesn"t want and I don"t know why she has that mindset.
"You are enough for me, El. I don"t need another friend and like I told you, I"m not comfortable with other people. I am comfortable only with you."
The joy returned to my heart when I heard her answer. I smiled and admitted that Baki was not really my friend.
"Actually, Baki is not my friend either. I"m referring to someone else. My friend's name is Jasper Cardius Leus," I said, smiling. "I want you to meet him, Aly."