Chapter 48

Aly and I are now currently at the National Book Store. We are looking for something we can use to make a banner for the soccer tournament tomorrow. This is my first time making a banner so I have no idea how to make it creative. Aly is the one who chooses the ones we will use and we will just share in the cost.
When we left the mall, we went to her service together because we would go straight to her house. She already asked her parents if she can over night with my apartment and we are grateful and happy to the fact that her parents agreed. This is the first time she asked permission from her parents and I am thankful that she allowed even though I have not seen her parents personally.
When I get the chance to see Aly"s parents, I will do my best for them to like me for their daughter"s friend. I want them to trust me; I want them to accept me and they don't object to Aly and me being friends.
When we already reached their house, I didn't go inside and I just waited for her inside her service. She quickly returned with her extra cloth and other necessities. We were still in the car, but I could already feel Aly's great pleasure. She looks like a detainee and has been released from prison so now she is overflowing with joy.
"I didn"t expect that they will agree, El. Actually, I am so nervous when I ask them. I asked for permission from them for the first time as I knew they would not allow me so I was very shocked with them," she stated, still could not believe in what is happening.
"I told you, Aly. There is nothing wrong with asking for permission or asking your parents," I said and she gulped.
"I thought they wouldn't let me because they don't know who you are. I haven't introduced you to my parents yet and now that they trust you, I want you to see them personally," she said, smiling and I nodded at her. I had no problem confronting her parents because I also wanted to prove that they could trust me.
"Why not? I also want to meet up with your parents," I responded.
I am happy for her and she was able to try to do what she feared. I am happy for her as per the fact that she overcame one of her fears just to be with me. I only realized this fast few days that I don"t have to bother telling her the whole story between me, Ivan, Jas. I told her everything I felt and she couldn't help but wonder because she didn't think so.
Aly thought that Ivan and I felt mutual so when she found out the real story, she wanted to see Jas. I am so lucky to have her as my best friend and I will no longer do things that could cause her to feel that I don"t trust her.
"When mom and dad come home, I will ask them if they want to meet you. If they agreed, I will tell you immediately," she stated and I nodded. "Actually, there"s something bothering me, El," she added and she bit her lower lip.
"What"s bothering you? Tell it, I"m willing to listen, always," I stated, smiling.
I have no idea what"s bothering to her and I am curious as I can"t explain her expression right now. If before she was smiling for fun, now I don"t know how she feels.
"I only realized what I"ve said to my parents earlier," she said with her voice was very low. She almost whispered but it was enough for me to hear what she said because we were close to each other.
"Why? What did you say to your parents and your expression is like that? " I asked, chuckling to reduce the tension she felt.
She gulped and took a deep breath before she looked directly into my eyes. "I'm ashamed of what I did earlier," she said. She shook her head and continue. "I mean, I'm ashamed of what I told my parents earlier."
I laughed and said, "You just repeated what you said previously. What did you just say? Why are you shy?"
She bit her lower lip and answer me. "When I already heard that they agreed to come with you, I am so happy and I did not realize what I told them." She stop from talking and continue after she exhale. "I s-said I love you," she said and immediately put her palm on her face. She cover her face by her palm, but I can see that her face was red.
I didn"t clearly understand what she said and it makes me confuse. What did she say to her parent? That she loves me? What's wrong there? She really loves me because I'm her friend—
I didn"t finish what I was thinking when I realized something on what she said. "Wait, Aly," I stated, confused. "Did you say that you love me? As in, you love me? What the hell, I am confused." I said, chuckling.
She removed her palm on her face and she face me. She look at me sharply and ask. "What are you thinking?"
I scratched my nape before I answered her. "I am thinking that, you." I pointed my two index finger to her before I continue. "Love me," I added and I pointed myself.
She laughed slightly before she massaged her temple. "You"re crazy. What I mean is, I told my parents that I love them."
I also laughed at what she said and agreed with what she said I was crazy. "It"s your fault, you didn"t say it clearly," I stated and she rolled her eyes while she was still chuckling. "So, what"s the matter if you said those 3 words and 8 letters to them?" I asked.
"It"s my first time, El. I never told them I loved them," she answered.
Aly and I are the same. I don"t remember ever telling my parents or even my guardian that I loved them. I"m not vocal when it comes to them so I understand how Aly feels right now. I know that I would feel the same way if I were in her situation.
"You really love your parents, don't you?" I asked and she nodded. "Then you don"t have to worry about it. You should not be ashamed of what you said because you were just being honest with how you felt. You don't know how what you said affected them and something might change because of that."
We were enveloped in silence for a few seconds until she leaned her head on my shoulder. "Thank you so much, El," she said before she get my hand to inter wined with her.
When our car arrived at my apartment, the driver immediately came out to open the door for us. It left when we got down and when I looked at Aly, her smile was wide as our palms remained inter-wined.
"I"m excited," she giggled.
"What is it about you that makes you so ecstatic?" I asked as w e started walking down the street to my apartment. "My apartment is filthy and little."
Whether your place isn't decent and huge, El, I don't care," she response as she was inspecting the surroundings. "I'm just excited, so I'd want to ask you whether we can still walk far."
"Don't worry, we're getting there," I said. We stopped in front of a bamboo gate, and I find the key in my bag.
"Is this your place, El?" Aly asked and I nodded. I opened the gate and closed it again when we already entered. "Your place is also very quiet and a bit far from the neighbours."
This place is what I want. Like she said, I really chose distant neighbours because I wanted a quiet environment. I don"t see the advantages of the neighbour because for me, they do nothing but judge the people they know.
I opened the main door of my apartment and I immediately turned on the light in living room area. I removed the shoe I was wearing and then placed it on the shoe rock on the side of the door.
"Oh my god, El. Your apartment is so adorable, "Aly stated as she was also removing her shoes.
I chuckle at what she said and I ask her. "What are you talking about? You really have a vision problem, Aly. "
"I am stating the fact, El. Your apartment is very clean and I ask myself how you keep your apartment clean because you are always at school," she stated. "I'm not sure if I can be like you. You are the only one here and you will do all the work yourself," she added as she followed behind me.
I sat on the sofa and she did as well beside me while looking at every corner of the living room. "Your place is not small, El. This is exactly one to three people," she stated before she turned her sight at me.
"Aren't you scared here in your apartment? You are alone and away from people so if you need help, what will you do?" She asked and I chuckled.
"Why should I be afraid? No one would dare to enter here because I am not rich," I responded and diverted the topic. "You know what, let's not talk about that. Let"s just go to my bedroom so you can put what you brought there," I suggested and she nodded.
I stood up and she do as well. Just like earlier, she was following my back and when I already reach my bedroom, I opened the switch of the light before I turned to her. "Come in," I stated and she nodded.
"Your bedroom is so simple and I love your arrangement," she said while looking at my room. When she saw my study table, she ran over there and looked at the arranged books. "I just found out that you also love fiction stories," she said.
"I'm not very fond of reading novels. I just really want to collect a book because it makes me satisfied," I explained.
When I go to the national book store alone, I always read book descriptions and when I have extra money, I buy the book when I love the book cover and description. So far, all the books I've sold are worth it because the plots made by each writer are so unique. I also don"t have a specific genre and I don"t want to stick to just one genre because I don"t want a consistent plot twist. There"s just one genre I haven"t tried and that is the horror genre. I have no plans to read that because I know it"s hard to erase fear from my mind. I don't know why, but even though I don't believe in ghosts I'm afraid to read or watch horror genres.
"I'll lend your book later," Aly stated while smiling. I nodded at her and she sat on my bed. "Where"s your shower room? I want to take a bath and after I do, we will start the banner. "
I laugh and ask her, "Aren't we going to eat anymore? By the way, there is a shower room." I showed her the door and she looked at it. "You can take a bath and I will prepare our meal," I stated and she returned her sight on me.
She nodded while the smile was still in her face. "I will help you prepare our dinner when I'm done bathing," she said.
"Okay, I"ll go now," I stated and she nodded. I left the room and went straight to the kitchen. I am still wearing my uniform and I will change my clothes later when Aly is done.
I prepared the ingredients to make our meals. I thought of preparing what my auntie usually cooks in the province and hopefully I can get the right taste so that Aly will like it too.