“Let’s break up.”
I took a very deep breath as Jervic Perez, my eleventh boyfriend, broke up with me in front of his club members. He’s the president of the computer geek club and he’s overly devoted to this club of his.
I looked at him and sighed. “Why?” I managed to ask before my tears fall. I’m trying my hardest to not look weak in front of him – especially now that we’re in front of his club mates.
To be honest, this isn’t the most embarrassing break up scene that I have ever encountered in my whole life. There was one time when Hades Cortez, my eighth ex-boyfriend, broke up with me in front of the whole student body at prom night after being crowned as the King and Queen of the Night.
He told everyone that I am the most gullible girl in the whole world to actually believe that a Casanova like him would like a woman like me. A woman who a lot of men have kissed. A woman who a lot of men had dated.
He said he was more than that. That I was overly inferior in accordance to his standards.
And yes, he broadcasted that in the whole Newton High School. There was even a footage of that incident in Youtube that has almost half a million views – one reason why I don’t watch videos on that site, even if I really have to. It was written down the history of the most embarrassing breakups of all time.
After that incident, I didn’t go out of our house for two full weeks no matter how hard Mom convinces me to. I wasn’t afraid of the people who are looking down at me and criticizing me. I was afraid I would see Hades with another girl that would pain me.
Everything that the people are saying means nothing to me. I know what’s true and what’s not. It’s not like I would make them control how I run my life. So what if I have a long list of ex-boyfriends? So what if I got dumped in front of everyone? It’s not their problem. It’s mine.
But the reason why I am teary eyed right now is that for a while, I thought Jervic was actually different from all my eleven exes. He was different, though. He’s caring and thoughtful and he makes me happy – at least before he got the president position in this club two months ago and his time is all focused on this club.
He had devoted most – no, all – of his time for this club and he had no time left for me. At first I thought he was just adjusting to his position but then his devotion for this club grew more and more to the point that he doesn’t show up on our dates because he was busy organizing some fund raising things for his club.
Of course, no woman would not get tired of being in this kind of relationship but I had been understanding enough, I believe. I’ve always tried to think positive. I have always thought that if I really love him, I have to support him in whatever he does because I thought that’s what I was supposed to do, as a girlfriend.
But no.
For the past two months, we grew apart. And now, he’s breaking up with me. In front of his club members.
“I can’t handle being in a relationship anymore.” He looked me in the eyes. “I don’t think I have the time and effort to be in a relationship now that I am the President of the Computer Club.” He tried to explain his side.
Computer Geek Club. I wanted to shout this in front of his face and of his members. I’m not actually judgmental but what do you call those students who are too obsessed with studying? Nerds or geeks, right? And since, they are too obsessed of computers – I don’t even know what the hell they are doing in front of computers for too long – they are called computer geeks. And their club should have the word ‘geek’ in between the words ‘computer’ and ‘club’.
“Okay,” was all I could reply.
Maybe he’s right. Maybe, ending this relationship is the best decision since we’re both not happy anymore.
I guess this is the reason why I break up with men – more like the other way around. If I’m not happy anymore, and if I know that they are not happy with me anymore, if they told me that we should break up, we really should break up.
Who wants to stay in a relationship when none of you are happy anymore?
“I’m sorry.” Jervic told me and I smiled weakly.
The truth is, he’s the only one who apologized after breaking up with me. Or maybe the second one. Yuan Zaragoza, my third ex-boyfriend, didn’t actually tell me he’s sorry but he told me, “I wish I am the right one for you.” And maybe that’s considered an apology because he’s not the right one for me, though he wished he was.
“Goodbye, Jervic.” I spoke softly as I dragged my feet out of the club hideout.
As soon as I closed the door, tears fell down. I would be lying if I say that it doesn’t hurt because it hurts so much. Out of all the breakups I’ve ever went through, this has to be the hardest to go through. I’ve programmed inside my brain that Jervic would be the last man in my life. I have always imagined how we would grow our kids and grow old together.
But now, it’s ruined.
We broke up.
I harshly wiped my tears and ran to my locker. It’s a good thing I have my bangs on, so my red eyes won’t be that obvious.
I have always put on a poker face after a break up. I don’t cry in front of people – especially not in front of the man who’s breaking up with me. I don’t want to let them think that I am weak. I don’t want them to think that I am breaking.
And I’ve learned to keep my poker face for a long time. Since Yuan. But now, this breakup is something I have never prepared myself into.
I have always told myself to understand Jervic no matter what happens. I have always told myself to support him. I have always told myself that he is the one.
Well, not.
He is not the one.
I took the books I needed to study tonight before walking towards the gates. I have to get my ass home or people would see me breakdown.
I walked to the bus stop and waited for a while before it started to rain.
“Seriously?” I hissed as I ran over the shed, using my books as my umbrella.
Damn! Why did it have to rain when I don’t have an umbrella? Jervic didn’t –
Stop, Ashejan! You and that Jervic has broken up.
Normally, he would tell me what the weather for the day will be, according to his fearless forecast. But, I guess, he was busy these days that he got no time to text me about it anymore.
I shook my head and tried to shake him off my thoughts.
“It’s going to rain this time of the day every day for this coming week.” I was shocked when I saw a tall man offering me an umbrella. He’s not wearing our school uniform. In fact, he’s just wearing casual clothes. I wonder if he’s just a passerby or a high school dropout. Or maybe he’s in college? I don’t know. I can’t even think well.
I stared at him as he stared down at me. He is smiling at me and I can see his gums as he smiled widely. He has this double eyelids and he’s undeniably handsome.
What is he doing wasting his time on me?
“Don’t have an umbrella?” He asked me as he reaches his hand holding another umbrella out on me. “Here, take this.” He smiled wider.
I looked at the umbrella he is offering me before looking behind me. Maybe he’s not talking to me. Maybe he’s talking to someone else. I mean, he’s tall. It’s possible to see the person behind me with that height.
There’s nobody behind me.
I awkwardly looked back at him before pointing to myself. “Me?” I asked nervously.
What if he’s a part of a syndicate who abducts high school girls then rapes them before killing them and throwing them to the Han River afterwards? I mean, yes, he’s handsome but don’t bad guys nowadays look so angelic?
He gave me a look and nodded. “Do you see anyone else around?” He asked me and I shook my head. “Then, take it.” He spoke. “It shields a lot more rain than your precious books.”
I smiled unknowingly as I accepted his umbrella. “Thanks.” I told him. “Are you new here?” I asked him. I have been meaning to ask him this question since I saw his face moments ago, but I was preoccupied with all those syndicate thoughts.
He nodded and stood beside me. Maybe he’s waiting for his bus too. “We just moved into Pines Village days ago.” He replied.
I gave him a look. “Pines Village?” I asked and he nodded. “What a coincidence! I live there, too!” I beamed. Suddenly, I grew at ease.
He looked at me brightly. God, spare my eyes from this godly creature!
“Really?” He asked excitedly. “I’m glad you are!” He beamed. “I was afraid I would get lost going home because it’s my first time riding the bus alone.”
I smiled brightly. “You must be in it for luck.” I joked and he chuckled.
“Actually, I just enrolled in your school.” He informed me.
I looked at him. So we will actually be in one school. Maybe we could ride the bus together if I’m lucky. “Wow! Took you so long,” I beamed and he nodded. “The principal was out and I had to wait for him to come back before I could get my papers signed.” He explained.
I nodded in understanding. “That’s sucks, really.” I told him and he shook his head.
“Not really.” He replied. “It gave me the time to explore the school and I must say that your school is cool. Cooler than how it looks from the façade.”
I nodded. “I know.” I chuckled and extended my hand. “I’m Ashejan Araullo.” I introduced myself.
He smiled back and took my hand. “I’m Knighton Javier. But you can call me Knight.” He smiled wider.
“Nice to meet you.”
Knight and I stood side by side under the shed under the rain that’s pouring harder and harder by the second. There still aren’t any buses around and I’m starting to get impatient.I really wanted to talk to him but I don’t know how to open up the topic to start a conversation. I am probably not like this but maybe it’s because my mind is still preoccupied by the fact that I had faced my eleventh breakup just minutes ago. My eyes are probably swollen, right now.I heard him cough. He probably knows how awkward it is for us right now.“Uhm…” he paused. “I don’t think the rain is going to stop anytime soon.” He beamed.I sighed. “And I don’t think there would be buses anytime soon, as well.” I responded then it was his turn to sigh.I looked at the part of the road where the bus would come from and there was no sign of any vehicle coming on. There were even no cars o
“So you broke up with Jervic?” My sister, Asher, asked me as she visited me in my room that night.I sighed and looked at her. “It’s the other way around. He broke up with me.” I replied with emphasis on the pronouns in the right sequence.She looked at me and rolled her eyes. “Why are they always the ones breaking up with you?” She asked in frustration.“I wish I know why.”I’m curious as well. None of my breakups was initiated by me and I don’t know what kind of pride I have for myself at this point of living. I always think we could work it out but they’re thinking the other way. It’s like there’s no other solution other than ending it.Maybe it’s better like that. Maybe it’s better to end it sooner than hurt the whole while. But I can’t really keep myself from thinking of the what ifs.What if we worked it out?W
“At least people liked her. What about you? Why do you keep bullying her? Do you like her?”Knight’s question hang in the air as all of my classmates looked at him. I did too.Everyone was shocked that this new guy is already talking back to the number one bully in the campus.I have never expected a cute and adorable Knight who eats a burger like a kid is looking really serious and scary right now.Julian, who was silenced for about ten seconds, found himself and scoffed at Knight. He was to him and cocked his head to the side. “And just who are you?” He asked him. “Do you know who you talked back at?” He asked again but now, with a warning in his voice.I looked at Knight and he’s looking back at Julian with equal flames in his eyes. He’s not even taken aback at all!“You. Who else?” Knight replied with an equal threat.Everyone gasped at his remark. He just defied Ju
“Oh my gosh! Are they back together?”“But I thought Jericho doesn’t get back with his exes?”“Why are they kissing like that?”I closed my eyes as Jericho’s lips move over mine. Don’t get me wrong. I am not responding but he’s moving his head making everyone think that I am kissing back.I am not.He broke off from the kiss and looked at me. “I missed your lips, Ashejan.” He told me garnering mixed reactions from the crowd.Some are disgusted that Jericho just kissed me. His fan girls are heartbroken because they think that we got together. And some are mad. They’re all probably thinking of the reason why Jericho kissed me.He kissed me after breaking up with his latest fling.“I heard you and that Jervic broke up.” He told me but his hand is still on my cheek and the other on my hand. “Is that true?” He asked me.I gav
Days went by and the speculations on me and Jericho getting back together are just getting fired up each second. Well, how couldn’t it be when Jericho is always waiting for me outside our classroom every day? I, myself, am not believing any of this.“What are you doing here again?” I asked Jericho as he grinned at me at lunch.He blinked at me. “What? I just want to eat with you.” He replied acting all so innocent and it’s making me irritated at most.Why is he thinking trying to start a new beginning with me? He’s probably just playing with me. I mean, it’s Jericho Marquez. He’s known to be one of the leaders of the Playboy Club and I am not falling for him ever again.I rolled my eyes at him. “Well, I don’t want to eat with you.” I was trying to be downright honest with him. I don’t want him to think that this is fine with me.Damn. I have this Dating Queen ali
“What the fuck, Jericho?!” I pushed him away as he tried to kiss me in front of the public again. Jesus! When will this playboy learn? I’m not interested anymore! My goodness!He still managed to smirk even after seeing my disgusted look on my face. “Okay then, Baby. We’ll take it slow.” He beamed and I almost puked at his remark.“What slow, you ass? I don’t want to get back with you! What in the world in that freaking simple sentence can you not understand?” I asked, fuming in anger. I swear one more word from him and I am punching his face right here, right now. I don’t care if his fan girls attack me and kill me spot on.He raised his brow at me and cocked his head to the side. “What’s the problem, Ashejan? Why are you so mad?” He exasperated. “You don’t shout at people like this even though they irritate you so much.” He pointed out and I sighed heavily.I
The next days were worse because I couldn’t stop my heart from getting suffocated when I see Serena and Knight together. And they were always together. Before classes begin, at break times, at lunch, in dismissal.I have proved to myself that I am indeed attracted to Knighton Javier. But he doesn’t even talk to me anymore. I wonder what the real problem is. Why doesn’t he talk to me? I want him to talk to me. He should at least tell me why is not talking to me.I’m getting really paranoid. Have I done something wrong? Did I look like a big slut to him because he saw me jump from one guy to another?Hell, I’m going insane. Especially now that I can see him laughing with Serena in the lockers. God! Even in the lockers, he’s still with Serena! Damn this!An uneasy feeling grew inside me. I just need him to talk to me. Or maybe I should talk to him. I just don’t know when the right time is. Or is there even a right ti
ASHANTI“I can’t take it anymore,” I told Kristoff as we were in the labor room. This morning, I had several Braxton-Hicks that made Kristoff panic. The contractions had been intensified from then up to now.“Baby, just hold on a little longer.” I don’t know who Kristoff is telling that—me or the baby.He gripped onto my hand as before planting a kiss on my sweaty forehead.I’ve known how painful it is to give birth but the ones I have read never really made me feel this way. This is—by far—the worst pain in my life. I have never even imagined feeling this excruciating pain.Dr. Johnson, my OB, with a nurse came towards us. The nurse explained that the doctor will be checking my cervical dilatation.“You’re fully dilated now, Mrs. Marx. You can push now.” Dr. Johnson told me and encouraged me to bear down.Kristoff was holdi