Chapter One: Part Four

A few minutes later, Red finally arrived. “Sorry guys, I just came from another party. Ode, ako pala naka-bunot sa’yo.” He said as he handed a coffee table book of The Beattles to her.

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After the party, Leni and Red walked outside the campus. He held her hand as they walked silently. At this moment, she could not ask for more. Being with her special someone on her birthday was surreal. Though they’ve been dating for two years, this was her first time to celebrate her birthday with him. Because, Red went out of the country with his family the year before that.
They sat on the benches in the field and started the conversation.
“How’s your birthday?”
“Perfect. I could not ask for more,Nandito ka na kasi.”
“I’m glad to hear that. But there’s something that I really wanted to tell you.”
Leni was getting excited to hear the next thing that he’s going to say.
“What is it?”
“It’s been two great years with you. However, since both of us we’re going to graduate and pursue our different endeavors, I think that we need some space. It’s difficult for me to say this. Magpahinga muna tayo ”
“Are you breaking up with me?”
Red shook his head and didn’t answer her question.
“Ok, I’ll make this easy for you. Lalayo na lang ako. When classes resume,I’ll pretend that nothing happened.”
“Leni, kung tayo naman, tayo talaga eh”

Both of them remained silent. He glanced at his watch while she stared at the sky.

From that moment, she realized that she lost her ‘fairy tale’. Hearing those words was like getting hit by a fourteen-wheeler truck.

She removed her necklace and gave it back to him. Leni walked away without saying a word.

Then, she called Adam and Faith to meet her at one of those benches near the football field.

“What’s wrong?” Faith asked.
“He broke up with me.”
“Ang ganda naman ng timing niya, sa birthday mo pa.” Adam added as he handed his handkerchief to her.
Leni couldn’t say a word because she’s still shocked with what happened. On their way home, they passed along a convenience store. The three of them went inside. They were surprised to see Red with flirting with another girl while entering the store.
When Faith saw this, she got furious and approached him. “Kapal naman nang mukha mo. Ang bilis mo naman siyang palitan. Sana pinalagpas mo man lang sana yung birthday ni Leni.” Then, Adam pulled her, “Tama na, wag kayong mag-scandalo dito.Ang dami nang naka-tingin sa atin. Red felt embarrassed and turned speechless.

“Adam’s right, Let’s leave them alone.” Leni said as she tried to hide the tears started to fall down her face.

Then, three of them went outside.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Faith asked.
“No thanks, Ok lang ako” She told them as she stepped out of the car.

She went straight to her room and cried. She played the CD that Adam gave her. Then she looked at the case and said, “Mabuti ka pa Billy, hindi mo ako iniiwan.

Chapter One: Part Three

Red and Leni had been dating for two years. Indeed, he became her college life. However, their relationship wasn’t really a fairytale after all. They would often have occasional fights. Red would complain about not having time for each other. Leni, on the other hand would get suspicious that he was cheating on her. She has mood swings that he sometimes can’t seem to handle. Her ‘prince’ wasn’t exactly the ‘Knight in Shining Armor’ that she thought. However, Leni would always be the first one to adjust in their relationship. Even if it means giving up most of her free time and rehearsals. She would often choose to bore herself watching basketball games rather than enjoying productions.
Whenever Red would feel guilty about this, he would make up for it. He would always give her something. Though he has feelings for this person, he still wasn’t sure about their relationship. Sometimes, he would look for someone who has the same passion as his. Red appreciates Leni’s effort to adjust, but that wasn’t enough.

Even if they had bad times, Leni would always think that he’s the one. She would often rely on ‘signs’. The moment that he asked her out, she felt that the ‘stars’ were telling something to her. Afterwards, everything felt right even if people around her weren’t in favor of their relationship because she lost her true self.

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Her birthday and their class’ Christmas party were held at the same time. It was their last Christmas together. Everyone made sure that this moment would be special. One group of guys made a spoof version of “Dyesebel”. All of them bursted into laughter. Ode, their class president prepared a slide show describing each person of the class. Before the party ended, they had their ‘kris kringle’ where each person would describe the gift and the receiver. Adam stood up and described the person that he picked. “I’ve known her since first year and I can say that she’s one of the people that made my college life interesting. Because, she would always give me a dose of showbiz update every time we hang out at La Prinsesa. Leni, I decided to give you the latest album of Billy Crawford. I know that you’re an avid fan of him since he began on ‘That’s Entertainment’. After getting the CD, she went back to her seat. Then, Ode asked her, “Where’s Red?” Leni, opened her cell phone and read the messages,” He texted me, hahabol daw siya. “

A few minutes later, Red finally arrived. “Sorry guys, I went to my cousin’s house.”