Chapter 23

We were walking back to the lobby right after morning practice. I have my gym bag on my shoulder and a bag of fresh Ube-Cheese pandesal that I got from one of my bakeries here in Batangas.

"Sarap naman pala ng luto ni manang!" Biro ni Jia. They came with me when I went to my bakery eh. Its called "Baked."

"Syempre naman" I said as I reached our room. Kianna was already there. Magkakasabay sila nina Tyang and Kalei na umakyat after training.

I entered our room to find Kianna out in the balcony. I placed my bag down and walked over to the balcony. Kianna always does that when she has a problem. She would try and get fresh air.

"I shouldn't" I whispered to myself while closing my eyes. Its day 6 of the training camp. And so far, I wasn't too nice to Kianna. I spoke to her only when I need to and I would try to avoid her as much as possible. I just..... couldn't risk feeling the pain again.

It might be selfish, but Im trying to spare myself from anymore pain. God knows how much I love you, Kianna. To the point where I get hurt so much but I wouldn't let go. I took a deep breath before going out to the balcony.

"You seem....troubled" I said softly. Hell I couldn't stop myself from caring, ok??

"and now you care" Kianna sighed. I approached her and stood beside her, leaning on the railing."Ever since day 1, you just act like I never exist. Would only approach me if you really needed to. Speak to me as little as possible" she said. I looked at her, speechless.

"What? You think I wouldn't notice?" She said and looked at the sky. I studied her face and tear tracks were evident. She was crying.

"you were crying" I stated. She faced me. Oh God I am trying my best not to hug and caress you.

"Clearly. But why are you acting like that?" She said plainly.

"I was..... being careful" I said and stepped back and went inside. I was only an inch away from breaking down. I took a deep breath but then I started hearing rain drops. I glanced over and Kianna was still on the balcony.

"God, what am I doing?" I muttered to myself and sat on my bed, turning on the tv to watch netflix.

I was watching Sherlock Holmes when I started to hear the rain pouring hard. I looked over the balcony, and Kianna was still there.

"What is this woman doing?" I asked myself and stood up, walking towards her.

"Get inside." I said and she just ignored me."Inside. Now" I repeated but she just glanced at me. Ugh stubborn!

"Magkakasakit ka."I approached her and held her arm. And guided her back inside.

——————————The next day....."Where have you been?" Kianna asked as soon as I entered our room. It was only 5am and I just got back from my bakery to get some ube-cheese pandesal.

"Just baked something" I said plainly and offered her pandesal and started fixing my training gear. We need to be down by 6am for breakfast. I looked at Kianna and she was clutching her forehead. Ha? Is something wrong?

"This tastes familiar" she said. Well it used to be your favorite

"Maybe you tasted it from the bakery." I said and continued packing.

"Do you even plan on having a conversation with me?" She asked. I stopped getting ready and faced her.

"Isn't this a conversation?" I asked and got back to packing my bag

"No. All you ever do is reply to me. They say you aren't the quiet type. So will you stop talking to me with a short,dry and plain sentence as a response?" Kianna said. Damn I bet she's getting annoyed with how I interact with her.

"No" I answered and finished packing.

———————————I was on my way to dinner when I pressed the elevator. But when it opened, it was a Kianna that welcomed me. I was debating whether or not I would get in

I walked inside but noticed something different with Kianna. For that past few days, she does seem different. Something must have been bothering her.

As soon as we reached the ground floor, I searched for Majoy or Tyang. They're the only ones that Kianna would've opened up to.

"Joy, may problem ba si Kianna?" I whispered as soon as I got close to her. She looked at me and looked at everyone who was busy chatting while waiting for our seats

"Nababash kasi sya. Kesyo she doesn't deserve to be in the team, nagbreak sila ni Marck kasi pangit daw ugali nya, and all those stuff. I guess it got into her." She said and I nodded."Dagdag mo pa yang "pa-walang pake" effect mo" she chuckled.

I patiently waited until everyone was done with dinner. Gusto ko lang sya icheer up. And back then, I would always find a way to make her smile. I excused myself while everyone was still talking and having their "dinner kwentuhan" I found a nearby flower shop that was selling sunflowers. I bought three and had it wrapped up by a brown paper string. The store was also selling these letter envelopes that matched the string. I ran my way to the nearby S&R. Good thing I had my membership card with me. I hurriedly ran to the candy aisle. They sell the Gushers that Kianna loves eh. I ran and paid my bill before riding a tricycle all the way back to our hotel. I need to be there first sa room before Kianna

I entered the room and thank God she isnt here yet. I quickly wrote a note " Cheer up, princess " and inserted it to the envelop and quickly placed it down on her bed and I ran back downstairs. It was worth it though.

"Oh Bea where have you been?" It was Kalei. I met her sa lobby.

"I needed to visit my bakery nearby eh. Where are the others?" I asked. She seemed to be going up alone

"They went back to their rooms. I went down to buy snacks. Kianna,Kim and Dawn are still outside, though." Kalei informed me. I thanked her and was about to walk when my phone buzzed

Ate Den🙏💀 sent you a messageBEATRIZ DE LEON YOU GET YOUR ASS HERE NOW

Oh Lord pray for me. I replied where? And ate said that they were in the garden. I quickly made my way to the garden.

"What have I done this time?" I nervously asked. Ate Den has her arms crossed while I saw a glimpse of ate Ly praying.

"Wala. just congratulations" Ate Den calmly said. HA? THANK GOD!! I THOUGHT I WOULD BE A CORPSE BY NOW

"So nililigawan mo na?" Singit ni ate Ly. Ha? Sino?"Come on! Dont act like di ka namin nahuli ni Den na nagmamadaling bumalik na may bitbit na sunflowers!" Ate Ly said.

"Ha? How did you know?" I asked them.

"We were here and we saw you come back riding a tricycle" ate Den said.

"I was just trying to cheer her up, no! Besides, no one knows I was the one who gave her those" I told them and they just laughed

"We know that. Kaya nga tinawag ka namin dito. Para di halata na ikaw" ate Den said.

"Mana ka talaga sakin!" Ate Ly said and ruffled my hair.———————After our small chitchat, I made my way back to our room. As I entered, I found Kianna eating Gushers and the sunflowers that I gave her were on her nightstand. She was reading a book. She lifted her gaze when I entered. I glanced at the sunflowers and looked at her. I went straight to the bathroom to do my night rituals.

"You liked it?" I asked her as I walked out the bathroom. She flashed me a smiled.

"How did you know?" She asked me and had put her book down.

"We were roommates before, I hope you remember" I said.

"We were. I remember" she said and chuckled. Well now atleast Im someone in her life. I smiled at the thought"But why would you?" She added. God I feel like im seconds away from telling her I love her

"Why not? I saw you and you were sad. Do you wanna talk about it?" I asked. She seemed surprised that I care

"What happened to my old roommate who almost made me feel like I didn't exist?" She joked around and I chuckle.

"I was.... being careful" I said.

"Why?" She asked. You forgot about us, thats why

"I had someone back then. But she left me. It hurt so much that I was so afraid to meet new people" I told her referring to her. Its ironic, really

"Why did she leave you?" She asked. I sighed.

"She had no choice. And I understood her." I said while smiling bitterly."But I still love her. No matter how long she was gone. I love her so much" I continued.

"Its like....... Lovers turned strangers" I said and chuckled bitterly while a tear escaped my eye.

"Im sorry" Kianna said. I looked at her. "Sorry I had to ask. It must have been painful" she continued. I hoped that she was sorry for another reason.

"No. Its ok. Lets talk about you" I told her and smiled.

"Its just.... these people who tell me im not good enough. Im afraid that they are right" Kianna told me. I stood up and sat beside her.

"No. Prove them wrong. You are more than enough, Kianna" I told her.

"So don't you worry your pretty little mind,People throw rocks at things that shine," I stood up and sang that part from Taylor Swifts song.

"Taylor Swift fan?" Kianna asked and I chuckled

"I am. Because of her" I smiled at her.

I am. Because of you