Finding Mr. Right

Chapter 02

Stella

“So, tell me who’s this guy!”

Flashing eyes, I asked my best friend Rhea to answer all of my question. “Come on, you should just have a boyfriend too. Don’t get curious! Hmp!” I snickered at her response.

“I hope that you guys will break up soon!”  I stick my tongue out and made a peace sign as I shouted along the corridor where both of us are walking. Some students are looking at us, we aren’t artist guys! Maybe soon?  

“I will literally stitch your mouth Stell, you’re too loud! The reason why Justine doesn’t like you!” I blinked twice. WHAT?!

 “That’s foul, you bitch!” before she knew, I instantly got a hold of her cheeks and pinched it afterwards.

“Ah! Not my cheek you stubborn little devil! Hey, get off me! That’s supposed to be a joke!” with that impulse, she jokingly pulled my hair too resulting into a sudden out of balance. The time it happened, we both laughed.

“Just install the Tinder app or any dating site, you idiot.  She flipped my forehead. “You’ll probably get someone in there, sounds good?” her dimple shows as she smiled widely. That’s virtual, I don’t like it!

“That’s not legit! How sure are you? Did you meet him there too?” I am not convinced, try harder. I am not easily got swayed or perceived.

“Just tell him, if there’s a friend he knew. I’m always available.” I smirked. She just shakes her head. “You’re crazy.” she whispered and sighed afterwards.

“By the way, did you meet by chance Prof. Castillo? I already emailed him. I’ve been trying to reach him out since yesterday I was supposed to pass my requirements, where is he?” Don’t tell me, as in?  My suspicion got filled as I listen to her question. Probably our professor is in pain right now. My bad.

“Confirmed! He’s experiencing a heart break!” I exclaimed.

“What are you trying to say? I cannot follow! Mind to share?” asked her, yet I just shrugged my shoulders. “Help me first find a boyfriend.” I smiled smugly. “You’re creeping me out Stella! Just wait for your turn, Mr. Cupid will grant your wish once he saw your determination and perseverance.” Rhea’s expression was close as if she’s my mother.

“You talk like my mom, I am in my legal age already. Why can’t I find a boyfriend?”

My lips pressed together as I tried to pout, I do not look like a duck, am I?  “Because I am loud and…” paused a little. “And sexy?” I seductively laughed my ass out. I must really need some guidance, I am beginning to become crazy!

“Tell me, how did you become my best friend? You really need a therapy session. I know some counselor, what do you think?”  I wrinkled my nose, she’s hurting my feelings!

“Don’t you know the word appreciation? I am being confident you know?”

That sounds a little sarcastic, I know.  “You should be proud!” I continued. She stared directly at my eyes. What is she trying to do?

“Stella, things aren’t always flows the way we want it to.” her eyes narrowed as she touched my face. “Important things takes time, if it’s not now, maybe tomorrow. The intensity of you having a boyfriend is not impossible, you just needed to wait a little. Now, are we good?” I pursued my lips, there she goes again. She always viewed things in optimistic side, why is she like that?  

“I am waiting for a response, my friend.”  I heaved a sighed, well she’s right.

“Just help me find a boyfriend.” I grinned, moments after, she gave me a half-smile. “Fine, I’ll help you out.” my whole face lit up. She’s the best!

“No.” I declared. “Him?” asked her.

“Definitely…  NOT.”

“What about him? He’s an engineering student!” I twisted my head, still no.

“Nope, he’s too famous.”

“Look at him. Just simple, what do you think.” I winced a little, not my match though.

Her mouth fell open. What did I do? “You told me to find you a boyfriend didn’t you?” I nodded. “Uh yes?” a muscle in her jaw twitched. “So, I compiled them, all of them are your type. Why can’t you just pick?”

“Because… I really don’t like them?” is it a question? I faked a smile.  

“You’re a hopeless case.” she groaned and slowly looked at me with a grimace in her face.

“Let’s just eat, shall we? I’m starving. Let’s search for your Mr. Right again tomorrow okay?”

Instead of answering, I just offered my hands to her. She got it right away, we hold hand in hand as we crossed the pedestrian lane and decided to eat at the Chinese restaurant nearby.

“You’re smiling like an idiot.” I literally saw her lips curved into smile by the time she was staring at her phone, is that what they call butterflies in their stomach? That’s to cringe!  

“I’m in love Stell, well, what do you expect?” I rolled my eyes, that’s exaggeration.

“How did meet you him, is it also timber? What is that? I can’t remember!” she chuckled. “Tinder not Timber.” she answered. Oh? I am still not interested with that application.

“Okay fine Tinder. So, did you met him there?” I am still curious about what happened, she’s not an open book, I cannot read her that easy. She shakes her head, “Nope, I didn’t meet him there. We met accidentally, a literal accident I mean.” I was shocked! So he’s that guy!

“Oh, is he your prince charming or what? He almost hit you with his car, don’t you remember?” I glared at her, yet she ignored it. “He already said sorry, and we’re in a relationship right now.” she reasoned out.

“You are still fresh from a heart break with Tom, you think you can handle it that easy?” I sounded like her mother! Argh! “Well… Let’s see what will happen next. I never control my life, Stell. I let flow like a river so let’s see. Who knows, he’ll be my lifetime partner, right?” she lifted her chin, maybe a way to convince herself.

“I don’t know, that’s your life.”  I drank my juice, it’s so sweet! “Let’s go, your mom must be waiting at home.” she tried to be casual but I saw how her eyes glimmer, was is really love?

“I’m home, where’s chuchu?”

My mom is in her late forties, she’s also gorgeous as me. Well, it is the genes that we are talking about. “She’s at your room, she already ate her dinner. Why are you late?” I saw a frying pan in her hand, what is she cooking? “We tried to search for my Mr. Right mom.” I answered. I expected her to throw a tantrums, but she just laughed. Seriously, what’s with these people? Why is it searching for Mr. Right a laughable thing?!

“Did you find him then?” she continued to laugh.

“Mom, it is not funny.” I yawned. Damn, maybe I was too tired to even argue.

“Baby. You don’t need to find him. He’ll find you when the right time comes.” she advised. I shrugged my shoulders off. Why would I wait? If I can find him this instant?

“I’ll go upstairs mom.” I do not want to expand our conversation so, I told her that. She slowly kissed my cheek and… “Goodnight. Sleep well my baby.” she said. “I am not your baby any more mom.” But she just smiled at my remarks “I always wish that someday, you’ll find your soul mate, love righteously and aim for the better relationship. That’s my only wish.”

“What if I can’t do that mom, will you hate me?” she stared at me for a moment, maybe realizing what I just asked. “I will never hate you Stella. You’re a great child, so you’ll be able to become a better woman in the future. I trust you, I put all my trust in you. You’ll soon see that. Okay?” I nodded, well, she’s my mom. She knows me, better than anyone else in this world.

As I opened the door of my room, I saw chuchu sleeping at the edge of my bed. I carried her and put her on her cabin. I take a look at my ceiling, numerous thoughts begins to pop. Why did I ask that? Does that mean, I would not be able to fulfill my mom's ultimate wish? My pup was breathing heavily, she's sleeping peacefully. Without notice, I caressed her fur.

“You think I'll be able to love righteously?” I silently asked her.

“Is it needed? Does love needs to be like that? Isn't it just a merely feeling? An admiration to someone?” But seriously, why am I talking to a pup? Damn, love. Why does it seem so complicated?

My phone rang, it was my alarm. I slowly opened my eyes, I felt dizzy. It's already 5 in the morning. I took a quick shower and put on my white uniform. In more than an hour, I've already fixed myself. I hurriedly ran into our kitchen, there I saw my mom, cooking.

“I was supposed to call you, go and get your plate. Bring water too. It smells good. What did you cook this time?” I hugged her from behind.  “You really need to learn how to cook.” she didn't answer my question!

“I'm asking you mom, your response doesn't match!” I pouted. “You need to learn it by now, you only know how to cook eggs and rice. Your future husband won't like it, mind you.” I'll make sure that my husband is a good cook then? That idea seems fun. Right?

“Cooking is still a cooking mom, at least I know. I can also cook Adobo and some Spanish dishes! You forgot!" she pinched my cheek. "You silly girl, what I mean is you need to really learn how to cook different kinds of dishes, how will live without me then?" my brows knitted, come again?

"You're telling nonsense things' mom, why? Are you leaving me too?” she just smiled, it's already creeping me out!

“That's just in case, of course I'll live more than 100 years old. You'll take care of me, right? Even if I peed on my pants?” she chuckled.

“That's... gross!” I blow a shocked expression. “Fine, you eat. You'll be late. You have a class at 8 right? Go and eat. I'll eat later.” after she said that, she turned her back at me. Maybe to go to our yard, because it's Saturday, and she doesn't have her work, she's busy talking to her roses at the back. Flower lover, isn't she?

As I entered our University I checked my phone and saw a message from our professor in Biology telling us that our class was postponed due to some matters. What the heck? I rushed myself here then... Postponed? I take a look at my watch, it's already 7:55 in the morning, my next class is still 10:30. Now, what will I do? If only it was texted sooner!  Or did I received it late? Damn, it was sent an hour ago. What am I thinking really?

“I think I've seen him somewhere!”

“Me too, you think in the bar?”

They're too loud, are they talking about... ah no, I heard 'him' meaning a guy. I saw them giggled, seriously? They're too obvious. At a leisurely pace, I averted my gaze to the guy they're talking to. Hmm, he's...

Fine? He looks cool, intact jaw, big round eyes, broad shoulders and clean-cut type of hair. Physically, he passed. Wait... Why am I describing him in the very first place? I wasn't even interested! Or do I? Crap!

“You're here too!” I looked at my back, there's Rhea! She's holding a folder. Moments later, her folder was taken by the man I describe a while ago. Wait... Oh, I do remember him now!

“He cancelled our class.” I stated.

“Yep, I received it an hour ago but I chose to come here still. By the way, he's Tristan. The one I'm talking about!” she giggled, I saw the happiness within her. I sighed, I should’ve checked my phone from time to time, this isn’t the first time!

“You're talking about me?” his voice, it's pretty good!

“She's persistent in knowing you!” she laughed. “You know, this friend of mine is like that. Once she's curious, I cannot even keep a secret. She will find it out, sooner or later.” truth be told, her description about me is true. I wouldn't even deny that one. “Nice to finally meet you, Tristan.” I offered my hand. He smiled as he accepted my hand. “Same here.” said he.

“Oh, by the way. Are you going home already Stell? Let's hang out first. To kill time, besides our class is still 10:30. What do you think? How 'bout you love, is it fine?" Tristan just smiled, and why choice I have left? Well, I don't have any business to attend to. Might as well try being a third wheel.

Truthfully, I enjoyed being with them.

I don't mind being single. I don't mind not having a commitment.

But sometimes, I just want someone to hold my pieces tight when I'm about to fall apart. Someone to hold my hand gently when I'm scared. And someone to share my fears and wildest dreams with.

Yes, I don't mind being alone, but there's a part of me that wonders how nice it must feel to have someone who shows you that love isn't such just a bad thing.