Chapter 3: Introduce

Yannie Ace Ruiz

"I loved you, Yannie. I loved you genuinely."

I took a deep breath as those words echoed repeatedly in my mind. Why do some people find it so easy to say the words 'I love you' without being able to stand by them? Because of people like them, those words lose their actual value. It is as if those words are only used to deceive others.

When I saw Kris earlier, I didn't feel anything anymore. Except for irritation after he told me that he supposedly loved me. Why did he even need to tell me that? Who did he want to deceive after all? He loved me, but they hurt me. Just wow!

Although we never officially became a couple, they still deceived me. The two months he pursued me in the past were swiftly overshadowed by a single day with Bella. It’s funny, isn’t it?

I quickly shook my head to remove Kris and Bella from my thoughts. I don't want to think about them anymore. Two years have passed, and hopefully, I won't see them again. It just happened earlier, and hopefully, it won't happen again.

I grabbed my phone and opened my social media account. I immediately smiled upon seeing a new post from 4SBLUE on their account. And this is how they can easily change my mood. I instantly find myself smiling whenever I see their pictures or whenever I listen to their songs.

I continued browsing social media when I came across a post from a page I follow.

"He loves you, but he also loves someone else. Is the human heart also on dual sim now?"

"Seriously! They must be joking," I commented after reading it. Kris and Bella had already been out of my mind earlier, but I suddenly felt annoyed again because of what I read.

I resumed browsing when suddenly my notification sounded.

Rica reacted to your comment...

Rica replied to your comment...

I quickly checked and read Ate Rica's reply to my comment on the post from the page I followed.

"Oh well."

That was her reply with a laughing emoji. I laughed at her response, and then my sister immediately knocked on my door.

"Ate! It's time for dinner!"

"I'm coming!" I replied as I quickly set aside my phone and left the room.

"You are starting your part-time job tomorrow, right?" mom asked me as I exited the room while she set the table.

"Yes, Mom," I responded with a smile and helped her with the preparations.

"Are you really sure about this, dear? Can you handle balancing your studies and work?" dad asked me.

"Yes, dad. Please don't worry. Besides, the job won't be too difficult, and I'll be working with Jomar," I assured dad.

"Well, I feel somewhat reassured because you're with Jomar," my mom said.

"But, dear, let me remind you. For now, just remain friends with Jomar, okay? Don't go beyond that," dad advised.

"Dad, we're just friends," I replied.

"Oh, come on, ate. It's so obvious that Kuya Jomar likes you," my sibling Yuri teased.

"You're something else, Yuri. Go get some water and glass over there," I instructed her, and Yuri obediently followed while laughing.

I have a big and happy family. It's big because there are many of us.

I have four siblings, plus my mom and dad, so there are seven of us in total, including our six dogs. Our house is neither big nor small. It's just good, and we all fit comfortably.

My father works as a tricycle driver, while my mother sells toys and school supplies in front of an elementary school in the nearby barangay. My older brother is a street sweeper in our barangay. He is five years older than me, and unfortunately, he didn't finish his studies; he only reached elementary level. I am the second among the five siblings. Following me is James, who is 18 years old and currently in senior high school. Yuri comes after James, she is 16 years old, and our youngest is Yumi, who is 15 years old. Both Yuri and Yumi are in junior high school.

We lead a simple life. I am enrolled in a public university for college, and I receive a financial assistance scholarship every semester. I save that money to cover my other expenses when it comes to school. I prefer not to add to my parent's financial responsibilities. Fortunately, Jomar helped me get a job at the convenience store where he works. Jomar is my classmate and also one of my close friends.

After finishing dinner and cleaning up, I returned to my room early to get some rest. Tomorrow is Friday, and we don't have classes at school. Our schedule is Monday to Thursday, so I have three days to work at the convenience store. I grabbed my phone and noticed that Ate Rica had sent me a message.

Rica: Looks like you're going through something, huh? (with a laughing emoji)

I quickly replied to her message.

Me: Nothing, Ate. I've moved on already.

I replied with a laughing emoji. And in just a few seconds, she read my message and immediately responded.

Rica: Are you single now?

I raised an eyebrow at her question. But I quickly replied to her again.

Me: Why, Ate? Do you have someone to introduce to me there?

I jokily said to her. After that, I put my phone down and then made my bed. Yuri came in and settled onto her bed. The three of us, Yuri, Yumi, and myself, share this room.

"Best of luck with your work tomorrow, Ate," Yuri told me.

"Thanks," I replied and then lay down.

"Ate, buy me shoes when you get your first paycheck, okay?" she quickly said, making me turn to her.

"I haven't even started working, and you're already requesting me to purchase things for you. You really have a way, Yuri," I said, chuckling and somewhat sarcastic towards her.

"I'm just kidding!" she replied with laughter.

I just shrugged and then picked up my phone again to read Ate Rica's response to my chat.

Rica: Yeah, I do have. The timing is ideal as I am currently searching for someone to ensure that my baby boy behaves appropriately.

I chuckled at Ate Rica's reply. I didn't expect that she really wanted to introduce someone to me. So, I teased her again.

Me: Sure, Ate. I'll take care of him, hahaha!

Ate Rica quickly acknowledged my reply in her chat, and shortly after, she reacted with a heart emoji to what I said. In a moment, she replied again.

Rica: Hahaha! He is my cousin, and he is a super brat. I was almost tempted to send him to North Korea.

Me: Don't do that, Ate. Just send him to me; I'll catch him.

Rica: I like that! Hahaha, I'll give him your number later. He's still out, even though it's already late at night.

Me: He must really love going out, Ate. I'm not a fan of late-night outings hahaha.

Rica: Then make him behave hahaha.

At first, I just found myself laughing at Ate Rica's remarks towards me. But I didn't realize that she was taking those jokes seriously. I mean, who even entertains these challenges nowadays? I often hear from my friends that these kinds of dares are no longer in trend. Yet here I am, finding myself engaging in what I thought was just a playful banter.

Jomar picked me up early at home the next day using his single motorcycle.

"I hope you didn't have to bother, Jomar. It's easy for me to catch a ride from here to the store," I said to Jomar after I finished preparing myself.

"It's okay. It's your first day, and I just want to support you," he replied with a smile. In the end, I just chuckled and bid farewell to my parents.

When we arrived at the convenience store where we would be working, our boss warmly welcomed us.

"Hello, Mrs. Maricel. Good day," I cheerfully greeted Mrs. Maricel.

"Good day to you as well, dear. So, would you mind if Jomar will be looking after you?" she asked.

"What?" Jomar was a little bit stunned.

"I was supposed to be the one to train her, but I have a sudden errand that I need to attend to."

"Oh... is that so?"

Mrs. Maricel looks at me. "Don't worry 'cause Jomar won't let you down. He has been working with me for three years, so there's a lot he can teach and do for you," she said with a smile.

A smile curved on my lips as I looked at Jomar, who was beside me, and he had a small smile as well as he looked at Mrs. Maricel.

"Okay, Mrs. Maricel. Take care of yourself wherever you're going," I respectfully said to her.

She just nodded with a smile and gave some instructions to Jomar before finally leaving.

Jomar and I started working by cleaning the entire store. After half an hour, we opened it. Jomar first taught me to familiarize myself with the products we sell here. He also taught me the proper arrangement of products and how to do inventory. I finished the day exhausted but happy.

"Jomar, thanks again for helping me to be able to work here," I said with a smile to Jomar while mopping the floor. We were preparing to close as the store isn't open 24 hours; it only operates in the morning.

Jomar sweetly smiled at me. "Anything for you, Yannie," he replied.

Jomar Racoles is sweet and a very kind person. He is intelligent and diligent in his studies. He is a gentleman, family-oriented, and reliable in all aspects. Aside from that, he is a good-looking guy, which is why he attracts numerous girls in school. Perhaps I might be one of those girls if he were not my friend.

It was already dark when Jomar and I finished closing the convenience store.

"Do you want to grab something to eat before heading home?" he asked me. "I know a delicious tapsilugan. My treat," he added.

I nodded with a smile in response. He smiled back at me and handed over a helmet. I put it on, and then I rode pillion on his motorcycle.

Jomar took me to the tapsilugan he mentioned. I took my phone from my bag while waiting for our orders to be cooked. It was then that I noticed a text message from Ate Rica.

From Ate Rica: Yannie, where are you? We're passing by Laguna. I'm with my baby boy, my cousin.

Ate Rica sent me that message at 8:36 in the morning, and I only saw it past seven in the evening. I bit my lower lip and quickly composed a reply to her.

To Ate Rica: Sorry, Ate! I just read your message now. I got busy with work.

"Why, Yannie? Is there a problem?" Jomar asked, noticing that I seemed a bit anxious.

"Huh? Oh, nothing... It's just that... Ate Rica sent me a text message. It was from this morning, but I only read it now," I replied to Jomar.

"Ate Rica?" Jomar asked with a furrowed brow.

"Oh, Ate Rica, my new-found friend. She's also a fan of 4SBLUE," I replied with a smile to Jomar.

"Really? How did you meet her?" Jomar asked again.

"When Veron and I went to the 4SBLUE press conference at SM Megamall."

"How old is she?"

"24."

"Where is she from?"

"Las Piñas."

"Okay." I stared at Jomar for a moment, which he quickly noticed. "Why?" he asked me.

"Why do you have so many questions about Ate Rica?"

"Just curious. I just want to make sure that the people you meet are trustworthy," he replied, which made me laugh.

"You're even more thorough than my dad when it comes to asking about my new friends," I commented, then shifted my attention back to my phone, where I saw a reply from Ate Rica.

From Ate Rica: It's Okay, Yannie. Since we didn't have a chance to pass by Laguna. My cousin was annoyed because we didn't visit you, and I just brought him along hahaha!

To Ate Rica: Oh no, Ate! Are you really serious about introducing your cousin to me?

I replied to Ate Rica, and our food orders arrived shortly after. Jomar and I began to eat. After two minutes, my phone rang again due to Ate Rica's reply, and I quickly checked and read it.

From Ate Rica: Yes. I'm serious, Yannie. Hahaha. By the way, are you working now? Aren't you still studying?

"Who's that?" Jomar asked me just as I was about to type my reply to Ate Rica.

"It's Ate Rica," I replied to him and then responded to Ate Rica.

To Ate Rica: I'm embarrassed, Ate. I was just joking around before, hahaha. Yes, I am studying. And I also have a part-time job.

"Finish your meal first," Jomar advised me, which I followed. I set aside my phone and continued eating. I saw Jomar's small smile because of that.

After we finished eating, Jomar accompanied me home. My mother invited him to come inside and have dinner with us, but we told her we already had ours outside. So, my siblings teased me a lot.

I went straight to my room and changed clothes. It was my first day at my part-time job, and my body was exhausted. Jomar made me do a lot of tasks and taught me many things right away. Plus, many customers came earlier.

When I was about to rest, I took my phone from my bag and saw a text message from Ate Rica. Then I realized I stopped messaging her earlier because of Jomar.

From Ate Rica: Oh, Yannie. I'm serious about that, hahaha. I'll give him your number later. But it is much better if you guys meet first. Nice, you're hardworking. So, you're a working student.

I don't know why Ate Rica's suggestion to meet her cousin made me nervous. She's being really serious about introducing him to me.

To Ate Rica: Oh my gosh. You can't take a joke, Ate. Hahaha, I suddenly feel shy.

From Ate Rica: Don't be shy. He's a nice guy, and just think that it's just for friends. Then, let me know if you're not interested in him after meeting him hahaha.

I just chuckled at Ate Rica's reply. I initially didn't plan to respond anymore because I was about to sleep, but suddenly, my phone rang again with another text message from her.

From Ate Rica: He is 21 years old. His name is Josh Rain. He is a basketball player, and he loves playing the guitar.

I stared at the screen of my cellphone. Ate Rica was really trying to sell her cousin to me. In the end, instead of going to sleep, I found myself replying to Ate Rica's message again.

To Ate Rica: Josh Rain is a nice name. But I think I need to pass, Ate. Hahaha.

From Ate Rica: Aw. Are you rejecting him already? Hahaha.

To Ate Rica: I feel so shy, Ate. Hahaha.

From Ate Rica: Don't be shy; he's nice. How about this? We'll visit you this weekend so you can meet him in person.

I became more anxious with what Ate Rica said. Why does she really want to introduce me to her cousin?

I didn't reply to Ate Rica anymore because I didn't know what else to say to her. But I was surprised when my cellphone rang again due to a text message. I thought it was from Ate Rica, but it was actually from Jomar.

From Jomar: Good night, Yannie. See you tomorrow.

I smiled at Jomar's message while replying to him.

To Jomar: Good night, too, Jomar. See you tomorrow.

Right after sending my reply to Jomar, my cellphone rang again with another text message. I thought it was Ate Rica this time, but it was from an unknown number.

From 09*********: Hi. I messaged you. She doesn't want to give your number. Can I get your number, right? I just took it from Sissy's phone.

My heart skipped a beat upon reading that. And without wasting a time, I replied to it.

To 09*********: Who is this?

And in less than a few seconds, it quickly responded.

From 09*********: It's Josh Rain.

Shocks.