Our Blessings: Ch. 04

They wave at us as we approach the bench. Their uneaten plates of food lie on the table, as if blatantly reminding us that we stood between them and their empty stomachs.

A failed attempt to guilt-trip us…

“I’m not falling for that, guys. Guilt-tripping doesn’t work on me,” I shamelessly announce.

But what followed immediately after took me aback.

“Sorry for being late! This meal is on me!” Calista declares after my bold stand.

“Ca… Calista! You shouldn’t give in to threats so easily!” I caution her.

“Don’t worry, Calista. We know it’s not your fault. We have no intention of making you treat us. The one who should be treating us is…”

Two pairs of greedy eyes stare at me hungrily.

I look down and notice that there are only two plates on the table.

“Hah! At least Amanda has the decency to wait! It’s all or nothing, so I don’t have to pay for the meal!” I try to shirk off the deal.

Amanda springs up and skitters towards me.

“Clavier, what do you feel like eating today?”

“Err… Not so sure… I’ll just walk around and check out what’s nice today.”

“Okay! Let’s go together!”

She then turns to Calista and asks, “Callie, what about you?”

“Huh? I’ll have whatever you order for yourself. I’ll go get drinks for you all.”

Calista leaves the bench and heads for the drinks stall while we head to the Western stall.

While queuing up, Amanda turns around to face me. She tucks her hands behind her and leans forward slightly.

“How was your morning, Clavier?” She puts on her most dazzling smile.

“It’s been alright I guess… How’s yours?”

“Mass lecture is boring…” she replies in a sulking tone, “Are you free this Sunday? There’s a new ice-cream shop in Orchard, wanna go check it out?”

Her tone becomes chirpy again.

“How can mass lectures be boring for you, ace student?” I deliberately avoid the latter question.

She excitedly replies, knowing that she has succeeded in creating a conversation, “Hey! I’m not an ace student! Zac’s the smart ass!”

“Wow, says the one who got complimented by the professor?” I jab.

“How’d you know?” she struggles to cover her grin and flushed cheeks by lowering her head.

I merely smile at her, which leads to a few long seconds of silence.

Amanda shuffles her feet. Still having hanging her head down, she says, “so… How about this Sunday?”

She has me cornered. Her calculated move forces me into a dilemma. Of course I know of the silly rivalry going on between Calista and herself. It’s so obvious that they do not even bother hiding it. Between the two, Amanda has always been more persistent in her advances. She admitted that she is attracted to my jovial character whenever I am with Zachary. I do the most retarded things with my closest friend. Then again, Zachary and I go way back. We supported each other during our darkest period. We technically saw each other grow. Everyone has their own story to them. We had ours, but it is a secret between us.

I tuck my hands into my pocket and take a close look at her. Her dark wavy hair tumbles down to her shoulders and the turquoise headband I gave her during her birthday settles neatly on her head. I have never seen her wear any other headband ever since she received it, even though she has many more choices of accessories in her walk-in wardrobe back at home.

The truth is that Zachary casually mentioned six months ago that her birthday was nearing, and I offhandedly bought her a headband I thought might suit her from an accessory shop in a mall. I have never wanted to give the two innocent ladies false hope yet I do not wish to hurt them nor throw a retch to their relationship.

Is that how you felt last time, Shirleen?

I sigh. As I am about to answer her, I am saved by the stall owner.

“Yes, what’s your order..?”