September Rhythm and Blues
Racquel Sarah A. Castro
Genre: Romance
Archetype Cards: A repentant Traitor and the Tomboy
Keywords: blindness, amulet, disease, diamond, cries in the night, and betrothal.
September 1, 2016
I have to do this. I have to move on from the pain Basti has brought into my life. But the truth is . . . he doesn’t know that I have fallen for him. Like what that actress Jolina said to Marvin in their film, Labs Kita Okay ka Lang: I have fallen for my best friend. And when he decided to choose Francesca over our friendship, I think our friendship was finally over. After eleven years of promising, we had each other’s back, here he is, trying to ignore me for that witch!
Moving on without any formal relationship has been so weird. In my case, it is an everyday struggle. We, Erika and Basti, we are inseparable. Even our teachers back in High school and college knew that. But, when Francesca, the sexy witch, came along, I gained the power of invisibility over Basti. Francesca, the evil sexy witch, has poured out a love potion on my poor best friend. Just kidding.
It hurts to see them in the distance. But I have to be strong because I will be facing a set of panelists for my defense. I am taking up a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. A geek plus a sexy witch minus the geek best friend equals a happy couple. . . that is the main algorithm to the program called Basti 2.0.
I guess that’s why life is so unfair.
Oh well, I had to meet our thesis adviser, Mr. George de Guzman, to report my progress. So, I promptly entered his office at the appointed hour.
“Hi, Sir. This is my progress report.” I beam at him.
“Ms. Perez, I am sure you can pass my subject. Just be confident in answering the panelists.” He was very encouraging.
I grin, but my forehead wrinkles, “Sir, how many panelists will I have?”
“Six?”
I shake my head twice. “But . . .” Basti has only 3 panelists! I heard of it from a friend.
“I know you can charm them.” He releases a happy sigh. “Good luck with your thesis defense tomorrow.”
“Wait? Is it tomorrow?”
All I can see is a nod from Mr. de Guzman. How have I not noticed the dates? In no time, I got my laptop and run to the canteen and open the document file.
After a few minutes, I heard Basti’s voice from afar. “I know you can do it, beshie.” I ignored the voice and go through my document. “Earth calling Erika . . . please, come back.” I heard a giggle from him, “I need her right now.”
My eyes surveyed the canteen. He is an inch away from me. “What do you want? And where is that witch?”
“I miss my best friend. You have been so distant since Francesca came into my life.”
I look at him; his hand meets mine. “What do you want?”
“I want you to be the same old best friend.”
“I am busy.” My mind lingers on our memories. “And I guess your girlfriend will be jealous when you tag me along your dates.”
“Ex-girlfriend . . .”
I stopped browsing my documents. “Weh . . .”
“We broke up six months ago,” he sighed.
I looked at him. He did? They did? “Why?”
Basti took a deep breath. “She likes someone else.”
“I told you, Sebastian Cruz. You are so blinded by the attention she gave you.”
“I know . . . I know.” He drags me away from my laptop. Basti gave me a bear hug; I don’t know what to do now. I listened to his rants until he looked at me and held my hand. “I miss you.”
“Sebastian you can make it up if you can you help me with my thesis defense.” I smiled at him; the genuine friendly smile I used to give him. I observed him; his dry smile lands on his lips and his eyes feel so anxious.
“I said I miss you.” Basti sighs; he does not bat his eyebrows. He’s serious? He missed me? “I realized your worth as a best friend when you are not with me.” He winked, “I love you, beshie.”
The time he said the three words I long to hear from him, my heart skips a beat.
“Are you okay, Erika? I said . . .”
“Beshie, I am fine.” I see a tear on his face. I wiped it away. “You want chocolates? Let’s buy some?”
He grinned, “You know I don’t like sweets.”
I marched back to my laptop, “At least I see that grin again.”
“I love you, Erika.”
No beshie? No beshie? Is that Erika only?
“Hey, I don’t want you to feel like a rebound relationship.” It is his fourth sigh and I feel his pain. “I have to give time to know you even better.”
I furrow my brows, “What do you mean?”
“You will be my girlfriend, one day . . . when the right moment comes.”
I stare at him for two minutes. That two-minute stare let me think. If I admit that I am in love with him, but what will he do? Will he say it again? I mean that three-word statement I am longing to hear? Is this even true?
“Erika, what are you thinking?”
“I am thinking of . . .” you and your admission? I smile at him while gathering my thoughts. I sigh, “I am thinking of my thesis defense tomorrow.” Lame excuse but hey! I’m a bit distracted.
“What can I do to help you?” He scratches his head while I smiled at him.
“Ask me possible questions.” I showed him my notes and my project.
Basti began reading the notes I had, correcting some spelling errors and punctuation placement while reading it. He asked me questions and I answered as best as I can. When we felt we’ve done all we could, he closed the laptop and looked at me. “Erika . . . can you be my girlfriend?”
“Yeah.” I clamped my mouth with my hand. “I mean, no! You have to court me first.”
Basti looks at me oddly. “It’s 2018, Erika!” He stomped his left foot. “Do I need to court you?”
I winked at him. “Heck, yeah! I’m a proper lady, you know!”
“Your parents knew about this. You just have to say yes because I already got their approval.” He sticks his tongue out. “Is it a yes?”
“Oh, no! Let me finish this freaking thesis defense, and then I can rant and rave at you.”
He lifted both hands up. “Okay—okay.”
I got all my things and placed them in my bag. “I’m going home now. I have to prepare for tomorrow.”
“No, wait.” He drags me to his car. “We will be going somewhere.”
“Have you forgotten what tomorrow is?” Of course, I protested but this is Basti. So, I go along with him.
He winked and his smile captures my passion because it is a comforting one. I loved this boy for a long time. “Don’t worry, we will go home soon.”
As soon as we arrived at my home, Mom and Dad waved at us; I could see their eyes twinkling. They shouted when we came down the car. “Are you officially together?”
Basti grins while I feel like my blood goes into my head. “No, Tita. Your daughter is so conservative.” He sighs, “She wants me to court her.”
I narrow my eyes on him. “Because I am worth it.”
“Oh, that’s what I miss!” He laughed, “The conceited Erika returns for good.”
I rolled my eyes on him. “I have to study for my defense tomorrow, bye.”
“I want to be with you…” He paused, and my parents looked at him; they waved their hands synchronically. “That’s why I am staying with you the whole night.”
“Excuse me, what?” But I need to focus on my defense. I glanced at my grinning mother. I let my hands wave in front of her. “Mom, did you agree on this?” Please, Mom, say no!
Mom, of all people, nods. “Sweetheart, he’s only staying in the guest room. He promised to help you and inspire you.”
Basti, on the other hand, smiled at my parents. “I will behave. Promise.”
“You better,” I muttered under my breath, but I’m pretty sure everyone heard me.
I marched my way into my room, locked the freaking door, and contemplated my status. My first love is in the same house. We were sharing the same air. Isn’t that… weirdly… amusing? I find it crazy. Of all people, the same best friend is now a suitor. If he would court me like a gentleman. But I cannot throw my mind out of that. Focus, Erika . . . you’ve got a thesis defense to pass . . .
“Erika,” I heard Basti’s voice. “Let’s eat dinner.”
“Coming in a bit, Beshie.”
“I resigned as your best friend a few hours ago.” He sighed, “But, isn’t it the fulfillment of your longtime dream . . .”
“Sebastian!” I yelled aloud that our neighbor yelled back.
“Okay, I’ll go somewhere where you cannot find me.” The voice fades. I made my way to the dining table as fast as I could where I found him talking to my parents.
I observed him; his lips were close, and his shoulders moved involuntarily. I slap him, “Do not suppress your laughter. Let it out!”
He bursts with a deep, loud laughter from his heart. “Sorry. I can’t help it when I saw you running.”
At the dinner table, the conversation got intriguing. Mom turns to Basti, “Are you really sure about courting our daughter?”
“Yes, Tita. I am pretty sure she’s been dreaming about this for a long time.” Basti winked at me. “But I should tell you something, Tito and Tita.”
I narrow my brows; what is it this time?
“I realize I love her at our junior and senior prom.”
What?
He stares at me, “Do you remember what I told you that night?” A nod from me lets him continue the revelation. “I fell in love with your blue dress and the way you carried yourself. But I was afraid of rejection that time.” He pauses for a while; I guess he is juggling his memory to remember what he felt.
Dad tried to help him, “I remember you called us that time.”
“Yes, Tito.” Basti smiles at my father. “But you requested to wait for her to be eighteen.”
“She’s twenty now,” Dad reminded him.
Basti beams at my dad. “It took me a while before I realized that I really love her.” I looked at him with narrowed brows. “Just kidding.”
“But he has a girlfriend . . .”
He glanced at me. “Did you know Francesca was the one who went after me?”
“Really, huh?” Another revelation was unveiled. I never thought that Francesca would do that.
He laughed. “Really. I went out with her to make you jealous. I didn’t realize it would push you away.”
“Humph! Well, enough with the ex.”
“Is that jealousy in your eyes?” Basti gave me a big hug after he went to me.
“Kapal!” I walked out with a cup of buko pandan, my favorite coconut dessert. I went to the living room to study. I began to scan my notes for the big day; my thesis defense.
“Hey! What can I do to help?” Basti went to the living room.
“Stay there. Just stay there.” I pointed at the guest room; his haven when he is staying in the house.
“But I wanted to be here with you. Remember, I was here to be your inspiration.”
“You are a distraction.” I rolled my eyes on him.
“A handsome inspiration?”
“Please go to the guest room, Basti. I’d hate to pour this yummy buko pandan all over you.”
“What if I don’t want to?” He sticks out his tongue.
I let out a very unladylike growl. “Go!”
He chuckled. “Alright! Do you want a kiss before I go?”
I stop short. Really? “Okay,” my mouth moved before my brain made a decision. He walked towards me and our lips met. I wanted to slap him but I savor the moment. It is not my first kiss, mind you, but it is a valuable memory that one day I would reminisce.
This kiss, though casual or consensual, was a kiss so warm and safe. It felt like a calm summer night yet at the same time like a blowing storm.
Even if I wanted to kiss him more, I pushed him away. “Cooperate, Sebastian. I still have a thesis to pass.”
He looked at me; observing my lips. “You are not mad?”
Why should I? It was the best kiss ever. But I reply, “Not really but I am busy.”
He smiled. “I’ll behave and kiss you anytime you need me to.”
I sighed. “Alright, you may stay.”
He sat beside me. It is so surreal. The dream guy tries to win the girl that aspires to be with him. I wanted to tell him that I long to be with him for the rest of my life. I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to say that you finally get to see me.
But I am still caught up by my thesis defense. This wasn’t the proper time to tell him how much I longed to be his girl. What to do? What can I do?
I excuse myself; “I’ll just get something to eat.” I send a message to my mom: SOS mom! I need you right now. I am in the kitchen.
I entered the kitchen and waited for Mom. I see her run to me.
“What happened? Are you guys together?”
I take a deep breath. My mom really likes Sebastian. “Mom, I am torn between a cute guy and piles of paper.” I can see my mom biting her lips; her shoulder let out the laughter within her. She finally releases a loud one. I pout, “Nice talking, Mom. You know how I liked him a lot but his admission to loving me comes at a very delicate time.”
“Here is what we can tell you.” She paused and held both of my arms. “You can choose to be glad anytime but only you know your priorities. We are here to guide you.”
Is this a go signal for my love life to begin?
“You can choose to be happy no matter what. Your father knows you have been dreaming about this time.”
I decided to follow my heart and plunge into the lake called love… with a bit of scheduling. “Sebastian, Sebastian!”
I can see him scratching his head. “Yes, I will go to the guest room if you want me to.”
“Save the date! September 1, eleven in the evening.”
“What?!” The voice, I mean his voice sounded confused.
“The day I become your girlfriend.” I could sense silence for a while until I heard his steps prominently nearing me. He smiled. I turned away, playing hard to get. “I have a thesis to defend in the morning!”
September 2, Early Morning
I was now ready to face the panelist. I am scheduled to be roasted at two in the afternoon, in room B401. Glad my boyfriend is with me. He was mine now. He held my hand when we were eating breakfast. He held my hand when we were in his car. I’d like to think he’ll never let go of it.
He held my hand on our way to our morning classes. Our professor, Mr. de Guzman, looked at our entangled hands. But he wasn’t angry. He was amused instead. “Finally!”
We just couldn’t help but laugh every time we hear the word ‘finally’. Later at lunch, I saw someone I knew would be crossing our paths soon. It was time to face Francesca who is with her new boyfriend.
“Oh, look what we have here.” She looked at me, sized me up from head to foot. “Losers are for losers.”
I sighed. “Let’s go honey. We have new goals to unlock.”
“Yeah, hon! Let’s go to the library together.” Basti waved at his ex-girlfriend, the sexy witch. “Beshie, thanks! You are so good . . .” Did I hear that right? Did he call me beshie?
“Beshie? Beshie! Were you using me to get back at her? How dare you!” I pushed him several times. “Are you using me?” I punched him on the arm so hard.
He laughs out loud. “Honey don’t be so annoyed. I am just testing if you got mad once I call you beshie again.”
“Not funny at all.” I walked out from him.
“Hey! At least we unlocked our first goal: Our first lovers’ quarrel!” He followed me. “Hon!”
“What!”
“I love you!”
I melted when I heard him say that. But the moment he caught me, it is the same old angry Erika with a pout on the lips and wrinkled forehead. Deep inside, my inner self is saying way to go!
Basti grins and said, “I said, ‘I love you.’”
“I heard you! But I have a thesis to pass.”
“I know you can do it!” He stops walking; looking upward.
“You do?”
“You are my girl, you always were! I know you can do this.”
On the top of my lungs, I yell. “I love you, Sebastian!”
“That’s my girl!”
I passed the thesis defense although there are minor revisions on the documents. I almost fainted seeing six panelists; each of them was expert in the field of Information Technology. I barely remembered my actions.
“You nailed it! That software needs to be seen all over the world.” One of them offered a job and I grabbed it. We’ll talk after graduation. I rushed outside to look for Basti. I wanted to share the good news and the job offer as well. But no one knows where to find him so I rushed my way home to share the news to my parents.
“We are so proud of you sweetheart!” Dad tapped my shoulder.
Mom asked me with curious glances at the surroundings, “Where’s Basti?”
My shoulders go up again. “I don’t know.”
I received a text message from a friend. It says: Your boyfriend is with Francesca right now.
My world just falls apart. He chooses her again. Basti cannot resist her charms. I did not follow him. He chose to break my heart… again. What a user!
I heard a doorbell after three hours of pure melancholy. I was in my room when I heard Basti explaining to my parents. Will I choose to let him go or will I give him the benefit of the doubt?
“Honey,” A knock on my room distracted my senses. “I just want you to know that I met Francesca today. She needs a friend.”
“A friend?”
“Yes, I saw her with bruises.”
“But I needed you too and you chose to be with her.”
“Honey, I’m sorry,” he said from behind the door.
“She is still your priority . . . if you love her, I will let you go.” I cried aloud. “You chose her over me . . . over your girlfriend?”
“Please open the door. Talk to me.”
“Francesca needs you. If you want to be with her, go now! Go away!” My heart pounds as if there are no tomorrow. Suddenly, I cannot breathe. All I think about is Basti and Francesca; the two people who broke my heart all over again.
The room was spinning. I can only hear more people knocking. “Erika, open the door . . . please.” Basti’s voice faded away.
September 3
I woke up with Basti holding my hand. I am no longer in my room. I think I passed out. This looked like a hospital room.
Tears fell so quickly when I heard Basti talking to me. “I didn’t want to make you feel like I chose her over you. It is not going to happen ever again.” He cried while looking at the ceiling. “God, please help me. Wake her up.”
I close my eyes and listen to what he wants to say. He continues, “I saw Francesca beaten up by her current boyfriend. I just had to help her. I knew you’d be fine but she was trapped in her violent relationship. I had to take her to the clinic.” He exhaled a sad air. “I am so sorry! Please, wake up.”
I begin to slide my hand out of his care. “Where’s mom?”
“Honey… Your mom is talking to your doctor.”
“Doctor?” I frowned.
“We went in your room when you stopped talking to me. You were on the floor and white as a sheet. Your parents and I rushed you to the hospital. They thought it was a heart attack but it turned out to be just anxiety and it constricted your breathing,” he explained. “Will you forgive me for what happened today?”
“Beshie, let me think first.”
“You are letting go of us?”
“Is there really an us?” I breathe deeply. My chest didn’t hurt so it must not be anything too serious.
He held my hand and stared at me. “There is. . . Please, don’t let me go. I cannot imagine myself without you. I messed up but I won’t anymore.” He began to let go of my hand. He was taking something from his pocket. “Here . . . a sign of my love.”
A ring . . . is that really a ring?
He places it on my finger. “I love you, honey. Marry me?”
“But… Wow, beshie, this is just too fast!”
He laughed amidst the tears. “I know you have a lot of plans in mind. It’s just a commitment ring.” I looked at him and he begins to nod. “Wear this so that you will be reminded that you will marry me in the near future.” He gives me another ring. “This is mine. Place it on my finger. It will remind me of my promise today.”
I cannot believe it was really happening. A couple-ring? Is that really Sebastian? I nod and place the ring on his finger.
“I love you, honey.” He embraced me. When he saw my father, he waves our hands to show the rings. “Tito, we are engaged!”
“What!” A bewildered look from Dad and tears from my Mom; it really confirmed our relationship status. After twelve long years of being a best friend, I am now the future wife of this charmer.
Love, when genuine, reaches to the heart at the right time. We reach that time already. Even though it will be a very long engagement because we have too many dreams to fulfill, we will fulfill it with each other. Having the right one at the proper time is such an accomplishment. I’ve only dreamt of this but now it is so surreal that it took place here in this hospital room.
I cannot promise him to be a perfect girlfriend but I will be the best for him. I may not be sexy . . . I may not be rich. But I found the love that will last a lifetime. And he is Sebastian, my best friend turned boyfriend… and now fiancé. He won’t be perfect either. But I found him long before I even knew that he is the one.
We may fall out of love sometime in the future but I will look back to this day where we committed to love one another no matter the storms we are facing.
End.
About Racquel
Racquel Sarah A. Castro is living with cerebral palsy. She wrote When Fate Speaks Big Time, Second Sight to Forever, Encyclopedia Mystique, The Real Me: An Autobiography, Stockholm Syndrome, and Chasing an ATM Schemer. Her first story, When Fate Speaks Big Time was nominated in Virtue Christian Book Awards.