Hello my dear Hivers! It's me again, your college blogger from the Philippines 
Chapter 3
Dyllan’s POV
While I was eating, I couldn’t get Trisha’s smile out of my head… the way she looked at my cousin, Nathaniel.
That smile… the same smile she used to give me.
I know it’s too late now. No matter what I do, I can’t bring back the past. And I know it’s wrong that I still feel something for her, especially when she already has someone else.
But what makes it worse is the guilt… because I’m hiding something from Chin.
Something she doesn’t know.
Something I can never tell her.
“Ouhh, are you okay, Dy?” Chin asked, sipping her water. “You look like you’re thinking too deeply. You were so talkative earlier, but now you’re all moody.”
“Woiii…”
“Huh?” I blinked and looked at her. “Ahh, nothing, Chin. I’m fine. Just sleepy, that’s all.”
“You’re unbelievable,” she said, frowning. “We’re eating, you know! At least act like you have manners. Your food’s right in front of you!”
Then she reached over and pinched my ear.
“Oww! Hey—ouch! Chin! Okay, okay, I’m fine! Geez…” I laughed to cover it up. “Come on, nothing gets to me, see?” I flexed my arm playfully. “Look at this muscle. Even your words can’t hurt that!”
“Tsskk, so full of yourself, as always.” She rolled her eyes.
She suddenly leaned back. “Anyway, can I ask you something? Why was Trisha giving you those looks earlier? Do you two have some kind of secret? I swear, Dy, she already has a boyfriend. Don’t you dare get in between them.”
I know that, Chin.
I’ve known that for a long time.
And hearing it said out loud—right in front of me—hurt more than I expected.
If only she knew the truth.
If only I had the courage to tell her what I really feel.
I took a deep breath and forced a smile. “Yeah… I know.”
Chin’s POV
“Trishhhh!” I waved my hand to get her attention. “Come here! Sit with us. There’s space for four people.”
“Hey, Chin!” Trisha greeted, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Babe, I’ll just go to the comfort room, okay? I need to fix my makeup,” she told Nathaniel.
“Sure, babe,” he said, standing up as well.
“Tsskkk, where are you going?” I teased. “Trish isn’t a kid anymore, you know. You’re way too possessive!”
Then I turned back to Dyllan. “You’ve been so quiet, Dy. Are you sure you’re okay?”
He didn’t answer, just stared blankly at his food. He’s been acting weird since earlier, I thought. Maybe something’s wrong at home?
Whatever.
As we all ate together, I noticed Dyllan and Trisha exchanging glances. I tried to ignore it and just continued eating. But when I was almost done, Dyllan suddenly stood up.
“I’ll go ahead,” he said, sounding off. I just remembered…I need to visit Mom at her friend’s house before Dad gets mad.” He didn’t even wait for my reply before leaving.
That was strange. He was fine just a while ago. But I decided not to overthink it and continued chatting with Trisha instead.
When I got home that evening, Mom greeted me with a smile.
“Oh, you’re home! But where’s Dyllan?” she asked, kissing my cheek.
“Good evening, Mom.” I kissed her back before collapsing onto the sofa. “Ugh, I’m so tired.”
“Your dad’s with his business partner,” Mom said. “They’re finalizing the deal for your uncle’s property. But really, where’s Dyllan? I thought he was joining us for dinner?”
“Tsskkk, don’t even mention his name, Mom,” I groaned. “He said he was going to pick up his mom, but I saw his dad fetching her earlier. Liar.” I rolled my eyes.
“Oh, you,” Mom laughed softly. “Come on, go get changed so we can eat. I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Fine,” I said, heading upstairs to change.
When I came back down, I heard laughter echoing from the dining room.
And just from that laugh alone, I already knew…and felt irritated.
And there he was.
Dyllan.
Laughing with my parents. Eating our food. Again.
“Come on, honey, sit down and eat,” Dad said.
“Good evening, Dad,” I greeted, kissing his cheek.
Someone placed rice on my plate. I knew it wasn’t Mom…she never did that, especially when she was busy talking to Dad.
I didn’t have to look to know who it was.
I just ignored it and focused on eating, pretending I didn’t notice his quiet glances.
“Psstt, Chin,” he whispered.
I didn’t answer.
“Pssttt… Chin,” he tried again.
Still nothing.
“Ugh, are you two fighting again?” Mom interrupted. “You sound like a couple with all that pouting and silent treatment!”
I froze. My fork stopped mid-air. My heart started racing uncontrollably.
A couple?
Why did that make my heart skip?
Why do I suddenly feel like there are butterflies in my stomach?
No, no, no. Stop it, Chin.
I have a crush already. On Jace. Not on Dyllan.
Definitely not on him.
“Chin, are you okay?” Dyllan whispered, leaning closer to my ear.
And there it was again…my heartbeat going wild.
“W-what?!” I snapped, flustered. “Move away from me!” I flicked his forehead.
He only smiled, his eyes turning into that cute, boyish squint.
“Can you please stop being near me?” I muttered, trying to sound annoyed. “You’re seriously irritating.”
“Hey, I didn’t do anything!” he laughed. “Actually, I was supposed to pick up Mom, but turns out Dad already did. So I just came here instead. Don’t be mad, okay?”
He gave me those puppy eyes and did that ridiculous eye-twirl thing he knows I can’t ignore.
“Ugh, fine,” I said, sighing in defeat.
“Yes!” he grinned and suddenly pulled me into a hug.
For a second…time stopped.
I froze.
It was just a friendly hug; I knew that. But my heart… didn’t.
“Tsskkk, let go,” I mumbled, pushing him away.
Mom chuckled. “See? You two always make up anyway.”
“Bye, Tito, Tita,” Dyllan said, kissing Mom’s cheek.
“Chin! Wait for me tomorrow, okay?” he called out through the window as he left.
I rolled my eyes and closed the window shut.
I didn’t like what I was feeling…whatever this was.
“I have a crush, okay?” I told myself. “And it’s not Dyllan.”
I sighed, collapsed onto my bed, and shut my eyes.
Whatever this is, it’s nothing… right?
DYLLAN POV
As I lay down in bed, my mind drifted back to what Uncle Andrie told me earlier.
“Dyllan, I know I asked you to look after Chin,” Uncle Andrie said, taking a deep breath before sipping his wine.
We were sitting on the veranda of their house. Chin thought I had already gone home, but Uncle just pretended so he could talk to me privately.
“I just hope you don’t hurt her again,” he continued. “I gave you another chance to be with her, despite the accident that happened years ago. I know you didn’t really love Chin before…because you loved someone else…and I didn’t question you about that. I just wanted my daughter to be happy.”
He wiped a tear from his eye. “Chin is a bright and cheerful girl. She’s never been a burden to us. We love her so much…especially since she’s our only child.”
I stayed silent, my head bowed, my fists clenched. He knew I once loved someone else. That someone was Trisha. But Chin… she’s my friend. And I don’t want to lose her either.
I know I did wrong…especially to Trisha. But that was before; it's just me who can’t totally forget her. I left her that night…on the day of our anniversary.
It’s been three years, but the guilt still eats me alive.
