Sam

Chapter 3

By Michael Juha

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Two months had passed since Sam avoided the group. Everyone missed his company, but all I could tell the group was that Sam had a problem which he needed to deal on his own. No one knew the real reason for his change of behavior except me.

For two months, Sam never talked with me nor made any contact with any member of the group. Whenever we meet at the corridor or library, we just say “Hi” and that’s it. It’s kind of weird that there was my best friend simply zipping past through me like we were both strangers. It was stupid. Every time it happens, I would always feel the urge to come and talk with him like we used to. But pride overwhelmed me.

Even in our psychology class, he never sat near us anymore. He seemed like a different person, so near yet so far away.

Day by day, I felt as if something was lacking. I couldn’t understand myself especially when I remember what Sam confided me the last time we talked at the school’s botanical garden. That episode just kept coming back to my mind, “Geoff... I feel something for you!” It broke my heart. I wished I could love him back.

One week into the first semestral break, Ma’am Cathy called him after class, “Sam, please remain, I’d like to talk with you.” And they gestured something I could not figure out the message.

I could hear my heart throbbing fast. “Did Sam court Miss Cathy and they would be talking about it?” My mind screamed. “And why should I feel like I am jealous?” Damn. I was confused!

The following day, I managed to sneak a note into Sam’s notebook, “Sam, can I talk to you - Botanical Garden, 4pm today?”

But Sam did not show up. That night, I cried. I was angry with myself, I was confused, and I did not even know why I was angry nor why did I cry. “Is this the feeling that Sam felt for me too?” My mind protested.

It was the last day of class for that semester when I chanced upon a short note inserted into my notebook, “I’m free at 3pm today, Botanical Garden”.

It was from Sam! I was so excited.

At 3 pm, I was already at the garden seated at the grassy part under the shade of the acacia, the same place two months earlier when Sam confided his feeling for me. There was a deep feeling of nostalgia.

“So sorry I’m late!” Sam called out from my back. “I thought I would pass by the canteen and buy something for us to eat while we talk. And it’s my treat for you too” he said as he showed me the two cans of soft drinks and some junk foods. He was still gasping, standing there in front of me with a big grin on his face.

Since my friendship with Sam, that was the first time I noticed and appreciated his looks. He was so gorgeous in his jeans and Nike sneakers, white printed sweats with two blue stripes on both arms; his well-built body and pronounced chest showing off. His hair was long, thick and well-groomed, his uniform set of teeth sparkled, his red lips, magnetizing eyes, dimples, and good-looking face were inviting. But his killer weapon was his alluring and infectious smile. I was simply dumbfounded. “No wonder everyone calls him the campus crush” I murmured.

“Hey, will you just be staring at me?” He teased.

He laid down the drinks and foods on the grass, sat beside me, and extended his hand in our fraternal hug-shake.

“I can’t believe you’re here! I thought you would ignore my note...” I said

“Why would I ignore...?” he butted, “Me, to ignore Mr. Geoffrey Lopez, the cutest guy in the whole campus and the third most intelligent person in this College? Hahaha!” He sarcastically laughed explaining that my name was already at the honors list posted that afternoon. “You are my best friend and even if you are not in the top list of whatever, nothing can change that. The truth is I am so happy that you sent me that note. I am dying to talk to you like this!”

“The group misses you a lot!” I said in a serious tone.

“Wow!” He paused as he naughtily looked me in the eyes. “But… no one particular person in the group missed me?”

“If you mean me, Sam, of course I missed you – more than anyone else!”

“Really! Hmmm, keeping myself away paid up, huh! So what is it that you want to tell me, Mr. Lopez?” as he lay on the grass placing his head on my lap, playfully tossing crackers into the air and into his mouth, occasionally sipping his drink.

“I don’t know how to start...” I paused for a while. “Do you still remember that time when you told me you had a feeling for --”

“Yeah...yeah!” He cut. “Before I forget, I have a good news first.”

“W-well… what is it?” I asked.

“Hold your breath…” He paused for a few seconds. “Ma’am Cathy and I are already in a relationship!”

It was like a hard object hit my head. “What?!!! How did it happen?” I yelled shoving his head from my lap in a veiled gesture of protest. My mood suddenly changed like I was hit by a thunderbolt. There was a sudden surge of grief, pain, jealousy, and helplessness. I could feel tears looming in my eyes.

“I risked sending her letters since a month ago, she replied to all my letters! And last week, we talked over it and that’s it!”

“As simple as that? Damn! She is so easy! Don’t you think Miss Cathy could be culpable of unprofessional, unethical, or immoral conduct in having a romantic relation with her student? She could be fired by the school, or... she could even be charged with corruption of minor!” I reasoned.

“Corruption of minor???” He guffawed. “Very funny...” He added, emphasizing the words ‘corruption of minor’. “You’re kidding, right?”

“No!” was my angry response.

“Oh Geoff, you are overreacting again...” He scratched his head, protesting to my non-concurrence to his ‘good’ news. “First, I am nineteen and Cathy is only 23; second, she is single and so I am; and third, what’s the use of the word ‘secret’ Geoff? We agreed to keep it, and it’s only you whom I have told this. Aren’t you happy for me?”

“Yeah, I am... and s**t! Congratulations!” clasping his hand with some hesitation. “How about that... something you told me, your feelings... for me.” I asked, controlling the looming tears in my eyes.

Sam paused for a moment, looked down and as if he did not hear me, asked, “What is it again that you want to tell me?”

“Oh, forget that stupid thing!” I just wanted to know what happened to you and your Cathy. That’s all!” I answered, with deep anguish inside me.

But Sam was insensitive or he just played innocent. “So, well... this calls for a celebration, right? - That I’m back; that you’re in the honor’s list; and that Cathy and I are in a relation. And since there is no class tomorrow, we will do it in your place tonight! What do you say, Geoff?”

I felt a mix of emotions to his proposal – anger, and happiness of having him back. I thought I would pass yelling, “Celebration... your face!” But the excitement of having him back prevailed.

“...With the two of us only?”

“Why not? All the other jerks have gone to their places already because tomorrow starts the semestral break! Yesssss!” He was damn happy.

(To be continued)