His Replacement Wife

The Awkward Settings

                                                                                 [ROVERIE’S POV]

I am walking at the school because I left the house early. I am already starving and wasn’t able to cook because I am out of stock, I forgot to buy groceries on weekend and I haven’t notice that. I entered the cafeteria and order some food because I still have time before my first class started.

I headed to my first class, it’s a different class actually, I have this MWF subjects which I have yesterday and T- Th subjects for today.

“Roverie, over here” Frankie called me while raising her so that I could immediately see her. I walked towards her direction.

“thank you” I told her.

“what took you so long?” she asked me.

“I ate at the cafeteria before coming here because I forgot to buy groceries that’s why I don’t have anything to cook” I explained to her.

“wait, give me your number so that I can easily contact you if anything’s up” she told me.

“sure wait” I showed her my number.

“save your number too” and I handed her my phone.

“here” she returned to me my phone.

We only have two classes for today, one for this morning and the other one is later afternoon so I decided to go home instead.

“hey Frankie I will just go home because I also don’t have anything to do here” I told her.

“why don’t we have a walk? The university is so big and we haven’t seen the entire buildings and you also don’t have anything to do at your house, come on” she asserted.

“okay we’re going, you’re talking too much” I just chuckled while she’s pouting, that’s so cute.

We just walked around observing and looking at different faces and infrastructures inside the university. Their library is insanely big and the vibe is too different, some kind of vintage and classy, this is so cool I could stay here whenever I have vacant time. I get my phone and took some pictures of it because I want to send this to my best friends, they also loved an ambiance like this and if they see this they will surely want to get here.

“Frankie” I called her

“uhm...” I’m too hesitant to tell

“oh, I know that, why do you hesitate to tell?” she just laughed and took my phone. I walked in front of her and started to smile and do some minimal poses. 

“you know what, you’re so natural when do some poses there. You look like a model or something, are you?” she asked me.

“I was a model….” I answered her and just smiled at her bitterly.

“oh, no wonder” she replied.

“it’s my passion but I have to give it up for a more practical reasons” I continued.

“sorry to hear that” she said.

“no, don’t be” I just chucked while saying those words.

We decided to stay at the library for a while as what I requested because I am really mesmerized with the ambiance here, the vibe is soothing and solemn.

“your captures are so good, I will be posting this on i********:, I haven’t been posting for a while.” I told her while scrolling on my phone.

“you have IG, give me your username, got to follow you.” – Frankie.

“@roveriemartin” I answered her

“yeah, got it…. WOAH! YOU’RE TOO FAMOUS!!” she expressively said.

“shhhhhhhhhhhh” we looked at the librarian and we both mouthed sorry.

“I mean a hundred thousand followers?” she said with amazement.

“I told you I was a model before I got here, I also do commercials and endorsement and even joined Miss Universe, Philippines but I didn’t even win” I told her.

“my parents didn’t want that career for me but it was something that I really love to do, so I really strive hard to balance my studies and passion” I continued.

“you are such an achiever you know, a total package!” she replied.

“thanks. I have a different life now those are just memories of amazing experiences” I said with sadness on my voice.

We keep silent for the rest of our stay inside the library and decided to leave when it’s almost lunch. Frankie volunteered to order the food and asked me to find a seat for us. I saw a table at the corner and was about to grab the chair so that I could sit when someone just hold it too. I look at that person and…

SH*T! AGAIN? I almost forgot about him and what happened yesterday, but now, all the embarrassing moments flashed back.

“oh s-sorry, you can take this table” I said and about to walk away when someone just speak.

“No! no! no! there’s not much vacant tables here, you can actually sit with us if you don’t mind that’s more convenient. Don’t worry we’re harmless.” a guy behind him said.

“uhm… actually I have a friend with me.” I replied.

“the table is big, can surely cater four people” he replied while smiling. How I’m going to say no to this??

“come on, don’t be shy” he leads me to the table and ask me to sit and told this guy sitting in front of me – whom I still don’t know the name – that he will just have to order a food.

We are left together and I just can’t look at him, I mean I’m too ashamed about everything that happened yesterday. This is so awkward! I’m feeling very uncomfortable with this set up.

“hey, here’s our foo……. oh…” she stopped when she saw the guy sitting on the same table.

“uhm…” she looked at me with a ‘what the hell is happening’ look while setting up herself to sit and look back to the guy in front.

“hi, uhm… I hope we’re not bothering you” Frankie said.

“no, no you're not” he said.

“by the way I am Frankie, and you a….” – Frankie while extending her hands.

“I’m Tyler” and he reach for Frankie’s hand while smiling widely.

OH MY GOSH! I WANNA LAUGH! The guy who asked me a while ago to join them just came unconsciously and Frankie’s reaction shifted in a snap. So, he’s name is Tyler.

“I’m with him, he’s my friend” Tyler said while pointing the guy in front of us.

“and this is Rov…” – Frankie

“Roverie, I know” Tyler said and for the second time she cut off Frankie’s word.

“How did you know?” I curiously asked?

“Ken told me.…. ouch!” he said while looking at his friend.

“I mean, we are the one who found your notebook, you have your name there and oh, this is Ken” he said.

“Ken Samuel San Jose” he said and extended his hand to Frankie. He looked at me and extended his hand too, I was looking at his hands and reach for it.

WHAT THEEE--- oh no! am I nervous? my heart is palpitating, is this the side effect of drinking too much coffee?? I managed to smile on him trying to hide the awkwardness I feel.

We all just eat while Frankie and Tyler we’re talking and laughing about different stuffs, they two looks good together and highly understand each other’s humor.

“you know what, Roverie is actually a Filipino, right?” Frankie looks at me waiting for confirmation.

“yes, I am” I answered while smiling

“PINOY KA!?” Ken asked. [“you’re a Filipino?”]

“oo… pure pino……wait...” DID I HEARD IT RIGHT?? HE SPOKE IN TAGALOG? [“yes, pure Filipi…. wait...”]

“PINOY KA!?” I was looking at him with my eyes wide open, I’m on shock! [“you’re a Filipino?”]