I love you, stupid!

Drive

Arkin

“Fico...Joaquin Fico…”

I was taken off my trance by that annoying voice beside me.

“I’m Fico. I can’t believe you forgot me already.”

I saw a very confused face looking at me when the car stopped on the red light.

“I know who you are...”

I said when the person gawking at me showed no sign of stopping.

“Then why did you run away when you saw me earlier?”

I rolled my eyes inconspicuously as I tried to avert my gaze away from him.

“Basically because I know who you are.”

I said under my breath.

“Huh!?! What did you say?”

I gave out an annoyed sigh before I turned to him with a deliberate smile.

“Nothing. I just, I went to get some stuff back in the office.”

But the fact was I ended up at the library panting like a mad dog when I realized who was my ride earlier.

“Fico...”

I whispered over Saddie’s ecstatic scream on the other line. 

“Yessss!!! It’s Fico. Haha. Are you surprised?!”

The person in the car smiled and waved at me and I just stood there unmoving.

“Fico?!? Joaquin Fico Joaquin Vedasto!?! Why the fvck didn’t you tell me I’ll be traveling with Fico!?!”

I yelled at my best friend as I strutted back inside the university compound not sure where to go as I ignored the call from the guy in the car.

“It’s because it’s a surprise. Are you surprised!?! Come on tell me are you!?! Are you!?!”

I groaned in annoyance as I got inside the first door I saw opened right after I got inside our college building.

“Why would I be surprised this is a total mess why the he—hey, hi! I’m sorry, carry on...”

I gave out an apologetic smile when I realized I was screaming at my best friend inside the college library of all the places.

“You know what, Saddie, I just realized, I still have some things to finish and another meeting to attend, tell you what, just tell Fico to go on without me. I’ll just drive there the earliest time tomorrow, yes?”

I cursed inwardly when I saw the guy in question talking to the students by the lobby obviously looking for me.

Damn!

“Saddie—...”

I was trying to implore understanding from my best friend when she cut me off.

“Ugh, Arkin, what is this again!?! You just told me earlier you’re free as a bird and now this!?! Tell me, do you really want to come here and attend my wedding because if it’s really such a burden to you then I won’t force you all you have to do is tell me and be honest.”

I swallowed dryly with what my best friend said.

“Saddie, it’s not that. It’s just that...”

My best friend hummed on the other line.

I can understand her frustrations.

Much more because she had no idea about Fico and I back then.

“Fine. Don’t come. I mean, I don’t want you coming over if you really didn’t want to. You know me Arkin, I don’t want to force people.”

I sighed.

I felt bad for my best friend.

This is her big day we’re talking about but I’m being selfish running from someone who may or may not remember the things we had or had not that made me run.

“Come on Saddie. I’m coming okay? I’m not going to miss your wedding for the world. Just don’t pout, okay? I can see your mouth from here.”

I tried to lightened the mood and assure my best friend as well as myself.

“Are you sure?”

My best friend asked after a while of silence I slowly felt nervousness creeping in.

“Of course! I’m your best friend, I should be there.”

And I meant it.

Fico or no Fico.

Praying for no Fico really but, whatever!

“Awww, thank you Robb. I know you don’t want baby sitting, but I made Fico promised to behave over the course of your drive so please, just be patient okay? It’s just a few hours anyway, and I really don’t have anyone to travel with Fico, Arkin, please?”

I closed my eyes and massaged my temple.

I suddenly got a headache.

But what choice do I have?

It’s not like Saddie knows what happened ten years ago...

Ugh!

“Yeah. Don’t worry about it. I’m actually on my way to meet him. He’s here.”

I said as I awkwardly raised a hand to get that person’s attention as he was still busy asking students around.

“Okay. Thank you, Arkin. Love you, see you, drive safely okay!?!”

I smiled and nodded at my best friend.

“Love you too. See you.”

I dropped the call and raised a hand to stop the guy who was running towards me...

“Then you should have told me instead of letting me run after you like some kidnapper earlier.”

I made a face and nodded at him just to acquiesce.

The car was already moving and once again, that annoying voice took me off my day dreaming.

I can’t talk much right now.

“What!?!”

I raised my eyebrows when I glanced at him and he was glancing at me the same.

“Wow!”

He exclaimed.

“I just... I can’t believe I’m finally seeing you in flesh after all these time. How long has it been, five, eight...—.”

I made a face and cut hi off.

“Ten. Ten years.”

I didn’t mean to answer but I did.

“A decade. Wow! How are you!?! I tried but I couldn’t get anything about you on social media.”

He seems genuinely excited that I had to glare at him and pointed at the road.

“I’m fine but seeing you drive right now, it would not be long for it to be over soon.”

The jerk gave out an apologetic smile.

He should not have done that.

He should never smile!

“Sorry! I’m just really excited. I mean, it’s been years. If not for Saddie’s wedding I don’t think I’ll ever see you soon. I tried looking you up in every social media but I didn’t find you. Did you happen to use another name?”

He maneuvered towards the freeway as he continued talking and I had to ask where he got all the nerve to be so friendly at me with what he did.

“I don’t do SNS.”

I said when he looked like he was really waiting for my answer.

“Really? No SNS? Who still don’t have SNS in this day and age?”

I looked at him wearily.

“Me.”

He raised an eyebrow at me.

“You’re serious?”

I deadpanned at him as I waved at the road.

Damn, Saddie! 

I didn’t want to meet an accident because of this jerk’s driving.

“Do I look like I’m joking!?! And can you please focus on the road or would you rather I drive!?!”

I glared at the guy who seemed unfazed.

“I think that’s a good idea. You, driving, I mean, that way, I could look at you properly. Damn! I missed you.”

Thud!

Thud!

Thud!

Fvck!

My heart was at it again!

“Actually, I’m sleepy. I’m going to sleep. Just wake me up if you want to swap.”

I said and turned the opposite way.

“Alright. Alright. It’ll be a long trip so it’s better for you to take some rest. Do you want to listen to some music? Let me turn the music on for you.”

[Maybe this time, it would be love that they’ll find...maybe now they could be more than just friends...]

I sat up and startled the guy beside me.

“Change that! Change that!”

I told him.

I did not even say yes to him turning the music on.

“Oh, okay, wait...”

[...and now we’re starting over again... it’s not the easiest thing to do...I’m feeling inside—]

What is wrong with all radio station today!?!

I instantly pushed the buttons to change channel.

[...it was never over, only set aside—-]

“What crappy music!”

I said as I forcefully pushed on the off button startling the guy beside me.

“I thought they’re okay.”

He commented.

“No!”

Okay, why the hell am I shouting!?!

“I mean, slow songs are not good for long drives they make you sleepy.”

I saw him nodded.

“Well, that’s true. Alright. Let’s just look for channels with up beat songs then...”

I saw him reach out for the radio but before he could turn it on I spoke.

“I’m listening to my own music.”

I took my earphones to my ears before he could respond.

“Just wake me up if you want to swap.”

I said and turned my back at him holding that torture of a position for what seemed like hours before I drifted into a slumber that brought me back to that memory of the past again..