Chapter 74

Attendees at the CPRU Annual Homecoming Party came one after another. Edmalyn and Carlo are two of them. Although they are from different batches, they are both graduates of the said university. 'So, you're 2 years apart, right?" Gail asked the two. She is currently interviewing them at the red carpet. 'But surely, there were these years when you both went to the school. Haven't you seen each other back then? Haven't you met in high school?" The couple looked at each other. 'I can't remember," Edmalyn answered. 'Yeah, and I was not a very... proactive student back then," Carlo said. 'So most probably she didn't notice me." 'And you haven't noticed her as well?" Gail asked. 'I was so much into anime that time," Carlo answered. 'All my attention is focused on anime. I haven't got time looking at girls." 'Well, who would've thought that after all these years, you'll meet each other and end up falling in love, right?" 'Right," Carlo said as he looked at Edmalyn and smiled. Edmalyn smiled back at Carlo as well. Meanwhile, Joshua and Carla have also arrived at CPRU. They just entered the gate of the university and is trailing the other cars of the attendees of the Homecoming party. 'Can we go in together?" Carla asked. 'It's better if I drop you off at the entrance first, then I'll go park the car and come back after," Joshua said. 'Based on all the vehicles in front of us, I guess it won't be easy for me to find a parking space near the entrance. Your feet my hurt if you walk that far." 'It's okay," Carla said. 'Instead of me going in by myself." 'Hey, be confident. How many times do I need to tell you that you don't need to be scared or insecure?" 'It's not it. I just think I'll feel awkward standing there alone. And they might ask me a lot of questions there. Not that I'm not confident about our relationship. I'm just not yet used to that kind of attention." Joshua understood her concern. 'Okay. Let's go together, then. I'll just find a spot to park the car." The parking spot that Joshua found was a bit far away. They ended up near the covered court of the high school department, which is three minutes away from the venue of the party. 'A lot of things have changed here, huh?" Carla asked as they went out of the car. 'Tell me about it. When I attended Carlo's exhibit, I can't find the museum." He already told her the things he did for his mission with Carlo and Edmalyn. They started walking to the venue of the party, when Joshua suddenly saw something. 'Wait!" He stopped on his tracks. Carla was forced to stop as well since her arm was linked to his. 'What is it?" Joshua looked at her. 'Let's take a detour." Joshua led her to the high school department's covered court. Since it's nighttime, the whole place was lit up for the guests who are walking just like them. 'This seems quite unchanged," Joshua said. 'Except for the paint." 'Can you imagine it has been ten years since we last went here?" asked Carla. 'You know what?" Joshua faced her. 'This is where I first fell in love with you." Carla frowned. Joshua smiled at the memory. 'There was a school program back then, and the Pure Act did a dance number. Everyone was cheering at us, except that one girl in the audience who seems so unimpressed." Carla realized what he meant. 'I can't remember that." 'Oh? You actually walked out after our performance, like you were very bored." Carla contemplated for a while. 'Was that the opening of our intramurals in second year?" 'I don't know... I guess?" Carla smiled. 'I think that was it. That is the only time I remember walking out after your performance." 'So you remember!" 'Why did you fall in love with me if I walked out like that?" 'Because you were too unimpressed. Unlike the other girls who did everything for me to notice them." 'So proud!" Carla said. 'I'm just telling the truth," Joshua said. 'I liked you because you were different. You were not trying to impress. I guess you can also say that I was challenged because you seem to ignore me even if I try everything to impress you." Carla smiled mischievously. 'At least you admit you wanted to impress me before." 'Of course. You know you were my crush." Carla felt pleased at what he said, even though that is already common knowledge. 'But, why did you walk out that time? I don't think you hate me already because I haven't started courting you yet, right? So why did you walk out? Didn't you like our performance?" Oh well, since they are being honest to each other, Carla thought she should tell him the truth. 'Because that time, I was starting to have a crush on you. Truth is, I find you cute since our first year." Joshua is shocked with what he heard. So that means, her high school crush also had a crush on him? 'But, I don't like you to be my crush because..." Carla giggled. 'Why?" Carla looked at him, but instead of answering, she just continued giggling. 'Why don't you like me to be your crush?" Joshua asked impatiently. Carla stopped giggling. 'Because you're not included in the honor roll." She giggled again. Joshua contemplated. 'Well, sorry if I'm not smart." His tone is quite offended. Carla smiled as he held his arms. 'It's not your fault. It was me who set my standards that high. I wanted someone who is very smart. I don't know... I guess that time my idea of intelligence is just school smart. Which is not always the case." 'So, do you find me smart now?" 'Hmm..." Carla crinkled her nose as she tried to answer Joshua's question. And again, Joshua felt offended. 'Fine! I'm not smart." He scowled. Carla laughed. She touched his face to appease him. 'You are smart. Also, all my standards were debunked by Destiny because I eventually fell in love with you." Joshua pulled her close to him and held her by the waist. 'Thanks to Destiny and she made you my red thread." He kissed her on the lips. Carla kissed him back. It was short but sweet as always. 'Congratulations to the newlyweds!" The two looked at the person who spoke. It was Ria. She was standing there smiling at them. 'Ri," Joshua said. He moved to face her but remained holding Carla beside him. Ria walked towards them. 'When you tried that dress in my mother's shop, I never thought you'll look like a bride wearing it," she said to Carla. 'I guess it's because you're with Joshua now." 'You look good as well," Carla told her. Ria is wearing a blue off-shouldered tea-length dress. Ria smiled. 'Thanks… Sorry to disturb your moment. I just came here to give you…" She looked at the bleachers. '…that." Ria went to the board leaning on the bleachers. The board is covered by brown craft paper. She took it and went back to Carla and Joshua. Joshua frowned upon seeing what Ria is holding. 'Is that what I think it is?" Ria nodded. 'Yup." She then gave it to Carla. 'This is for you." Carla took it from Ria, curiosity written on her face. 'From him." Ria indicated Joshua. Carla looked at Joshua. 'Ah… Well…" Joshua looked embarrassed as he scratched his nape. 'Why don't you open it?" Ria said to Carla. Carla removed the craft paper encasing the framed photo. She was surprised to see that it was her picture. She is with a child, and it seems it was taken from a medical mission she did before. 'He gave that to me before, when he still doesn't know that you are his red thread," Ria said to Carla. 'He told me to give it to you, but since I don't wanna make up excuses, I just waited for the right time that I can give you that and tell you it's from him." Carla looked at Joshua, who just winced at Ria's accusations. 'He fell in love with your smile." Carla looked back at Ria. 'His heart recognized his red thread, so he impulsively bought that picture even though you were not yet close that time." 'You know, you're really making me embarrassed right now," Joshua said to Ria. 'And why is that?" Ria asked Joshua. 'Anyway, I'll go ahead… Oh! Josh, lipstick." She pointed her own lips. Carla looked at Joshua. Her lipstick stained his lips when they kissed. She helped him remove it. 'See you guys!" Ria waved at them before walking away. The two of them followed Ria by their gazes. When she is completely gone, Carla continued removing the lipstick from Joshua's lips. 'Sorry…" she said to Joshua. 'I didn't realize my lipstick will transfer to your lips." 'I'm the one who kissed you," Joshua said to her. Carla looked at his face. 'Where did you buy the photo?" Joshua looked at the picture. 'From Carlo Reyes, that exhibit that I told you before." 'You didn't tell me that you brought my picture." 'Well… I kind of felt embarrassed because the picture is with Ria. I planned on telling you when I took it back. But Ria became quite busy, and our schedule could not meet." Carla giggled. She looked at the photo again. 'Carlo is so good, right?" 'Well, the subject is beautiful." Carla looked at him and smiled. 'Do you want to have lipstick again?" 'Well, you can remove it after." Carla giggled as Joshua pulled her again for a kiss.