TRAPPED BY LOVE

CHAPTER 5

Anthony was about to sleep when his phone beeped, and he received a message from Janna. He was too excited that he wanted to hear her voice, and his excitement escalated to the next level when she answered his call. It was supposed to be just a quick call of getting to know each other, but they couldn’t stop talking after the first twelve minutes.

            His subscription to an unlimited call wasn’t wasted because Janna entertained his call until twelve midnight! The phone felt hot next to his ear, but Janna has a good sense of humour, and he couldn’t put down the phone. Their topic ranged from their basic information to their favourite colours, likes and dislikes, and relationship status.

            When he exceeded the allotted minutes to make a call, he had no choice but to go to sleep and cursed at the service provider for being unfair. If it’s an unlimited call, then there shouldn’t be a limit! It didn’t make sense to him, but there was nothing he could do, and Janna was only subscribed to an unlimited text.

            In the morning, he got up around five because he was inspired to go to school early. His grandfather was shocked to find him at the breakfast nook before six. “Good morning, Grandpa.” Anthony greeted his grandfather when he joined him at the table.

            “Why are you up so early? Do you have an activity at school which I didn’t know?” Frederick was taken aback by his grandson’s unusual behaviour. “Are you that thrilled to bring your motorcycle to school?” He assumed that Anthony’s excitement was due to his new ride.

            “Yes,” he lied. However, he wanted to be in school as early as possible because of Janna. He was excited to see her at school! “Grandpa, can you increase my allowance? Additional twenty pesos, perhaps?”

            “Why do you need extra money, Anthony?” Frederick was alarmed at Anthony’s request, and he was worried that he’s into something illegal. He wanted to inquire about the reason why, but he was scared to offend his grandson. “Why?” He asked instead without implying anything.

            Anthony was hesitant to admit the truth as to why he needed an additional allowance, but if he couldn’t provide a valid reason, his grandfather would probe everything. Before he opened his mouth to speak, he cleared his throat first. “Hmmm, there’s a girl I like in school, and I want to treat her with some snacks later,” he admitted. When it comes to money, Frederick Quileopas was strict.

            “Oh really? Alright,” he agreed to increase his daily allowance. “Will a hundred be enough?” He asked.

            “One hundred? Hmmm, it’s more than enough, but I will accept it,” Anthony grinned. After breakfast, he returned to his bedroom to change into his uniform. He was tying his shoelaces when his grandfather entered and gave a one thousand peso bill. He was overwhelmed by the huge amount! Nevertheless, he accepted it. It was supposed to be a hundred only but got more than what he asked.

            “This is too much,” he complained.

            “I have no smaller bills, so you have to return the change when you get home later.”

            Anthony’s mouth gaped open that his grandfather stuck to the amount they agreed on earlier. Nevertheless, he accepted the bill and put it inside his wallet for safekeeping. “Thanks, Grandpa,” he said.  

            Excitedly, he drove his new Honda beat to school, and he wished that the school was a little far. When he checked his watch, it was still early for the flag ceremony, and he decided to pick up his best buddy from the Red House. When he arrived at his destination, he parked his motorcycle in front of the unfinished house and waited for Jeff to come out.

However, Ella got out of the main door and, judging by her appearance, and the woman has just woken up. Her hair was tied in a messy bun, and it was obvious from her dress that she had nothing on under the oversized t-shirt. He was confused about whether to stay or not, but before he could make up his mind, she already saw him.

            “Oh, hi, Anthony!” Ella was surprised to see Jeff’s friend outside her home when she opened the main door. She woke up late, and she had to go back to Cebu for an important business. “Are you waiting for Jeff?” She asked nicely.

            “Isn’t it obvious?”

            Ella glared at Anthony for being sarcastic. “Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?” She asked, but the young man knitted his brows as if he didn’t understand her question.

            “What did you say?” He asked.

            “Never mind, then. Excuse me,” she said and retrieved the pail she could use at the water well. She had to take a bath before her daughter would wake up.

            “Where’s Jeff?” He asked, and the woman turned around.

            “Why don’t you go inside and find him yourself?” She answered.

            Anthony saw it! Did she roll her eyes at him? Whoa! If only she weren’t older than him, he would call her attention to explain, but he couldn’t disrespect her when he’s at her place. As per her suggestion, he went inside the Red House and searched for his best buddy in school.

            He was still in the living room when Jeff came in a hurry. His hair was wet and uncombed. “Who let you in?” he was surprised to see Anthony inside the Red House.

            “Your aunt,” Anthony replied. “Hurry up now, and it’s almost time for the flag ceremony.” He informed Jeff. When they got out of the Red House, Jeff delayed riding his motorcycle, and Anthony wondered what’s wrong. “What are you doing? Let’s go now,” he said.

            “Wait, I still have to ask for my allowance,” Jeff said, and before Anthony could stop him, he went to the water well where his aunt was taking a bath.

            Curious to know where Jeff was heading to, Anthony followed, and his eyes widen in shock to find Ella bathing at the well. Immediately, he turned around to avoid seeing something unpleasant in the eye! How could she bathe in an open area? He glared at the woman, who seemed oblivious that Jeff’s eyes were on her boobs!

“Jeff, can we go now? Don’t worry about your allowance,” he called his friend. Being close to Ella, whose wet t-shirt hugged her voluptuous figure, made him uncomfortable, and he wanted to leave right away. When Jeff refused to leave, Anthony dragged him from the water well. “Are you interested in your uncle’s wife?” He suspected.

Jeff chuckled at Anthony’s ridiculous question, but as he pondered on it, he asked himself. Was he interested in Ella? No, he wasn’t, and he was sure of it! “No, but why do you ask? Don’t tell me that you have a crush on her,” he teased Anthony and burst out laughing when Anthony’s cheeks turned into crimson red. “You like her,” he concluded.

“I don’t know, but she’s mysterious to me,” Anthony replied.

Jeff chortled for seeing Anthony uncomfortable. “She’s on a different level, bro, and she’s married to my uncle!” He reminded Anthony that Ella Santiago was off-limits to everyone…including him.

“I know. By the way, Janna replied to my messages last night.” Anthony informed Jeff of the latest development about him and the girl he has a crush on.

“And then?” Jeff asked.

“We talked on the phone until midnight,” he shared.

“Hmmm, I think she’s also interested in you. Why don’t you make her your girlfriend?” Jeff suggested.

As he imagined to court Janna, Anthony was worried that she would say no. “What if she has a boyfriend?” He was doubtful even if Janna told him last night that she never had a boyfriend before.

“So what?” Jeff challenged Anthony. Anthony looked better than him when it comes to their looks, but Anthony has no talent for it when it comes to courting girls. Before he was acquainted with Janna, Anthony didn’t pay attention to any of the girls.

“I’ll think about it,” he said.

When they arrived at the campus, it was five minutes before the scheduled flag ceremony, and they hurried up to join. They ran towards the plaza, and Anthony almost bumped into Janna when she’s also in a hurry to attend the flag ceremony. Their eyes met, and they stared at each other for a few seconds before Anthony decided to go ahead and left her.

“Why did you do it? Did you see her eyes? She was hurt, bro!”

“I’m not sure, but all of a sudden, I was nervous around her,” Anthony replied.