Date.
"It could be the number in the calendar or a meeting that has been already planned by two people that might not or have a romantic relationship."
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JIMHUESH threw the popcorn he was about to pop in his mouth at Rychie. They were watching an action movie in his room late at night while talking about Georgia who had found out about her real identity, but somehow ended up talking about Senthie.
"You must be kidding. That's completely nonsense!" Jimhuesh said in his defense when Rychie suspected that he liked Senthie.
Rychie laughed as he caught the popcorn and ate it. "But judging how you always talk about her and how we end up talking about her only proves that you like her."
Jimhuesh glared at him. "I was just reminded of how much you two are very similar. How can you come up with that conclusion? I talked about you with her, does that mean I like you, too? Are you telling me that I like you both that way?"
"Why are you so defensive? You can't even take a joke." He laughed. "Though, that wasn't a joke. You do like her, you even told her about your family's secret."
"How many times do I have to tell you that she reminds me of you? It felt like I was talking to you and that only means I think of her as a friend."
Rychie chuckled and then shrugged. "If you say, so."
Jimhuesh sighed heavily. "You don't believe me, do you? Want me to prove to you that I don't have a crush on her?"
Rychie flashed a knowingly smile as he raised a brow. "And how will you prove it?"
Jimhuesh stuffed his mouth with popcorn and smirked as he chewed. He pretended that he was thinking deeply about it but he already had an idea. He drank his coke and put the can back on the center table. "I'll take her out on a date and feel nothing."
Rychie laughed as he shook his head. "Only if she agrees."
He smirked. "I'll give her no reason to decline."
The next day...
"Oh, well, what am I gonna do now?" Jimhuesh mumbled to himself in front of the mirror, topless, towel on his hips, just had finished his shower. His hair was drenched, water dripping to his face, chin, and down to the sink. "I shouldn't have said that. How will I ask her out on a date? I must be crazy. There is no way she'll agree."
He sighed heavily as he placed a hand on his hip. "Should I offer her money?" He shook his head. "No, she would think I'm insulting her. Perhaps, I should just grant her a wish? Nah, as if I'm a genie. Should I just lie and tell her I like her and ask her out on a date?" He shut his eyes and sighed. "Absolutely, no. She hates liars." He sighed again. "I'm done for."
After a hard contemplation and monologue, Jimhuesh decided to just go with the flow, and whatever the outcome, he would accept and tell Rychie. He was sure that Rychie would understand, though he was also certain that he would tease him tirelessly. Either way, he had no choice but to swallow his pride and overcome the embarrassment he would be facing once Senthie rejected him. He never once asked a girl out on a date, except when he was in a fake relationship with Kassandra.
It was lunchtime when Jimhuesh went to Senthie's studio. He was calm and confident as he pressed the doorbell. A few moments later, the door opened and Senthie's face seemed surprised when she saw Jimhuesh.
"Hi," he uttered and then went inside when Senthie let him in.
"Your mother was just here a while ago. She's nice. You're lucky to have her. She's so proud of you," she said, smiling, but her eyes were as if wanting to cry.
He gave her a small smile. "Yeah, I know."
Senthie inhaled and exhaled deeply. "So...why are you here?"
There was a long pause before Jimhuesh answered, "I'd like to take you out on a date," with a straight face.
Senthie just stared at him, making him a bit nervous. Her gaze made him uncomfortable, it was intense and he felt as if she could see him through, every truth, every lie. Suddenly, she snorted. "You can't be serious. Why would you ask that? Do you like me?"
"Don't laugh at me, I'm serious."
Still laughing, she replied, "why wouldn't I laugh? It's funny." Senthie stopped laughing as Jimhuesh kept his poker face. She was making him embarrassed, but he had to act cool.
"I'm sorry. It's just unbelievable. Why do you want to take me out on a date, anyway?"
Jimhuesh sat on the single sofa. "It's a long story, but... it is to prove that I don't have feelings for you."
Senthie sat on the sofa across from him. Her brows furrowed, looking confused. "I don't...understand what you mean."
"Look... Rychie thinks that I like you. So, I want to prove to him that he's wrong. I wouldn't feel anything even if we go out on a date."
Senthie shook her head as she snorted. "Wow. You're a straightforward person, I like that. Thank you for being honest."
He smirked. "So, would you go out on a date with me?"
She narrowed her eyes. "But why would he even think that? Unless you were acting like you like me."
He scoffed. "That's ridiculous. I wasn't." Jumhuesh then faintly added, "I told you my family's secret, that's why."
Senthie was surprised, her eyes widened a bit as she nodded, but didn't say anything. Jumhuesh continued, "anyway, I want you to agree to go on a date with me, at least three dates."
Senthie let out a throaty laugh. She looked somewhat amused, perhaps, found the idea silly. "Alright. Let's do it. But!" She raised a finger. "I'm not sure when, 'coz I'm too busy at the moment. I don't know when will I be available."
"I see." Jimhuesh clicked his tongue as he stood up and walked around as if inspecting the room. "My mom needs the gown next month, so no need to rush." He paused and then looked at Senthie. "How about this Sunday?"
Senthie stood up. "Okay, I'll try."
He approached her. "Please agree, I'd like to know myself the result."
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Sunday came, the day of their date. SENTHIE couldn't help but feel excited and nervous at the same time. Her heart was thumping, her hands cold and sweaty, and she was smiling from ear to ear.
"Finally a dream come true!" she squealed.
A moment later, the doorbell rang. She hurriedly went to open the door and greeted Jimheush "hello." Senthie's heartbeat went faster and harder as she stared at the man in front of her, realizing how they were wearing the same clothes as if they agreed to wear the same color and type of clothes. Navy blue sweaters and black nylon pants. They both looked at each other's outfits, then back again to their own. They laughed.
"You're copying me again," Senthie teased as she shut the door behind her.
He playfully glared at her. "No, I'm not. I bet you copied me."
"Yeah, I stalked you, copied you, even watched you as you sleep. Thanks to my ability, I can turn into a ghost at night."
He faked his surprise. "Oh, really? That's frightening. I'm so scared. But..." He smirked. "I bet you enjoyed it."
Senthie laughed. A laugh that seemed to be hard to contain. "That's way too funny. I'll give you that. But, I bet you wish I enjoyed it."
Jimhuesh groaned as he shook his head. "Oh, come on. Let's just go. We do not wanna get sunburned."
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The moon was still out when they were on the road, Jimhuesh driving, but now that they had arrived at their destination, the rays of the sun were starting to brighten up the whole sky, and the moon was beginning to say goodbye.
"The air feels and tastes fresh," Senthie muttered as she threw her head back and let the air caress her face.
He chuckled. "You actually tasted it?"
She looked at him and proudly said, "yes. Why don't you find out yourself?"
He smiled and shook his head. "Never mind that. Let's go before the sun kills us."
As soon as Jimhuesh turned his back on Senthie, she screamed inaudibly and jumped several times because of happiness. It was her dream, one of her goals, rather, to visit Mt. Pinatubo, located in the Zambales mountains on the northern island of Luzon, Philippines. This stratovolcano became one of the sought-after hiking spots for its majestic caldera or crater with massive rock formations which looked like alps that surrounded the breathtaking turquoise lake. This lake was formed from the collapse of the volcano's summit during the excessive earthquakes as the result of the large withdrawal of magma's reservoir beneath the volcano.
Mt. Pinatubo was--and still considered as the second largest eruption worldwide in the 20th century that caused devastating results to its surrounding towns and villages. Nonetheless, that history somewhat made the present not as too sad and pensive as it seemed. After that tragic incident, the ending was just the beginning of something exuberant. Who would have thought that this volcano would become one of the good tourist spots?
Senthie thought to herself that she made the right choice to agree to go out on a date with Jimhuesh. She was the one who suggested to go on hiking and Jimhuesh agreed since he had no choice. Senthie would be the one to decide their destination or what would they do on their date. It was her condition, actually, but Jimhuesh would do all the planning and arranging.
It was 7:30 am when they hopped on a 4X4 open-back type jeep to reach the foot of the mountain. The ride lasted over an hour through sandy terrains, stream crossings, and amazing views. Senthie felt extremely exhilarated when it was time to begin the trek on foot. Jimhuesh hopped off the jeep first and then he offered his hand to her, Senthie shook her head and told him her hand was sweaty, but Jimhuesh insisted and so, she took his hand gratefully and jumped off excitedly, sand dust made a reaction as her feet reached the ground as her backpack bounced up and down.
"Thank you," she said as she squeezed Jimhuesh's hand. "Thank you for bringing me here."
He smiled. "No. I should be the one thanking you. I love adventures, and this date will be a memorable one for sure."
Senthie gulped. Her heart quickened again and pounded even harder as he returned the squeeze in her hand. This time, she could definitely confirm that there were butterflies in her stomach. She even felt her face burned, she suspected it turned red by now, so she pulled back her hand, cleared her throat as she averted her gaze, and forced a laugh. "You think so? I think so, too."
It was normal, so no need to be surprised, she thought to herself. The emotions she was feeling right now were familiar and natural. She would blush, feel butterflies in her stomach, feel awkward, and nervous, and would feel like having a crush on someone--someone with a handsome face or someone with a great personality. It was only natural for her and normal. It was a thing she had already and would always experience every time, but sooner or later, these feelings would vanish as if it never happened. She would lose interest. She knew this and she was never worried about falling in love.
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Hello, Noomiells!
Thank you for reading this chapter. Hope you liked it. :D
Do you think Jimhuesh likes Senthie?
What do you think of Jimhuesh's plan? Do you think he can prove Rychie wrong?
If you were Senthie/Jimhuesh, where do you wanna go on your first date with Jimhuesh/Senthie?
I would like to know your opinion. Please, let me know! :D