KATH

I walked down the front door and immediately went to our garden with a bucket full of water. I used to do this every day as I love to plant and take care of different kinds of plants, especially the flowers and some cactuses.

I feel like having plants around makes the house neat, comfortable, and I can breathe fresh air.

I have lots of plants grown, and I even have some vegetables that we have harvested.

I took a tub of water and slowly poured it all over to my plants. While taking water from the tub, someone suddenly called through the gate so I decided to leave what I was doing and headed straight to our gate.

As I opened the gate, I was surprised to see James come for a visit, "Oh, hey Kath! Can we talk for a minute?" he asked.

I just noticed that he is now wearing a hoodie and cap. Also, he just literally shaved his entire hair. He's kind of bald now.

As I thought about it, I became more guilty than ever! I just smiled at him, but I know why he came here to our place and I am more than ready whatever he will say to me, "S-sure. Do you want to come in for a while?"

"It's not that necessary since I won't take that long," he said but it was really clear in his actions that he is now afraid and traumatize to enter or visit our home again.

I'm taking a deep sigh because I know that this is my entire fault, "Okay. You can now talk, James."

"I know that I have been courting you for months but I think this ends here. Don't be sorry, this is not about you. You are a good and wonderful person but you know me, I have been so busy at school and such."

I nodded and sighed in disappointment. Nothing lasts being with me because of my siblings, "I understand, James. I'm used to it being rejected but don't worry. You'll always be my friend," I said to him, "well, we won't stay long enough here. My whole family is now going to move so let's say, goodbye Cebu."

"Really? Well, where will you guys move this time?"

"We're moving in Mindanao, permanently. I know it's a bit far from here so I am sure that there is a girl more deserving of your love. That can't be me since we're now moving to Butuan."

His smiles on his lips faded and were replaced by sadness, "That's sad to hear, Kath. So, it looks like we will not meet again but remember that I love you. Take good care always, don't forget about me because I will not be going to forget how amazing you are. You're a good friend."

I grabbed and hugged him so tight. Yeah, I do like him, but I know that he isn't the one for me. He deserves someone better whom the girl is receiving a woman's family and that is not me. I also know that I deserve someone too. Not today, but soon.

"You know what? In some months that I have been courting you, I enjoy it. I have never been your boyfriend but I can see the purest in your eyes and your heart. Please, don't change who you are because I do love the way you are," he said And pinched my nose.

I slapped his shoulders, "Ouch! Can you please not pinch my nose?" I joked and laughed while hugging him tightly.

"I am sure when you get there, you'll miss James Thomason," he says full of confidence and I just laughed hysterically.

"Really? Maybe YOU will miss me, James."

"Well, yeah. You're right," he just said and laughed at nothing as nothing happened to us.

x x x x x x x x

Time flies so fast that we just moved to Mindanao. Our trip was a bit tiring but I was so mesmerized as I see our new home, the place is so beautiful!

It's also fun even though it's just a small city but the place we're renting is quiet and peaceful.

As we were arranging our stuff into our new room and the living area, we heard someone calling us from the outside and it was a voice of a man, "HELLO! ANYBODY HOME?"

My mother and I looked at each other and were kind of confused about who was that man, "Who's that?" she asked but she just stand up and rush towards the main door and I followed her to see who was it.

We opened the large gate as it was revealed that it was a guy, certainly the same age as mine was standing while carrying a plate with food in it.

"Oh, hello. Do you need anything?" mom politely asked the man at the gate.

"Hi, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Ken and I just lived inside the main subdivision. We know that you're new here and my mom is the president of this subdivision and handed it to ..." suddenly, the man named Ken stopped speaking as he suddenly looked at me, which is I was standing behind my mother.

I know that I am pretty but that's not enough when you have mischievous and naughty brothers and sisters.

"Oh, hello! I'm Ken by the way. And you are?"

"Hi," I shyly greeted the new acquaintance, "I am Kathryn Silvenia and it's a pleasure to meet you!" I greeted as well and maybe I will have new friends here, "Um, what's that you're holding?"

He looked at his hand and turned to me with a smile and still looked embarrassed at me, "Oh - umm - it's just foods and cakes that my mom usually bakes. Because they like to cook and bake then give it to everyone in the subdivision."

"It looks delicious," mom said and handed him two plates, "Just put it on this plate, Ken so you can take your plate home with you. Anyway, tell your mom a thank you from us."

"All right, Ma'am."

"Ma'am is embarrassing, it's too formal," Mommy joked and she also laughed, "Just call me Luz. It's better that way."

Ken nodded and smiled, "All right, Luz! So, I'm leaving too, and perhaps my mom is looking for me at home. Bye, it's a nice meeting you all."

Once he left, we, together with my mom went inside while carrying the food given by our new neighbor.

"So, the people here are kind," I said and I could see mommy's mischievous smile that seemed to be pissed off, "Mom, what's with that look?"

"Nothing. I just guessed that it looks like someone new is crushing on you."

I was surprised to see that she is teasing me off. I just laughed and took one slice of the cake the new guy gave us, "Who is crushing on me?"

"Of course, the man. Ken, isn't he cute?"

"Oh, him. Right," I said and rolled my eyes, "Well, he's kind of cute but he's not my type. Also, I'm still not getting a boyfriend"

"Well, if you say so. But, I know you'll have one someday, sweetie" she said and I just wished that one day, I would have a boyfriend.

x x x x x x x x

It's finally Saturday today and as usual, I wake up early to go to the mini-garden to water the plants. It has been three weeks since we moved here to Butuan and I decided to bring the plant I planted to Cebu so that my suffering will not be wasted. 

I do love taking care of plants as I just said that it freshes our home and relaxes everything. Also, it is good for decorations inside the house.

"Hi, Kath!" I was startled and even let go of the water hose I was holding when Ken's face suddenly popped out right through the gate. His eyes widened and his expression seems to be concerned, "Oh, I'm sorry! Did I startle you?"

"Yeah, kind of. Well, I'm used to you always giving me surprises," I said and went to the corner to turn off the water hose. "What are you doing here early this morning, Ken?"

"I'm sorry. You see, I am just so bored at home so I thought of coming here to see you," he said and he just stared at me for a second and speaks again, "Your boyfriend is so lucky to have you. You're really pretty, Kath."

I rolled my eyes because is it hard to ask 'do you already have a boyfriend?' It's too obvious that he likes me. I am not assuming, but I know that he likes me. But, I doubt that he would stay since he hasn't met my siblings yet.

Anyway, it's much simpler than asking that your boyfriend's lucky to have me when the truth is, I don't have one and I don't know if I will get to have some.

"I don't have a boyfriend."

His eyes widened in shock and couldn't believe what he just had heard, "Why not? You're so gorgeous and you don't have a boyfriend? You're kidding me, right? I bet every guy would love to ask you out."

"Yeah, I know that I'm beautiful but the right one for me hasn't arrived yet."

"Okay. In that case, no one will be angry if I invite you later for dinner or on a date?" he asked but I thought, how will my siblings react to this? They are such a pain in the ass!

He noticed that I seemed to have stopped and I frowned so he spoke again, "If you don't want to, it's okay. I understand."

I just also thought that I have nothing else to do later and I still want to tour around the City of Butuan. I haven't been able to wander much aside from the last time I enrolled for third year college at Father Saturnino Urios University.

Aside from that, I just tour around the school and not the entire city. I bet the city looks good and I just thought that there are other places that I need to see.

I just smiled at him, "Oh, it's good! I love having a tour and stroll around the city. Well, what time will we leave?"

"Hmm. How about six PM? Don't worry, I'll fetch you here at your place."

I nodded in response, "Okay then. Just text or chat me on my Messenger."

"Okay! You promised that you'll have a date with me," he smiled and I just smiled back, "Anyway, see you later, Kath!"

x x x x x x x x

We've just finished our little get-together or what date, as what Ken called. He took me to a nice restaurant somewhere on J.C. Aquino Avenue.

I swear that the foods he just ordered are so delicious! It's very worthwhile and very cheap.

"Did you like it there?" Ken asked and I just nodded. We just hopped and commuted on a bus that always passes by our subdivision, in Bridge Town Subdivision.

We even argued earlier about the fare because he wanted to pay, but I didn't want to be a burden. He just treats me to dinner earlier and I think that causes too much. That's why that I wanted to be fair to him, but, he won the argument. He still pays for the fare so, I just let him do what he wants tonight.

"That place is nice and I enjoyed it," I said as we got off the bus. I looked at our house which is along the main road, unlike Ken's place is inside the main subdivision.

I looked at my watch and looked at him, "Look, it's still quarter to nine. Do you want to go inside our house? I just thought that maybe you want to meet my siblings."

Ken's smile turns wide and claps for joy, "Sure! I would love to meet them."