CALL

“Good morning, Ms. Samaniego,” Our security guard greeted me as I swiped my I.D.

I greeted him back and was about to walk inside the campus when he stopped me. He suddenly went inside the guard house and came back with three bunches of roses. It was the fifth time that the guard gave me a bunch of roses every morning. Of course, it came from Gray.

“Aww,” I smiled as I smelled the rose. Actually, it doesn’t smell anything and it’s not my favorite flower. However, it’s Gray’s effort that always made my day. He never fails to make sure that my entire day will be great even if he's not around.

“Wait, will Gray send flowers everyday for me?” I asked him because it seems to me that I would be receiving flowers every day. “It’s from the flower shop owned by your wife, right?” I confirmed since I’ve known the security guard for some time and the school usually ordered our flowers and plants from her wife.

He nodded. “Yes, Ma’am. Your boyfriend already paid for a one-year supply of roses.”

“Oh…” I reacted and couldn’t hide my face from blushing. “That’s nice. And, okay, I am speechless.”

“You should be, Ma’am. He’s very thoughtful.”

I nodded. “Yeah, right. Anway, thank you so much for this,” I said and walked around the campus.

The first time I received a flower from him, I literally didn't know what to do. I even left it inside the guard house because I don’t want to carry it around the campus where the students can see and tease me all they want. But, I realized, a lot of girls wanted to receive flowers from their loved ones and I am so lucky I have someone like Gray. So, I decided to show how in love I am with the world. I manifested this. I asked the universe for Gray, now the universe gave him to me, so there’s no room for complaining, but to accept that everything that is happening around me is what I wanted.

I really thought about it and tried my best not to be cynical. There are times I couldn’t help it, but, okay! I need to be positive because someone told me that if we think of negative things, we are attracted to it. Dave was the one who told me about it. Speaking of Dave, I should text him because we’ll be having our lunch today. Oh! I haven’t told Gray about it, so I should call him now before the start of my classes.

I dialed his number as I opened our faculty room.

“Okay, another bunch of roses,” Rayne reacted as I placed the roses on the vase. “Maybe, Gray wants you to build a garden.”

“I guess so,” I agreed since my space in the faculty room was already filled with roses. “Don’t worry about it, I will bring all of these home.”

“Yeah, because I am starting to envy you. Gosh! I want someone to give me flowers, too,” she scowled. “Ugh! I am tired of being single,” she added.

“Should I give you Dave’s number?” I asked Rayne, while still waiting for Gray to pick up the phone. Why isn't he picking the phone? I checked my watch. He should be ready for work now. What happened to him? He didn’t even leave me a good morning text. Is he still asleep?

“Hey--” I said as soon as he answered the call, but stopped when a girl answered his phone.

“Hi, who is this?”

I raised an eyebrow and tried to calm myself. Okay, is he cheating? I mean, why would a girl answer his phone? Should I introduce myself as his girlfriend? What if it is the real girlfriend and I am just someone like a fling? Woah! Okay! I inhaled and exhaled. I should not overthink. I told myself not to be cynical about things, but how can I not be cynical about things when life is telling me that-- okay! Ugh!

“Uhm. This is-” I didn’t continue my introduction when I realized the fact that the girl doesn’t know who owns the number which would conclude that Gray hasn’t saved my number or if he did, he saved it with just my name, not our endearment. It shouldn’t be a big deal, but a girl wouldn’t ask who I am if it was already written who I am.

Now, it made me question my existence to Gray, who am I in his life?

I decided not to call him and forget about the voice I just heard. For the record, it was a sweet voice and I could only imagine that someone who owned that voice was also beautiful. Ugh! I hate this feeling. I am getting jealous over the things that I hadn’t even confirmed.

After an hour, Gray left me a good morning text, saying that he’s already at work. He didn’t even mention about me calling him or didn’t even bother to call me back. Okay, what was that? He was already at work, so the girl, whoever she is, was actually at his place? Come to think of it, I’ve never been into Gray’s place and we never talked about meeting his family.

As for my family, I told him that he couldn’t meet them because they are already staying in another country. So, the only way for him to meet them was during vacation or when they came home. They used to stay in the province, but then migrated a year ago, leaving me here alone. They were asking me to join them, but I haven’t thought about it. Maybe, if I got broken by Gray, that’s the time, I would consider living with them. I know, I am exaggerating things again, but I couldn't help it.

I did not reply. I turned off my phone because I don’t want to be distracted. Until, it was time for lunch. Good thing, Dave was eating with me, so I somehow forgot about the incident a while ago. I don’t want to confront Gray because I might not like what he's going to say. And, how would I know the truth?

“You’re bothered,” Dave commented as I played with my food. I lost my appetite. I am hungry, yet I couldn’t even swallow the food. Ugh! Gray is the only person who can make my day and ruin it.

Before I could say something, a baritone voice behind me said, “Is this the reason why you turned off your phone?”

Dave looked at my back and I clearly knew it was Gray, standing. I could smell his citrus fragrance. I wouldn't have wondered how he was able to find me because I told Rayne where I will be eating my lunch.

“No,” I replied, without looking at him as I fixed my things.

“Then, care to tell me why my girlfriend didn’t even inform me that she will be eating with another guy?”

I stood up and faced him. He looked at me seriously and I could sense he wasn’t liking it. I am not liking it, either.

“Care to tell me why my boyfriend’s phone was answered by another girl?” I fired back and I saw the sudden change of emotions in his face. He was caught off guard which concludes he doesn’t have any idea that someone picked up my call for him.

“If I am the another girl, let us stop this.” I emphasized those words before leaving him.