Fiction: Ten Minutes

It was one of those awkward walks, there was no rain but there could have very well been. The existence of rain would've been more appropriate. The woman secretly smiled while the guy walked faster than expected.

"I am giving you ten more minutes to tell me. After that, I wouldn't care. Or at least try not to. I will still listen to your raves and rants about it or him but that's as far as it will get. Listening is the only thing I promise to do." The guy teasingly threatened while he unintentionally steals the girl's confused thoughts.

"Ano ka ba. I didn't even tell my closest friends. Believe me, it's nothing personal. In fact, it will just burden you if you know. Don't threaten me with your 'not caring' please." The girl gently tapped the guy's right shoulder, purposefully but hesitantly. It was as if she was sending a silent call for help. Or not. It was a call alright, it was a call to look beyond what has already been said.

The guy shrugged his shoulder, gave the girl a half-smile that showed his endearing but distracting dimples and said, "You have eight minutes and twenty-three seconds left. Here's a better deal for you, if you tell me... I'll tell you who I like. Ha! That's more than what you need. In fact, the only people who know are two of my closest friends. You don't even have to guess."

"Just tell me which year she's from and I'll decide. Come on, it's not commensurate. I already told you which year my better flame is from. Time to return the favor dude." The girl felt nervous, knowing that she could break. He knows I'm gonna break. He knows I am considering telling him. What he doesn't know is that I want to but I couldn't.

She was interrupted from her thought by his now impatient voice, "Seven minutes, fifteen seconds. I don't want to guess. Until now, I have no idea who you're talking about. I want to hear it from you. You know what, I assure you, if you tell me... I am going to help you. You are going to start dating. And I won't tell anyone. Come on, you already know that! What's stopping you from telling me anyway? I'm taking it that you don't trust me enough. That's sad."

The girl looked at the boy, stopped walking and pleaded, "Please don't make me tell you. This has nothing to do with trust, this has nothing to do with you telling other people. I know for sure that you won't. It's just a promise that I gave myself. It's just my way."

"Five minutes. You have five minutes and I swear I won't bother you about it again. Tell me who he is and I'll tell you if you should continue or not. I just want to protect you, you're my friend. I don't want you to go out with someone whom I think doesn't deserve you. What stopping you?" He sounded more than impatient, in fact, he sounded desperate and annoyed.

With a worried smile she managed to reply, "Hey, there's nothing you can do about it. You can't even help me with this. Don't make me tell you. Please. Aren't we going to talk about something else? This is beginning to be tiring..."

"Nope. We're not gonna talk about something else. Your reasons are shallow. I still don't get why you can't tell me." His hands brushed through his hair and looked away. They bought fell silent as they neared the guy's parked car. "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two.... one. Deal's over. Let's go, I'm gonna take you home." He opened the door for her, both are still silent. It was as if there was a bet, whoever talks first will lose. She reminded him to wear his seatbelt but he didn't.

"I'm sorry, I can't tell you now." She went out of the car and hailed a cab. He followed and waited until she left. "Text me when you get home..." She added. Like good friends, they kissed each other goodnight.

Their ten minutes was over. For her, it felt like a lifetime. She can't wait to start again.

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Author's Note: I miss writing.