Leaving it to chance [ Serendipity Series #01 ]

XXVI: pasibo

Pasibo — (v.) adjust, correct, set [ bisaya/cebuano ]

* should there be any bisaya words used throughout the chapter, translations will be provided.

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"Medyo matagal 'yung tawag na 'yun, ah?" sabi ni Mikie pagbalik ko sa kusina.

"Sorry," I mumbled as I shoved my phone into the back pocket of my jeans. "Bakit hindi ka pa kumakain?"

"Gusto kong sabay tayo." He smiled. "We don't get to eat together—or well, be together—as much these days."

A wave of guilt washed over me. "Sorry, langga." I walked over to him to place a small kiss on top of his head before sitting on the chair next to him.

"Sino pala kausap mo?" tanong ni Mikie habang inilalagay ang kanin sa plato ko.

"Oh. Wala. Si Minette lang."

"Minette?" His brows furrowed in confusion.

"Admissions counsellor ko . . . for France?" Slowly, I glanced at him, catching a glimpse of his reaction.

My graduate school application was one of the things that have kept me busy these days. When the semester started, sinimulan ko na rin ang paghahanda para sa masters ko. Noong una, inquire-inquire lang, but then they got back to me and so I got in constant communication with them regarding my application. Minette was aware of my current situation, still being an undergrad student, but she accommodated me. For a while now, we talked about my requirements, what I had to submit, tests I had to take, and the like.

Napahinto si Mikie sa pagkain. "Nag-apply ka na pala?"

"Ah? Nag-inquire lang ako and then ayun, pinaumpisa na akong kumuha ng mga requirement kahit hindi pa ako graduate para mas mabilis." Tumango ako, hindi ko siya matingnan sa mata.

"Talaga? Kumusta naman? Ano ba mga requirement mo? Nakakapag-umpisa ka na ba?"

For some reason, hindi ko alam kung paano siya sasagutin. It was not that mahirap siyang sagutin, it was just that ayaw kong pag-usapan 'to kasama si Mikie. I didn't know why it was so hard to talk to him about this. Well, it was mostly at my party and not his. I hated the feeling of being so close to leaving. I just shrugged. "Okay lang. I'm kind of not thinking about it too much kasi kaunti lang na requirements mapo-procure ko as of the moment."

"Hay, ano ba 'yan. Ilang weeks lang tayo 'di nagkakasama, nagiging others ka na." He pouted, obviously kidding.

My brows furrowed. "I didn't want to bother you kasi alam kong busy ka and plus hindi ko pa masyadong iniisip."

"Alam mo namang kahit busy ako, gusto ko pa rin—"

"I just said hindi ko pa siya inaasikaso, 'di ba?" I snapped, slightly raising my voice.

We were both surprised with my reaction. Natahimik kaming dalawa, staring at each other, not knowing what to do.

"S-Sorry. I'm sorry," bulong ko.

"No. Okay lang. Sorry, ang kulit ko kasi. Hindi ko hangaring inisin ka. Sorry."

"Hindi ko alam kung saan galing 'yun." I pursed my lips. "N-Nai-stress lang kasi ako. I didn't mean to raise my voice at you. Hindi ko alam kung saan galing 'yun, Mikie. I am sorry—" Nag-panic na ako.

"Nina. Nina, hey." Mikie reached out to take my hands. "Breathe. Breathe, babe. Breathe. It's okay. Naiintindihan kita. I know. I know. It's okay."

"Sorry. Sorry." I shook my head.