A Kiss of a Thousand Words (Erlebnisse Series #2)

08

I left the building while texting Yuka about my wherebaouts, siya na rin ang magsasabi nun kay Gillian. They're cute, these two... they always try to reach out as much as possible even if we're in college now and we have different set of friends.

There are just some friendships that aren't meant losing.

"Simonne," a voice called.

A man waved at me while skipping towards my direction. A little sweet smile and tattoos painted all over his arms sparked a hint of familiarity inside my mind.

"Arius."

He was a member from a university-wide organization I joined in last year. I think it was the organization advocating feminism that Nayi and I joined.

Sakto lang ang pagkakakilala ko sa kanya. We talked during events and backstage happenings, even throwing a little banter here and there at random times. And it stopped there after the school year ended.

Hula ko ay galing siya sa building namin. 'Yun lang naman ang building na pinakamalapit sa'min ngayon. Kami lang din ang ganap kanina sa loob. Walang ibang nakigamit ng kung anong rooms.

"Galing ka ba sa seminar namin kanina?" I deduced.

"Oo, inimbita ako ng isang kakilala ko. Si Silver, same block kayo, 'di ba?"

For a name I vaguely remember hearing, his face popped inside my mind. Nakakasalamuha ko siya paminsan kung may inuutos 'yung higher reps sa members lang which is kasama siya roon.

"Yeah, I didn't see you there," I commented as we continued on to walk the same path.

"Late na akong nakarating kaya sa dulo ako umupo."

"Did you really listen, though?"

"Oo naman!" he defended loudly. "Bakit ako hindi makikinig? Hindi naman ako nakaidlip sa kalagitnaan ng speech ng isang speaker niyo."

"Sana huminto ka na lang sa oo, maniniwala na sana ako," I chuckled.

"Napapikit lang ako. Totoo! Pumikit ako mga 7 ta's dumilat ako mga 7:20 na. Ewan, ang galing nga ng oras, e."

"Ang bilis ba?"

"Sobrang bilis. 'Yung isang segundo naging bente minuto."

I don't know him much personally so there was nothing to catch up on. Instead, we talked about the our current academic stuff. Despite being in different programs, we made a way to talk about it, making sure both of us aren't bored by the talk.

We talked until we reached one of the university's gate. I narrowed my eyes upon the view of the headlights of the fast-passing cars almost blinding us with their flashing beams. I looked up to Arius to avoid the lights and ready to bid my goodbye.

"I'll see you around, Arius?"

He nodded once, "I'll see you around."

Naglakad na ako papunta sa kaliwa ko nang mapansin ang anino niya ay sinundan ako. Paglingon ko ay siya rin ay nagulat na parehas kami ng direksyon na pupuntahan.

He fixed his feet so they're beside each other now and looked at me with a smirk on his face. "Hatid na kita hanggang sa sakayan?"

And so, we talked... not until either one of us stopped for a ride, but until we reached the front of my dormitory.