Holding On With Maybe (Holding On Series #2)

29

"I'll take her home."

Luther and I have been drinking already for several hours. I don't know if we're up for a contest about who has a high tolerance for alcohol but even if we were, I don't think neither of us would win.

I've also been listening to Luther from his breakup with Art, from his rants when he was in college until law school, and the list goes on. We actually have a fair share of stories tonight. Sa dami ng mga napag-usapan namin, feeling ko napunan nun yung hindi namin pagiging close noong maging ka-banda niya si Bobbie.

"I was wrong," Luther laughed. "I really thought you're all seriousness until I have this drink with you," he confessed. He covered his mouth with his fist, trying to hide his smile.

"And I really thought you're all fun," I told him. "I guess we're both mistaken."

We continued to drink the remaining bottles he ordered and as I was drinking from my bottle, Luther excused himself. While he was gone, I amused myself in reading emails, until someone called me. I look up and saw Geof standing in front of me, may dalawa siyang kasama na nasa likod niya. Hindi sila taga-HBC pero minsan ko na silang nakita sa labas ng company.

Napansin siguro ni Geof kung saan ako nakatingin.

"Ah, Grace, mga kaibigan ko." Pinalapit niya yung dalawa niyang kasama. "Si Aki at Rome," pakilala niya roon sa naka-man bun at doon sa kulot ang buhok. Tumayo ako para makipagkamay sa kanilang dalawa at parang maling desisyon yun dahil nanliit ako sa sarili ko nang mapagtanto kung gaano sila katangkad. "Aki, Rome, si Grace. Kaibigan at workmate ko, engineer 'yan sa HBC," dagdag ni Geof.

Nginitian lang ako ni Rome nang makipag-handshake siya sa akin. Habang si Aki naman ay nagsalita.

"Nice to meet you, Engineer," aniya.

"Grace na lang," sabi ko kay Aki bago ako tumingin kay Geof. "Geof, di'ba ikaw nagsabi na wala dapat formalities kapag nasa labas ng trabaho."

"Para lang aware sila," aniya. "Mag-isa ka lang dito?"

"Oh, umalis lang ako may mga nabingwit ka na," rinig kong sabi ni Luther. Napatingin kaming lahat sa pinanggalingan noong boses.

"Boyfriend?" Geof asked na agad ko naman pinaningkitan ng mata. Itinaas naman niya nang bahagya yung dalawa niyang kamay.

"Luther," tawag ko nang tumingin ulit ako sa kanya. Pinakilala ko sa kaniya sila Geof, Aki, at Rome. Ganoon din si Luther sa kanila. I emphasized that Luther is just a friend and so is Geof. Just to be clear lang dahil ayoko yung kung ano mang tumatakbo sa isip nilang dalawa.

Can't I be just friends with guys?

"Teka," Geof said while staring at Luther as if he's studying his features. "Related ka ba kay Architect Treece Guevar?"

Luther nodded. "She's my mom."

"Pucha," Geof blurted out. "Big fan ako ng nanay mo, kaya dito rin ako madalas uminom kasi isa 'tong bar niyo sa mga masterpiece niya."

"Thank you, on behalf of my mom," Luther said.

"Akala ko mapapahiya ako, kamukha mo kasi talaga si Architect." Napakamot si Geof sa batok niya.

"You're not the first person who recognized that I resemble my mom," Luther chuckled.

"So... maiwan na namin kayo?" Geof decided, rather shyly.

"Why not... join us? Okay lang naman sa'yo di'ba, Grace?" Luther asked me and I agreed. I see no reason for them not to join us, isa pa, I feel like I needed a breather after the talk I had with Luther. "So, the decision is up to you now, Geof, and your friends."