Collide / [Park Jay]

13

I got home earlier than expected and it was really thanks to Jay. Mabuti na lang talaga at nandoon rin siya. I still have no idea about a lot of things regarding the place but I'm surely taking notes from now.

Good thing, club meetings only happen once or twice a week so I won't have to worry about getting home late. And from what I heard, proofreaders don't need to comply with the physical meetings because most of their works can be done and sent online. Pero kung ire-require kami or may importanteng gagawin, siyempre, kailangan pa rin naming magpunta.

"Palagi kang nagi-instant food. Baka magkasakit ka niyan, ha.." The store manager told me.

As usual, hindi naman ako makapagluto para sa sarili ko kaya sa convenience store na lang ulit ako nag-decide bumili ng food ko for dinner. Since I got home late, I didn't even have time to make a food delivery. I know it's unhealthy and I'm doing this ever since I moved here but I just don't have any option. Maybe next time, I'll just ask my mom to bring me home-cooked meals that I can store in the fridge when she decides to make a visit.

"Hindi naman po siguro. Minsan, hindi naman ako kumakain." Unconsciously, I answered. Parang mas nagulat pa siya kaysa sa akin at kalaunan ay natawa.

"Ikaw talaga, Yerim." Sabi niya. Sa inaraw-araw kong pagpunta dito ay nakapagpakilala na rin ako sa kanya.

After that short conversation, I excused myself so I can heat my food in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Habang naghihintay ako ay naagaw ulit ang atensyon ko noong poster na nakadikit sa front door ng store. I guess they're still looking for part-timers. It's been a week and wala pa rin akong nakikitang bagong mukha sa counter. Wala pa sigurong naga-apply.

Nakatingala lang ako doon at patuloy na binasa ang mga detalye. Tingin ko naman, hindi iyon makakaabala sa akin kung sakali. I made a planner to arrange my schedules for the whole week and surprisingly, I still have lots of free time. Four o'clock ang dismissal namin sa school and our club meetings only happen once or twice a week. The time is literally in my hands so I think it's worth the try. Also, four hours of working daily won't hurt naman siguro, 'di ba?

"Miss, excuse me.." I was too focused with the poster so I didn't realize I was blocking the front door, preventing others from coming in.

"Oh, sorry." Sabi ko bago tumabi.

A group of guys entered the store. They're all wearing the same dark outfit except for the last guy who's still on his school uniform. It took me a while before I realize that the uniform looks quite familiar. Since I let them enter the store first, I can only see their back from here. Pero nang makalapit ako, napagtanto ko na hindi lang pala 'yong uniform ang pamilyar sa akin. Even the person..

"H-Hi." Nag-aalangan kong bati. The microwave is just behind him so even if I want to pretend that I didn't see him, it would be too obvious because I still have to go near him.

"Magkakilala kayo, Jay?" Kaswal na tanong noong kasama niya.

"Ask her." He said while looking at me. I don't know if he's serious about that or he's just trying to be funny. We're still not that close so I'm just quite confused of what to react.

Nilagpasan ko na lang sila at naglakad na papunta sa table dala ang pagkain ko. Narinig kong may sinasabi pa 'yong kasama niya kaso hindi na ako nakasagot doon.

I started eating my food and tried to finish it quickly. I don't know why I suddenly feel embarrassed being here. Or maybe just anxious like usual since I don't like being surrounded by too many people, especially when I'm alone?

"Were you trying to pretend that you don't know me?" Someone from behind me said. He's holding a bottle of water as he sat in front of me. I looked around to see where his friends are and it seems like they're busy deciding what to buy in front of the meal section.

"Ah, hindi naman.." Marahan kong sagot. Why is he suddenly approaching me?

"We keep on bumping into each other here, huh?" He commented.

"Do you live here?" Kuryoso kong tanong. He looked a bit surprised for some reason. Am I not supposed to ask that?

"Can't say yes.." Nag-aalangan niyang sagot. Hindi na ako umimik pagkatapos noon.

I already finished my food but I don't know how to leave the table and excuse myself without feeling uneasy. Magpapaalam pa ba ako sa kanya? I don't have to, right? But it would be rude if I try to leave without saying anything..

He was watching his friends but I caught his attention when I rose from my seat. Hinawakan ko ang food tray ko para mailagay na iyon sa tabi ng counter.

"Una na ako, ha.." Mahina kong sabi. Hindi ko na hinintay ang isasagot niya at mabilis na akong naglakad palayo.