See You Soon, Love

Chapter 11

11

Obviously, LDR didn't work for us. Or hindi lang nag work dahil I ghosted Giro.

Two weeks before his graduation at that, on his final exams week, and when he was preparing for his final thesis defense.

We video call almost everyday nung kararating niya palang sa Michigan, except on busy weeks. We'd call and do our school requirements or to check on each other.

"Hi, love." He said in a low voice when I answered his call.

Kahihiga niya palang, and he looked a bit tired. I think it's almost midnight in there and lunch break ko naman. It's been four days since we last called.

"Hi! Bakit ka tumawag? I thought you're busy? And you look tired. You should've rested na." I said after adjusting my laptop's screen.

"I just took a shower and read your message saying you miss me. How can I not call?" He chuckled.

I can't help but smile. Hindi rin nakakatulong na sobrang pogi niya habang sinusuklay ang buhok gamit ang kamay habang nakahiga sa puting kama.

"So am I the only one who misses who here?"

"Of course I miss my baby everyday." He answered in a tender tone.

I looked away, slightly rolling my eyes and scribbled on my notes.

"Are you reviewing?"

I looked at him again. "Yeah. For our finals next week."

Final exams and I'm done with my fist year in college. This week naman yung final exams nila and next week would be their final thesis defense. Kaya hindi kami masyadong nakakapag call dahil he's reviewing for the exams and finalizing his paper at the same time.

"Can I help you with something?" He's now lying on his stomach.

"Kaya ko naman. You work on yours, don't worry about me." I glared at him.

"Alright."

"You should sleep na while you can."

"Hindi pa naman ako inaantok." But his eyes says otherwise.

"Wag mo'kong lokohin. I know you're tired."

"Manonood lang ako sa'yong mag review for a while. Then matutulog na."

"Ang landi mo na, Third." It was Axe.

Napatingin agad ako ng masama sa kanya habang umuupo siya sa tabi ko. I am at the campus' pavilion at hindi ko alam anong ginagawa niya dito na tapos na naman yung finals nilang mga graduating students. And I forgot to use my AirPods pala, may ibang students pa naman!

"Fuck off, Alexus Xenon."

"Hoy nanay ko lang pwede tumawag sa'kin niyan gago 'to."

"Ikaw nga nakiki "Third", pamilya ba kita?"

Pakiusap, gusto ko lang namang mag review ng mapayapa. Bakit ba pinadpad ng hangin si Axe dito.

"Kahit pinsan ko ayaw mo? Ali, sabihin mo nga, 'Hi, Third'." Tiningnan ko lang siya ng maasama. "Dali."

I looked at Giro who looks like he's anticipating sa sasabihin ko.

"Hi... Third." I said.

Biglang parang natumba yung phone niya kaya yung ceiling lang yung nakikita. At hindi niya na rin kinuha ulit.

"What was that for?" Baling ko kay Axe.

"Wag kang mag alala, kinikilig lang ang bituka niyan. Ako yung kaibigan mo ng sampung taon tas sasabihin mo lang nakiki 'Third' ako pero pag si Ali tiklop ka tangina mo nagseselos ako. Dumating lang si Ali hindi na ako favorite mo."