"Drawing ko na lang kaya ex ko..." Ani Lenlen habang nakatingala sa langit at nasa hita ang illustration board. "Wala na'kong maisip, nyeta."
We were at the rooftop in the campus, making plates. Doon kami madalas gumawa ng plates kapag may vacant dahil mahangin doon at tahimik.
"Tanga, edi hindi yon tinanggap kasi pangit." Sagot ko naman habang nakatitig lang sa illustration board ko.
Napatangu-tango siya. "May point ka."
Just like her, I couldn't think of anything. My mind was too preoccupied with Nero's words last time. I still couldn't get it out of my head.
I knew it was getting a bit obvious those past few weeks, pero iba pa rin pala kapag nakumpirma ko na at sa kaniya pa mismo galing. Though, he didn't say he was serious, he also didn't say that he was just kidding.
Hindi ko nasagot ang tanong niya noon dahil tumila na ang ulan no'n. He just sighed and told me to wait there. Pinuntahan niya ang sasakyan saka huminto sa harap ko at umuwi na kami. Sa buong biyahe noon at hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa namin ulit napag-uusapan 'yon.
No one dared to open up the topic. We still talked to each other, though. But it wasn't the same as before. It became a little awkward between us two.
"Kaya pala nananahimik, may naisip na. Pangit mo kabonding!" Ani Lenlen na nagpabalik sa diwa ko.
I looked at my illustration board and there was already a bit of an outline. It wasn't clear enough but I knew what it was.
My hand unconsciously sketched the scene I was thinking of earlier. It was the building of the art gallery and it was raining. I sighed and just continued to do it since I can't think of anything else.
My phone rang and I saw Michael's name on the screen. I picked it up and put it between my left shoulder and ear.
"Pwede na ba kitang akitin for dinner later?" Bungad niya.
Ilang beses ko na siyang tinanggihan dahil kung hindi may nauna na akong lakad ay minsan hindi ko talaga trip. Something was a bit off around him.
I heaved a sigh. "Yeah, sure."
Pinagbigyan ko na since he's still my friend after all.
"Sigurado na bang walang manggugulo?" Anito, si Nero siguro ang tinutukoy.
"I think so?" I wasn't really sure since Nero would just come and go whenever he wants.
"Fair enough. See you later!"
"Mhm." I just hummed as a response then ended the call.
"Lobat na pala amp." I noticed my battery.
"I guess it's Michael." Lenlen said while starting to draw her plate.
Napatingin ako sa kanya. "How can you tell?"
"Simply because of your tone. The way you talk to Vasquez is different compared to that Yurrem guy."
It is? I didn't even notice that.
My brows furrowed. "What's the difference between them?"
She erased a part of her drawing. "I don't know, but there's just something... special on how the
way you talk to one particular guy."
I looked up, thinking. "Which one?"
She shrugged. "I'll leave that to you. Sinabi ko lang kasi mukhang hindi mo napapansin."
I didn't need to think that deep to know who it was. Kung ikukumpara sa mood ko tuwing
kausap ang isa sa kanila, alam ko na ang sagot.
BINABASA MO ANG
Falling Unexpectedly (Ongoing)
RomansaThe feeling of having someone with whom you can share everything. Your giggles, sobs, and other childish antics. He who saw you take your first step, say your first word, smile for the first time... But then, he slipped in your arms. And returning t...
