If You Asked Me To (An Epistolary Novel)

142

Saturday, 9:03 PM

Video call started.

Joshua Parco opens front camera.

(Smiles)

Joshua Parco's setting: Sitting at the swing outside their house, the dim lights from the lamp post illuminating his face.

Olivia's front camera is closed, audio only.

(Sound of sheets rustling)

Olivia: (Breathy) Hi.

Joshua Parco: (Zooming the camera to his face while getting something from the table on his side) (smiles) Hi. Sana hindi ka pa tulog (chuckles).

Olivia: I'm not. . .

Joshua Parco: Open mo front cam mo.

Olivia: (Lightly whines) I can't. . .

Joshua Parco: (Chuckles) Bakit?

Olivia: I just removed my make up! (Pouts) I have no kilay and I looked pale (low whining).

Joshua Parco: Paano ba 'yan, gusto kita makita. Sino'ng mag-aadjust? (Laughs)

Olivia: (Gasped a breath) (sounds of sheets rustling)

Olivia opens the front camera.

(Clears throat)

Joshua Parco smiles while staring at the video camera.

(Silence)

Olivia: Why are you staring, though? (Smiles shyly)

Joshua Parco: (Laughs lightly) Hindi ka ba sanay matitigan?

Olivia: (Low murmuring) W-what? Why are you saying these things?

Olivia covered her face with her right hand while the other one was holding her phone.

Joshua Parco: Maayos ka naman kahit walang make-up. May kilay ka rin naman (grins at the camera).

Olivia: (Pouts) (lightly rolled her eyes)

Olivia: (Clears throat) I have something to tell you pala (voice low and turning into a whisper).

Joshua Parco: Ano 'yon? Medyo humihina ka, Oli.

Olivia takes deep breathes.

Olivia: So... (pause) I was wondering if... you would want to be my boyfriend?

(Pause)

Olivia: Uhm... (chuckles) it's okay if you don't feel the same way. We can remain as friends. All goods on me. Let's not get awkward, please (awkwardly laughs).

Joshua Parco takes deep breaths; jaw clenching.

Olivia: Oh, gosh. This is stupid. Pretend you didn't hear anything na lang (blushing) (covering her face with her right hand).

Joshua Parco: I should be the one to ask you that... (pause) (stares at the camera) Can I be your boyfriend, Oli?

(Stunned silence)

Olivia: W-what? (Breathes heavily)

(Sounds of phone falling)

Olivia's front camera view is the ceiling.

Joshua Parco: Gusto kita, Olivia. Puwede ba kitang maging girlfriend?

Joshua Parco: Sorry, personal dapat ito pero hindi ko na mahintay.

Joshua Parco: Puwede ba tayong magkita bukas?

(Stunned silence)

Joshua Parco: Hello? Andyan ka pa ba, Oli? (Nervous chuckle)

Olivia: (Peeks at the front camera) (breathing heavily) Y-yes. A-are you serious? Is this real? Am I not dreaming?

Olivia: (Whispers) Lord, ang bilis niyo naman po dinggin prayers ko.

Joshua Parco: Ano 'yon, Oli? (Smiles)

Olivia: (Shakes head) Nothing. . . Shit. Uhm. . . (pause) (sighs) I like you a lot, Josh (bites lips). And yes, I would be very happy to be your girlfriend.

Joshua Parco: (Grins at the camera) (bites lips)

Olivia: (Whines) Don't do that nga. . .

Joshua Parco: (Chuckles) Ang alin?

Olivia: That! Biting your lips and looking so. . . guwapo! (Pouts)

Joshua Parco: Pambihira (laughs lightly).

Olivia: HMP!

Joshua Parco: Nagulat ka ba?

Olivia: Slight. I didn't expect my night to turn out this way. . .

Joshua Parco: Kita tayo bukas? Let's date?

Olivia runs away from her bed and then squealed.

Olivia: (Sounds of footsteps) Okay (breathy). Let's meet tomorrow (grins at the camera).

Joshua Parco: Okay.

Olivia: Okay.

Joshua Parco: (Chuckles) Sige na, good night Oli.

Olivia: Good night, Joshy (waves at the camera).

Video call ended.