Chapter 14: TOO COMFORTABLE
I jumped out of the car and thanked Manong Jude before walking into the university. I nodded and forced a smile on the people who greeted me as I passed by.
"Mia?"
My forehead furrowed when I heard a strong voice calls my name. I looked around to find out where it came from. But I just shrugged when I didn't find anyone. Hindi din naman ako interesado. I'm just curious because the accent seems familiar to my ears.
"Hey, Mia!"
Nagulat ako nang may humarang sa dinadaanan ko. I scanned him and realized that this man is really familiar.
"Stefano!"
His face brightened after hearing me say his name. It's my first to really look at him. Back when I first met him, if the bar wasn't so dark and the neon lights was all over our faces.
"Ciao Bella!" He leaned down to kiss my cheeks. "It was nice to finally see you again. How are you?"
"Likewise," I replied and pat his shoulder. "I've been great. How about you? What are you doing here?"
"Yeah, same." He smiled. "I just dropped Carina off." I was about to go home, actually. But then I saw you and I thought I should say hi."
"Oh, cool."
Hindi ko maiwasang hindi manibago sa kanya kahit na hindi naman kaming dalawa magkakilala. He was really flirty with me when we first met, if I remember it clearly, though I wasn't interested in him, it's still weird to see him being friendly now. Like there was no hints of desire or attraction in the way we are communicating right now.
"Hey, I don't know if Carina already mentioned this to you, but we're planning to hang out at Neobar on Friday."
My lips parted in the mention of my father's bar. Medyo matagal-tagal na din ng huli akong naka-visit doon. Hindi naman sa may iniiwasan akong certain someone na nagtatrabaho doon pero parang ganun na nga.
It's been a week since I last visited Maria at the hospital, too. There's a part of me that wants to go there and pay her a visit. I am kind of used to seeing and talking to them now. But I also want to give Dominic the space he wanted.
"I just think that it will be great if you could join us..." Stefan trailed, giving me a side eye.
I tilted my head, taking a few moments to consider some things. I think I already gave Dominic enough space to being lie low for a week. And if not, it's not my problem anymore. I also have a life, and I can go to the Neobar whenever the fuck I want.
It's not like pupunta ako doon just to have a glimpse of him. No! I will go there to party and get drunk! At isa pa, maganda ring sirain ang Friday nina Carina. They haven't mentioned this to me, so clearly, wala silang planong imbitahin ako.
"Carina and Sasha haven't mentioned this to me, but of course, I'll be happy to join you guys!" I beamed, which he reciprocated.
"Fantastico sono così eccitato!" Pinigilan kong mapangiwi kahit hindi ko naintindihan ang sinabi niya because he looks ecstatic. "I'll invite some of my new found friends too! You know, the more, the merrier!"
It wasn't long before we said goodbye to each other. I proceeded sa pagpunta sa room and my day played like how like it usually is. Nakapag-plastikan ako sa epal kong friends, and then I hang out with Hazel at my free time.
In the very short amount of time we spent together, I can already say that Hazel became a true friend of mine. She doesn't ask me for things, and I feel like she truly cares about me. Her vibe reminds me of Aisha's when we first met.
I went out of my room when my tummy started talking to me. My eyes narrowed when I heard Babà's voice downstairs. He failed to mention to me that he was going home today.
