The Wallflower

Chapter 3 - A Walk to Remember, Julie Vega

He caught me off-guard. Well, I also blurted out what was on my mind at the time. But, yes, he is perfect.

"I didn't mean it like that", I interjected.

Seff just smiled it off. His eyes locked to my awkward panicked face. But his smile though and his chinito eyes...

"So, what are you doing after this?", he asked out of the blue snapping me off that quick daze.

"Uhm, well, I haven't eaten lunch yet. So, I might go somewhere to eat. Teka. Why?", I answered.

"I'll come with. I have nothing to do today anyway.", Seff responded.

I just looked at him and said, "O-okay.".

A part of me is raising a lot of red flags. My mind was racing at this point with questions popping in and out. Who is this guy? What is he doing? Why is he talking to me? Why me? But the other part of me is lovestruck. Kinikilig ako namputa! It's been a long time since I felt this. You know, special.

As we were standing up from the couch, Seff held his hand out. Confused, I took his hand, and I stood up and grabbed my bag. Seff let out a laugh as if I did something funny. Even more confused than earlier, I looked at him as he said, "Yung bag mo sana, ako na mag bibitbit. But, I mean, this is better.", he said as he smiled again.

I went pale as Ash, then as red as an apple. I instinctively let go of his hand and looked down on the floor. All the while I can hear the baristas giggling. Mga bruhang 'to!

As we exited the coffee shop, Seff held the door open. At this point, I couldn't even look at him. "Asumera ka kasi Anjo!", I said to myself.

Silence. Utter silence.

We walked to Bonifacio High Street (BHS) before Seff broke the ice.

"Look, Angelo, I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to embarrass you. I just sometimes can't help it.", he said sympathetically.

Finally lifting my head up. I looked at him and said, "S-sorry din. I reacted without thinking earlier. I-I also assumed that-".

"No, kasalanan ko.", He interjected. "I should have asked you directly kanina instead of just reaching my hand out.", he added.

I just looked at him and smiled as he smiled back.

"Can we get a re-do? Like, start from the top?", Seff asked. I just nodded.

"I'm Youseff Evangelista. Nice to meet you.", he said as he extended his hand.

"Hi, I'm Angelo Garcia. Nice to meet you too Youseff.", I responded as I reached to shake his hand. Then we both laughed.

We walked around BHS as he told me his numerous hobbies and what he does as an engineer. Engaging and checking on up on me from time to time. I got to know more about him. Like he likes arts, he does a lot of D.I.Y stuff. And has multiple hobbies like wall climbing, archery, shooting, trekking, and running. Everything that I couldn't do but I wanted to do.

We stopped at One Bonifacio High Street Mall and got in as we continued talking. Well, it was Seff who was mainly talking. I was just intently listening while snatching glimpses of his face from time to time.

I snapped out from admiring Seff when he asked, "So, akala ko ba you're hungry?".

"Ha? Ah- Oo. We could eat somewhere here.", I responded.

"Are you craving for something specific ba?", he responded back.

I was looking around and realized where we were. Somewhere familiar to me. Someplace I kept avoiding for some time now. But, what the heck. Gutom na 'ko.