#Wattys2023 Winner: Best Characters Award
❝This was probably what people meant when they said they disappeared into a moment.❞
*****
College exes Laurine Antoinette "Laurie" Navarro and Simeon Lee Aguirre didn't really expect to meet again. But with...
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❝A criticism – no matter how random or harsh – meant someone cared.❞
— ❁ —
LEE'S THUMB hovered over Lemon's promotional tweet. Kapo-post lang kasi nito ng guesting nila ni Sandro sa podcast. Iyong livestream naman, maganda ang naging reception. Lee was supposed to retweet Lemon's promo tweet on his account but he hasn't decided on a proper caption yet.
Hindi pa kasi humuhupa ang inis niya kay Lemon.
"I already sent you the caption written by our socmed manager. 'Yon na lang kung wala kang maisip." Tinapik ni Charlotte ang kanan niyang balikat. She settled on the empty seat beside him. "By the way, malapit na si Direk saka si Kat. Ready ka na ba?"
Pilit siyang ngumiti. "Yep. Ano bang pag-uusapan ngayon?"
"May storyboard na from Direk, so kailangan ng approval natin do'n. Mayro'n na ring locations from Kat. Pipili na lang tayo."
Tumango lang si Lee. He scrolled through his phone, looking for the caption provided. He copied and pasted it. Sighing, he edited some words. Nagdagdag din siya ng emojis. Napaka-formal kasi ng pagkakasulat. It didn't sound like him.
After sending the tweet, he muted his notifications.
Lee sat up straight. Inayos din niya ang pagkakatupi ng kuwelyo. Habang hinihintay ang mga ka-meeting, pinaglaruan niya ang suot na kuwintas. He pulled on the pendant. Guitar pick iyon. Nang hindi siya niyon napakalma, nagsimula siyang pumadyak-padyak sa ilalim ng mesa.
Narinig niyang pumalatak si Charlotte. "I thought you said you were ready."
Lee grinned. "Kung humindi ako kanina, p'wede pa bang umatras?"
Sa tanong niyang iyon, ibinaba ni Charlotte ang kanina pang binubutingting na phone. She must have been messaging Sandro. Kasalukuyan kasi itong nasa Bulacan para sa isang gig. "Okay, be straight with me. Ikaw mismo nagsabi kay Lemon. You know we've been discussing this for ages. Why do I feel like you want to back out now?"
"Manager, 'di naman sa gano'n."
"Kinakabahan ka? Normal lang naman 'yon. Wait." Charlotte squinted at him. "Is this about your ex?"
Medyo oo na hindi.
Sigurado naman kasi siyang napanood nito iyong video. Malamang, alam din nito kung bakit siya umiiyak doon. Lee just wasn't sure about the music video itself. Making it would unearth certain feelings he didn't feel anymore. Hindi na kasi siya iyon. Dalawang taon na ang lumipas. Kapag nakainom na lang naman niya ito iniiyakan.
He doesn't cry about her while performing in public anymore.
Lee cleared his throat. "Okay, uh. . . Manager, naaalala mo 'yong reaksyon ko no'ng una kong narinig sarili ko sa booth?"
