Pelikula

1

"Tangina ang init."

Shutter was heard harmonizing with the sound of the nearby building under maintenance. The banging of the hammer against the nails wasnt as tolerable as it was earlier when Dahlia was fixing her stuff inside her dorm.

She quickly posted the picture she took on her Instagram story. Boredom, she hit her friend up. Tuguegarao heat is getting on her and A/C still wasn't working.

"Alec," she voiced as soon as he picked it up. "Are you done with your stuff?"

"Oo katatapos lang. I'm on my way to Starbucks. Do you want anything?" Alec then drove off.

"Can you pick me up? Mamamatay na ako sa init."

Alec paused. "Okay... but are you fine that I'm with someone?"

"Gara! You're already with a new chick?" Usisa niya at lumipat mula sa bintana tungo sa sala. She lay down on the tile to feel anything aside from the scorching air. The cold slowly creeping on her damp shirt from sweat.

"Don't call her that," he laughed it off awkwardly. "She's a friend from back home. A freshman just like you."

"From back home? That's weird kasi I never knew you had friends other than me. Anyways, just drive and pakibilisan please."

Dahlia ended the call and sat in front of the stand fan. Sang along with the lyrics of Ne-yo's Miss Independent and waited for Alec's car honk.

Dahlia paid a glance at the boxes of her stuff. She's not yet done but she was dying to take a break. The dusts flying around where the sun is beaming. She can barely breathe in her cramped apartment- it's actually not. But she moved here from her spacious provincial home. And she can feel her lungs burn with every inhale.

She cried at the ceiling, "I miss the mountains and trees. I miss the A/C at home. Am I going to survive living alone?" She sat up and looked at her full view mirror. "God knows I am an awful cook and I wake up at 9 by myself. I can't live alone. I already miss my mom and Gia. I miss nanay Mafalda." Frustrated , she pulled her hair out.

She's already like this and it's her first day moving out. Til how long will she hold out? Dahlia wondered.

"Beep beep beep! Ang sabi ng Wrangler Jeep!" Alec from his car, with his window rolled down.

Dahlia immediately wore her going-out tsinelas and changed her shirt because she reeks of sweat! She doesn't smell but she is a girl above all! Hygiene before stepping out!

She climbed on the passenger seat and was getting cozy because finally, a/c. When she looked at Alec, however, she noticed a rather unusual look with his lips pressed on a thin line.

"Pia will be sitting sa likod and I don't want her to get uncomfortable... Do you mind joining her?"

Pia, is it? This is new. She doesn't mind of course. She was simply taken aback.

"Why not? Napaka-considerate mo naman sa kaniya!" Dahlia didn't bother stepping out at isiniksik na lamang ang sarili sa likod.

Alec apologized saying, "I'm really sorry Dalle. She just needs extra help."

She put on her seatbelt before asking if the girl was, "sheltered?"

"Kind of?"

Dahlia really was bewildered by thought of him making friends. Alec is a year older than her. Actually, just 7 months. He lives across the street and his mom is friends with Dahlia's mom. Their friendship written in the faults of the stars. They had no choice but to be friends when their mothers are always at each other's kitchen.