as the stars would have it

115

CHAPTER 115

EVIE COULD NOT believe her eyes. In her mind, Jachin was going to bring her to some extreme sport or activity when he asked her to come, but she could not be more thankful that he chose this.

She blinked a couple of times before turning to Jachin who had a huge and infectious smile that made his eyes disappear. “You like it?”

The roller rink was huge and colorful, with multiple neon lights dancing on the floorboard. Iilan lang din ang tao sa loob kaya halos solo nila ang lugar. And to top all of that, the glass windows on the southern part of the rink were overlooking the city.

Mapula na ang araw at halos hindi na ito makita sa likod ng mga matataas na building.

The sun was hitting Jachin’s face in a magnificent golden hue, painting the most beautiful picture in Evie’s eyes. So she stopped and stared, and admired him a bit before he noticed her gaze.

If she could stop time, she would. For this.

“Like it? I love it! I mean, the roller rink?” Evie jumped in glee and clapped her hands. “How did you even know?”

Evie had very fond memories of skating both on ice and on a roller rink because her mother loved bringing her along for her to learn. Though she never went to be a professional at it, she’d like to think that in another universe, she would’ve pursued this. Unfortunately, she stopped going when she passed away.

Back then, she avoided going or even seeing places with a rink because it brought back the pain of her loss. But today, the picture changed entirely in her mind. It was like all the dull and unpleasant memories melted to reveal a much shinier and more meaningful reminder.

He changed the meaning of the place.

Evie brought back her gaze towards the view, closed her eyes, and silently uttered a thank you to the Heavens—to her mother. Because it felt like she sent Jachin to show her a different world, one that she could’ve lived with her mother.

Her attention was brought back to Jachin when he kneeled in front of her and started to unlace her shoes. Out of reflex, Evie placed a hand on his shoulder to keep herself from falling.

Umangat ang tingin nito sa kanya bago ngumiti. “I might have asked Mimi.”

Evie’s eyes widened. “You did?” It wasn’t usual for him to talk to her best friend mainly because she’s so busy that she can’t have a decent social life. Either her nose was carved deep inside a book or she was sleeping. No in betweens.

“Yeah,” Jachin shrugged like it was nothing. And yet, it was everything to Evie. “Of course, napagsabihan muna ako na iuwi kitang isang buo at hindi umiiyak.”

“Oh, that sounds like her,” Evie chuckled and shrugged off her socks. Jachin stood upright. “And then you found this?”

Tumango si Jachin na nakapamulsa na at nakatitig kay Evie. She was so adorable while holding her shoes in one hand and looking at her feet.

“Yeah. Medyo nahirapan nga ako mag research kasi gusto ko rin may view and at the same time hindi kalayuan sa’tin.”

Evie can imagine that it wasn’t an easy compromise because it was still a two-hour drive from Manila. She was just thankful that they didn’t get lost while on the way. Otherwise, they would’ve missed the sunset.

“Bub, warning lang, pero ‘di ako magaling dito, ah. ‘Wag mo ‘kong i-judge kasi ‘di pa talaga ako nakakatapak sa ganito.”

Evie giggled, and took a few steps closer to her beau. “Thank you,” she tipped her head back to look at him and wrapped her arms around his torso, loving the way she fit inside his body.