The Two of Us

PART 4

JULY

I finally made my way to Joe’s apartment a little before eight. Her apartment is bigger than mine. Bubuksan ko na sana ang pinto when I hear muffled voices from inside.

“Paano na yan eh kinain mo na yung isa!”

“Ang oa mo talaga, Harv! Sama mo na yan si Joe sayo.”

“Luh, nasama pa ako? Ako na nga nag magandang-loob na mag-bake ng cake niyo? Ako pa yung oa ngayon?”

I paused, feeling a shiver run through my body as I heard a familiar voice. I know I’m not mistaken—it’s her. It’s her voice I am hearing right now.

It’s not that she's not allowed to come here, but how awkward it would be to face her, especially after our interaction earlier. It seemed as though the universe was mocking me right at this moment, reminding me of my careless words to her. Hindi muna ako pumasok, so I stayed for a while outside, when I felt my phone beep.

“Lyde, are you busy this weekend? I’m just shooting my luck na magpaturo sa IT elective.”  the text reads.

“I am, but I can make time,”  my reply to Brigette’s text.

I put my phone in my pocket and breathe out. I open the door in hopes I won’t disturb them from what they’re talking, but the door isn’t cooperating. The moment I step in, the three of them look in my direction.

I could clearly see Yuuki's gulp and slowly looked in Harvey’s direction. Harvey immediately looked away. Joe smiled at me. I know she’s happy that I’m here.

“Hey, good evening.” I greeted them.

“We bake something,” Joe said, pointing at the macarons sitting on the top of the kitchen table.

Of course, ayaw ko maging rude kaya pumunta ako sa direksyon nila. Napansin ko kung paano dumistansya si Harvey sa akin ng maramdaman niya medyo makalapit na kami sa isa’t-isa.

“What’s the occasion?” I ask.

“Nothing. Cravings lang nila ngayon.” Joe explains.

I raise an eyebrow upon hearing that. Joe’s cooking food for them when they crave it? She doesn’t cook food for me, though. Yeah, because I don’t ask her to cook for me. Silly me for being jealous towards her friends when it’s clear that I don’t ask anything of her.

“I see.”

“Taste it.”

“I’ll have it later. Punta muna ako sa room mo,” I smiled before bowing. “Enjoy then.” I sneak a quick glance at Harvey once more before excusing myself.

Hindi ako umalis dahil ayaw kong makipag-interact sa kanila.

I excuse myself from there because I don’t want them to be uncomfortable with my presence.

And I think I’m right.

I was right.

;

JULY

“She’s more aloof than I thought.”

Rinig kong sabi ni Harvey pagtalikod ko. I think she thought mahina lang pagkasabi niya? I sighed as I closed the door behind me. I locked myself inside and slumped down against the door and let out another sigh.

How do I tell them that it’s not what they think it is? It’s hard being misinterpreted by some people, though. And no, I don’t hate them. I think it will stay like that forever. I hope not. Silly.