While Verizza was strolling down an unfamiliar street, her head kept turning around to take in the details of the houses she passed. She would ocassionally meet a stranger's gaze and would offer them a reserved smile in greeting. The environment filled her with a mix of unfamiliarity and excitement. The people in the neighborhood couldn't help turn their heads as she walked by, intrigued by her presence. They all shared the same impression, seeing her as someone with a gentle and soft demeanor.
She maintained a composed attitude her gaze fell upon a familiar face. "Martin?!" She energetically uttered, her voice loud and high-pitched.
"Verizza?" Martin had just stepped out of a door when a voice called his name. He turned his head, and his reaction instantly changed upon seeing Verizza's face in front of him. In that moment when their gazes met, he observed every detail of her appearance. She was wearing a white dress with thin straps tied around her neck and a skirt that fell to her calves. The color accentuated her ivory skin, sparkling under the sun. As usual, the shape of her eyes was subtly veiled behind her rectangular glasses. A beach hat framed her silky hair, which fell to her waist, subtly swaying with her every move. A single smile was enough to make her look perfect.
With lips slightly parted, Martin stood there and watched her approach, still in awe of her beauty. "Martin!!"
"Anong ginagawa mo rito?" He asked when he recovered.
"Papunta ako kina Xav. Ikaw, bakit ka nandito?" She asked, briefly glancing at the building he had just exited. It was a computer shop.
"Bakit kamo? Barangay namin 'to."
Verizza met his gaze again with widened eyes. "Omg! So magkalapit pala kayo ng bahay ni Xav? Kainggit!" She excitedly shook his shoulders.
Martin allowed her playful gestures until a sudden realization struck him. He was just in his house clothes and still hadn't even taken a shower yet.
"Dyan ka lang!" He suddenly pushed Verizza before sprinting away.
"Hoy! Sa'n ka pupunta?"
"Babalik ako!"
Habang nakakunot pa rin ang noo sa pagtataka, nanatili si Verizza sa pwesto niya, pinapanood ang paglisan ni Martin hanggang sa mawala ito sa paningin niya. Eventually, she started to walk again. She took a different path, choosing to follow Martin's direction. Meanwhile, Martin who had just arrived home, slammed the door open and hastily searched for some good casual clothes to wear before heading to the bathroom. His father, idling in the living room, noticed his urgency and asked him about it, but Martin didn't bother to answer.
After several minutes, Martin emerged from his room, dressed in a plain white tee and beige linen shorts. With a towel in hand, he wiped his dripping hair and stepped into the living room. His eyes nearly bulged out when he saw Verizza's face inside their house, having a lively conversation with his father.
"Verizza??"
Verizza turned to him. "Wow, bango!"
"Napakabagal mo namang gumayak. Halos isang oras? Mahiya ka naman, kanina pang naghihintay 'tong bisita mo. Hindi mo nga ata alam na may darating kang bisita. Puro ka kasi tambay sa computer shop!" Hindi niya napanatili ang atensyon kay Verizza at sa sinabi nito dahil sa sunod-sunod na pagtatalak ng tatay niya.
"Bakit niyo siya pinapasok?!" He gruffly asked.
"Kaklase at kaibigan mo raw siya, paano ko naman hindi papapasukin?" His father responded with a subtle frown, noticing his well-chosen attire and lingering scent of cologne.
