Pursuing from the Shore (Sun Rays #2)

Chapter 11

Entry: Redler's Archive

Shoutout to you, Daniel Lancevin Velazco.

I hope you're happy now that I finally mentioned you here. Siren-eyed guy was already enough, but of course, epal ka eh. You keep insisting on stealing space in my archive.

And just so we're clear, this is the first and last time I'm writing your full name here.

Anyway, it's good to know where we stand—that you don't have any hidden intentions. And to be honest, it's been nice meeting you. I think we could get closer, eventually. Knowing your personality, it probably won't even be that hard.

I just hope you don't get tired of my silence.

P.S. Don't expect your full name to appear here ever again.

— aredgate

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Chapter 11

"Nakalibre nga ako sa 'yo, pero olats pa rin 'tong puso ko. Aray ko talaga. Manong isa nga pong stick ng fishball."

Nang masundan ko siya ay namili na rin ako ng bibilhin kong pagkain. I talked to the vendor too na ako 'yong mababayad ng kinain ng lalaking kasama ko.

"Salamat sa palibre!" Davin said for the fifth time.

I was on the verge of smacking his head for saying to me that over and over again. He was like a broken record, and it was so damn annoying. He was grinning ear to ear as well like an excited kid having his treat for the very first time in his life.

Akala mo talaga ngayon lang nalibre ang isang 'to. Pero sa tingin ko naman ay hindi. Pustahan, kung kasama niya siguro ang mga circles niya, siya itong nangunguna na nagpapalibre.

"Isa pang sabi mo n'yan, tutusukin na kita nitong stick," I warned as I showed him the small stick good for the street foods.

He dramatically held his chest. Lumayo pa nga siya sa akin na akala mo may nakakahawa akong sakit.

"Napaka-bad mo talaga sa 'kin!" He playfully rolled his eyes so I did the same. Kaya lang ay hindi siya nagpatalo.

Tinaas niya ang isang kilay na parang tinatarayan ako, ganoon din ang ginawa ko. I narrowed my brows this time, but then he did a smug face. I simply rolled my eyes, but he did it more exaggeratedly.

At this point, we were just doing mocking faces to each other without saying anything.

Yet he broke the chain!

"Manong, oh! Sobra na sa bilang 'yong fishball na tinusok niya!" biglang sumbong niya.

Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata sabay tingin sa cup na hawak ko. The amount of fishballs I have in my cup is exactly what the vendor told me to get. This dummy really knows how to test my patience.

"Manong, hindi po! Tignan niyo!" taranta kong sabi sabay pakita ng cup ko sa nagtitinda.

"Okay na, hija. Nakita ko. Itong kasam mo lang ang nang-aasar sa 'yo." Thank goodness the vendor was chill about it and simply nodded. Natawa na lang ito sa amin. "Gan'yan din ako dati sa asawa ko, e."

Sabay kaming napatingin ni Davin sa kanya. Wow. Ang casual naman ni manong.

"Manong, any tips paano niyo nakuha 'yong taong gusto niyo noon?" daldal ni Davin, akala mo close na close na sila no'ng nagtitinda.

"Aba, ako ang nakuha niya. Ako 'yong pakipot no'n," taas noo nitong sagot.

Natawa kami sa sagot nito.