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I nervously glanced at my phone for the nth time, biting my lip habang hinihintay sina Ivelle at Joshua. The cozy coffee shop was almost empty, save for a few students cramming for finals at the corner. May isa pang table na occupied ng mga tita na nagchi-chismisan about something.
"You can do it, Eli." I muttered to myself, tugging on my hoodie.
Then, the door opened. Napatingin ako roon at nakita si Ivelle.
“There he is!” may kalakasang sigaw niya, entering like a storm. She was wearing oversized shades, carrying two tote bags and holding an iced latte like it was a trophy. Kaya nga kami pumunta rito to drink something pero may dala naman.
Mariin akong napapikit nang makuha niya ang atensyon ng halos ibang costumer. The heck with this woman. Kasunod niya ay si Joshua na halatang pagod na sa pinagagawa ni Ivelle.
Joshua followed behind, tahimik lang, in his usual oversized flannel and with a faint nod. He sat down agad, pulling out his earphones pero di niya nilagay. Nakikinig lang siya.
“So what's with these sudden meeting?" Ivelle asked, habang nagkukusot ng tissue sa kamay.
I chuckled nervously. "Let's order first,"
Sumang-ayon naman sila dahil hindi pa ito nakapagbreakfast ang mga 'to. I order a croissants and and a Parisian Ham, Swiss and a Latte. Pare-pareho lang din kaming inorder tatlo.
We talk about school stuff until our order arrives. When I sense that all is cleared ay huminga ako ng malalim.
“Guys… I need to tell you something.”
Ivelle stopped mid-sip. “Ano 'yon?"
Joshua raised a brow. "What is it?"
I fidgeted with my straw. “Okay… I invited you here kasi… I trust you both. And I think it's time for me tell it to the both of you."
After a deeptalk with my mom kagabi, mas lumakas lalo ang loob ko to tell them for me to finally stop hiding in my comfort zones and to test if they will stay the same even after this confession. I wanna feel badly if risking this thing will be worth it.
“I think… I like someone.”
Ivelle raised an eyebrow. “Okay? That’s not a bomb, Elio. Unless… si Reize na naman 'yan."
Mabilis akoang napailing. I bit my lip. “I like… a guy.”
Silence engulfed the three of us. Walang gustong mag-ingay kundi ang paligid lang namin. Wala akong marinig kundi yung pagkabog ng puso ko at yung boses ko sa loob ng utak ko na nagsisigaw ng—what the hell did you just do?
Ivelle blinked. Then again..Si Joshua naman, walang sinasabi. Tinitigan lang ako.
And for a moment, gusto kong tumakbo palabas. I was so ready to grab my hoodie, my latte, and sprint like a damn track star.
But then…
Biglang ngumiti si Ivelle. ‘Yung genuine smile niya na parang sinasabi, “Oh? That’s it? Akala ko kung anong problema na ‘yan?”
BINABASA MO ANG
IKIGAI Series #1: Estranghero
Romansa[1st Series under IKIGAI] Elio Maze Inoue is a bubbly and optimistic, with an infectious energy that draws people to him. He also have that bright, expressive eyes that sparkle with enthusiasm. While in a physical manner, he has this curly or wavy h...
