Time and Fallen leaves

I'm Only Me (When I'm Not Sober) III

What would happen if two woman likes a guy at the same time? Keeana said it would be chaos, it might even be a start of a war. But it's not like Erin plans on pursuing, admiring Leeon from afar is enough. However, she doesn't know Yuna that much, what would she do if she knew Erin likes Leeon too?

"Keen" is the safest answer Erin could think of. But instead of feeling relieved that the spotlight isn't on hers, mas lalo lamang itong kinabahan dahil mukhang hindi naniwala sakanya ang dalawa.

"Oh come on, I know you're lying. You two looks more platonic than actual siblings I've seen"

"Promise we won't tell anyone" Yuna even raised her hand like she's pledging. Mas lalong pinagpawisan si Erin, she doesn't know who to say next. Every name she will mention will possibly result to a different outcome. And so she blurt out the name that immediately came into her mind.

"Milo" sabay na nanlaki ang mata ni Jade at Yuna, their mouths hang into a big 'O' as if they were not expecting Erin's answer.

"Holy shift, so that's why I sense a tension between you two" tumatango-tango pa si Jade as if she realized that she's right all along. Of course there's a tension, I just met my child hood friend after so many years yet we act like complete strangers. However, the two seem satisfied by Erin's answer kaya nakahinga na ito ng maluwag. She excused herself to get a glass of water and went out the room. Jade even insisted na tawagin nalang ang yaya nila Chrys but Erin is just looking for a reason to go out —away from the two.

Dinala siya ng paa niya sa malaking kitchen, since andoon naman na siya ay hindi na siya nagdalawang isip pang kumuha ng isang baso ng tubig. She drank all of it in one gulp, all the spotlight earlier made her dehydrated, tila lahat ng body fluid nito ay naging pawis sa sobrang kaba niya kanina.

Agad siyang napalingon nang makarinig ng pag malakas na pagbukas ng pinto. Napahinga nalang ito ng maluwag nang makitang si Leeon lang pala ang pumasok. He still look drunk, mukhang uminom ulit sila sa kanilang kwarto. Do they ask who they find attractive too?

"Hey" Leeon greeted, his steps wobbly as he struggled to reach for a glass on one of the cupboards. Tinulungan naman ito agad ni Erin. Leeon whispered a thank you and smiled at her, he probably didn't even realize that it was Erin he's with since he's too drunk to notice. Iinom na sana siya ng tubig nang ibaba niya ito at tinapon ang laman sa sink.

"You know what, I want a hot cocoa with looots of marshmallow" he said in a child-like voice. Paunti-unti siyang naglakad sa isa sa mga cupboard to look for the powdered cocoa only for him to stumble, mabuti na lamang at tinulungan siya agad ni Erin na makuha ang balance niya. It wasn't awkward at all, Leeon's face only a few inches away from Erin isn't awkward at all, not at all.

Leeon's red face being a few inches away from Erin gave her a clear sight of his flawless face. His breath proved that they've been drinking again, but Erin doesn't mind at all. No one knows how long they've been staring at each other's face with closed proximity, tila may sarili silang mundo. They were only snapped back to reality when the kettle whistle, Erin doesn't even know how she subconsciously filled out the kettle for Leeon's hot cocoa.

"Lasing ka nanaman" what a great way for Erin to start a conversation, stating the obvious.

"Am I?" Napaupo lamang si Leeon at tinitigan kung paano si Erin magtimpla ng hot cocoa, his palm rested on his chin, eyes transfixed on Erin's side profile. "Please put lots of mallows"
Napangiti na lamang si Erin at napa-iling. If only Leeon could hear how childish he sounds right now.

"Do you believe in ghosts?" Leeon randomly asked after a few minutes of silence.

"No" Erin plainly answered, too busy looking for the marshamllow.