Hello, Yellow Fellow

Chapter 21

Hello, Yellow Fellow
Chapter 21: Primal

"Ganyan ba talaga 'pag malapit lang?"

I'm focused on my laptop, my fingers flying over the keys, when Rio suddenly blurts out something random. I glance at him, kunot-noo, a bit confused by his random remark.

"Huh?"

Kakatapos lang ng prelim exams namin. But instead of taking a break like everyone else, nandito ako sa library, busy editing my portfolio. I need to wrap this up as soon as possible para hindi na ako magka-problema towards the end of the semester. Finals are always chaotic—sobrang daming requirements, kaya it's better to stay ahead now than scramble later.

"Yung inspiration mo," Riri says, nangalumbaba na siya sa table, giving me this knowing look.

"Pinagsasabi mo, bakla?"

"Look, kakatapos lang ng exam, yet ang fresh-fresh mo tapos nagsisipag ka na naman. Parang hindi ka man lang na-stress," he squints, as if this is a deep mystery that he's trying to figure out.

I let out a small chuckle, amused at his dramatic observation. "Gusto mo lang magpashoot, no? Kaya ume-eme ka na naman d'yan, Riri."

He burst out laughing. See? Alam ko na 'yang style niya na 'yan. Kapag gusto niya magpashoot or may pakulo, ganyan talaga siya. Hindi niya na ako madadaan sa mga pa-cute niya na banat. Gosh, Riri.

"Hoy! Hindi ah, seryoso ako this time," he insisted, still giggling.

"Extra blooming ka these days."

Wala nga akong maayos na tulog, tapos fresh na fresh pa rin tingin niya sa akin?

"Syempre, ako pa ba?" I say nonchalantly, eyes returning to my laptop as I focus back on editing.

But of course, Riri doesn't stop there. "You know what, you're lucky with Maki."

Tumigil ako saglit, letting his words sink in. I try to act cool, pero deep inside, naiirita pa rin ako kay Maki. Hindi ko pa siya kinakausap the whole day after what happened last night. Bahala siya, natulog pa akong bitin.

"Hmm?" I hum in response, not looking up from my screen.

"Napakapure ng intentions niya for you, and super consistent pa," Rio continues, his voice tinged with envy. "Like, ang dami niyang ginagawa para sa'yo, 'di ka ba kinikilig doon?"

"We're just friends, okay? Nothing more," I glance at him, feeling a bit defensive.

Rio gives me a knowing smirk, clearly unconvinced.

"Anyare ba sa inyo ni Gio?" I ask, hoping to shift the conversation. Change topic na, baka mamaya mag-overthink na naman tayo nito e.

"Gosh, Eli, 'yong lalaking 'yon, such a headache," Riri's expression changes instantly, rolling his eyes. I stifle a laugh.

"Bakit naman?"

"Dami kong kaagaw," he mutters, pouting dramatically.

Oh, here we go. Riri's back to complaining about his love life. Or, should I say, his numerous love interests?

"Pero ganon ka rin naman? Ang dami mo rin namang ka-fling," I tease and rolled my eyes, knowing full well na parehas lang sila ni Gio.

"Ugh, I know! Pero iba kasi, Eli. Feeling ko, ako lang nag-e-effort lately," he groans in frustration.

Before I could respond, Riri leans back in his chair, looking at me slyly. "Pero, balik tayo kay Maki. Spill. Bakit nga ba hindi mo siya kinakausap?"

I sigh, running a hand through my hair, debating if I should tell him. But finally, I give in.