What's Up, Anne

Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Blades Under the Stars

         Talagang sinulit namin ang bawat oras na nandito kami sa Tagaytay. Para bang hindi namin iniisip na may mga susunod na araw pa na puwede naman naming gawin 'to. It felt like this moment was ours to own, and nothing else mattered.

The cold breeze caressed my skin, habang umiikot-ikot kami sa mga kalsada ng Tagaytay. It was the perfect night—chill, carefree, at tila lahat kami ay nasa isang bubble na walang iniintindi.

"Guys, kape tayo!" biglang sigaw ni Zedrich na nasa kabilang linya. Magkahiwalay pa kasi ng sasakyan e' pwede naman kaming magsiksikan sa sasakyan ni Nicholas.

Isa pa, wala namang manghuhuli ngayon. Ayaw pa nilang bumalik sa staycation na nirentahan namin, gusto daw nilang maghanap ng magandang mapagkakapehan. Kaya kahit medyo late na, we headed to one of the famous cafes in Tagaytay. Gabi na, so wala kaming tanaw na Taal, but it didn't matter. The ambiance was still amazing.

Inside the cafe, bawat isa ay busy sa kani-kaniyang photoshoot. The interior was cozy, perfect for those Instagram-worthy shots. But what caught everyone's attention was the open area outside, mas maganda daw ito during sunset. Too bad, gabi na. Still, we made the most of it.

"Picture tayo dito!" tawag ni Aea, her phone ready. Halos lahat ng mga kasama ko, iba't ibang anggulo ang tinitira—front cam, back cam, candid shots. Everyone was vibing, parang wala nang bukas.

Napansin ko, si Louise. He looked so happy, like a kid in a candy store. Nakangiti siya ng todo, para bang first time niyang makapunta dito. His laughter filled the air, making everything feel lighter. Halos lahat ng picture, sumama siya—posing here, making funny faces there. Parang hindi mapakali.

"Aea, wait! Sama ako!" sigaw ni Louise habang tinutulak na siya ni Aea palayo sa camera. "Paepal ka na, Louise!" tawa ni Aea, pero halata naman na natatawa siya sa trip ni Louise.

I couldn't help but watch him. His smile was different tonight. It wasn't the usual teasing smirk he always had. It was genuine, carefree. Parang wala siyang ibang iniisip kundi ang moment na 'to.

My heart skipped a beat. Why am I even looking at him this way? I tried to shake the feeling off, pero mas lalo lang tumitindi ang bawat tingin ko sa kanya. Louise, with his usual jolly self, pero iba ngayon eh. There was something more.

"Anne!" tawag niya bigla, at napatingin ako sa kanya, medyo nagulat. "Tara na dito, sama ka sa picture!"

I tried to refuse, pero alam mo 'yung mga pagkakataon na wala ka talagang choice? Ayun, hinatak na niya ako papunta sa group pic. Standing next to him, I could feel his energy—carefree, playful, and somehow, comforting.

We posed for the photo, pero hindi ko magawang ngumiti nang maayos. Not when I could feel my heart racing just standing next to him.

"Lapit ka naman, Anne, para hindi awkward!" hirit pa ni Louise. I rolled my eyes, but I did as he said. And there, just for a moment, everything felt perfect.

Mas madami pa ata kaming nakuhang letrato kesa maubos ang mga kape namin, kaya napag-desisyunan naming umalis na at maghanap ng bagong spot. 

Medyo late na rin, and everyone was getting hungry for something heavier than coffee. Since Tagaytay is known for its convenience stores na bukas 24/7, Harvey suggested na dumaan muna kami sa pinakamalapit na store para bumili ng snacks and drinks for the staycation.

"Kailangan natin ng pulutan!" sabi ni Benedict habang tumatawa. "Hindi puwedeng overnight na walang inuman."

"Inom na inom?" ani Jewel na mukhang wala sa mood uminom. "Napakapakealamera mo talaga." hirit pa ni Benedict.