Letters of Past Summer Nights (Old Summer Trilogy #2)

24

SEVEN

"Lapitan mo na kasi. Walang magagawa 'yang titig mo." 

I glared at Ira, who was beside me while I was eating a sandwich outside the convenience store. I purposely went alone so I wouldn't get pressured. Nakita pa rin niya ako rito at kanina pa ako tinutulak para lapitan si Alia. 

"Tinanong mo ako kung paano mababalik 'yong ngiti niya, ang sagot ko sa 'yo ay pasayahin mo! Akala ko naman susunduin mo! Hindi ka pa rin pala umuusad!" Binatukan niya ako kaya binatukan ko siya pabalik. His face almost hit the table. "Aray, 'tangina!" 

"It's not easy. I'm trying to find the right timing." I looked back at Alia again while she was busy mopping the floors. 

"Walang right timing, Pito! Ikaw ang gagawa ng timing mo!" 

"What if she hadn't moved on yet? What if I was just a rebound? Or worse, what if they got back together?" Those thoughts swirled in my head, overthinking every possibility. In truth, I was just stalling. I was scared. I was a coward. 

I told myself I didn't want a relationship with her, yet deep down, I knew I could treat her right and make her happy. If it meant bringing back her smile, I was willing to try. But the first step was always the hardest. How was I supposed to talk to her?! 

Fuck... How do people even flirt? How do they reach the 'talking stage'? Kasi hanggang ngayon, nasa 'stranger' stage pa rin ako. 

"Hindi nga nagkabalikan! Kita mong may iba nang nilalandi 'yong gagong 'yon, 'di ba? Kawawa talaga 'tong si Alia. Kung ikaw 'yon, hindi mo siya gaganunin," pang-aasar niya pa sa akin. 

"How should I introduce myself?" I asked Ira. Hindi ko lang alam kung makakakuha ako ng matinong sagot. Hell, the last thing I wanted was for the worst-case scenario to play out—having to ask Nat or Lyonelle.

"Sabihin mo... Hi, pansin ko parang may kulang kayo sa store n'yo. Wala na ba kayong stock ng boyfriend? Gusto mo mag-restock? Last stock na ako, oh... Limited edition." He acted it out too. How... embarrassing. How could he even do that in public? 

"Nevermind. I won't get a good answer from you." Tumayo na ako at kinuha ang bag ko para maglakad pabalik sa campus. 

Ugh... I really didn't want to ask Lyonelle about this. Asking Lyonelle would be better than asking Nat. Maingay si Nat, eh. Mahahalata kaagad ni Alia na may gusto ako sa kanya. Baka isigaw pa noon kapag nagkita kami sa convenience store. 

"What? Spill it out, man," Lyonelle said while we walked to the parking lot after training. He was eating an ice cream while I had a bottle of orange juice. Nilibre niya ako kasi ayaw niyang kumain ng ice cream mag-isa. 

"Uh... There's this..." I trailed off, avoiding his eyes. "...girl-" Natigilan ako at agad napayuko at umupo sa sahig, nagtatago sa likod ng sasakyan nang makita ko si Alia at iyong ex niya na magkausap. 

Damn it! Why the hell did I do that?! Lyonelle gave me this weird look. He furrowed his brows, glancing around in confusion. I panicked, so I grabbed his arm and pulled him down to sit with me. But honestly, I had no idea why we were even hiding in the first place!

"Dude... Who the fuck are we hiding from? Did you get in trouble with loan sharks or something?" he whispered, looking like he was genuinely worried about me. 

Hindi ko siya pinansin. Sumilip lang ako para tingnan kung naroon pa rin si Alia at ang ex niya, but Grae was gone, leaving Alia standing there alone. She let out a heavy sigh, running her fingers through her hair before turning and walking away. I had no idea what had just happened, but I got curious. Did they get back together? Was I too late... again?