Anthology

Rolesh ficlet

Sinulat ko 'to habang nakatunganga ako sa opisina last week. Pasensya na if wala akong updates recently, nag-aadjust pa ako sa bago kong trabaho at promise, ginagapang ko ang pagsusulat. Anyway, here's a short one. Alternate universe 'to, mga bes. Para sa mga umaasa kina Roldan at Kesh lol

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"Ugh, this is so annoying. You know you didn't have to come with me. Kaya ko na 'to ano ba," Kesh said as she sorted through the piles of books on the table, scanning them one by one and piling them up again by their respective call numbers. The musty smell of the old books made her wrinkle her nose. God, she missed this smell, kahit na lagi siyang sinisipon pag-uwi. Himala ring namiss niya ang trabaho.

She felt so fucking fine now, thankyouverymuch, as if hindi siya nalaglag sa hagdan last month. She only had a swollen ankle and some bruises from the fall, but Zade decided to become a mother hen suddenly that she hovered over her every time, everywhere. Well, not everywhere, since busy si Zade sa pagka-cram ng dissertation niya kaya naging Mother Hen Jr. niya ngayon ang friend niyang si Dan.

"Nagpromise ako kay Zades. Tsaka baka totohanin mo 'tong pagsunog sa main lib so I thought I'd keep you out of trouble," Dan smirked, and flicked his eyes over her.

"Hay nako, isa pang bodyguard duty mo sa 'kin 'di malabong tototohanin ko na ang threat ko," she snarked. Though secretly she was pleased that Dan was there. It was a Saturday for crying out loud, and God knows how much she hated working on a weekend alone, lalo na after ikwentp sa kanya ni Zade ang library horror stories na ikinapuyat niya for two nights. Nakakahiya lang magpasama ngayon kay Dan. Kakagaling lang nito sa isang week-long out of town seminar at imbes magpahinga, no choice itong samahan siya na mag-ayos ng mga lumang libro.

Hay nako, Zades. You and your epic fail matchmaking skills.

On the brighter side, mas mabilis niyang natapos ang trabaho dahil sa tulong ni Dan. His stories and laughter made her four hour shift bearable. She secretly wished he could accompany her to this until the semester ends.

"Teka nga," sabi niya habang inaayos ang lock ng front door ng library. "I'm craving for coffee. How about you? Gusto mo bang puntahan yung bagong café dyan sa labas ng campus."

"Wait...are you asking me to buy you a drink?" Dan grinned by agreed anyway.

She rolled her eyes. "Please lang ha. Coffee over everything!"

Kesh was already used to his...flirting. Sadyang ganyan ang pakitungo sa kanya ni Dan minsan. They never really acted upon it, save for that almost kiss they had during Andreau's birthday two years ago, but that was already forgotten. (Asa, hindi pa niya nakakalimutan 'yon.) Mas okay na 'tong harmless flirting nilang dalawa. She's not ready to be in a relationship right now, lalo na kapag si Dan na ang usapan.

"Psst. Kesh. What if I did?" Dan asked, a sly grin on his lups as he pulled the café's door open.

"Ano?"

"Try."

"Skinny dipping?" Pinag-uusapan kasi nila ang out of town trip nila next month. "Aba malay ko sa 'yo. Wala ak—"

"Me buying you a drink. Some time."

Kesh blinked slowly and pursed her lips. "W-what the fuck?"

"Yeah."

"Really?"

It was his turn to roll his eyes. "I take it back, Psychs."

"Uy teka nga," she said, reaching out to grab Dan's arm. "I don't unde—"

"Hello, Sir! Ma'am! What can I get you?" the barista behind the counter interrupted, a bright smile on her face.

"Iced café Americano and iced chai tea latte, both venti. Extra pump of vanilla for the Americano please and thank you," Dan said to the barista.

Of course, he knew her usual order. Damn him.

"Coming right up!"

"Oy, Roldan. Seryoso ka nga?" she asked, giving Dan's arm a light squeeze.

"Well yes," he replied, mouth turning up in a sincere smile.

Kesh shivered. She's really fucked. "Fine, you can try."

"Until I succeed," he said. His hand caught hers, squeezing it firmly. "And I will succeed."