Luca (BoyxBoy)

3

Ramdam na ramdam ni Luca ang bagal ng oras habang nasa emergency meeting sila. Gustong gusto na niya matapos ito. He felt so awkward. Hindi siya tumitingin ng diretso kay Ryan sa tuwing may sinasabi ito.

Napansin ni Devon na parang naiilang si Luca. Luca always shook his legs every time he felt nervous or embarrassed. At sa tagal na nilang magkasama sa loob at labas ng trabaho, kilalang kilala na ni Devon si Luca. He put his hand on his thigh in an attempt to stop it. "What's wrong?" asked Devon, whispering.

"Wala," Luca replied softly.

Tumagal ng halos dalawang oras ang emergency meeting nila. But Luca felt it was forever. After the meeting, nagsilabasan na ang mga tao sa conference room. Devon and Luca stayed for a while.

"Hoy, pansin ko lang kanina, bakit parang wala ka sarili?" tanong ni Devon.

"Wala yon," sagot ni Luca.

"Anong wala? Halatang halata na parang nininerbyos ka the whole time. At parang di ka makatingin kay Ryan. Bakit?"

"Wala nga," giit ni Luca.

"Kilala kita Luca. Spill the beans na. Something wrong with you guys?" Nagpupumilit talaga si Devon.

"Okay Devon," Luca said. He looked around just to make sure wala ng tao sa loob. "May nangyari na sa amin."

Hindi na nasuprisa si Devon. He just smiled and narrowed his eyes. "So, how was it?"

"Wag mo tong ipagsasabi kina Gio ha. It just happened so quickly. But it will just be a one night stand Devon. Hinding hindi na yon mauulit."

"What's wrong with that Luca? Ryan is single and so are you." Napalakas ang boses ni Devon.

"Shhh.... tumahimik ka nga. Alam mo naman na ayaw ko muna magka-boyfriend. It will just distract me in so many things especially sa trabaho ko."

"Advance mo naman mag-isip. Boyfriend agad?"

"Devon, he confessed to me that he likes me. Palage din siyang nagme-message sa akin. Ang kulit na nga. I didn't reply even once after that night."

"Luca, ang tagal nyo ng nag-break ni Enzo. Move on ka na nga. Open up your doors."

"Matagal na akong nakamove-on Devon. It's not just my priority right now."

"It's not fair for him naman na hindi mo siya sinasagot sa messages nya. If you really don't want to commit with him, then confront him. O, baka naman may feelings ka rin sa kanya?"

Yumuko si Luca and tumahimik ng saglit. "Konti. Pero that's why I'm staying away from him kasi ayoko na magprogress ito. I'm fine being single. I'm happy at work, sa cycling ko at hanging out with you guys."

"Ayan naman pala. May feelings ka naman pala. Give him a chance, Luca. Give yourself a chance. If it doesn't work, then fine. If it does, good for you both. Ganon lang ka-simple."

"You know me naman. Iba ako magmahal. I'm just saving myself from a possible disaster."

"Luca, it seems like you are still blaming yourself sa break up ninyo ni Enzo. He was the one who cheated. You deserve to be happy, Luca. Bakit parang pinaparusahan mo sarili mo? Alam mo namang may feelings ka kay Ryan."

"Actually Devon, naguguluhan na rin ako. I might talk to him one day to clear things up. To set proper expectations. Kawawa naman if he keeps on chasing eh hindi ko naman siya bibigyan ng chance."

"Don't ever say that. Mas malala ngayon kasi ka partner na natin company nila. You will get to see him around more often."

"It's fine. Ang layo kaya ng floor nila."

"Hindi ka talaga nakikinig kanina. Haven't you heard? He will move to Room B. Starting tomorrow, kapitbahay mo na siya!"

Luca clearly was not listening during the meeting the whole time. He just wanted it to finish quick. Nasurprisa siya sa sinabi ni Devon. "Are you kidding?" he asked.

"No I'm not. So, goodluck sa inyong dalawa. Okay, I have to go back to my office na. Marami pang tatapusin." At umalis na papalabas si Devon ng conference room.

Naiwan si Luca sa loob na natulala. Sa tindi ng ginawa niyang pag-iwas kay Ryan, parang ang tadhana pa ang gumawa ng paraan na paglapitin sila. He could not be sure if this was a blessing or a curse. Bahala na. Work is work. Dyan ka magaling, Luca. Maintain professionalism.

Nagtungo si Luca sa comfort room. It seemed empty when he arrived. He went inside one of the cubicles to relieve himself. Paglabas nya, andon na si Ryan naghuhugas ng kamay at nakaharap sa salamin. Agad siyang yumuko. But it was too late. Ryan already noticed him.

"Luca, I'm so sorry." Ryan pulled a paper towel out and wiped his hands.

Napatigil si Luca sa kinatatayuan niya. Lupa, lamunin mo na ako. "It's fine Ryan. Hope you will enjoy staying here with us for a while during this peak season," sabi niya, na parang wala lang. He spoke in a professional tone, just like the way he talked to his team members. He composed himself up although deep inside, he could not explain what he was feeling. Hindi niya maipaliwanag kung bakit parang masaya siya na nakita si Ryan pero at the same time, naiinis din siya sa sarili niya kung bakit nararamdaman niya ito.

Lumapit si Ryan at hinawakan ang mga balikat ni Luca. Luca froze. "Luca, please let me explain and give me a chance. Makinig ka naman sa akin. I know it is unusual to like someone in just a matter of days and a few meet ups. But can we at least try to make this work out."

"Ano ba yang pinagsasabi mo Ryan. Lasing lang tayo non."

"I know. But I feel na may nararamdaman ka rin. Let's talk about this."

Biglang may pumasok sa banyo. Agad bumitaw si Ryan sa pagkakahawak sa mga balikat ni Luca. 

Luca went on to wash his hands. He cleared his throat and said, "Not here. Meet you at the cafe tonight at 10." Mabilis siyang umalis palabas.

Lagpas 10PM na ng dumating si Luca sa cafe. At first, ayaw na niya sanang siputin si Ryan pero napaisip siya baka hindi titigil sa pangungulit ito. Hindi rin naman siya makakaligtas dahil sa iisang floor na sila simula bukas. In fact, magkatabi pa office nila.

Umupo si Luca sa tapat ni Ryan, seryuso ang mukha habang si Ryan naman ay abot tenga ang ngiti. "Have you ordered na?"

"Yes, I ordered your favorite drink. On me."

"Salamat. I owe you three times na."

"Stop saying that. Okay lang yon." Ryan reached out for Luca's hands on the table. Luca quickly put his hands down. He sighed. "Salamat pala at dumating ka. I thought you're not coming anymore."

"I'm sorry. Na-late lang ako kasi may tinatapos. I also called for an after shift meeting for my team para i-update sila sa pagpasok ng DBC."

"Luca, enough talks about work. I just really want to say sorry sa nangyari. We were both tipsy. Pero hindi pa rin nagbabago feelings ko sayo. I want to get to know you more. When I told you I like you that night, it was an honest statement."

"Here's the thing Ryan. I don't want to get distracted, especially at work. Lalo na na pumasok ka Z-creatives. To be honest with you, I like you too. But that's it. Nothing more. Let's just be professional in the office and forget everything that happened."

"Do you think it would be that easy? I will see you everyday, Luca. Hindi ko rin naman ginusto na ako yung i-aappoint ng DBC to represent in your office." Ryan looked straight to Luca's eyes. "Luca, give me a chance to prove to you that I'm serious about you."

"I don't know what to say, Ryan," sabi ni Luca at agad itong tumayo at umalis.

"Cafe latte and macchiato for Ryan!" the woman at the counter said.