More Than Friends (Book 1)

Chapter 1. An Invitation

Iya Nadine Bernardo 

"Ang aga aga binabadtrip mo 'ko." Agad na singhal ko kay Elli nang makita siya.
 

He called me 10 minutes ago and ordered me na pumunta raw sa paborito niyang coffee shop. At kahit alam kong isa siyang taong walang sense, I still rushed in here for him still in my baby blue pajamas. 

"Good Morning din sayo Iya ko." He said sarcastically kaya naman pinili ko na lang na inirapan siya imbis na patulan. 

Nakakairitang pagmumukha 'yan. 

I watched him took a sip of his drink and I witnessed how he looked at me from head to toe. For some reason, his stare felt insulting.

"Problema mo?" Tanong ko.

"Really Iya? You didn't even bother to dress up for me?" He asked as he pointed out my favorite blue pajama. 

"Para saan? Bakit importante ka ba?" Tanong ko kaya naman natawa na lang siya. 

"Alam mo Iya, maganda ka sana eh. Kung nag--" Hindi niya natapos ang sasabihin niya nang tingnan ko siya ng masama.

"Baka gusto mong tumingin muna sa salamin bago mo 'ko pagsalitaan diyan."

"Ba't ako? Ang cute ko kaya."

I scoffed, "At sinong gago naman ang nagsabi niyan?"

"You did! You're the gago."

"What?!" I exclaimed. 

"You complimented me five years ago. You said I was handsome during the prom, remember?"

"Eh gago ka pala eh. That was five years ago and I didn't even mean it! Tyaka hindi handsome ang sinabi ko. Ang sabi ko mukha kang tao."

"Whatever, Iya Nadine. It's the same to me."

"You're pathetic," I said and he just rolled his eyes as a reply. 

"Well, sana nag ayos ka pa rin kahit papano bago ka pumunta dito. You look like a Java man with your messy hair and pajamas. You remind me of a Heidelberg man." He said, cracking a laugh. 

"You fucking idiot. Java man is Homo Erectus, not Heidelberg." I said, correcting him. 

"Sabi ko nga." 

"Stupid," Bulong ko kaya naman natawa siya. 

While sitting across from him, I noticed all the food that was served on the table. I was impressed at how every single food that I liked from this shop was served on our table as if they were all meant to be eaten by me. 

"Here, I ordered omelette cheddar cheese, choco-chip scone, and a large coffee latte for you." He said, enumerating my favorites. 

"At ano namang kailangan mo sakin this time?" I asked as I sipped on my cup of coffee while looking at him. 

"I just wanna have breakfast with you." 

"As if," I said and scoffed. Then I continued, "Do you need help with reports or what?" Tanong ko. He then dropped his phone and he let out a sigh while looking at me. 

I glared at him and said, "Did you cause trouble?" 

"No!" He said in defense. He sighed again before continuing, "But I am in trouble and I need your help Iya. Ikaw lang ang makakatulong sakin." He said.