Leaving it to chance [ Serendipity Series #01 ]

III: takipsilim

Takipsilim — (n.) Twilight. Dusk

* Should there be any Bisaya words used throughout the chapter, a Bisaya glossary will be provided at the end of the chapter for your reference.

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"Kumusta si wrong number guy?" Josh asked with a teasing voice as he caught up with me heading towards Gonzaga. As soon as my last class finished, dumiretso na ako kaagad rito kasi medyo nagugutom na talaga ako. And with how stressful that class was? I deserved food.

I turned to him with a confused look. "Parang mas na-excite ka pa kaysa sa 'kin, 'no? We stopped texting na, mga dalawang araw na."

"Aray naman. Masakit? heartbroken ka? Inom tayo ulit? Hanap tayo ng bago mong ka-FaceTime?" There was glint of mischief and excitement in his eyes.

"Shunga! Satanas, layuan mo ako." Habang gumawa na krus gamit ang daliri ko. "It's okay. Marupok ako, pero 'di naman siguro ako ganoon kabobo. Plus I don't even know the guy. I can't even remember what he looked like kasi I was drunk nga, 'di ba? I never got his name either." I lifted my shoulders and shrugged, resigned to the fact na tanga talaga ako. I sighed and I put my things down on the nearest table I found. Josh followed as well, taking the seat in front of me.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't kind of disappointed that we stopped talking. We talked sporadically for two days straight after that night but stopped a few days ago. The last thing we spoke about was what schools we went to. Apparently, he was also a student pa. I found out he studied at UST and that was it. As much as I wanted, I wasn't going to reach out first. Yes, ma-pride ako. I wouldn't deny it, but also, I didn't want him to feel na gusto ko siya. Again, I didn't know him and what were the odds of us running into each other? Ang laki kaya ng Metro Manila.

"Wait, so sa time na nagte-text kayo, ni pangalan, 'di mo nakuha? Ang bagal mo naman, Korine," Josh said with a mock look of disappointment. That makes two of us. I shook my head with a sigh. "Hindi naman siya nagpakilala nor did he ask for my name," I said defensively, leaning on the backrest with my hands crossed on my chest.

"Gaga, two way street ang paglalandi. Since he didn't ask, you should have!"

"E wala na tayong magawa! 'Di na niya ako ni-reply-an. Move on na tayo riyan."

My friend just shook his head before standing up to buy food.

Truly, we regret the chances we never take.

Later that day, I found out my cousin, Kata, was coming to Manila this weekend. Nabo-bore na yata 'to sa Cebu. She would visit me often when she felt like popping in. Based sa text niya, she was heading to Tagaytay to meet up with her dad and older brother who were playing golf there and wanted to meet up. I could already decode her message and knew instantly what she wanted to do. So much for resting my liver.

The week flew by fast. Maybe because I was looking forward to the weekend and seeing Kata. I haven't flown home in a while and so to have her with me for a little bit would be somewhat comforting.

We went to a bar on the day she arrived. This bitch didn't want to waste time. She even went as far as reserving a table the day before flying to Manila. Nauubusan na talaga ako ng bilib sa pinsan ko. She said she invited a couple of her high school friends who were studying in Manila and told me to invite mine as well. Of course, perfect attendance naman 'tong mga gago. In order to avoid a repeat of last weekend, I volunteered to drive. This was also so that I had an excuse not to drink.