Leaving it to chance [ Serendipity Series #01 ]

IV: sapantaha

Sapantaha — (n.) a hunch or presumption

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

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Natulala ako noong sinabi niya iyon, unable to react and comprehend what he meant. It was only until he disappeared again when it hit me.

He couldn't be the wrong number guy, could he? Or was he just some other dude I happened to annoy when I was drunk previously? I couldn't really remember.

I didn't see him after that. I went back to the table, but hindi pa siya bumabalik. I tried not to make it obvious that I was looking for him, eyes surveying the area in hopes to catch a glimpse of him. Was he even going to return? I knew this was my chance to talk to him and I couldn't let this slip away. Char. At one point, I felt defeated and I gave up. There were tons of fish in the sea, ika nga nila. I think I should let this one go. Madrama.

Feeling resigned, I let out a small sigh. However, from the corner of my eye, I could see a figure approaching. "Mikie!" a girl called, running towards him as he made his way back to the table. Lumingon kaming lahat sa table, napatingin sa babae. Pati si Mikie—Mikie pala name niya? Cute. Short for?

The girl collapsed into his arms. Obviously, she had one too many drinks. "Mags, are you okay?" he asked, quite worried. Everybody else went back to their business as if normal lang na may babae na literal itatapon ang sarili nila kay Mikie, nothing out of the ordinary. Ganoon siguro kapag pogi, 'no?

I swear I tried to mind my own business, I really did, but curiosity got the best of me. I couldn't keep my eyes off them. Ano ba 'tong nafi-feel ko? Sino ba naman ako para magselos na hindi ko naman kilala, 'di ba? Erase, erase. Wala na akong paki, it was out the door na. No more, no more!

Wait, pero sino si Mags? Girlfriend niya? Kalandi? FUBU? Friend? Fan girl?

Ay, 'nak ng tokwa, Korine. Wala ka na ngang paki, di ba? Kung quiz pala 'to, bagsak ka na, sis.

"Emman," Mikie called one of the guys. "Hatid ko lang si Magie. Lasing na yata 'to," paalam niya. Before he left, he looked at me but I instantly looked at my phone acting as if I was texting someone, but in truth, nagke-keyboard smash lang talaga ako para akalaing busy ako because, again, wala akong paki. My entire body stiffened and only relaxed when I knew for sure he wasn't in close proximity anymore.

A few minutes later, Josh texted me, asking what time we were leaving and that Astrid and Genevieve were already with him. Timing! I saw it as a sign to leave. As much as I hated to tear Kata away from her small moment with Lucas, I couldn't leave her here.

I leaned over to her ear, whispering, "Kats, you have to go to Tagaytay early tomorrow." It was as if she forgot the reason why she came to Manila in the first place; she was so surprised. "Ay shit, right." My cousin gasped. I mumbled an apology, saying I knew she wanted to stay longer, but Josh was asking what time we were going home. I hated the guilty expression she had on her face while she checked the time on her phone, it made me feel guilty as well. I know she was having so much fun.

Kata turned to Lucas and whispered something in his ear. Na-trigger tuloy pagkatsismosa ko. May pabulong-bulong pang nalalaman 'tong si Kata. Lucas whispered something back and Kata smiled before kissing his cheek. Nanlaki ang mata ko. Bold move, Katalina. Shit, I could never. Again, naubusan na ako ng bilib sa babaeng 'to. Naghihiyawan at asaran na ang mga kaibigan ni Lucas.