Leaving it to chance [ Serendipity Series #01 ]

VI: sulit

Sulit — (adj.) something that is worth it. 

* 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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We texted the whole week—and yes, hindi na niya inihulog ang phone niya sa pool. In his defense, nahulog daw during training, but it didn't matter anymore. What mattered was that I was on my way to UST right now to meet up with him. I didn't even hesitate when he asked if I wanted to meet up. He suggested somewhere within my area na lang daw, but I insisted on going to see him. I didn't want him to drive all the way to Katipunan pa after his training and it wasn't like I was all that busy anyway, so it was all good.

I have to admit, I have only been to UST a handful of times and I didn't even explore much whenever I was here, too. I only ever stopped by when I saw Genevieve or Tom. Mikie said we'd meet up somewhere in España, so I took this opportunity to go look around the campus since I was already here. Halfway through looking around, I found out I was kind of lost. I had to call Genevieve to locate me.

"Unsa ma'y tripping nimo og ngano nakahunahuna ka nga mag sight seeing diri oy?" Ano ba'ng trip mo ngayon at naisip mong mag-sightseeing dito bigla? Gen asked, walking beside me.

"I'm waiting for Mikie to finish training and I didn't know if you were on duty. Wala lang. Pampalipas oras." I shrugged.

Genevieve looked at me oddly before shaking her head. "Alam mo kung saan ka na lang tumambay?" I could see the mischievous smile slowly grow on her lips as she turned to me. Before I could ask, she continued her sentence, "Sa swimming pool. Hindi ba swimmer si Mikie?"

"Do you think it would be okay for me to watch him train? Hindi ba creepy? At saka hindi ako makakapasok, 'no! Hindi ako tagarito."

"Nahiya ka pa? May natira pa palang kahihiyan sa katawan mo, Korine?" she teased. "Ako bahala sa 'yo. Tara na. Mas may karapatan kang mag sit-in sa training nila kaysa mga haliparot na nagtatambay roon para lang makita mga masasarap na swimmer." Genevieve grabbed my hand and pulled me along with her.

"Kasali ka na diyan?"

"Pakyu ka lima, Nina. Ano naman kung haliparot ako? Baka may mabingwit din akong Tiger Shark. Rawr."

"Gaga, hindi nagra-rawr ang pating. 'Wag kang pa-obvious."

"Manahimik ka, babae. Walang basagan ng trip."

Thankfully, the swimming pool wasn't far from where we were. I could hear the coach's whistles, yells, and water splashes echo from the entrance. It kind of felt weird that we were here and I instantly felt conscious walking into the pool area. "Genevieve, alis na tayo. Ite-text ko na lang si Mikie. Tara na," I whispered, trying to pry my hand from her grasp.

"We're already here, Nina. We might as well."

I sighed and nodded, nibbling on the inner part of my cheek nervously as we continued walking. I physically had to stop myself from looking at the pool. Good lord, these were men in trunks! Tukso, layuan mo ako. Loyal po ako—chos! Hindi pa nga jinowa. Ang tanong, jojowain ba?

"Nina?"

Genevieve and I stopped on our heels. We came face-to-face with Mikie, still dripping wet and in his trunks, a towel over his shoulder, goggles still strapped on the top of his head, and swimming cap in his hand. Totoo nga ang sinabi ni Emman, maraming pandesal. Someone please pick up my jaw off the floor. Gen and I stood there frozen for a good few seconds until I felt Genevieve's elbow hit my ribs, bringing me back to reality