Leaving it to chance [ Serendipity Series #01 ]

IX: kislap

Kislap — (n.) glitter

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

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I watched as a familiar SUV pulled up by the front entrance. I did not expect him to arrive this quickly. Maybe the hotel was closer than I thought. The window of the passenger's seat rolled down, revealing a grinning Mikie, waving his hand to catch my attention. I returned his smile and slid into the front seat, putting on my seatbelt.

"Thank you for picking me up," I mumbled, letting out a small sigh as he drove towards the exit. There was a faint smell of chlorine and Irish spring—the soap—in the car and I was positive that it was Mikie. He turned to me and nodded. "Don't mention it. Do you want me to drop you home?"

I was silent. Did I want to go home already? I kind of didn't, if I was going to be honest. "No," I replied quietly as I shook my head.

He momentarily glanced at me, giving me a confused look, eyebrows raised as if waiting for me to continue. I would be honest, I kind of did not know where I wanted to go. I just wanted to leave the hotel. Don't get me wrong, I loved Ate Kass and gosh, I did miss her, but I knew if I stayed longer, I would just feel even more guilty.

"Kahit saan. Ayaw ko pa kasing umuwi."

"Final answer na ba 'yan? Kasi kapag ako ang pumili sa location, walang balikan," he teased.

"Kidnapping?"

"You willingly got into my car, so is it really kidnapping?"

Touché. "Basta sa lugar na walang maraming tao. I feel so suffocated that I can't even hear myself think."

The taunting expression on his face slowly disappeared, he looked worried now. I could read it on his face how much he wanted to ask why, but he decided against it. The drive was silent except for the faint music playing in the background. I looked out the window, watching the cars, their tail lights fading into a blur as we passed.

I was confused when we ended up in España. We passed by UST and I turned to Mikie. "Where are we going?"

"Sabi mo, ako na pumili kung saan tayo pupunta?"

"Hindi puwedeng magtanong?"

He chuckled. "Condo ko."

Nagpang-abot ang kilay ko, almost looking horrified. I opened my mouth to say something, but he continued, "Bago ka mag-react, it's not what you think. Tiwala ka lang, Nina. Alam mo, ang judgmental mo minsan." I saw the side of his lip curl up, but his eyes remained glued to the road.

Nanahimik na lang ako. Wala akong sinabi, no comment na sa statement niya. He lived close to UST which was understandable since he would need to leave early or come back home very late due to school or training. I didn't know why I expected him to live in some village. Maybe what he said was true, judgmental talaga siguro ako.

Mikie parked his car on the third floor if I was not mistaken, marunong naman pala akong magbilang. Very good. Sumunod ako nang bumaba siya, closing the door behind me. "Iwan ko muna gamit ko sa unit ko and then punta na tayo sa rooftop," he explained as we walked toward the elevator. Yumuko lang ako, wondering why he wanted to bring me to his condo's rooftop. Mikie tapped his card on to the scanner by the buttons which allowed him access to click his floor.

"Pasok ka." Mikie opened the door wide open for me. At first I hesitated, standing awkwardly before slowly stepping inside. His condo was a far cry from what I had expected. I didn't know why I kept making assumptions. A fatal flaw, I apologize. It was clean and well organized with minimalistic and modern vibes. In one corner, I saw a shelf full of medals and trophies. I smiled. On the middle shelf there was a picture of him biting his medal with his grandparents—well, I think they were his grandparents—on either side of him. Strike two na ako sa pagka-assumera ko.