Only One

CXXXVI.

INT. LIBRARY — AFTERNOON

Dionysus swipes his ID before entering the library. Walking behind him are his friends who keep whispering and teasing him endless. Hindi niya pinansin ang mga kaibigan habang itinitiklop niya ang sleeves ng dilaw na longsleeves ng uniform nila.

Init na init na siya. Kinuha niya ang bouquet ng pink carnations na ipinahawak niya kay Pan kanina at naglakad nang diretso papunta sa carrel kung saan nakupo si Ariadne na kahilera ng tatlo pa nitong kaibigan. He texted Violet earlier kaya alam niya kung nasa'n sila.

PAN
Garden pa nga. Garden ba 'to?

DIONYSUS
'Wag kang maingay!

Siniko niya ang kaibigan bago huminto sa harap ng carrel na inuupuan ni Ariadne. She is still in their uniform, a white blouse with ribbon and a navy skirt. She is tapping her book with a yellow highlighter in one hand, oblivious that Dionysus is already in front of her.

Violet, Millie and Lauren look up. They share teasing glances before giving Dionysus their thumbs up.

Dionysus gulps nervously before setting down the flowers in front of Ariadne. People are already staring but he didn't care.

Ariadne finally looks up.

ARIADNE
Uhm, hi...

DIONYSUS
Hello.

ARIADNE
Is... this for me?

DIONYSUS
Yes. It means I'm sorry.

ARIADNE
Thank you.

She smiles a little, trying to hide her heated face. Dionysus clears his throat before leaning forward to her right ear.

DIONYSUS
Intramuros will always be our special place.

DIONYSUS
It is special because you were there with me. Not Nikaia, not anyone else.

DIONYSUS
Only you.

Dionysus looks at her, with his face still so close to hers. She gulps because of the little space between the two of them until the librarian puts a book in between their faces.

LIBRARIAN
No public display of affection inside the library.

SILENUS
Nagpapaturo lang naman po mag-gardening 'yung kaibigan namin.

TYLER
Dumayo pa po sa Dangwa 'yan.

LIBRARIAN
OUT! NOW!

DIONYSUS
Sabi ko nga po, lalabas na kami.

Ariadne stifles a laugh and waves goodbye to Dionysus. He gives her a salute and a wink before pulling his friends out of the library.