Only One

CXXXIX.

INT. ELEVATOR — MORNING

Dionysus runs to catch the elevator where he saw Ariadne a minute ago. The operator holds the door for him and waits for him to enter.

The elevator is a bit crowded. He sees Ariadne by the corner and tries to get near her. He succeeds and she chuckles.

ARIADNE
Bakit ka pa sumiksik dito?

DIONYSUS
I like being in the corner.

ARIADNE
Okay.

DIONYSUS
Okay.

They both smile and pretend to stay quiet for a few minutes. Nakadiretso ang tingin nila pareho sa pinto ng elavator na nagbaba ng mga estudyante sa second floor. May ilan ding sumakay kapalit ng mga bumaba kaya lalo silang nasiksik dalawa sa gilid.

Nanatili silang tahimik, hanggang sa naramdaman ni Dionysus na hawak na ni Ariadne ang hinliliit niya gamit ang hinliliit nito. He looks at her who is still acting oblivious that she is holding his finger.

ARIADNE
What?

DIONYSUS
I'll show you the proper way to hold hands.

Dionysus breaks away from her soft grip only to open her palm discreetly. He intertwines their fingers and holds her hand. Ariadne just lets him.

OPERATOR
Bababa po ba kayo?

Napansin nila na silang dalawa na lang pala ang tao sa elevator. Nasa fourth floor na sila, its last stop before it goes back down again.

DIONYSUS
Ate, ba't 'di mo sinabi? Sa third floor lang po dapat ako.

ARIADNE
Uhm... ako rito na ako sa fourth floor.

OPERATOR
Eh sir, kung 'di po sana kayo busy manghawak ng kamay, sana po narinig niyo na paulit-ulit akong tumawag ng bababa sa third floor.

Dionysus shyly looks away before Ariadne pulls him out. The elevator operator looks at them.

DIONYSUS
Sorry po.

OPERATOR
Next time, Sir ha. Focus tayo sa floor na babaan natin, hindi sa kamay na hahawakan. Ano, sasakay ka ba ulit? Ibabalik kita sa third floor.

DIONYSUS
Okay lang, Ate. Mas gusto ko 'yung kamay niya. And I'll take the stairs instead. Thanks!

The operator nods and closes the elevator door. Ariadne bursts into laughter and Dionysus just rolls his eyes at her.

DIONYSUS
Tawa ka d'yan? Bitiwan mo na 'yung kamay ko, late na ako sa klase ko.

ARIADNE
Ooops, my bad. Sige na, baba na! Para makapasok ka na sa class mo.

Ariadne tries to let go of his hand but he tightens his grip.

ARIADNE
Ayaw mo naman bumitiw? Ikaw 'yung male-late na, hindi ako. Mamaya pang 10 AM class ko.

DIONYSUS
Maybe being late for five minutes isn't so bad if I get to hold your hand a little longer.

ARIADNE
Samahan na kita bumaba sa stairs para more than five minutes mong mahawakan ang kamay ko. Okay?

DIONYSUS
Okay.