Leaving it to chance [ Serendipity Series #01 ]

XVIII: tinatangi

Tinatangi — (n.) special someone

* should there be any bisaya words used throughout the chapter, translations will be provided.

***

It was as if time froze. I glanced at Mikie as he stood there, staring at his ex-girlfriend. She was wearing this cheerleader outfit from what seemed to be from Riverdale? Like the show? I might be wrong. I didn't watch it, but the yellow quarter sleeve shirt and black shorts seemed familiar.

Selene and Maia, who was another friend of Mikie's whom I just met, seemed to stop their conversation midway to watch what was happening. Mikie did not tell me about Valerie, but I knew who she was.

"It's like you've seen a ghost, Mike." She chuckled awkwardly as she glanced at me. I just smiled at her.

"Ghost from the past. Wow, it really is Halloween." Lucas coughed from behind before taking a small sip from his cup. Siniko siya ni Maia at nilakihan ng mata, a sign to tell him to shut up. Rafa, on the other hand, couldn't keep it in and snorted.

"Sorry. Hi," Mikie said briefly. "Nice to see you." Was it really, Mike?

"Yeah you, too. How have you guys been?" She asked, turning to face the rest of the group. "I hope it's not awkward for me to be here. Oliver invited me kasi. He's seeing my friend and so he invited us na lang din."

"Goods naman kami, Val," Emman interjected with a small thumbs up.

"You look great, V," Selene added, smiling at her.

Everyone exchanged small talks about the party and all that, but the entire time, Mikie was silent. He had this expression on his face that I couldn't read. I admit that I, too, felt a bit awkward seeing how we had never met nor had Mikie ever mentioned her to me.

"Hi, I don't think we've met." Her voice cut through my thoughts and everyone's eyes seemed to land on me.

"No, I don't think we have." Because we haven't naman talaga.

Mikie cleared his throat and tightened his grip on my waist. "This is Nina—"

"Hi. His girlfriend." I mustered the sweetest smile I could put on.

Wait.

What did I just say?

Ay putragis, Korine Attina!

Everyone fell silent. Nobody expected that, not even me! I honestly did not know where that came from. I guess nadala lang talaga ako sa gigil ko na nasabi ko iyon. Hala, shit, wala nang bawian 'yon.

I could feel Mikie looking at me, but I ignored him, still smiling at Valerie. The expression on her face fell for a second, it was so quick that you wouldn't almost notice it falter, but I did. And quite frankly, there was this satisfaction to it that I could not describe.

Hindi naman talaga ako war freak, but I don't know, it felt nice. I didn't know how I would deal with Mikie later, but mamaya ko na 'yan poproblemahin.

"Well, It's nice to meet you." Valerie stuck out her hand.

"Likewise." I shook it lightly.

One could cut a knife with the tension that enveloped us. I kept my smile on as long as I could, looking all smug with what I did but really inside I was screaming and kicking.

"Well, it was great catching up with you, guys. I think I have to go look for my friends. It was nice meeting you, Nina."

Everyone said their small goodbyes and watched as Valerie walked away. Lucas and Rafa took a shot, and Emman burst out laughing. He probably had been holding it in since kanina pa. Siniko na siya ni Selene because he wouldn't stop.