"Ayoko talaga sa lahat bad timing."
"Bad timing?" aniya. Ngumisi. "Naniniwala ka dun?"
"Bakit, ikaw, hindi?"
"Kung gusto mo ang isang bagay," tumayo mula sa kinauupuan, "Gawan mo ng paraan."
"Pero -" natigil ang pero nang takpan ang bibig.
"Shh!" sumenyas na tumahimik, "Walang pero pero!"
"Pero kasi - "
"Ang kulit!" Tawanan. "Minsan ka na nga lang mabuhay, hahayaan mo pa ba ang sarili mong makulong sa isang social construct?"
"Okay, sige," sagot nito. Lumapit sa kanya at tinanggal ang kanilang mga relo, "Ngayong gabi, hayaan nating tayo ang magdikta kung ano ang dapat nating gawin. Walang hinahabol, walang deadline."
"Ngayong gabi, tayo lang."
"What makes you think you're already in love? You haven't even met that Zero."
Natawa naman ako sa kaibigan kong si Leigh habang inaayos ko yung sintas ng sapatos ko.
"Why Leigh? Do you fall in love at first sight? Hindi naman din di ba? Saka sabi mo, fall in love with the character. That's why I think I'm falling for this Zero."
"You don't even know him yet, Van."
"Exactly. Kaya nga ako naeexcite e. It seems that we don't know each other yet. But we can already feel the connection as if we've known each other for a long time."
Natahimik naman ito doon. Pagkatapos ay sinimulan na din magpalit ng jersey.
"Just slow down. You might find yourself breaking. Mamaya gamitin ka lang nyan."
Umismid naman ako.
"Gaya ng mga exes mo? Y'know what's wrong with you, Leigh? Pinangungunahan mo lahat. That's why no one can keep up with your standards."
"Hey, I'm just saying if what if he's a psycho? A stalker? A hooker?"
Tumawa naman ako dito. She's really paranoid.
"Just step out of your safe zone, Leigh. You're already missing the most exciting part of life."
"Slowing down isn't always bad, Vanilla."
"Yeah, but look at you. Seriously? Continous failed relationships?"
"Ikaw din naman a. Why aren't you finding the right one yet?"
"I already found him. That's zero. I can feel the connection. He guesses everything about me perfectly. Like all of my favorites and quirks that only you and the girls can tell." I gave her an elated smile. "So, back off. And just be happy for me. Okay?"
"What if that's a stalker or a paparazzi that already run a background check with you?"
"Ang negative mo, Leigh. Seriously, just fall in love and get a life."
Ngumiti ito ng nakakaloko.
"Okay, so what will you do if that Zero is a girl?"
Natigilan naman ako.
"You're not Zero, are you?"
"Of course not."
Nakahinga naman ako.
"As long as it's not you, I'm okay."
"Why?"
"Because I don't want to end up with a puppet like you. Yikes! A barbie doll of everyone."