Chapter 77

“Hi.”—

She greeted me for the first time in four years. Pakiramdam ko, parang tumigil ang mundo ko at the sight of her. From slow-motion to a full stop feel. I’ve always known how beautiful she is. But I haven’t seen her in a long time. Somehow, It felt as if mas lalo siyang gumanda ngayon. She’s blooming and glowing and I didn’t even realize that she was taking my breath away until maramdaman kong I was already out of air.

By the time I said hi back to her, I felt my knees weak. Kasi pakiramdam ko, I was struggling to find the right words to tell her. All I could ever say was hi. Kasi napipi na ako.  She smiled and giggled at me after realizing what was happening. “Huy, ano pala ginagawa mo dito?” She asked and it snapped me out of my temporary daydream.

“Lapit lang dito workplace ko, naglakad lakad ako for a bit. Wala pa kasi masyadong tao dito sa triangle ng gantong mga oras kaya I’ve decided to take pictures. Anong ginagawa mo dito?” I asked. “Napadaan lang, I saw the lights eh, I haven’t seen it for years.” Sagot niya naman sakin.

“Okay.” Sagot ko habang nakangiti sakanya. “Okay?” She asked in return. “Sorry. Haha, nagulat lang ako. I didn’t expect to see you here.” Sabi ko naman sakanya and that was the truth. “Twist of fate maybe?” She asked and I laughed. “Maybe.” Sagot ko naman sakanya and we found ourselves staring at each other a little too long until I’ve realized that I couldn’t look away. “Do you have any plans after this?” I asked because I didn’t want our conversation to end yet. Hell, we barely talked. It was as if the two of us got so caught up in our own little world. Not believing the fact that we’re standing in front of each other after all these years.

“Wala naman.” She answered. “Do you want to hangout? Maybe catch up?” I asked. “I would love that.” Sabi niya naman and smiled at me. “Gusto mong mag dinner muna? Daan nalang tayo sa bahay, I’ll cook.” I offered. “You cook? Since when?” Natatawang tanong niya. “Tagal na no. Took cooking classes. Had to learn or mag li-live off ako sa instant food.” Sabi ko naman sakanya at natawa siya.

“Marunong ka na talaga mag luto? As in?” She asked. “Oo nga. Di ko susunugin. Don’t worry.” I laughed and she did to. “Tara?” I asked. “Okay, let’s.” She answered. I kind of felt bad that we had to walk papunta sa place ko. It’s not that it’s far, pero nasanay lang din kasi ako maglakad dahil within the area lang naman din talaga lahat ng pinupuntahan ko dito sa Valero. When we arrived sa street ko, I showed her where I worked and where I lived kasi baka naman curious din siya and I was trying to make a conversation with her.

It’s as if kakakilala lang namin kasi and everything felt so new. “Sobrang convenient naman pala ng place mo dito, malapit sa lahat.”  She said as she looked around. “You like alone?” She asked and I nodded.  Pag akyat naming sa floor ko, she looked around yet again and chuckled.

“Grabe hanggang ngayon, yellow padin?” She asked. “Cute kaya.” Sabi ko naman. For sure napansin niya agad that my walls are painted yellow. Not because I’m happy or anything, favourite color ko lang kasi talaga yun ever since. “Wala ka masyadong gamit dito, kakalipat mo lang ba?” She asked. “No, matagal na ko dito, it’s just that I didn’t bother adding more furniture, kasi ako lang naman andito.” I explained.

“Feel at home.” Sabi ko sakanya habang papunta naman ako ng kitchen to cook dinner. Believe it or not, sobrang kaba ko din talaga. It’s not because I didn’t know how to cook, because I do. But it’s because I don’t know kung magugustuhan niya ang luto ko. I’ve never prepared for anyone other than myself. Tonight’s the first time and I guess, it’s only fitting that I’ll prepare something nice for someone that actually matters to me.

While cooking food, I saw my phone buzz at the counter table. When I checked the message, it was none other than Moonbyul.

Moonbyul: Wow may padinner si mayor! Bilis mo ah! Hehehe

Lisa: Bat mo alam?

Moonbyul: Kachat kaya ni Solar si Jennie lol nababasa ko convo nila haha

Lisa: Luhh anong sabi?

Moonbyul: Cute mo daw hahahahahahaha tangina nyo.

Lisa: Pakyu, ano nga sabi?

Moonbyul: Cute mo nga daw gago. Wag mo aksayahin oras mo galingan mo ha

Lisa: Nagluluto ako dinner

Moonbyul: Lagyan mo ng maraming asukal para tumamis ulit ang pagtitinginan nyo lol

Lisa: Tangina mo byul .l.

Moonbyul: Wag kalimutan mag hoho

Lisa: Tangina mo. Tangina mo. Anong .

Moonbyul: Figure of speech lng for protection. Baka gumamit kyo ng toys hehehe

Lisa: Tangina mo Byul bastos. Kakakita lang naming ulit.

Moonbyul: So?

Lisa: So, dko pa alam anong next move.

Moonbyul: Mahal mo pa diba?

Lisa: Oo.

Moonbyul: Edi ligawan mo ulit bobo. Lol

Lisa: Pano pag ayaw?

Moonbyul: Inamo. Cute mo nga dw diba? Nag iinternal panic si gaga kachat si Solar.

Lisa: LOL. Bye na