“Anong hayop ang madalas mauntog?” Tanong ni Seungwan sa kaharap. Pansin kasi nitong kanina pa ito tahimik, and she wants to shoo away the awkward vibe that’s enveloping the two of them. After all, this is Seungwan’s first date with the girl she’s crushing on since her freshman year.

 

“Ano daw?” maikling sagot ng kanyang kaharap.

 

“Dog.”

 

1..

 

2..

 

3..

 

Seungwan counted on her head before she let go of the smile she’s holding in.

 

Nalaglag na lang ito nang makita niyang imbes na tumawa ang kaharap, she looks puzzled instead. That look prompted her to explain the joke.

 

“Uhh.. Dog? Yung tunog when you bump into something?” paliwanag ni Seungwan with matching pagkatok pa sa mesa nila to prove her point.

 

Tila hindi pa rin nag-click sa utak ng kaharap ni Seungwan ang kanyang joke. So instead of explaining it further, nag-isip na lang siya ng isa pa.

 

“Okay, corny talaga yun, I admit. Uhm, eto na lang.. Anong isda ang pwede mong ipang-sulat?” Her eyes hopeful. She’s wishing na sana naman ma-gets ng date niya this time.

 

“Lafish.” Almost instantly, Wendy laughed at her own joke. She heard a quiet chuckle so for her it was a success. Or so she thought.

 

Once she regained composure, she looked at the girl in front her who’s sporting a fake smile. Pero di ganun kagaling umarte ang kaharap niya.

 

That got her confused though? Kaninong mahinhing tawa ang narinig niya kanina?

 

Nevertheless, she took her date’s nonchalance as a challenge. Kung hindi pa naman ito matawa sa huling baon niya, she’ll call it a night.

 

“Eto last na, bakit may black eye yung juice?” She said with a smirk. After all, this joke is from her friend, Yerim, which earned her knee-slaps nung shinare niya ang joke na ‘to sa kanilang grupo.

 

“Bakit?” At least this time, her date played along.

 

“Kasi nasa pack siya!” As soon as those words left Seungwan’s mouth, she started to laugh so loud to the point that she’s clutching her chest.

 

“I don’t get it.” Sagot ng kaharap na siyang nagpatigil ng pagtawa niya.

 

Hindi naman nakawala sa pandinig niya ang pagtawa ng babaeng nasa mesang malapit sa kanan nila. And as soon as Seungwan looked at the girl’s direction, the said girl stiffened at itinuloy ang pagsubo ng pagkain nito.

 

Seungwan felt defeated. She doesn’t know how to save her face after this one. Hindi niya nga alam kung meron pang “after this one”. 2 years niyang in-admire from afar ang kaharap tapos ngayon isang date lang ang makukuha niya? Napahiya pa nga siya sa mga jokes na bitbit niya.

 

Hindi nagtagal ay natapos na rin silang kumain at nagkayayaan nang umuwi. Masakit mang tanggapin para kay Seungwan, eh wala siyang magagawa. Baka di talaga siya trip ng trip niya. That happens. At least she got one date with her though.

 

“Uh, Joohyun. Hatid na kita pauwi?” Wendy tried to atleast prolong this night and who knows she might get lucky at maambunan pa ng goodbye kiss kahit sa cheeks man lang.

 

“No, thanks. Andyan na yung grab ko.” There goes Seungwan’s hope. Sana hinampas niyo na lang siya ng tubo sa ulo.

 

--

 

Seungwan is standing on the sidewalk waiting for the valet to come with her car nang mapansin niya ang isang matangkad na dalaga na tila mayroon ding hinihintay. She looks familiar. Oh, yes, this is the girl na nasa tabing mesa nila kanina. It wouldn’t hurt naman siguro if she strike a small conversation with her di ba?

 

“Hey, thank you nga pala!” panimula ni Seungwan na siyang ikinagulat ng babae.

 

Tumingin pa ito sa paligid at nang wala itong makitang ibang tao, saka ito sumagot. “Ako? Para saan?”

 

“Wala. For laughing at my jokes.” Tila may nag-click naman sa utak ng kaharap ni Seungwan at natawa ito.

 

“Ikaw pala yun! Tough crowd you have there.” Sagot nito sa kanya habang natatawa pa rin.

 

“First date with my first love gone wrong.” Umiiling na sagot ni Seungwan at hindi na din niya napigilan ang sarili na matawa sa pait ng sinapit niya ngayong gabi. “Ikaw? Bakit ka mag-isa?”

 

“Nosy, are we?” Sagot naman nito. Seungwan wanted to take back her question, kasi nga naman baka na-offend ang kaharap pero nagsalita naman agad ito. “It’s my birthday. I always celebrate my birthday alone.”

 

Sakto namang dumating na ang valet dala ang kotse ni Seungwan. Ganito na lang ba matatapos ang gabi niya? Masyado pang maaga.

 

“You know what? Why don’t we celebrate your birthday more? It’s only 9 pm.” Pag-aaya ni Seungwan sa kausap. She doesn’t know kung papayag ito. After all, they just met and they still don’t know each other’s names. With that in mind, nilahad nito ang palad nito sa kaharap at nagpakilala. “Seungwan nga pala. Ang lakas ng loob kong ayain ka, eh I’m practically a stranger to you.”

 

Inabot din naman ng babae ang kanyang mga palad para makipag-shake hands dito.

 

“Sure, we can go somewhere to celebrate my birthday more at para na rin patahanin ng alak yung puso mong sawi ngayong gabi.” Natatawang sagot ng dalaga. “Do you have a place in mind?”

 

“Yes, I know just the right place!” Seungwan said a little too enthusiastically. “So, let’s go?”

 

“Soo-young. My name’s Soo-young.” The girl replied with a big grin before the both of them went into Seungwan’s car and drove off into the night.

 

--

 

Seungwan and Soo-young are into their fifth drink. Both of them are lightweights kaya di rin nila sure pareho kung bakit ba they decided na uminom.

 

They’re talking about everything and nothing kanina pa. Nagsimula sa mala-slambook na tanungan hanggang lumalim at nadamay na pati ang motto/s in life, likes and dislikes, and even political stance.

 

“You know what I like the most about our world, our universe rather?” It was Soo-young who asked. A shake from Seungwan’s head is all it took for her to continue. “It’s the soulmates thingy. I’m glad we have those. It gives us hope na out of the billions of people out here, eh merong para sa atin. Also, that gives us the freedom na magmahal regardless of age, looks and even gender. Imagine being forced to only love someone who is on the opposite ? Nah, I don’t want to be boxed like that.”

 

If there’s something that Seungwan likes about the girl in front of her, it’s her mind. Kanina pa siya pinapabilib nito. She has an opinion on everything that she can back up with facts and things that makes sense. At isa pa, she’s articulate with her thoughts and does not hold back in saying the things she strongly believes in.

 

Halos dalawang oras pa lang niya itong nakakausap pero napahanga na siya nito. What more di ba kung mas matagal pa. Kung magkakaroon man siya ng pagkakataon, she’d like to know the girl a little bit better.

 

Just how do you normally take your coffee, Soo-young? Do you like it black, no cream and sugar? Ako kasi I like it cold, foamy, and with whipped cream.

 

--

 

“Ang ganda pala ng mata mo ‘no?” Seungwan said out of the blue. “Kulay orange.”

 

“Anong kulay orange? Lasing ka na ba? It’s green kaya.” Sagot naman ng kaharap habang nakangisi.

 

“Ay oo nga pala, colorblind pala ‘ko. Sorry.” Sabi ni Seungwan habang tinatawag ang server sa harap ng counter para umorder pa ng isa pang pulutan.

 

“Huh? That’s rare. What happened?” Genuine curiousity is evident on Soo-young’s face.

 

“Hereditary.” Panimula ni Seungwan. “Something happened sa lola ko nung kabataan niya so they had to modify her eyes. It’s either that or hindi na siya makakakita. So she chose just that, kahit wala nang kulay ang mundo niya.”

 

“That’s sad. And somehow napasa yun sa’yo?” Tanong ni Soo-young.

 

“Yes, yung mom ko, selected lang yung colors na nakikita niya. Kaya medyo nahirapan siyang hanapin ang dad ko which is ang soulmate niya. Tapos kaming mga apo, complete colors kaso colorblind.” Kung malungkot man si Seungwan, hindi ito halata sa mukha nito. Mukha naman din kasing this situation does not bother her at all. It’s out of her control naman din kasi.

 

“Siguro sa mga magiging anak mo, babalik din sa normal yan.” Soo-young said with a hopeful tone. “Share ko lang din, complete colors ako since I was young.”

 

“Ooh! Then most probably na-meet mo na yung soulmate mo nung bata ka pa lang! Gaya nung kina tita-lola!” Seungwan’s cheerful at this point. Sa dami na rin siguro ng nainom nila kaya siya ganito.

 

Tango at ngiti na lang ang nasagot ni Soo-young sa kaharap. She’s enjoying this. It’s her first time spending her birthday with someone. Not just someone. A complete stranger.

 

She must admit though na masayang kasama at kausap si Seungwan kaya nagtataka ito bakit hindi naging successful ang date nito kanina. Nevertheless, she’s glad it didn’t work out kasi kung sakali, wala sana ito sa harap nito ngayon. She’s probably at her apartment getting ready for bed or watching a Netflix series.

 

Oh, Seungwan. You look like someone who enjoys frappe. I’m more of an Americano girl, though. Pero kung ikaw na pala ang tamis sa buhay ko, why not?

 

Natatawa na lang si Soo-young sa naisip. But sure, let’s blame it all on the alcohol they’ve drunk tonight.

 

--

 

“Ahhh, bat ang liwanag! Ano ba yan!” Seungwan grunted as soon as she woke up. Pagdilat ng mata niya, familiar ang kapaligirang natatanaw niya.

 

Well, . What happened last night? Paano ako nakauwi?

 

She’s trying to rack her brain kung ano nangyari at bakit siya nasa kwarto niya ngayon. Pero hindi ba dapat matuwa siya kasi nakauwi siya ng bahay at mukha naman siyang safe? Atleast hindi siya nagising sa kwarto ng kung sinuman.

 

She remembered the girl that she was with last night. Anong nangyari kay Soo-young? Siya ba ang nag-uwi sa kanya? But how? She’s certain though na hindi naman nila napag-usapan kung saan nakatira ang isa’t-isa.

 

She struggled to wake up from her bed since she wants to start finding answers to her questions. It was answered though as soon as she stepped into her living room.

 

Bumulaga na lang sa kanya ang kaibigang si Yerim na currently ay nanonood ng PJ Masks sa TV niya. That’s weird. Bakit siya andito?

 

“Napadalaw ka, Yerim?” panimula ni Seungwan ng makaupo ito sa tabi ng kaibigan. Di naman ito natinag sa pinanonood at sa pagkain ng pancakes.

 

“Anong dalaw ka dyan? Kagabi pa ako nandito no.” Sagot naman ng mas batang babae. “Wala man lang bang thank you dyan, for saving your last night?”

 

That’s weird. Yerim? Saving her last night? Paano?

 

“Ikaw ang nag-uwi sa ‘kin? How come?” Confusion is drawn all over Seungwan’s face.

 

“Pakyu ka. Inistorbo mo na nga tulog ko kagabi tapos di mo pa maalalang ako tumulong sa’yo.” Panimula ni Yerim. “Tinawagan mo kaya ako kagabi. Lasing na lasing ka. Sabi mo basted ka kay Joohyun kaya ka uminom.”

 

“That basted part, I remember. Pero di ko maalalang tinawagan kita. How about Soo-young though? The girl I’m with last night?” Tanong ni Seungwan habang kumukurot sa pancake na kinakain ng kausap.

 

“Sinong Soo-young?” It’s Yerim who’s now confused. “Wala ka namang kasama kagabi eh.”

 

Seungwan then tried to argue with Yerim that she is indeed with someone last night. Sinubukan pa nitong i-describe ang kasama but to no avail. Yerim is certain na mag-isa lang si Seungwan last night nang datnan niya ito sa counter ng bar. Wala rin namang nabanggit ang bantay nung gabing yun kung may kasama nga ito.

 

Is the girl only a figment of Seungwan’s imagination? After all, she’s almost perfect. Someone as pretty and witty as Soo-young can only exist on the books.

 

Pero hindi yun maaari. She met her at the restaurant when she was still sober so hindi pwedeng inimagine niya lang ito dahil sa kalasingan.

 

What the hell happened? Where the hell are you, Soo-young?

 

--

 

For two weeks, Seungwan tried to search for the girl. Sa instagram, facebook at kahit linkedin na rin but to no avail. Hindi rin kasi nito alam ang apelyido nito.

 

At this point, she’s almost convinced na gawa-gawa lang si Soo-young ng utak niya as a way to cope sa pambabasted sa kanya ni Joohyun.

 

Speaking of Joohyun, Seungwan confirmed that hindi talaga siya trip nito dahil 3 days after their date, nabalitaan niyang she is already with someone. Apparently, this someone is her soulmate. Edi, sana all di ba.

 

--

 

Another month has passed, Seungwan lost all hope at this point. Bakit ba naman kasi hindi niya hiningi ang number ng dalaga. Or even took a picture of them together. At least kung yun ang una’t huli nilang pagkikita, may remembrance sana siya.

 

She even tried to go back to the bar that they went to. Kaso, sa dami din daw ng tao that time, hindi na siya maalala ng bartender nung gabing iyon. Even a full and detailed description of Soo-young didn’t help.

 

She’s on her way home now after a grueling day at school. She has so many requirements to pass lalo na sa mga minor subjects. Napaka-demanding, mga feeling major!

 

She’s waiting for the green light signal for her to cross the street nang mapansin niya ang isang familiar na mukha sa kabilang dako ng kinatatayuan niya.

 

No. It can’t be her.

 

But Seungwan can’t help but hope.

 

Just let it not be a false hope, please. Seungwan pleaded in her mind. After all, she spent almost two months finding for this girl. She even tried to put up a missing person report but she can’t kasi di niya alam ang full name nito and also, hindi naman siya kamag-anak.

 

She confirmed it when the girl looked up from the phone she’s holding. Seungwan is now pinching herself kasi baka nananaginip lang siya. Baka imagination niya lang ito at ang totoo ay nasa klase pa siya, daydreaming kasi ayaw nya makinig sa lecture ng professor sa harap.

 

Pero hindi. This is real.

 

Hindi na napigilan ni Seungwan ang malaking ngiti lalo na nung nagtama ang mga mata nila.

 

Napakaganda mo, Soo-young.

 

Napahawak na lang si Seungwan sa dibdib para pigilan ang mabilis na pagtibok ng kanyang puso. As if that would help. She’s a goner. She already fell.

 

Hindi niya namalayan na nagsimula na palang magsitawiran ang mga kasabay dahil titig na titig pa din ito sa babaeng nakatingin din naman sa kanya. Saka lang siya gumalaw nang sumenyas ang kaharap na lumapit ito sa kanya.

 

Hindi pa rin nawawala ang ngiti ni Seungwan nang kaharap na nito si Soo-young. She may look weird right now, pero wala siyang pakialam.

 

“Ano? Mag-ngingitian na lang tayo maghapon dito?” Si Soo-young ang unang nagsalita.

 

“Sorry. Akala ko kasi hindi na kita makikita. I’ve tried to find you.” Sagot naman ni Seungwan. Ikinalaki naman ng ngiti ni Soo-young ang narinig.

 

“And I waited for you. My guts told me you’ll come to find me.” This time, Seungwan had the wider smile between them. Tila ba’y may contest ang dalawa sa kung sino ang may mas maluwang na ngiti. No one’s complaining though. They’re both enjoying each other’s presence.

 

“Tama nga lola ko. There is never a time or place for love.” Natatawang sabi ni Seungwan sa kaharap. “Is it weird to say na during our moment that night sa bar, I’d thought about tomorrows with you?”

 

“It’s not, I felt the same way. I wanted the world to stop that night so I can prolong our moment as long as I can.” Panimula ni Soo-young. “But I can’t, you know? Priorities. Sorry din pala kung iniwan na kita dun after mong tawagan yung kaibigan mo.”

 

“OO nga pala, I’m curious as to what happened that night? Hindi ko maalalang nagpasundo ako sa kaibigan ko eh.” Tanong ni Seungwan since nabanggit naman na ni Soo-young ito, alam naman niyang ang kaharap lang ang makakapag-paliwanag nito.

 

“Long story eh, how about we talk it over a cup of coffee?”

 

Hindi na kailangang mag-dalawang isip pa ni Seungwan.

 

Nakuha na siya sa kape.

 

Or at least that’s what she wants to tell herself. Kahit ang totoo naman ay sasama siya kahit saan, kahit kailan basta para kay Soo-young.