Chapter Eight | Pink Skies

Nahalata niya kaya? Kasi putangina, basang-basa kili-kili ko sa sobrang nerbyos. Buti na lang at naka-dri fit na shirt ako. Pero yung ka-cornihan ng banat ko? Irene, I don’t know what you’re doing to me, pero parang mababaliw na ata ako.

When did I lose my control? I’m not usually like this. Not ever. Pero para akong nasapian ng isa sa mga karakter ng isinusulat kong libro. Did I unconsciously write about myself in that sense? All I know is that I’m not my usual self when I’m with you. Or is that the real me?

“Seulgi, right?” Nasa tapat na ko ng condo namin. I was aimlessly walking dahil nagdedebate yung sarili ko sa utak ko.

“Yeah,” I casually answered. I tried to appear less intimidated dahil naka-suit siya habang ako, naka-jogging attire lang. He just looks more formal than I saw him last night. But he still has that serious look on his face.

I looked at him stare blankly ahead. It’s more awkward than our last meeting. If I’m honest, I have no interest in making this interaction longer. “Uh. It’s nice seeing you, Jinyoung but I got to go.” Pasimple ko pang tinignan yung Apple Watch ko, to make it more believable.

“I know it’s none of my business but are you and Irene dating?” He asked with such clarity in his voice. Parang model ang datingan nitong si Jinyoung. In my opinion, bagay na bagay nga sila ni Irene. Napansin ko na ‘to dati kahit pa sinusulyapan ko lang sila from my balcony.

“It is none of your business but I’ll answer anyway.” I dropped the smile I usually wear when I talk with people. Now’s not the time for friendliness. This man, right in front of me, was someone who hurt my Irene. “Yes, we are. Does it bother you?” Wala na ko sa mood. I waited impatiently for his answer pero wala. “May problema ba if she’s dating me?” I further pried. Suddenly, I felt I shouldn’t be intimidated dahil sa porma niya. I clearly have the upper hand in this fight.

“I just didn’t expect her to be into girls at all.” Tahimik ang kanyang pagsagot. He cannot even look at me as he said it. I might be overthinking but is it guilt or disappointment he feels?

“Well, it isn’t my problem you think that way. There’s nothing wrong with her liking someone better than her ex.” I don’t know where I got the courage to say those. Feeling ko kasi he’s judging Irene with his words.

Sa tangkad ni Jinyoung, I’m really exuding my big energy kahit na 5’4 lang ako. “I’ll go ahead then.” Hindi ko na siya nilingon pa at tumawid na ako papunta sa kabilang kalsada saka pumasok sa loob ng building. Feeling ko nanalo ako doon ng bongga.

Big energy kahit walang lawit: Seulgi Gabriel edition.

Seulgi:1           Jinyoung: 0

I immediately texted Irene pagka-uwi ko, telling her I am already home. Tama ba itong ginagawa ko? Is it too soon for me to text her? I sent her another text with a smiley on it, parang ang formal kasi ng una kong text.

She wasn’t replying kaya naman minabuti ko na lang mag-shower. Hindi ko na rin kasi naabutan si Wendy. Gusto ko pa naman sana ikwento yung mga nangyari sa jogging trip ko. But that could wait, I should let my steam cool off. Ang sarap manakit. I don’t want to draw into conclusions pero mukhang gago talaga yung ex ni Irene. Galit ba siya dahil pinagpalit siya ni Irene sa babae? Like, man! I can treat her so much better than you did.

After that, I needed some distraction. I sat on my workstation and started to write where I left off. Hindi ko namalayan na halos dalawang chapter na pala ang natapos kong isulat nang maramdaman ko na lang na kinakalabit na ko ni Wendy.

Nilihis niya yung headphones from my ear. “Seems like jogging took you out of your slump.” Sinilip niya yung gawa ko. I can see her nodding from my side.

I immediately saved my work. I’ll admit, it’s been too long since I had the urge to write like this. Kahit pa puro angst pa ito, I’d gladly take it kesa sa blank page.

“What can I say, I’m inspired.” Tumayo na ako at nilapitan ko siya para tulungan sa mga dala niyang groceries. Mukhang adobong manok ulam namin.

“Kita ko nga kanina, magkasama kayo ni Irene. Saan mo natutuhan yang kalandian ha?” Nginitian niya ako saka winisikan ng tubig sa mukha. “Araw-araw ka na ba magjjogging ngayon?” She asked me while putting the potatoes in front of me.

She didn’t need to tell me what to do. Ako naman talaga taga-balat at taga-hiwa ng mga gulay dito while she does the actual cooking. Ganito na talaga dynamics naming dalawa. We complement each other.

“It actually depends.” I answered her question playfully. Masaya naman ako na naghihiwa ng patatas. “Now that you’re engaged, hindi ba dapat si Joy ang kasabay mo mag-lunch?” I initiated this time. Parang ang dami naming namiss pag-usapan. Her engagement tapos yung date namin ni Irene.

“Oh, tapos? Hindi ka na naman kakain buong magdamag? Oorder ka na naman ng isang katerbang takeaway food tapos iinitin mo sa microwave mga tira mo?” Binuksan ni Wendy yung cabinet kung saan nakatago yung mga kaldero.

I helped her abutin yung kailangan niya kahit hindi siya nagpatulong sa akin. Minsan, mapride talaga ‘tong si Wendy eh. “I can take care of myself naman.” I said in my defense.

“Seul, alam naman nating dalawa na sobrang tig