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Halos kakaalis lang ni Ciro dito sa dorm. Wala kaming ginawa masyado actually. Nanood lang kami ng movie and nag-kwentuhan.

It's currently 4:53 PM and nandito ako sa kwarto ko. Nakatulala sa kisama, parang nawalan ng function ang utak ko. Si Lia naman, tulog pa sa kwarto n'ya. Napakadaldal kasi eh. Nakaka-drain kaya 'pag tuloy-tuloy ang satsat.

"Ria...what should you do right now?" i mumbled to myself.

Suddenly, the side profile of Asher's face popped into my mind. The one I saw earlier habang nagtatago kami ni Lia. He wasn't even looking at me pero ang linaw-linaw sa utak ko kahit na malayo s'ya sa amin kanina.

I grabbed my pillow and slammed it on my face before screaming into it. Thank god may foam, walang nakarinig sa sigaw ko.

I kept staring at the ceiling as my brain betrayed me with more images of him.

Bakit? Bakit ngayon ko pa talaga? Bakit mas pumogi siya— OH SHUT UP, RIA. THAT IS NOT YOU!

I shook my head rapidly, as if p'wede kong itapon palabas ng bungo ko yung mga naiisip ko. I sat up straight and stared into space.

"Okay. Ice cream. I need ice cream. that should calm me down."

I stood up from my bed, walked over to my study table, and grabbed my notepad. I scribbled quickly: I'll be out for a bit.

I wore my hoodie and grabbed the essentials: keys, phone, wallet. Paglabas ko, idinikit ko yung note sa pinto ng kwarto ko para if ever na lumabas si Lia, makikita n'ya.

After slipping on my crocs, I left the dorm and headed to the parking lot. As far as I know, may 24/7 mart lang sa may east side, sa labas ng campus.

While walking towards my car, the air felt cooler than usual. The sun was already starting to hide, casting long shadows. Nag-umpisa nang magkulay orange ang langit, and a slight breeze hit me.

I started the car and drove off slowly. Soft music was playing in the background, but my mind was still clouded. I kept tapping my fingers on the steering wheel, trying to distract myself.

Ria, chill.

The road outside the campus were familiar, but tonight, everything felt unusually quiet. I passed by the park, and took the side road leading to the mart

I finally reached Benavidaz' Mart. Mini daw sabi nila, pero para siyang naglalaro ng deception. It's way bigger once you step in.

I parked and headed inside. The automatic door chimed, and the first thing that hit me was the aircon. Then came the music. Taylor Swift's voice softly filled the space. Mukhang Swiftie ang may-ari.

I shrugged my shouldesr and roamed through aisles, grabbing some snacks, soda, and of course, Ice cream. Cookies & cream! The layout was neat, surprisingly organized. May instant ramen section, toiletries, even a small rack of books. Not bad at all.

Especially I like reading.

As I reached the chips aisle, Labyrinth started playing. Taylor's voice mixed with the cold lighting made everything feel... cinematic.

I didn't even notice I was mouthing the lyrics.

I caught myself and shook my head. "You're slipping, Ria." I muttered.

I walked straight to the counter after grabbing the chips I want.

"Your total is 529. Cash or Card?" Tanong ni ateng kahera, friendly naman ang tono.

"Card." sabi ko, sabay kuha sa card na binigay ni Dad.

Well, wala s'yang magagawa. Binigay n'ya sakin so gagamitin ko 'yon.

"Wait lang miss, kuha lang ako ng paper bags." she smiled.

"Bebs! Pa-handle naman neto! May kukunin lang ako sa likod!" sigaw n'ya

I didn't even bother looking at who replaced her. I was too busy scrolling through my phone.

"Here's your card po."

I reached out for the card without looking, but when I looked up, I froze.

Asher.

Uh oh, I'm falling love

Oh no, I'm falling in love again

Oh, I'm falling in love

PUTANGINA NAMAN TAYLOR SWIFT?! NOW PA TALAGA?!

His eyes met mine for half a second before I instinctively looked away. My heart slammed into my ribs.

No. No. NO. Bakit siya?! Of all the people?!

"Uh... thanks," I stuttered as I grabbed the card.

Sakto namang bumalik na si ate cashier. She handed me my bag and I gave a small nod before quickly walking out. Hindi ko na tinignan si Asher. I couldn't

I got in the car and dropped the bag on the passenger seat.

"Fuck my life..." I muttered, hitting the steering wheel lightly. I opened the ice cream immediately and started eating.

I took a deep breath. "Calm down, Ria. It's just a coincidence. Wala 'yun."

After a few minutes, I drove back to campus. Buti nalang bukas pa ang main gate. I was too lazy to take the longer route.

While walking back to the dorm, my phone rang.

["Hello?"]

["Hoy babae, saan ka galing?"]

Narinig ko pa lang si Ciro, napa-irap na ako.

["May binili lang. Bakit?"]

["Ahh ok. Naprapraning na si Lia kakahanap sayo."]

["My god, that girl. I left a note on my door so she would know where I am. Aish"]

["Sige na. Ingat"]

I ended the call with a hum.

Pagdating ko sa dorm, Lia rushed to me like a missile.

"You know hindi akong sanay na hindi ka nakikita diba?" She said with a pout and hugged me tight.

"What are you? A velcro baby?" I asked.

"Ano yun?"

"Clingy."

She nooded like it made sense, and I handed her some snacks. "Here, binili kopara sayo. Tabi mo nalang if hindi mo kakainin."

"Eh saan ka galing?" She asked, squinting at me suspiciously.

"Benavidaz Mart."

"Eh ba't parang flushed ka? At ba't ang dami mong ice cream?!" She gasped.

"Wala lang. Emotional support." I tried to laugh it off.

"Hmm... may nakita ka, no?" She teased, poking my arm but I shook my head and walked away.

"Teka, teka. Saan ka pupunta?"

"In my room, obviously."

Pagpasok ko sa kwarto, I locked the door and face-planted on my bed. I squirmed and screamed into the mattress.

"What the fuck just happened..." I whispered. "Mygod, bakit ba hindi ako nilamon ng lupa?!"

The scene kept playing in my head like a stupid highlight reel. His eyes. His voice. The timing of that damn song.

Why do I kept on meeting you?

I sighed and forced myself to get up. I changed into my pajamas, did my skincare, and fixed my bag for tomorrow. First day of classes

Bakbakan na naman.

I turned off the lights, living the dim light on, and grabbed my book. I flipped to the last page I read and tried to focus.

But even with each word I read... all i could see was him.

I closed my eyes, hoping sleep would win tonight over my chaotic thoughts.