Serendipity

10

10

"That was a success!" Niyakap ako ni Miguel nang makarating kami sa backstage. Nahagilap ng mata ko si Shed na nakatitig sa amin nang panandalian bago patuloy na naglakad.

Umiwas ako sa pagkakayakap kay Miguel. "Thank you, Migs."

"Migs?" Humalakhak siya. "I like that."

Ngumisi ako.

"Let's have some drinks!" Pagyayaya ni Kurt sa banda. "This has been a toxic week. Life-saver 'tong si Thea. This calls for a celebration."

I again looked at Shed who was already walking in front of us. Umakbay sa akin si Miguel at iginiya ako para maglakad palabas ng hall. I did not protest. Pinabayaan ko lang siya hanggang sa makarating kami sa parking lot. There were fans waiting for us, holding banners and posters. They asked for a photo of us and they were all freaking out. I guess I'll never get used to this.

"Thank you!" Kumindat si Miguel at halos mahimatay na sila sa kilig. Umiling ako.

"Iba talaga tama mo sa mga babae, 'no?" Panunukso ko sa kan'ya nang nagpatuloy kami sa paglakad.

"Yeah, right." Humalakhak siya. "Pero hindi naman gumagana sa'yo."

Umirap ako. "Layuan mo nga ako."

Tumawa siya.

"Baka naman nagkakadevelopan na kayo ha." Pagpuna ni Kurt.

"Niloloko lang ako nitong si Miguel."

Natigilan ako nang patunugin ni Shed ang alarm ng kanyang sasakyan. Tila nawala lahat ng iniisip ko when I recognized the familiar sound, at lalong bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko nang makita ang kanyang heavy-tinted FJ Cruiser. Pakiramdam ko tumigil ang mundo ko, it all came back to me.

===

"What do you think?" Ngumisi si Shed habang pinapakita sakin ang matte maroon FJ Cruiser na nasa harap namin. He's so ecstatic about buying this at kitang kita iyon sa mga mata niya.

"Wow, Shed. I don't know what to say." And I honestly didn't. Sobrang proud ko lang para sa kan'ya. He's earned enough money to buy something for himself and I know how much he wants this.

"Gusto mo ba?" He looked at me, concerned.

"Oo naman! You deserve this, Shed." Niyakap ko siya. "I'm so proud of you."

Inakbayan niya ako at hinalikan sa pisngi. "I'm so excited to see the world, Thea, to see the world with you."

Ngumiti ako. And I'm also so excited to be with him along the way.

===

"Thea?" Boses ni Miguel.

I blinked my eyes. I was too fixated on the car and all the memories it brought me. Sumakay na sina Kurt sa sasakyan ni Shed and he was also looking back at me.

"You ok? Doon na lang tayo sa sasakyan ko," Ani Miguel. Nilabas niya ang sariling susi at pinatunog rin ang pulang BMW na nakapark sa tabi lang ng sasakyan ni Shed. His car screams Miguel's personality - flashy yet beautiful.

Tumango ako at tinanggal ang tingin ko sa sasakyan ni Shed. Naglakad ako patungo sa sasakyan ni Miguel as he opened the door for me.

I sighed once I entered the car. I shouldn't space out like that. I'm so stupid. 

Ngumiti si Miguel nang makapasok sa sasakyan. Pinanuod ko ang FJ Cruiser na umandar until only me and Miguel were left there.

"You can say no," Inayos ni Miguel ang seatbelt niya and connected his phone on his car. "Gusto mo ba ihatid na kita?"