𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄 (epistolary) ✓

114

"Aisha, this is Isaiah Zorilla. My partner and my boyfriend." Kaia introduced him to me. Nandito kami sa bahay nila Isaiah. Kaia wanted to introduce me to him daw.

"Hi. I'm Aisha Riego. Nice meeting you." I smiled and offered my hand and he gladly took it.

"It was nice meeting you, too. Have a seat. Dinner is ready." He said and I just smiled..

"Hoy, ilang taon na kayo nito? Ha? Bat wala akong alam? Bruha ka!" Bulong ko kay Kaia.

"Surprise nga e. Surprise pa ba yon kapag nalaman mo. 5 years na." Sabi niya kaya nanlaki ang mata ko.

"Ha? Limang taon mo na hinanda yang surprise mo sakin?" Sigaw mo sakaniya.

"Oo, effort ko yan. Ma touch ka." Sabi niya.

"Oo, masasapak kita mamaya." Sabi ko. Dumating na rin iyong mga pagkain kaya kumain na kami at nagkwentuhan.

"You came from Boston, right?" He asked.

"Hmm. Yeah." I replied.

"By the way, congratulations, doc. Kaia was cheering all day after she saw your results." He said.

"Thank you." I smiled.

After noon ay nagkwentuhan lang kami nang biglang bumukas ang pinto nila. Then...

I saw him...at the most unexpected time. I saw him...again.

"Kuya!" The girl greeted Isaiah cheerfully without noticing us.

My eyes were only darted with Enzo's. It was easy for me to process everything. Inalis ko ang agad ang tingin ko at tumingin kay Kaia na may gulat na mata rin.

"Uhmm guys, t-this is Aila. My cousin." Isaiah said.

"Oh my gosh, I'm sorry, I didn't know. I'm Aila." She introduced. "I'm with my partner, Engineer Enzo Escalde."

Tatayo na sana kami para igreet sila pero biglang tumunog ang phone ko.

I looked at them awkwardly as the silence dominated us. Ang awkward!

"Wait lang. I have to take this call." Paalam ko at umalis muna. I took a deep breath and leave them there.

It was Matthew, who was calling.

"Hi, Matty!" I greeted cheerfully.

"Aishaaa!" He groaned. Ang cute lang kasi ng Matty.

"Haha. Why did you call?" I asked.

"I'm outside." He said.

"Huh? I'm not in our house."

"No, I mean, I'm outside here in Kaia's given address." He said that made my eyes widen.

"What?!"

He's here. Mat's here and Enzo's here!

"Surprise, doctora!" He said on the call.

"Oh my gosh, Matthew Davis! Wait for me." I said.

Agad kong binaba ang tawag pero mas nagulat ako ng lahat papa sila nakatingin saakin.

"I'm sorry. Something URGENT.." sinadya ko talagang diininan iyong 'urgent' para kay Kaia. "happened."

"Hatid na kita." Nagulat pa ako sa sabay na sabi nila Cali wt Enzo.

"Ah. Hindi na. Salamat. Thanks for the dinner, Isaiah. I'm really sorry." I said.

Umalis na agad ako at hindi nga nagbibiro si Mat. He's out there, with roses on his hands.

I missed him, ofcourse.

"Mat!!!" I welcomed him with a warm hug.

"Miss me, doc?" He asked with a smilem

"I missed you so much, Matty." I teased.

"Aisha." He warned.

"Just kidding. I really missed you." I said again at hindi pa bumibitaw sa yakap.

"Flowers for you, doctora." He said and I gladly took it.

"Sweet, but, Mat.." I smiled sadly.

"Don't worry, Ai. I know my place." He said.

"I'm sorry."

If only I could teach myself to let go of my promise and love Matthew instead, I'll do it.