The Fool's Gold

Chapter 29 : Wingwoman

I smiled the moment I got to my usual parking spot. Tinanggal ko ang helmet ko at napatingin kaagad sa direksyon ng bench kung saan namin palaging iniiwan ang mga gamit namin. My smile then disappeared when I found it empty.

I looked around, trying to see if Cyprus is already running around the park. Nagbabaka sakali ako na baka sa ibang upuan niya lang iniwan ang mga gamit niya. Nangyari na rin kasi ito minsan.

I couldn't find Cyprus kaya naisip kong baka na-late lang siya. I walked up to our usual park bench and placed my bags. I started stretching while my eyes were busy looking around, anticipating his arrival. Even as I started running, all I could ever think about was him. 

I waited and waited until my anticipation turned into worry.

I ran back to the park bench and grabbed my phone.

To Cyp:

Good morning! Not in the mood for a run?

I was about to hit send when I suddenly felt uncomfortable with my message. Dali-dali kong binura ang mga salita at pinalitan.

To Cyp:

Gising naaa! The Early bird catches the worm!

I cringed when I saw my message and erased it again. I took a deep breath as I gathered my thoughts.

To Cyp:

Not going for a run?

My thumb hovered over the send icon. I kept reading my message over and over again, and the more I did, the more I grew hesitant. What if he'll find it clingy? What if he thinks I'm being flirty? Sawyer thinks I like him. What about him? Does he think I like him too?

In the end, I heaved a pained sigh and deleted the words again, replacing them with the safest message I could think of.

To Cyp:

Good Morning! Diretso na ako sa uni today after my morning run. See you mamayang hapon :)

After hitting send, I started packing up my things and fixing my hair. Bago pa man ako matapos sa ginagawa, nakatanggap ako ng reply mula sa kanya.

Cyp:

Si Sir Eric raw ang maghahatid sa'yo mamaya.

Napapadyak na lamang ako sa kinatatayuan at marahas na napakamot sa ulo.

***

"Okay lang ba si Joe? Buong araw tulala at bigla-bigla na lang pumapadyak o ngumingiwi eh tapos"