Sing Me a Song, Soleil

Chapter 36: Lips On Lips

*Soleil's POV*

I got off work early so I went to the bistro for some drinks with Paolo. Saglit na tumambay kami doon at nagkwentuhan. Paolo kept going on and on about how tiring his week was and how he needs to get ready a week before today in preparation for The Players' trip to Japan tomorrow.

He had always been like this, complaining and ranting about his job. Pero lahat ng nakakakilala kay Paolo alam na masaya siya sa trabaho niya sa kabila ng pagod na dala nito sa kaniya. So we just listen to all his rants knowing that at the end of the day, the happiest among us was him for doing what he likes to do.

"I have to go," Paolo grumbled after seeing the time on his watch. "Girls buhbye. Dadalhan ko kayo pasalubong! Promise!"

"Ay mahihirapan ka, Pao. Gwapong hapon ang gusto ko eh," Sarah joked, shaking her head.

Paolo just rolled his eyes. "Pag dinalhan kita hindi ka ba tatakbo palayo?"

I remembered that one time a few months ago kung kailan may natipuhan si Sarah sa isang bar at dinala iyon ni Paolo sa kaniya upang ipakilala. Sarah ran away that night and since then, it has become an inside joke we liked to tease her about.

"We'll see," she grinned.

"Sabay na ako sa kaniya ha?" paalam ko habang nilalapitan siya upang ibeso sa pisngi. 

"Ingat kayo. Enjoy sa mga lakad niyo!"

"Yes, you too!" I called back as Paolo and I walked out of the bistro hand-in-hand.

Pagdating ko sa unit ko, narealize ko na hindi pa ako inaantok at medyo marami pa akong energy para sa ibang bagay. There was nothing for me to do so I decided to hit the gym. Matagal ko rin pinag-isipan pero in the end, I decided to go. It was 11 pm on my watch and when I arrived at the rooftop gym, there were only four people there.

'Lucky me.'

Nilapag ko ang bag ko sa bench bago tinungo ang isa sa mga treadmill. Pagkatapos ilagay ang cellphone ko sa holder at isuot ang dala kong bluetooth earphones upang makinig ng music, nagsimula akong tumakbo. The first song wasn't even over yet but I am feeling out of breath already. Patunay lang na ilang araw na akong walang exercise.

I slowed the treadmill down to catch my breath just as the song finished playing. Saka ko napansin na may tao pala sa treadmill na katabi nung akin. He smiled at me and I recognized him as the actor Andrei Rama.

"Hi," I greeted awkwardly after pulling my earphones out.

He smiled kindly. "Naistorbo ba kita?"

9/10 very pogi.

"No, not at all," I chuckled, now deciding to walk instead of run.

"I'm Andrei."

Of course, you are. 

"Soleil."

"I know. Pero ngayon lang ata tayo magmimeet," he insinuated and I just smiled because it was true. "Excited for the TS ball?"

"You know about the ball?"

"Of course, I'm from Top Star too."

I was shocked and he seemed to have noticed because he chuckled at my expression.

"Nagulat ka siguro. You can't possibly know everyone yet since you just joined. Magti-ten years na akong artista pero hindi ko pa rin namimeet personally ang bawat isa sa artists ng TS."

I nodded in agreement. Pero sa isip ko, iniisa-isa ko ang mga kilala kong artists ng Top Star. 

The conversation with Andrei was going well. Marami kaming napagkukuwentuhan habang nasa treadmill and I must say, he is clearly trying to flirt with me. Unlike how flirting commonly goes, however, he seemed genuinely nice and well-spoken. Nag-eenjoy din naman ako kaya sinubukan kong maging polite and somehow, platonic. I don't want to send the wrong signals but I don't want to put him off completely either. Sa totoo lang, gusto ko rin makita saan patungo ito.