#Wattys2023 Winner: Best Characters Award
❝This was probably what people meant when they said they disappeared into a moment.❞
*****
College exes Laurine Antoinette "Laurie" Navarro and Simeon Lee Aguirre didn't really expect to meet again. But with...
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❝It's impossible to give and receive love without having to yearn for it when it's lost.❞
— ❁ —
LEE KNEW he's been lax lately. Tinamaan siya ng trangkaso dahil sa pagsama niya kina Jegs. He had to cancel his gig in Poblacion. Thankfully, Sandro was there. In-extend nito ang sariling set upang masalo ang kanya. Ilang segundo rin ng sermon ang inabot niya kay Charlotte. She only calmed down when she remembered that he got sick.
Before closing his eyes, Lee opened Twitter. He posted an apology for cancelling on the gig on Poblacion. Sinabi niya rin kung bakit siya nag-cancel. Ang hindi lang niya inamin ay 'yong katotohanang si Laurie ang umudyok sa kanyang kumanta sa busking nina Jegs.
Nakapikit na ang isang mata niya nang mag-vibrate ang phone niya. He accidentally clicked the notification. Only then did he get a clear look of the username.
"@laurine_navarro1110 liked your tweet."
Malakas siyang napasinghap. After recovering from the shock, he restarted his phone just to be sure he wasn't dreaming. He drank some water. Nang masimot ang baso, sinampal-sampal niya ang pisngi. Tatlong beses niyang ginawa iyon kahit masakit. Lalo rin niyong pinainit ang pakiramdam niya.
After that, he turned his phone on.
When Laurie's username popped again, he closed his eyes. Pinatong niya ang palad sa noo para damhin ang lagnat na natamo sa pagpapaulan.
"Worth it naman pala," pabulong niyang sabi.
Another notification appeared, almost giving him a heart attack. Saka lang siya nakahinga nang maluwang matapos makitang si Malie ang nag-chat.
Marianne Alison: disclaimer: i'm not a sasaeng HAHAHA Marianne Alison: but where do you live? Marianne Alison: nalaman kasi ni lauwie na may sakit ka hehe 👋😬 Marianne Alison: dadalhan sana kita ng food
Feeling more and more lightheaded, he quickly sent his address. Nag-unat siya ng mga binti na parang pusang naghahandang matulog bago niya ibinagsak ang likod sa kama.
Ginising si Lee ng tunog ng doorbell. He checked the time. Mag-aala-una na pala ng umaga. Patay naman iyong aircon pero lamig na lamig siya. He wrapped himself in the comforter. As he made his way to the door, he sniffed.
"Pucha," bulong niya. Mukha kasing sinisipon na rin siya. The doorbell rang again. "Wait lang! May sakit 'yong tao, e. Sino ba 'yan?" He pulled the door open with all his might.
It was Laurie.
To say that he was surprised was an understatement. Naramdaman ni Lee ang lalong pag-init ng mga mata. Humigpit ang hawak niya sa doorknob. His head began reeling, too. It was probably the fever or the fact that he hadn't eaten anything since lunch.
