#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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❝This was probably what people mean when they say they disappear into a moment.❞
— ❁ —
LEE'S KNEES never trembled like that before. Naghalohalo kasi ang lahat. Hindi siya makapaniwala. Kasabay niyon ay natutuwa rin siya na nalulungkot. He couldn't help but entertain a question slithering from the back of his mind to the surface.
Hanggang kailan kaya 'to?
Laurie was probably wondering the same. Napalabi si Lee habang nakatitig sa mukha ng katabi. Kalmado ito pero sigurado siyang walang preno ang utak nito. It was noticeable how she kept on blinking and pursing her lips. Sighing, Lee took a step back. Saglit niyang napakawalan ang kamay ni Laurie na nakakapit sa kanya, dahilan upang mapatunghay ito.
"What?" she whispered, her brows knitted.
"Parang kinakabahan ka, e." Ngumiti siya nang maluwang. Laurie didn't bother denying. Alam naman nitong kabisado niya ang ibig sabihin ng bawat kilos nito. However, instead of teasing her for being nervous, he gently placed his hand on the small of her back, comforting her.
Laurie's shoulders tensed but immediately relaxed at his touch. "Thank you," buntonghininga nitong sabi.
"Sorry, alam kong wala sa usapan 'to. P'wede ka pa namang mag-back out. Wala naman silang magagawa."
Bumuga ito ng hangin. "Do you want me to back out?"
"'Yong totoo?" Lee bit the inside of his cheek. "No," walang pag-aalinlangan niyang sagot.
Laurie replied with a scoff and the tiniest relieved smile. Pareho silang napamaang nang pumitik ang direktor na si Shaira.
"I want to see the awkwardness, okay? Ito kasi 'yong scene na may pagka-emotional. Following the storyline, you're supposed to be soulmates separated by life. Pinagtagpo kayo ulit after a few years and this. . . this is your first meeting in the café where you had your first date."
Lee didn't know whether to feel amused or offended first. It was amusing how the story reflected their actual lives but was also offending. Para kasing lumalabas na ganoon kagasgas ang nangyayari sa kanila ni Laurie.
Laurie and Lee walked to their marker. Tumayo sila sa gitna ng Cafuné. Nakatakip ang mga bintana. Tanging fairy lights at mga kandila ang nagsilbing ilaw. There was also some fake grass spread across the floor. The staff neatly arranged the tables and chairs, surrounding Laurie and Lee without blocking the camera. Baka raw kasi magmukhang wala sila sa café kung aalisin ang mga iyon.
Pinatugtog na ang "Iyo". "Siguro nga nama'y hindi pagtatagpuing muli."
Lee held out his hand. Inakala niyang minuto pa ang aabutin bago iyon tanggapin ni Laurie pero nagkamali siya. She placed her left hand on his right shoulder. He, then, held her waist carefully. They immediately caught the rhythm of the song.
