Last day na at battle of the bands na. Katabi ko si Estella at naramdaman na may nanonood sa akin so I tried searching for who it was but a lot of people were in the way.
Baka naman wala talaga..
Finally team na namin ang kakanta, biglang nagsigawan ang mga estudyante dahil Tingin ang pinatugtog ng team namin. Medyo wala sa concept ang napili nilang song but I just enjoyed the whole vibe with Ella.
Hinila niya ako patayo and we were blown by the song, it was such a masterpiece. Everyone was standing up and enjoying the song, except for one.
Nakita ko si Jance na nakaupo sa bleachers at pinapanood kami habang sumasayaw kaming lahat. He was dead serious and watching me, he finally smiled and got up then walked out of the gym.
What just happened?
"Ella, may aaminin ako sa'yo." I said.
"Ano yon?"
"I feel uncomfortable when Jance looks at me funny then doesn't say anything." I said.
"Si Jance or in general?" She asked.
"Jance."
Natawa siya saglit bago umimik. "You really care about what Jance thinks?"
"Well.."
"Don't worry, your secret is safe with me." Estella said and gave me a little nudge. "Go on bebe, get some fresh air."
I walked out of the gym at dumiretso sa parking, I saw Jance with a cigarette on his mouth at napatingin din ito sa akin.
"What are you doing here?" He asked as he put his cigar out.
"Uhm.. lumabas lang ako for some fresh air." I answered. "You?"
"Same reason." He answered. "So... do you want to get coffee tomorrow?"
"Inaaya mo ba ako sa labas, Mr. Jance Benjamin Salazar?"
Natawa siya at umiling-iling. "Paano kung sabihin kong oo, Ms. Lalaina Yvez Almarez."
"Sure, 1PM." I said and took out a cute little enamel pin. "A simple appreciation gift."
"City Lights." It was shaped as city lights since it reminded me of how calm everything is in the night. "Saan mo ito nakuha?"
"Binili ko yan noon, 2 years na yan sa akin but I bought a new pin kaya I decided to give that to a friend."
He smiled a little and used his right arm to pull me for a hug.
"Thanks, Laina.."
Inaya ko siya sa booth namin para mag meryenda. Kasama namin si Primo at Carly, she was a mutual friend.
"Since patapos naman na ang intrams maybe we can have a few celebratory drinks?" Pag-aya sa amin ni Primo.
"I'm down, kayo?" Carly asked me and Jance.
"Pass." I said kaya nalungkot si Primo.
"G ako." Jance said beside me.
"Lala please? Sumama ka na kahit mag banana milk ka lang sa bahay ko please sumama ka." Primo tried to convince me but I just didn't want to.
"Sorry Primo." I said kaya tumango ito. "Ask Ella, she'll go with you guys."
"Sure ka? Kasama naman kaming lahat eh, nothing will happen." Primo tried again but I really didn't like drinking regardless who I was with.
The overall winner was announced to be Hathoria, naging celebration na ang inuman sa bahay ni Primo but I really didn't feel like going. Kahit pilitin pa ako ni Ella, I just wanted to be in my safe place dahil ubos na ang social battery ko.
I received a few messages from friends stating na ipapasundo daw ako kay Jake if gusto ko raw sumunod but I was just waiting for Jance to ask me to come there.
It sounded unfair but I was testing something. If Jance asked me to come over then I will but he never did and I secretly thanked the universe because of it.
Kinabukasan ay nag-reready na ako para sa coffee "date" namin ni Jance. 30 minutes na lang but I was already finished getting ready. I wore a casual brown top and wide cream pants, I kept my hair down since it was short.
I heard a knock on the door kaya I took my bag at binuksan ang pinto.
"Hi.." Jance said while smiling.
"Hi." I awkwardly said at pilit takpan ang mukha ko since he never saw me without my glasses before.
"Tara?" Tumango ako at motor niya.
Bago ko sumakay ay sinuotan niya ako ng helmet. He took me to Tagaytay again and we looked for different coffee shops. I ordered sea salt while he got matcha, ayaw ko ng matcha so I didn't want to taste his drink.
"You want?" He asked kaya umiling ako.
"Hindi ako mahilig." I said kaya tumango siya. "But do you want to taste mine?"
"I don't drink coffee." Sabi nito kaya tinignan ko siya ng kakaiba. "Inaya kita sa coffee date-ish na ito kasi alam kong stressed ka and gusto mo ng coffee okay?"
"Wow." I said in sarcasm. "Pero thank you, I really needed to get out din."
YOU ARE READING
The Tranquility in You
General FictionWARNING: Pls don't mind errors or typos, will edit once the story is finished. Tnx :P Lalaina is elegant, classy and smart. Men tend to fall for her "dalagang filipina" type of personality. For Lalaina, falling in love was pure and sacred. She doesn...
