"Falling for someone doesn't always feel like a drop. Minsan parang traffic. Mabagal. Mainit. Nakakainis. Pero bago mo namamalayan, ayun ka na. Nasa point of no return." -Kahlil Loui Solis
Tuesday — 11:37 AM
UST Main Building, 3rd Floor Hallway
"Uy, uy—AYAN NA NAMAN."
Napalingon ako kay Dane who was clutching his chest like tinamaan ng cupid's arrow. I didn't even need to ask kung sino 'yung tinutukoy niya. Alam ko na.
Cianzo Andrei Macaraig.
Walking down the hallway like a Calvin Klein ad na may thesis due.
I tried to act normal. Emphasis on tried.
"Nagkatinginan na naman kayo," Dane teased, elbowing me. "Don't deny it. My gaydar is shaking."
"Pwede ba," I muttered, gripping my hydroflask like it could help me survive this heat.
"Basta kapag kayo nagkatuluyan, ako gusto ko maid of honor—kahit lalaki ako."
"Stop talking," I said. "Before I throw myself out the window."
12:10 PM
Lovers' Lane, Benches Near Arch of the Centuries
We were eating siomai rice sa bangketa. Dane was mid-rant about his prof sa Legal Ethics, when—
"Loui?"
I froze.
Of course.
Crei. Standing beside our bench. Holding a coffee cup and what looked like a handout. Probably on his way to class.
"Hi," he said. To me. Just me.
"Hi," I said back, almost spilling my water.
Dane was staring between us like he was watching the season finale of Bridgerton.
Crei smiled. "Kayo pala ni...?"
"Dane," he supplied, waving a hand. "Bestie-slash-life-coach-slash-greatest-supporting-character."
Crei laughed, and oh my God, I felt it in my kneecaps.
"See you around," he said, giving me that look. The kind na parang... he remembered things about me. Like I existed.
As soon as he was gone, Dane exploded.
"PUTANGINA. Loui. Loui. Did you hear the tone in his voice? Parang... 'See you around, future jowa.'"
I wanted to sink into the pavement.
3:00 PM
San Martin, 4th Floor Hallway
"Grabe, 'di mo pa siya ina-accept?"
"Huh?" I turned to Dane.
"Sa Facebook, gaga."
I blinked. Opened my phone. Ayun nga.
Crei Maracaig. Friend request pending since Sunday.
I stared at it.
"Gusto mo ako na lang mag-accept para sa'yo?" Dane offered, already reaching for my phone.
I slapped his hand away.
"Baboy ka," I muttered, but then I tapped 'Confirm.'
"Boom," Dane whispered dramatically. "History is being made."
5:33 PM
Library, 2nd Floor
I was half-focused on reading our anatomy reviewer when someone sat beside me.
I looked up—Crei. Again.
"Hi," he said.
"Hi," I replied, brain short-circuiting.
He pulled out a book, casually. "Study date ba 'to?"
I blinked. "What?"
"Kasi... you didn't say no."
Oh. My. God.
I wanted to bury myself in the Dewey Decimal System!
Dane was across the room, mouthing OH MY GOD like an excited aunt at a wedding.
6:01 PM
Outside the Library
"Study date daw, ha," Dane said, arm linking with mine.
"It's not a date."
"But did you say no?"
"...No."
"Exactly."
I sighed. But deep down... my chest felt full. Scared. Excited. Parang may exam, pero 'di mo alam kung anong subject.
"You don't always notice the moment something begins. Minsan akala mo hindi pa nagsisimula. Pero sa totoo lang, matagal na pala kayong naglalakad papunta doon. Unti-unti. Dahan-dahan. Pero sigurado." -Kahlil Loui Solis
YOU ARE READING
Can't Really Explain It
RomanceOne random favor, one small moment-and suddenly, I'm caught in someone else's story. Maybe even starting one of my own. What happens when something quiet turns into shared umbrellas, inside jokes, and heartbeats you pretend not to notice? A slowburn...
