Wreck

Chapter 1: Tradition, Year 2

Ella POV

"Ah"

I heard her release a long, tired breath as I collapsed next to her "Still got it, good job" she quipped, still panting on my side

I scoffed "Good? Good lang? Hindi great?" catching my breath too and wiping the trickling sweat from my forehead with my left hand

She chuckled "Fine. You were great"

"Better than last time?"

She smirked this time "I don't know. It was a year ago, medjo foggy na ang memory ko" she teased

"Should I refresh it with another round?" I teased back

She laughed. The sound was effortless, carefree, the kind that made you forget the world outside this room. Then our eyes locked for a second or two until she moved to straddle me.

And so we went for a few more rounds.

Maybe not a few.

Basta let's just say we made the best out of that night. Cardio until the sun rose.

But even after all that physical activity, we still can't seem to fall asleep. We lay down there, for I don't know how long until I asked her a question.

"Pwedeng magtanong?" I turned to my side so I can face her, then rested my head on my hand

"Ano yun?"

"I don't mean any offense—"

She scoffed "That's always the premise when you know you'll say something offensive. But go, ask"

"I'm just curious..." hindi ko alam if asking this was a good idea

"Hmm?"

"Do you like... uh... is this like... a usual for you?"

"Do what?"

"Uh... You know..."

"You mean, sleep with people I'm not in a relationship with?"

She found my question funny and I just waited for her to finish laughing.

"No, I don't. Not really"

"So... uh... How do you explain... this?"

She scoffed again "Honestly? I don't know"

"You... don't know?"

"Yeah. Ewan. But... with you it feels ok. You're not a random stranger. Maybe somehow, that feels... I don't know... safe?"

"Ok?"

"Maybe that. Kasi kilala kita. Somehow, you're familiar. But not close enough to make this more than it should"

"So does that mean, you think I'm someone na hindi ka kayang seryosohin?"

"Oh, I didn't mean any offense..."

I gave a low chuckle "This is just a plain question, I was just really curious about what you think"

"How about you?" she asked

"What about me?"

"Same question, do you do this... thing?"

"Yes"

She just nodded. The kind of nod you give when someone gives you a straight answer.

We weren't classmates, but our high school years overlapped. Some of my friends were friends of her friends, so we were somehow acquainted. But not acquainted enough for people to see us talking. Just a nod, maybe a polite smile kapag nagkasalubong kami. I can't really remember. We barely spoke in high school.

But somehow, this time last year, we both found ourselves alone in a parking lot, started a conversation. Then one thing led to another.

"Next question" I said

"Meron pa pala?"

I smiled a little before speaking, maybe to check my tone too so I don't sound so serious and make it awkward for her. Dapat tunog joke lang para hindi siya ma-pressure "If niligawan ba kita... Do you think I stand a chance?"

She turned my way, and that apologetic smile she gave already told me what she was still about to say.

"No offense... But no..."

"Kasi?"

"I already know it won't work"

"Manghuhula ka ba?"

She laughed. I did too.

"Baliw" then paused for a second, like she was trying to find the right words para hindi masyadong masakit "I can be completely honest with you, right?

"Yes, of course"

"Let's just say... I already have a lot on my plate. I'm not here all the time, and I just can't afford, someone else to worry about..." she sighed "Sorry?"

I just laughed. I'm not going to make the air tight around here. I just wanted her to think it didn't bother me.

"Dahil ba... I don't take life as seriously as you?"

She looked into my eyes, like she was trying to read me, my emotions "What's your hobby this year again?"

"Uh... Photography?"

"Last year?"

"Rock climbing?"

"The year before that?"

"Ah, that would be... Target shooting? No. I think that was earlier, parang scuba diving. I can't really keep track"

"You see where this is heading?"

"Ok..." I smiled, and chuckled like she just made a joke

Her eyes look worried, though she smiled, I can sense there was concern there too "You're always trying something new. Which is fine. Buhay mo yan. It's just... I don't know where you're headed and I can't handle that"

"Ang seryoso mo naman" trying to make my voice upbeat

She looked into my eyes again, still searching "No hard feelings?"

"Nope"

"Sigurado ka?"

"I was just really curious. Don't think too much about it. For all you know, I ask every girl I sleep with the same question"

She chuckled, shook her head a little, exasperated but smiling "Baliw ka talaga"

"Anyway... So kelan na flight mo niyan?"

"After new year. I'm headed to New York. Actually, ngayon pa lang hinahanap na ako kahit naka out of office yung status ko eh. And you? What's the next hobby on the list?"

"I still don't know yet. Fantasy ko maging pianist. Pero gusto ko rin matutong mag drums. Pero gusto ko rin matuto ng coding. Kelangan ko din ata magpapawis, I heard pickleball is nice, might give that a try too. Ewan bahala na"

"You really are something else Ella"

I just gave her a tight-lipped smile.

And that was it. The conversation ended. We lay there, tangled in sheets and shadows, as the room filled with early morning light. Eventually, we got dressed, slipped into the real world, and she returned to her meticulously scheduled, structured life.

Me? I'd go back to pretending this once-a-year honesty wasn't the most consistent thing in my life.