Isla
It was a rainy morning, the first one in weeks. A fox rain, Sofi tells us. A hassle, I keep telling them. But today I liked it. I had a reason to wear one of my sweaters because honestly it has been a very hot month.
After my quick shower, I got two messages. One text from Sofi and another from Jao, my...bestie. Yeah, just a friend. All my roommates including Sofi were gone even before I got up.
"Izzyyy, can you bring the red envelope I left on my bed? Meet you at CAS A2! Thankssss!" Her text said.
"Sure thing, Sof!" I replied.
Jao's text was "Breakfast after class? G?"
"Ok, I'll text Bee and Nat." I told him.
I left five minutes earlier than usual and rode a tricycle on my way to campus.
"Kuya, Raymundo gate po." I told Manong.
I reached the CAS Annex 1 building after ten minutes, even catching my breath a bit when I got there. I started to call Sofi because I'm going to be late. My class is still in CEM and if I'm lucky, it would only be two minutes. 6:57 am. She's not answering. Then all of a sudden someone tapped me on the back.
"Omigod," Sofi heaved, "...so, so tired!" She breathed. "Fourth floor. Report. I'm late. Thank you, Iz, bye!" She said, when she caught her breath. She stormed off before I could even say something.
"Alright, goodluck, Sof!" I yelled into the air, kinda hoping I was audible to my friend, but then it occured to me I will be late as well.
Our professor tends to dismiss us early on Mondays. I checked my phone and it's 8:20 am. I texted Jao "Done." and walked to Vega. I found him seated in front of Dunkin Donuts, leaning on the wall while his earphones were on. It's like he's being filmed in his very own music video.
"Hoy." I said. I don't know if he even heard me but he looked up just in time.
"Let's go inside, it's so hot." I said, pointing towards Mcdonald's. Always a fickle weather, Elbi.
"Well, look at what you're wearing." He laughed at me. He even pinched my sweater to mock me.
"It was raining earlier!" I puffed.
I also squinted after beckoning at the skies. The sunlight is so bright. I got a peak at Jao watching me and my heart fluttered for a second. Then we walked towards Mcdo and as usual the place is jampacked. We managed to find a table for two.
"Bee said she has a 10am class so she can't and Nat is still in class. Anyway, what do you want?" I asked him. I squinted at the menu because I can't seem to read anything. I forgot my glasses.
"Okay. An egg mcmuffin and coffee. Libre mo ba?" He grinned.
"He he. No. Heller." I rolled my eyes at him.
"Well, heller too." He mimicked.
I just scrunched my face as I gave him my money and left him to order our food. While waiting in line, I stole glances at him and wondered if he's doing the same. I caught him once and my heart leaped. Maybe I'm in lack of inspiration or crushes at the moment that I might have done something crazy...I think I'm falling for my best friend. I hate myself for it honestly.
After a while Jao arrived with our food and I got back to my senses.
"Isla, look at this video." He said, giving me his phone. I held it and we both watched.
"Ahhh, cutie!" I cried. It was a dog video, of course. He is such a dog person.
"I want a new dog." I said, suddenly missing our dog, Graham. Times like this when I don't go home in the city on weekends make me miss him so much.
From dog videos to politics, we're now talking about fitness.
"Jao, alam mo ba, hindi ko naman sinasadya but I only eat-" I was saying.
"One meal per day?" He continued, with a frown.
"Yeah, lately, but I don't mean to. It just happens." I said.
"Why?" He asked in a deadpan tone.
He actually lectured me for ten minutes. I was half digesting what he was saying but at the same time my gut was twisting thinking how concerned he was of me. Gosh, here I go again.
"Shoot, I have a meeting with my supervisor at 12nn. Let's go? We can just meet for dinner later or tambay tonight." Jao asked as he read his text. I nodded at him because I wouldn't want him to get in trouble during his internship at IRRI.
My next class is at 4pm so I have plenty of time to do stuff or just take a nap back at the dorm. I agreed to go already and we involuntarily walked to his car after exiting Mcdo.
"Yup. Sure." I agreed.
"Okay, tara." He said, leading the way.
If it were an outsider, one would definitely think we are together. Our dynamics just flow naturally. But I hate thinking about this. It just breaks my heart knowing he doesn't like me that way. I just know he likes somebody else.
"By the way, listen to this. It's my current jam." Jao said when we arrived in front of my dorm.
I checked the time on my watch nonchalantly and it was exactly an hour before his meeting. I didn't ask why he's still lingering.
"G." I told him as he rummaged through his playlist.
An indie song played in the car and I smiled naturally. We looked at each other and nodded in agreement. I am always in awe whenever our likes jive like this. Amazeballs. Although it's bad for my heart.
Jao played about 3 more songs while we also talked more before he decided it was time to go. Of course I didn't mind spending more time with him. My stupid heart is happy. But it's just so weird that I like him more when we part ways. I get kilig replaying our moments together.
When I got back at my dorm room, I found one roommie. It was Jax who was napping. I tiptoed and headed straight to our window. It began drizzling again. I just love days like this. Ironically it feels like everything is at peace, especially my heart.
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The College Diaries
General FictionEvo is your typical cool guy-he's cool, he's sweet and everybody loves him. He has the killer looks, average grades for a UP student and an amazing girlfriend. On the outside it seems like he has everything in life. But in reality, there is somethin...
