Te Quiero (hiatus)

7 - The Unexpected Duo

Warning: skeletal draft

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My friends were all over me as soon as they heard about what happened in Guimaras. It was already past ten, and I was sleepy as hell, but these girls wouldn't let me get my sweet shuteye without me videocalling them and spilling all the beans.

So I told them everything in one go. By this time, nakahiga na ako sa kama at kumportable nang nakayakap sa comforter.

"Holy shit. Kinikilig ako! Imagine that, nagkita ulit kayo?" bungad ni Ate Via na mukha ngang kinikilig. "What were the odds?"

Nakapikit na ang isang mata ko at natatakpan ng unan ang kalahati ng mukha ko. "Weird, right?" wala sa sarili kong sagot.

"Weird ka d'yan, babe. I cannot!" Shane rebutted. "Nawawala ako sa pagre-review ko dahil sa kilig ko sa inyo!"

"Sabi sa 'yo, bro, e. May destiny ka d'yan," gatong pa ni Ance habang abala rin sa pakikipag-inuman sa mga kaibigan niya from her end. She was probably with her boyfriend and his squad.

I snorted. "Destiny, my ass. It was intentional on his part."

"Yeah, but he found you, so there's still something at play here. Besides, didn't you feel the slightest bit kilig when he followed you?" Ate Via answered. "Kahit konti, wala?"

They all waited for my answer. I stifled a yawn. "No, not really. I was shookt af instead, but would you believe me if I said that? 'Di naman."

"Knowing you, it's not even surprising anymore. You're so firm and cold," Shane said. "Grabe ka. Ni konti, wala talaga? Kami nga rito, super ang kilig na!"

"Asa pa kayo kay Callie. Ganyan 'yan, e. Walang feelings. Halaman," Ance commented. "One day, sana talaga mahanap na niya ang katapat niya."

"Malay niyo si Rhys 'yon," Ate Via said before a wide mischievous grin occupied her lips. "Nice, nice. May pang update ako."

"What? Did you post it na?" I asked, startled.

Shane shook her head at me. "Did you not backread, babe? Yeah, posted na. Kanina pa. Ang dami na ngang reax."

"Maaan," I whined. "I didn't see. I'll check it out tomorrow. For now, I'll crash. I'm totally beat."

"Sige. Update mo kami, ha. And take pictures!" Ate Via reminded like a true mother hen.

"Okaaay," I sang. "Goodnight, dudes."

"Goodnight," they said in chorus just as the call ended.

***

The next morning, I had to drag myself out of the bed just so I'd make it to our meeting spot on time. I was still helluva tired and my limbs felt heavier than the usual dahil sa pagod. It was just the idea of drinking coffee that actually galvanized me into hurrying up.

Madge Cafe was crawling with people as early as 7 a.m. It didn't take long for me to find Rhys among the crowd that gathered inside because his hair was a shade lighter than the rest. He waved a hand at me and gestured at me to take the seat in front of him.

"Morning, sleepyhead," Rhys greeted, chuckling. "Looks like you badly need a dose of coffee."

"That bad, huh?" I put my palms on my cheeks, wondering if I really looked as horrible as I felt. I naturally am a morning person but the lack of sleep the past few days was killing me.

"Naww, you look great. You just look sleepy is all." He gave me the menu. "Should we order?"

"I need to eat as well. Can't we have batchoy for breakfast?"