You're Are Here (Under Revision)

Desmond

He heard Orvyn sigh. "Will you go in with me?" she asked.

Umiling-iling si Desmond. "I'll return. 6 P.M.. May gagawin pa kasi ako."

Like making sure he'll look good.

Napatitig si Orvyn sa kanya nang ilang segundo bago napatango-tango. "Okay. Is it safe to assume that you still keep my number?" she asked shyly. Kapansin-pansin ang pamumula ng mukha nito. Hindi mapigilan ni Desmond ang mapangiti.

"Yes, I do."

As strange as it was, they have each other's number. Iyon ay dahil sa isang academic-related business. They never texted each other, although, Desmond had his share of nights when he would think of sending her a message but he never did.

Napangiti itong may halong kaonting ilang bago tumango-tango. "Text me?"

He nodded before smiling.

"Lalabas na 'ko ah."

"Okay."

"Okay."

Pinagmasdan niya itong maingat na lumalabas sa kotse niya. Huminto ito sa tapat bago kumaway-kawayng halata pa rin ang kaonting ilang.

Hindi mapigilan ni Desmond ang mapangiti bago kumaway-kaway rin kahit na alam niyang hindi makikita ng babae dahil tinted ang sasakyan niya.

He had a harder time leaving but he left with the idea of wanting to take his next steps with care and precision. Ayaw niyang magmukhang tanga at nakakatawa sa harapan ng babae.

Halos patakbo niyang tinungo ang kwarto niya bago isinara nang maigi ang pinto.

There was only a single mirror in his room. Matatagpuan iyon sa banyo niya. With that, he took out his wax and started fixing his hair in attempt to at least look presentable.

Tinitigan niya ang sarili pagkatapos.

Napasimangot siya nang makitang mukha siyang Kpop star na kinulang sa aruga.

He tried other styles but everything didn't suit him well. Nagmukha lang siyang kung hindi trying hard, batang napagtripan ng nanay.

In the end, he resolved with combing his hair which he never did before.

Nang matapos siyang mag-ayos ay may isang oras pa siya bago mag-alas sais. He went to a store to buy a bouquet of flowers.

Malakas ang kabog ng dibdib niya habang nagmamaneho papunta sa bahay nina Orvyn. Palipat-lipat din ang tingin niya sa daan at sa likod kahit na hindi niya tanaw ang box ng regalo.

Huminga siya nang malalim nang matanaw ang bahay.

It was already dark. Kapansin-pansin din ang makukulay na ilaw na andoon. Maririnig din ang may kalakasang tugtog.

He knew it wasn't the type of party Orvyn would enjoy.

Pinagmasdan niya muli ang buhok niya sa salamin bago napabuntunghininga.

He took out his phone and with shaking hands, typed a message for Orvyn.

It felt so foreign for him even if he had already texted girls before. Back when he was still on high school, he almost liked a girl. Almost.

Orvyn was his first.

Huminga siya nang malalim bago sinend ang message.

He received a reply shortly and after a few seconds, Orvyn came out running, a huge smile on her face.

Hindi mapigilan ni Desmond ang mapangiti habang pinagmamasdan ang babae. She changed clothes and how amazing she looked with her simplicity. Her hair was tied in a messy bun, with a few strands of her hair left untamed. There was something on how she looked that night he couldn't point out what. It was something definitely amazing.