Better Than Imagined (AA #1)

01

I walked until I reached the waiting shed. I was debating myself whether to just eat outside the campus or go to a mall nearby.

I promised myself to treat me food, a lot of them, after graduation. So here I am now.

Ano nga ba? The ever indecisive Asia.

"Asia," someone called me.

"Uy, I thought you left already."

"Yeah. I saw you here kaya..." he paused.

"Kaya?"

He shook his head.

"Are you alone? Going somewhere?" he asked instead.

"Yep to both. I just can't decide yet where to," I answered.

"Sabay ka na sa'kin? I brought a car," he offered.

Should I say yes or no? I really don't know. But he's pretty harmless and I could get some help.

"Sure," I said.

I followed him until we reached where he parked his car. When I saw his luggages at the backseat, I realized that he just got home!

"You just got here?" I asked the very obvious.

"Yeah. Pinadala ko lang 'tong kotse sa airport then I went straight here," sagot nya at nagsimula nang magmaneho.

"Wow. I feel so honored," I laughed.

"You should be."

We both laughed like there's no past between us. Maybe we can be good friends again.

"So what's up?" he asked.

"I'm great. Super blessed. Ikaw ba? How's your life in the States?"

"Pretty good. But not as good as here," he answered.

"Alam ba nina Titang nakauwi ka na?"

"Yes. Nagpaalam ako."

I don't know what else to ask so there's a dead air.

"Do you mind if I play some music?" I asked.

"Ayaw mo 'kong kausapin?" he looked... hurt?

"Hindi naman. Wala lang akong masabi," sagot ko. It's the truth.

"Okay. Anyway, saan pala tayo pupunta?"

"Sa SM Calamba na lang."

He suddenly handled me his phone.

"Huh?"

"Music, diba? It's already connected to the car. Ikaw na bahalang pumili," he explained.

I opened his phone but there's a password.

"1116."

Oh. That's...

I'm speechless.

"Thanks," sabi ko na lang at naghanap ng kung anong kanta.

I know he's not a fan of Taylor Swift but I still searched for it. I expected to only see one or two TS song but there's a whole album for her.

"I thought you didn't like her?"

"Yeah, but I don't hate her. Plus I learned to appreciate her songs when I was in the States."

"Great," I just said and played Red.

Loving him is like 
Driving a new Maserati down a dead-end street

The song started and somehow I regret playing it.