Invisible Strings

02

DOMINIC

I'm just inside my pad today, I'm not in the mood to go out. Gusto ko rin kasi na mag pahinga, good thing na wala kaming training.

I just cooked some pasta and do random stuff. I love my peace. Whenever I'm out, hindi pwede na walang makakilala sa'kin. I am grateful but sometimes my world gets a little too loud, nabibingi ako. I want a break.

My phone rang, tumatawag na naman s'ya. Ayoko nalang sanang sagutin pero baka lalo lang manggulo.

"Hello?" I answered the call. "No, hindi ako lalabas para makipagkita sa'yo. We are over, alam mo 'yan. I'm done with us. Bye." I turned off my phone.

I want my peace nga at ayoko ng istorbo. I'm done with our toxic and abusive relationship. I don't even know kung bakit ako pumasok sa relasyon na tulad noon at kung paano ko natagalan ng sampung buwan. I must be crazy.

Nawala ako sa mood so I took a bath. Nagbihis ako ng gray sweatpants at white shirt. Nag suot din ako ng cap. I'll just go to the nearest coffee shop.

I went straight to the counter when I arrived and ordered my favorite Iced Caramel Macchiato and Red Velvet cake. I turned around to look for a table, medyo puno ngayon kasi weekend. Wala akong mahanap na pwesto but then I saw the bukol lady sitting in a corner. She's alone so I approached her.

"Hi," I greeted her. Tumingin s'ya sa'kin bago ngumiti.

"Hello! Do you need anything?"

"May kasama ka? Can I share a table?" I noticed that she's a bit hesitant pero tumango din naman. "I won't bother you. I'll just have my cake and coffee, you do whatever you want to do."

"'Di ba allergic ka sa babae? Bakit ka tatabi dito sa'kin?" She asked me. "Sorry ha, nabasa ko lang naman 'yan sa social media while doing my research."

Medyo nagulat ako sa tanong n'ya pero hindi ko pinahalata. "My mom is a girl so the answer to your question is a no. And why did you research about me? And how's your head?"

"Ahh, sa fangirls lang? Dami mo tanong 'no? Pero to answer your questions, una, reporter ako so I always do my research. Pangalawa, okay na 'tong bungo ko, it's been two weeks, wala na 'yung bukol."

"You know..." Before I was able to answer her, two girls approached us and asked for a photo.

I just awkwardly smiled in front of their camera.

"Ayos ah, naki upo kana dito tapos naging photographer pa 'ko," sumimangot pa si bukol lady. "Tsaka, hindi ka charming sa mga fans 'no? Ang tipid mo ngumiti tsaka magsalita."

I laughed at her. "I don't know how to be charming. Anyway, what should I call you?"

"Sharine."

Another girl approached us and asked for my autograph. "Salamat po, favorite ka po talaga ng boyfriend ko! Bagay din po kayo ng girlfriend mo, naka couple outfit pa kayo, ang cute. Sige po, bye po! Salamat!"

Nakatitig si Sharine sa'kin, napa tingin din ako sakanya. Oo nga, she's also wearing a gray sweatpants and a white top. She's wearing a dirty pair of Vans pa. Medyo hindi bagay sa pagiging reporter n'ya.

I cringed at the thought na napagkamalan kaming boyfriend-girlfriend.

Tumayo na 'ko. "I gotta go."

"Mabuti pa nga, kasi abala ka palagi sa'kin eh," she rolled her eyes.

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