TWT's NOTE: Guys, sorry for the late update. Just got back into corp world again (AKA work from home) that's why I'm MIA for the past few days :P Here's the latest chap and enjoy reading x
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Chapter 10 — The One That Got Away
"Ano na, Yuri? You'll join us 'di ba? For old time's sake, sumama ka na. The Art Club's reunion won't be the same without you."
I'm talking to my old clubmate way back in college, Liezl, as I stand in front of the sink inside the toilet. Last week niya pa ako inaaya na sumama sa get-together o reunion party ng mga clubmates namin noon sa University.
"As if namang napaka-significant ko pag dumating ako doon. And besides, I'm busy sa work." I told her.
"Gaga ka ba? Syempre significant ka sa reunion natin. All of the club officers are there. Naging rep ka nga for Junior and Senior students 'di ba? At saka dadating din si Archer, you know." Tapos biglang nagbago ang tono ng pananalita niya. From persuasive to indulging. Jusko, ako naka-move on na, sila hindi pa.
"Archer? Naka-base na siya sa Australia 'di ba?"
"Yup, first time niyang uuwi for the past four years. Aren't you aware? Hindi na ba kayo nagkausap mula nang umalis siya?" She asked.
I scoffed, I know where is this coming from, she's going to juice out some details tapos ichi-chismis niya sa mga clubmates namin dati. Syempre, I won't divulge for more details, noh.
"Basta, pag-iisipan ko ang pagpunta. If my sched permits me, sige pupunta ako kasi namimiss ko na rin naman kayong lahat e."
"Sure ka ha! Text mo agad ako kung sasama ka o hindi. It's a Saturday so you need to cut some slack, alright?" Liezl said.
I nodded and grinned, "Yeah, update kita agad. Balik na ako sa desk ko at may trabaho pa akong naghihintay."
"Au revoir, bye, Yuri Shin!"
"Bye." then I ended the call.
Bumalik ako sa desk ko habang iniisip kung pupunta ba talaga ako o hindi sa get-together party. I mean, it's been four years since I've seen my old clubmates. Sa totoo lang, hindi naman talaga ako ganun ka-busy, I just wanna clear my weekends off because I want to rest.
At the contrary, I may not know kung kailan uli kami magkikita-kita. Most likely I'll come, namiss ko rin naman sila. For old time's sake, maybe I should go.
Ime-message ko na lang bukas si Liezl na pupunta ako. Sana lang hindi ko malimutan.
And yeah, I'll be meeting Archer Yoon again after four years.
He's my TOTGA. And prolly, I was his, too.
Yeah, you got the gist of it.
He left for Australia before 'we' could happen.
He was my first love.
Sa totoo lang, hindi ko alam kung ano ang mararamdaman ko kung makikita ko siya ulit. Matagal naman na ang four years, he has his own life now or maybe he has a girlfriend already. Archer's a pretty decent man, bonus na lang ang pagiging good looking niya. I doubt if he's still single.
Ako na nga lang yata ang single sa aming lahat—let alone, NBSB.
My day has ended in good shape. Natapos ko ang work ko just before the deadline, ang aasikasuhin ko na lang pag-uwi ay ang pagre-refurbish ng mga panels na ready for submission sa webtoon artist bukas.
I was walking towards the exit of the building when a Telegram message from Sir Trein came in.
Dati puro lang text, ngayon Telegram na. I don't know, he wants us to use it para exclusive daw na kami lang ang magka-message doon. Truth to be told, he's the only one there in my Contacts. Wala naman kasi akong ibang kilala na nagte-Telegram maliban sa kanya. Well, maybe I could ask Nana to create an account for me.
From: Trein Alexis Ryu
Going home already? I haven't seen you all day today. I was busy from the shareholders' meeting and reviewing some papers.
I pursed my lips after reading his message.
From the time he told me that he seriously like me, he's more open about his feelings—or I should say he's more natural now rather than transactional. Pero minsan hindi pa rin nawawala 'yun.
Well it makes him cute for that.
Ugh, cute?
To: Trein Alexis Ryu
Yes, sir. Ingat ka. And pahinga ka na rin dyan sa house mo🙂
Isn't he busy this time? Ang bilis niyang mag-reply ha. Mas nauna pa siyang sumagot kesa sa doon sa nag-accept ng Grab car na ibu-book ko pa lang.
From: Trein Alexis Ryu
My apologies if I can't take you home. Next time I'll make sure to do it, if not, I'll ask Piper to drive for you.
Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya, he's considerate of me pero di naman niya na dapat gawin 'yun. I can go home myself naman. May dalawa naman akong paa.
To: Trein Alexis Ryu
I appreciate the thought, Sir, but I'm fine this way, really.
Hindi ko na napansin ang reply niya dahil dumating na ang Grab car na na-book ko kanina. I greeted the driver tapos tinignan ko uli ang messages niya.
From: Trein Alexis Ryu
Okay, if that suits you.
Are you available on Saturday?
Let's go out and eat.
If you're not busy with your part time job.
I bit my lower lip after reading it. It conflicts the schedule with the reunion from our club.
To: Trein Alexis Ryu
Sorry, Sir. May lakad kasi ako sa Saturday. Attend ako ng get-together party ng previous clubmates ko noong college.
I am a bit guilty.
Ewan ko ba kung bakit.
Siguro kung naunang nag-aya si Sir Trein e baka i-reject ko ang invitation ni Liezl!
What, self? Crush mo na din ang boss mo?
Ahhh! Kalma lang!
From: Trein Alexis Ryu
That's alright.
Let's just go out some other time.
Make that day open for me, if you could.
Makaka-hindi ba ako sa upper boss ko?
To: Trein Alexis Ryu
Of course, Sir. I'll clean my sched.
Shit, grabe ang kabog ng dibdib ko. Malamig naman dito sa loob ng kotse pero pinagpapawisan ako ng malagkit!
And hindi naman ako mukhang nanglalandi sa response ko, 'di ba? I'm just trying to be a polite employee. Yes.
—–
Then come Saturday, I messaged Liezl early in the morning na pupunta ako sa get-together. She's relieved, akala niya kasi ay inindian ko na sila—sa totoo lang, nalimutan kong mag-text sa kanya kagabi dahil nag-overtime pa ako ng isang oras. May files kasi ako na hindi ko natapos review-hin kaya wala akong choice kundi ang mag-extend.
I just wore jeans, button-down top and wedge sandals. Nag-powder lang ako ng mukha at gumamit ng lip and cheek tint para hindi ako magmukhang maputla. When I felt that I'm comfy on what I'm wearing, I left my apartment and hailed a cab going to the restaurant. Hindi naman ito kalayuan sa tinitirhan ko kaya di ako mahihirapang umuwi mamayang gabi.
When I arrived, nakita ko agad si Liezl na nakatayo at kausap ang waiter habang ang iba naman ay nakaupo at masayang nagkukwentuhan. Seeing them from afar feels nostalgia, everyone has changed on their own.
"Hi guys!" I happily greeted them.
"Yuri!" sabay-sabay silang lumingon at tumayo para i-welcome ako. I hugged each of them, asking how they are doing, complimenting how they look and telling how I missed them.
Grabe, ang bilis ng apat na taon pero parang ang tagal na rin. We're a total of eight around here. All are past club officers so it's not hard to mingle with everyone.
"Loka ka, akala ko hindi ka na talaga darating e," Liezl said in relief tapos umupo ako sa tabi niya.
"Sorry, nawala lang talaga sa isip ko ang i-text ka kasi busy ako sa trabaho pero wag ka na mag-inarte dyan, okay? I'm here." I spread my arms wide.
"Of course, you should be here kasi parating na din si Archer. He texted me just now, he's coming in a few minutes." she winked at me tapos nagsipalakpakan naman 'yung iba.
Siniko ako ng dating club secretary namin na si Joanne, "Yung totoo, sabay siguro kayo noh? Nauna ka lang para hindi halata."
Then I heard their 'ayeee', natawa na lang ako kasi wala naman akong choice kundi makisabay sa kanila. Jusko itong mga 'to, wala nang pinagbago. Ang lalakas pa rin mang-asar!
"Hindi ah, we haven't talked yet and I don't even know his number." I grinned.
"Speaking of the devil, Archer Yoon's here!" someone said.
Lahat kami ay napatingin sa entrance ng restaurant. My mouth was half-opened because of astonishment. I saw him again after four years.
He grew taller and more muscular, nagbago na rin ang hairstyle niya. His hair was a bit disheveled before but now it's clean-cut. He looked more manlier.
I noticed one single thing about Archer now but I can't tell exactly what it is.
"Oy! Namiss ko kayo, ang lalaki niyo na!" he told everyone.
My clubmates and him greeted each other while I'm on my seat as I poured water in the glass in front of me.
"Archer, palit tayo!" napaangat ang tingin ko kay Liezl nang ituro niya ang kanyang upuan. "Tabi na kayo ni Yuri Shin."
At nakarinig na naman ako ng pangangantiyaw nila sa amin ni Archer. Halos mapa-facepalm ako sa kahihiyan. Yung totoo ha? Enjoy kayo guys?!
Lumapit si Archer sa tapat ni Liezl at nginitian ako.
"Hey." he said.
"Hey." I said.
Damn, this was our usual greeting from before!
My mouth reflexes are betraying me. TOTGA nga 'di ba, Shin Yuri? Naalala mo pati 'yan? Yung totoo?
He sat beside me and now I feel the tension is getting higher. Hindi ko na lang pinansin ang mga pang-aasar ng mga kasama namin at nagpaka-busy na lang ako sa pagkain. I also shared some experiences from work and some other stuff.
Nag-aya ang dating club president namin na uminom sa isang bar sa BGC pero tumanggi ako kasi ang goal ko naman talaga ngayong weekend ay magpahinga. This was an exemption because I wanted to see my old friends as well.
"Are you sure you won't be joining? Di ka na ba umiinom?" Archer asked me.
I smiled at him timidly. "Hindi - I mean, yeah, I still drink but I need to go home now. I was busy the whole week so I would just like to snag some rest."
Tumango lang siya ng marahan tapos tinignan ako ng mataman. Naglakad na kami palabas ng restaurant pagkatapos mag-bill out.
"You're joining them?" I asked him back.
I was surprised when he shook his head, "Nah, you know me, I rarely drink. Dala ko rin kasi ang kotse ko. Delikado kung iinom ako. I'm staying at my brother-in-law's house and it's kinda far from here."
"Alright, I see. Sige, magpapaalam na rin ako sa kanila. I just live somewhere near." I told him. I called everyone's attention and bid my goodbyes.
Alam naman nila na hindi ako sasama sa inuman nila kaya hindi na sila nagpumilit.
"Ihahatid mo si Yuri?" Liezl asked Archer.
Ako na ang sumagot, "Hindi ha. Malayo pa ang uuwian ni Archer. I can take a cab myself. Wag niyo na ako alalahanin."
I felt the warm hand of Archer in my shoulder, "That's fine, I'll take you home."
At naghiyawan na naman ang mga clubmates namin at kilig na kilig na akala mo e mga high school students. Natatawa na lang ako. Naka-move on na ako't lahat pero sila ay hindi pa.
Ang ending, napapayag na ako ni Archer na ihatid ako pauwi sa bahay. Sinabi ko naman agad ang directions para hindi na siya maabala mamaya habang nagda-drive siya.
I was busy looking at the moving cars ahead of us. It was quiet but that's fine. I think it's better this way. May kaunting awkwardness pa rin kasi akong nararamadaman pero hindi ko alam kung bakit.
Maybe because we didn't talk for the past four years after our graduation?
Or because we didn't end up together even if we liked each other so much before?
"So you didn't really pursue art at all?"
Napalingon agad ako sa kanya at umayos ako ng upo. "Not really. I have a part time job that involves to webcomics, that's what I can only do now. Alam mo naman siguro ang reason. Money issues. My mom was really against it, alam mo 'yan. Pero okay naman na ako sa work ko ngayon. "
Then Sir Trein's memory passed through my head. Namiss ko tuloy ang taong 'yun. Ano na kaya ang ginagawa niya? Nagtatrabaho pa rin? Tulog? Naglalaro ng ML?
"I see, then that's good for you."
"Ikaw? Mukhang bigtime ka na sa Australia ha." I started loosening up. Baka ako lang itong feeling awkward dito sa aming dalawa.
Ngumiti lang siya at tinignan ako ng mabilisan. "Me? No way. I enrolled in a community college there for a few programs so my University units can be credited. Thereafter, I finished my graduate studies."
Napapalakapak ako at nginitian siya ng malapad. O 'di ba, kung makangiti ako, akala mo ako ang nagpaaral sa kanya e noh?
"Woah, cool! Astig!" I reacted.
"Yeah, yeah, I took a break from work then I'll be back to Australia by next month."
"Kumusta naman ang family mo doon? Nag-asawa ka na ba?" I curiously asked him.
"Nope," natawa siya ng maikli, "Like you, I was preoccupied with work. I had a girlfriend before but we broke up last year. Ikaw? May boyfriend ka na ba?"
Napasandal ako sa head rest ng upuan. "Syempre wala pa. Proud NBSB ako."
Sumeryoso ang tingin niya sa akin nung nakatigil ang kotse dahil naka-red ang signal ng stop light. "Is it... because of me? I'm sorry to appear rude or conceited."
Well, alam naman naming dalawa na TOTGA namin ang isa't isa.
"Don't be sorry, wala namang may kasalanan kung bakit hindi naging tayo. We both decided to part ways since it's the best for us. And look what happened, we both look okay being apart." I reasoned out. "'Di ba?"
He winked at me, "Yeah and I'm happy to see where you are now, Yuri, I missed you."
I bit my lower lip. I only smiled at him but I didn't reply.
---
"Thank you sa paghatid, Archer. Ingat sa pagmamaneho ha." sabi ko sa kanya paglabas ko ng kotse. Dumungaw ako sa bintana para ma-meet ko yung tingin niya.
"Yeah, good night. I'll see you around."
My eyes squinted, naguluhan ako. Are we going to meet again after this? "Huh?"
Ngumisi siya, "Can I have your number?"
Kahit nalilito ay binigay ko sa kanya ang cellphone ko. He keyed in somehing tapos binalik niya rin agad sa akin. Sunod naman ay ginamit niya ang sarili niyang phone at nagtype din ng kung ano.
"Bye Yuri Shin." he saluted then revved up the engine.
Umatras ako at pinanuod ang kotse habang umaandar palayo. Just a few seconds before I got inside my apartment, my phone vibrated.
I saw a text from an unknown number so I swiped my phone and checked the message.
From: +639959876543
Hi Yuri, Archer here. I'm so happy I got to meet you. Seeing you made me feel shy like I'm back from square one, I'm sorry. Hope I could hang out with you again. This time, I don't want to be your The One That Got Away anymore.
Halos madapa ako habang naglalakad. Shit, Archer!
I knew it.
I shook my head.
Ayoko munang ma-stress agad.
Binuksan ko ang pinto ng apartment at pumasok na sa loob. I turned on the lights beside the door then my phone vibrated again for another message.
I gasped when I saw a Telegram message from Sir Trein.
Ano na? Combo ba kayong dalawa? Kailangang magkasunod niyo akong ime-message?
From: Trein Alexis Ryu
Did something happen? I don't want to be too nosy, hope you're alright.
Natampal ko ang aking noo at tinignan ang mga unread messages niya sa app. I was too engrossed with the get-together with my friends and I didn't have the chance to reply back! Ang galing lang, self.
To: Trein Alexis Ryu
Just got home, Sir. Sorry kung hindi ako nakapag-reply agad. I was with my friends the whole time. It's been four years and we only met just now.
Nagulat ako nang makapagreply siya pagkatapos ng ilang sandali. Don't tell me he's holding his phone all the while? Teka nga, ayokong mag-feeling at hindi bagay.
From: Trein Alexis Ryu
Good to know you had fun. Did you get home safely?
Nag-type agad ako ng reply sa kanya.
To: Trein Alexis Ryu
Yes, Sir. Hinatid ako ng dati kong clubmate.
Mas bumilis ang pagdating ng message niya.
From: Trein Alexis Ryu
Is he a guy? Sorry for bugging you. It's okay if you don't answer.
Namilog ang mga mata ko. Why does he need to know?
Is he jealous?
No way.
To: Trein Alexis Ryu
No, it's okay, Sir. Yes po, it was a guy.
At lalo pang bumilis ang pag-reply niya.
From: Trein Alexis Ryu
Alright, I'm glad you're safe and sound. I'll let you fix yourself first. I'll call you in an hour.
To: Trein Alexis Ryu
Bakit, Sir? May nangyari ba sa work?
From: Trein Alexis Ryu
No. Today's a weekend. No one's talking things about work.
I just want to hear your voice.
If it's okay with you.
My chest tightened as I read into his messages. Sir Trein naman, I'm trying to suppress my feelings, e. Bakit ba ang galing mo masyadong lumusot sa aorta, valves at superior vena cava papunta sa puso ko?
To: Trein Alexis Ryu
Okay lang, Sir.
I placed my phone into my chest and closed my eyes firmly.
Ang landi ko po.