Chapter 03
1111 Words
It was a lazy Saturday—no deadlines, no classes, no work. Just the comfort of each other’s company as Ley and I ate lunch at her place. "Nakita ko si Asher kahapon." I said casually.
Ley's eyes widened. She set her glass down and stared at me. “Huh? As in the Asher? From Electric?”
I nodded, trying not to make a big deal out of it.
Ley leaned in, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “Spill. Everything. Now.”
“He just dropped by the café where I work. Ordered a frappe.”
Her jaw dropped. “Wait, what? Kinausap ka ba?”
I nodded again, eyes dropping to my plate. “Yeah. He just asked if I was Claire.”
Ley’s grin turned wicked. “Oh my God, this is getting really good.”
I rolled my eyes. “He came in, ordered, then left. That’s it. Huwag mo nang palakihin.”
She shot me a playful look, all smug and knowing. “Oh please, you’re not fooling me. I’m telling you—he’s totally got a thing for you.”
I sighed, half-laughing. “Ley, seriously. It was nothing. Bumili lang siya. And besides, hindi ko siya type.”
“Talaga?” she said, raising an eyebrow, smirking.
“Hello?” I scoffed. “Like I’d fall for an idol. Magkaibang-mundo kami. Isa pa, baka bugbugin pa ako ng mga fans niya.”
She gave me a look. “Girl, please. You’re tall, smart, and gorgeous. Yung balat mong morena tsaka buhok mong itim? Bagay na bagay sa'yo. People just don’t know how to approach you, that’s all. Don’t let insecure girls get to you. Si Asher ang lalandiin mo, hindi ang mga fans niya."
I gaped. “What the hell, Ley? Lalandiin? Hindi ko nga siya gusto!”
She burst out laughing. “What if you do? What if, one day, bigla mo siyang magustuhan? Guess you'd be eating your words."
“Tumigil ka na nga,” I muttered, shaking my head. “That’s never gonna happen.”
Ley just laughed and waved me off. “Bagay kayo, no. Magaling ka rin naman sa guitara, tapos kumakanta at sumasayaw ka pa. Hindi ka lang aware, pero pareho kayo ng mundo.”
“Gago,” I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “Mundo niya 'yun, Ley. Ako, nasa kabilang planeta. Wala akong kinalaman sa kasikatan. Sa totoo lang, ayoko nga n’un."
She let out a soft laugh, her tone more thoughtful now. “You don’t need the spotlight to belong with someone famous. Sometimes, it’s the simple, genuine things people end up craving the most.”
I looked away, pretending to be focused on my drink, but her words stayed with me.
I didn’t respond and took a sip of my iced coffee. I ended the topic there because any longer and I might’ve hit her without thinking. I shifted the conversation, and Ley followed my lead.
As we chatted about random things, she moved a little closer, her expression softening. “Can I ask you something?” she said gently. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”
I nodded.
She hesitated, then asked, “If you had the chance to find your parents... would you take it?”
The question hit me harder than I expected. There was a sting in my chest, familiar but buried deep. I shook my head, trying to stay composed.
“Hindi na,” I answered quietly, voice barely above a whisper.
My silence said the rest. The years of longing, dead ends, and empty hopes. Ley didn’t know about the sleepless nights searching for names that never led anywhere, or the dreams that faded with every unanswered question.
She looked at me with concern, the kind only someone who’s seen through your armor can give. Ironically, she’s never seen me cry, but she always knows when I’m hurting.
“Sorry,” she murmured. She looked down, guilt flickering in her eyes. “Sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I was just curious."
I forced a small smile. “It’s okay.”
She nodded, still watching me, then gently changed the topic. As evening came, she offered to have her driver take me home, but I declined. I’d spent the entire day with her and I didn’t want to overstay.
She raised an eyebrow but let it go. We said our goodbyes, and I biked to the convenience store, the evening wind brushing against my cheeks. Inside, I picked up a pack of instant noodles and a bottle of soda—my go-to comfort food.
When I got home, the silence hit me again.
No one is waiting. No one to say welcome back.
I ate dinner quietly, finished my assignments, then started my nightly routine—wash face, change clothes, brush teeth. Just the usual.
Later, I lay on my bed, mindlessly scrolling on my phone until curiosity got the better of me.
I searched for Asher on ig application.
@eb_asher. His profile was simple. It's a beach photo, wearing sunglasses, and an unbuttoned polo shirt. His bio just said Electric Band. Only one post, and it was a tagged promotional picture.
I clicked through their band’s page, then the other members’ profiles. Their lives felt so far away. The fame, talent, money. All of it at such a young age. Meanwhile, I was... here. Trying to keep my life together with instant noodles and unanswered questions.
I found myself wondering... What if my parents were here? Would things be different? Would I be different?
But reality crept back in. The distance between what is and what could’ve been.
Still, the ache lingered. A kind of ache you learn to live with.
I went to close the app or tried to. Somehow I accidentally tapped Follow on Asher’s profile.
Putangina.
I panicked and unfollowed right away, heart racing. Please tell me he didn’t notice. With hundreds of thousands of followers, one accidental click wouldn't stand out... right?
I shut off my phone and rolled onto my side, cursing under my breath.
Emotions are a b1tch to control.
I’ve kept people at arm’s length for so long. I built walls so high even I forget what’s behind them. The idea of dragging someone into my mess? Terrifying. I told Ley he’s not my type, and I meant it... or maybe I wanted to mean it. But now, lying here, I can’t even explain the effect he had on me.
I stare at the ceiling and put my earbuds in. I hit play on my Cup of Joe playlist.
I’m not interested in him.
Hindi pwede.
Malabo.
- Writer
