MINSAN LANG MAG KA-

CHAPTER 4

Chapter 4: The Unexpected Invitation

Lia woke up later than usual the next morning, her head heavy but her heart strangely light. She remembered the night before—how Marco had stayed a little longer after delivering her order, how they had talked about dreams, struggles, and the strange comfort of finding someone who simply listened. It felt surreal. She had always been the type to guard her world, to keep her circle small. Yet here she was, feeling an odd connection with someone who technically was still a stranger.

She sat by her small desk, opening her laptop to check her emails. As a freelancer, mornings usually meant skimming through new projects, checking deadlines, and sending proposals. But her mind wasn’t fully there. It drifted back to Marco—the way his tired eyes lit up when he smiled, the way he spoke with sincerity that felt rare in the city.

“Focus, Lia,” she whispered to herself, shaking her head. “You barely know him.”

Still, the thought of him lingered. She brushed it off and forced herself into work mode, typing away, until a knock on her door startled her. She wasn’t expecting any delivery that day. She cautiously peeked through the peephole—only to find Marco standing outside, holding a plastic bag.

Her heart skipped.

Opening the door, she tried to compose herself. “Marco? Anong ginagawa mo dito? Wala naman akong inorder.”

Marco scratched the back of his neck, his boyish awkwardness evident. “Uh… actually, hindi ito order. Dumaan lang ako kasi… well, sobra yung niluto ni Mama ng adobo kagabi. Sabi ko, imbes na masayang, baka gusto mo.”

He lifted the bag a little, almost shy. Lia blinked, touched by the gesture.

“You… brought me food?” she asked, trying not to sound too surprised.

Marco chuckled. “Bakit, bawal ba?”

She laughed softly. “Hindi naman. Nakakagulat lang. Sanay kasi ako na… ako lang lagi mag-isa.”

There was silence for a moment, then Lia stepped aside. “Pasok ka na. Para hindi ka nakatayo d’yan.”

Marco hesitated but eventually entered, placing the bag on her small dining table. The apartment wasn’t big—just a studio, neat and cozy. He looked around politely, careful not to stare.

“Nice place,” he said. “Simple pero maaliwalas. Kita agad na may taste ka.”

Lia raised an eyebrow, half-teasing. “Taste? Sa dami ng pagod sa trabaho, wala na akong time mag-ayos. Kung anong meron, yun na.”

They shared a laugh as she unpacked the container. The smell of the adobo filled the room, instantly reminding Lia of home—of family dinners she hadn’t had in so long. Something about it tugged at her chest.

“Tikman mo,” Marco urged. “Sabi ni Mama, mas masarap daw pag may kasamang kausap.”

Lia picked up a fork, took a bite, and closed her eyes. “Grabe, ang sarap! Hindi yung typical adobo na puro alat. May tamis. Malambot pa yung karne.”

Marco beamed. “Sabi ko sa’yo eh. Si Mama ‘yon. Wala pa akong nakilalang taong hindi nagustuhan luto niya.”

As they ate together, the awkwardness dissolved. It felt natural, as though they had shared meals before. Marco told her stories of his mother who sold food on the side, of his younger brother who always got into mischief, of the long hours he spent delivering just to help his family make ends meet.

Lia listened, fascinated. She realized she rarely heard such raw, unpolished truths from people. Most of the clients she interacted with online only talked about deadlines, money, and contracts. Marco’s world was different—tiring, yes, but filled with genuine moments.

“Alam mo,” she said after a while, “ang dami kong kakilala na puro plano lang. Pero ikaw, kahit mahirap, ginagawa mo talaga.”

Marco shrugged, a little embarrassed. “Wala naman akong choice eh. Kung hindi ako kikilos, sino pa para sa pamilya ko? Pero siyempre… minsan napapagod din. Kaya… ewan, ang sarap lang ng feeling na may nakikinig.”

Their eyes met, and for a brief second, the air grew heavy. Lia felt her cheeks warm, so she quickly changed the subject. “So, may plano ka ba ngayong weekend?”

Marco tilted his head. “Wala naman. Bakit?”

Lia hesitated, then gathered her courage. “Actually… may event sa mall. Yung freelancer’s community na sinalihan ko dati, mag-oorganize ng meet-up. Usually, hindi ako uma-attend ng ganun, pero… maybe this time I should. And… baka gusto mong sumama? Para kahit paano, maka-break ka rin sa routine.”

Marco looked surprised. “Ako? Kasama mo?”

“Yes,” Lia said firmly, though her heart was pounding. “Wala namang bawal, di ba? Besides… mas masaya kung may kasama.”

He thought for a moment, then smiled slowly. “Kung hindi ako magiging sagabal, sige. Sasama ako.”

Lia grinned, relieved. Something inside her told her this was the start of something new—an unplanned turn in her quiet life.

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The weekend came sooner than expected. Lia found herself nervously picking clothes, something she rarely cared about. She wasn’t dressing up for anyone, she told herself—just wanting to look presentable. Yet she couldn’t deny the little flutter in her chest knowing Marco would be there.

When Marco arrived at her place that Saturday morning, she almost didn’t recognize him. Gone was the delivery uniform she was used to. Instead, he wore a crisp white polo and jeans, simple but neat. His hair was slightly styled, giving him a more polished look.

“Wow,” she blurted before she could stop herself. “You… clean up well.”

Marco laughed. “Sabi ng kapatid ko, baka raw mapahiya ka kung dala-dala ko yung motor jacket ko. Kaya eto, pinilit kong magmukhang tao.”

Lia giggled, feeling the nervousness ease. “Trust me, you look fine.”

Together, they headed to the mall. The freelancer’s event was bustling with people—different individuals sharing their journeys, networking, and enjoying the program. Lia introduced Marco as her friend, and though he looked a little out of place at first, his natural charm soon won others over.

What surprised Lia was how easily Marco adapted. He asked questions, listened intently, and even joked around with some of the attendees. She couldn’t help but admire his openness.

“Parang ang dali mo lang makisama,” she whispered to him during a break.

Marco grinned. “Sanay na siguro sa dami ng taong nakakasalamuha ko araw-araw sa trabaho. Pero iba dito. Masaya pala makinig sa mga kwento ng ibang tao.”

For the first time in a long time, Lia felt proud—not just of herself, but of having someone by her side. Someone who, despite their different worlds, fit into hers so naturally.

As the event drew to a close, the two of them walked outside, the afternoon sun casting a golden glow. Marco glanced at her, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

“Lia,” he began, his voice soft but steady, “salamat ha. Kung hindi mo ako inimbita, malamang nasa kalsada lang ulit ako buong araw. Pero ngayon… parang iba. Ang gaan.”

Lia smiled, her heart swelling. “Ako dapat magpasalamat. Kasi… nakilala kita.”

They shared a silence that spoke volumes, their steps slow as though neither wanted the day to end.

That night, as Lia lay in bed, she realized something important: her life, which once felt predictable and lonely, was beginning to shift. And at the center of it was Marco—the delivery boy who had unexpectedly walked into her world.

And maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t leaving anytime soon.