Coffee, Tea or Me

Be Still My Heart

-LAIN-

"HEY, I forgot something."

But before I understand what he was up to, Dave gave me a bone-crushing hug. It was brief but it rendered me speechless. In fact, I just watched him retreated with that awkward boyish smile while he staggered in his step before he finally makes a beeline to his white SUV that was parked beside my maroon Suzuki Eon. When he passed by, he gave a honk, that smile again which make my pulse skipped a beat and a wave. Then, he was gone. Before long, I noticed myself smiling like an idiot. That was when the enormity of what happened finally sunk in.

"My God... Tell me that was not a dream." I pinched my cheeks. I felt the pain. Yeah, right, I was indeed awake and everything was real.

My eyes darted towards the road in the hope that I could zero in with his car. But of course, I didn't, knowing how hideous it can be with all those cars cruising like bundled up bees. I almost jumped out of my skin when my phone vibrated on my hand, signaling that a message just came in.

It was from Dave.

Be safe on your way home, all right? Text me when you got home.

A winking emoji followed his message.

 And a heart.

Geeezzz... That damned emoji almost make me waltzed toward my car. I can't help it. For all intent and purposes, this was not the first time I received such a message and emojis. My exes could even send a more definitive emojis in a heartbeat. Erotic even. The difference somehow spelled through that refreshing yet nagging feeling inside me that had been absent for so long. The first time I felt it was the time I accidentally bumped with one of the Jonas brothers at a mall in Cubao. It felt so adventurous. I know, I know, warning bells were kept on pealing since the minute our eyes met. But, hell, I'm excited I could even pee'd through my pants and I still don't care.

For once, I traveled EDSA-Commonwealth in a breeze without the usual traffic that is a constant feature in this part of the metropolis. On regular days, such a situation would actually be irritating especially if things were that busy. It's a given that living in the city has so many things to offer. It was a plus to the ambitious people who wanted to up their game at a speed that could build an empire in so short a time. But frankly, riding up with that same speed could be stressful. And by letting it engulfed you, the burn out can be lethal. In that essence, I came to consider Dave's offer as I slowly make a left turn on the road that took me to my condo. Mentally, I reviewed my schedules for the coming days.

June was a hectic month with four weddings, two corporate events, and a retirement program for a graduating senator. The days that led to each event will soon be filled with meetings to every group and individual whose expertise we need just to fulfill the physical requirements it calls.

I sighed. What a bummer. Seems like I needed to wear an adult diaper. And peed on it if only to squeeze everything again without me trooping down the CR when I needed it.

"Yeah, right. I really needed that breather, damn it. For sure, it will not be the end of the world if I dumped some of my work to my bosses," I said to myself while imagining that I was on a sandy beach already soaking up with the sunshine.

Heaven.

That thought perked me up a bit.

-DAVE-

" SO, what was that, man? Have you gone crazy already? " Dave shook his head as what he had done finally caught up with him.

Maybe, he should push through with his plan of going to the province and took some respite while supervising their project at Claveria, Cagayan. It may do him good from the pollution that peppered his lungs already within this thriving city whom they call the City of Stars--Quezon City. That one incident in that fast-food chain could be a warning that his sanity was swaying now. After all, who was in their right mind to hug a stranger amidst a chance encounter as if it was the natural thing to do?

 And a man at that?!

They were indeed known each other's name and have each other's mobile number, too, in the end amidst their chat. But still, it seems hugging Lain was not a good idea.

"Right. I might be crazy now. These sleepless nights might have caused more harm to me than good. Dude, you need to sleep the whole day. That's what you need to do. It could give you more clearer perceptions soon. And while you are at it, you need to do something for your love life, too. That might also help to cure the whole thing."

But damn it. He cannot even convince himself even when he thinks out loud. Instead, he felt that deep inside him, he was actually rejecting that same idea he'd just said to himself!

Who's crazy now?

He laughed at himself. He felt good with what he had done anyway. It gave him a burst of energy which he did not felt for a long time. And that's what should count. It has to be.

But first thing first, he needed to get home now. Rest a bit. He'll dig into whatever bugging him down later, he decided.

-LAIN-

I'm home already. Will just catch a bit of sleep. Some lazy hours to enjoy before calling in the shots later this afternoon. How about you? Hope you got home already, too. You also need to catch some sleep,  you know?

A smile tugged at my lips as I hit the sent message button on my cellphone. I even did some waltzes on the condo's hallway after getting off from the elevator on the 15th floor. I do not care even if the building's security were watching and laughing now. Happiness was contagious, you know. Unless you are too bitter for your own good.

My cellphone vibrated after some seconds.

Yeah. I do. Will took a quick shower though.

My imagination runs off some sexy scenes on my head as delicious goosebumps crawled through my spine. How would he look like when he was on his birthday suit? Will he be as sexy as what I think of him?

I sighed as I took a detour in front of the mirror following my entrance inside. "Oh, well. What do I know? Reality means more than just an imagination, right, Self?"

But of course, my flirty self would respond in the negative as it tried to sustain what I conjured a sexy Dave on the shower before. I ended up like a contented Cheshire cat on the sofa still thinking of a well-suited reply. I cannot afford to scare him away now when things were still in its infancy. We might have a future. Who knows.

All right. Take your time. Might as well do the same before I hit the bed.

Hmmm... Yeah. Let's do it then.

I CRITICALLY surveyed the wedding backdrop as one of our staff at HELLO, FUTURE! , the event management company where I was employed for five years now, strategically put the fresh flower-filled giant basket on one side of the wooden couple seat made from salvaged driftwood. It was a rustic-themed venue set-up reminiscences of old world charm complete with a couple of authentic repurposed wheel of a horse-drawn carriage. The wedding ceremony will also be held right in the venue today at around six in the evening. We still have five more hours. Just some touch up here and there now and we're good to go. Boss Lorna, one of the three bosses we have had been assigned as the wedding coordinator for today. That would at least give our team members some respite for another venue preparations two days from now.

Satisfied, I looked around at the venue again but someone caught my eyes in an instant. And he was waving at me with that shy smile again. This time, I am sure that he'll go for a beeline at my end.

I waved back. "Good to see you again, Dave. What are you doing here if you don't mind my asking?" Am I palpitating again? Hell, I do not know. But for the life of me, I knew I was like a fairy in the dark at that moment, radiating with all those fairy dust. And if I was a woman, I might be primping myself now like an idiot.

And while it may be too early to assume that I am really attracted to him, I have to acknowledge it instead of just lusting over him. So, yeah, it does not sit well with me if this thing is just a passing lust considering the fact that I was not in any kind of relationship for over eight months now. For me, celibacy is sometimes better than being in a toxic relationship. Thankfully, I was too busy to care. Although I also need to acknowledge in the same breath, that there are those who also hit me especially on social media regularly. Even in Grinder, Blued, and Planet Romeo--the gay apps which I had  toconsider deleting once I am in a serious relationship again.  But that's it. It never progresses from there.

"Well... Can this suit gives you an idea yet?" He wore his black coat and tie like a pro. He playfully poses like a ramp model in front of me with that poker face before he broke out for another heart-warming laugh.

"Don't tell me you are the groom? It would break my heart." I fake a sad face while holding where my heart is, which, at that moment, was beating excitedly.

"Well, it would be nice if it's y--" He stopped suddenly in whatever he was going to say. Before adding, "Oh, never mind" too quickly. I did not know if I was just hallucinating but a blush was creeping on his cheek already. That seems to render him speechless and awkwardly look around.

I shrugged. That was when it hit me. "I just recall now that I read your name on the wedding invitation for today's wedding. The groom's a Fernandez. Your brother?"

"No. We are first-degree cousins, instead. I am the best man."

I nodded with a smile. "Don't worry. You are suited to that role just fine." And before I could stop myself, I took a step forward and made some adjustments on his skewed necktie. The instant I smell his aftershave, my eyes drawn to his slightly departed lips. They were full and reddish with a corner that seems to easily break into a smile. I gulped when that instant wanting of claiming his lips caught me off-guard. When I looked into his eyes, I caught my breath when it rendered me the feeling of being enchanted. I did not know I was holding my breath before I ended up gasping for air.

Dave to the rescue. "A-are you okay?" He was gasping, too!

Oh, my...

"Y-yes." I dodged his touch subtlely. At that moment, touching me might make me explode. I might do something that I would regret later. No kidding there. I never knew he could affect me this deep. "I'm just a little tired but I'm okay."

" Dave Fernandez, right?"

It was Boss Lorna. She was smiling so bright and wide she gave the impression that she was selling her teeth. Knowing her, she could eat a man alive just by flashing her mega-watt smile. Like she was doing now. For all intent and purposes, I do not mind. But at this point, she may have to give up because I am staking my claim to the man in front of us. I ignored her when she eyed me, a signal which we, the staff, secretly called it as CHOP STICKER  because of her snatching ability with just her eyes and branding it as a sticker with a lusty once-over. She was doing it again. Oftentimes, it was amusing. But not this time. To me, it was creepy.

"Yes." Seems like Dave knows what I'm feeling at that moment because he touches the arc of my back subtlely with a reassuring smile that seems to say, "Don't worry, I can handle this."

I nodded before I smiled back and took my leave.

"Lian!" he called instead.

I looked back at him inquiringly.

"I'll see you later. I'll call you. "

The CHOP STICKER eye of Lorna reacted like big saucers.

I almost laughed out loud. Eat your heart out, b***h!