Always

Part 1: Reunited

I saw him walking towards the the cafe door. I smiled and waved.

He saw me instantly and went to where I am sitting

"Uy! Yana! How are you?" He asked while putting his stuff in the chair reserved for him. 

"I'm fine. It's been a while! Thank you for the effort. Didn't expect to get lost." I said, sounded disappointed to myself.

"Nah, small thing. Naglunch ka na ba? Sabayan mo na ako then hatid kita sa sakayan." He said without pausing, then wink at me. Agad kong kinuha yung purse ko sa bag. Sabagay, hindi ako nag breakfast at lunchtime naman na, plus I'm not in rush so I instantly grabbed the opportunity to have lunch. 

When he was about to pay the bill, I took the chance to offer him na ako na ang babayad since I owe him this time at naistorbo ko siya. But he declined and said na bumawi nalang ako next time. 

"So, when did you decided to study here,ha?" He asked in between taking small bites from his lunch. 

"Well, it's really my dream to take Law study. Kaso naunahan ako magdecide nila mama to take Business study, instead. For more open opportunity." I simply said pero nahinto lang siya at tumingin sakin. 

Agad akong na conscious at ngumiwi. 

"Seriously? Bakit may dumi ba sa mukha ko?" I asked. 

He shooked his head and smile at me. "Let me ask you the same question na tinanong ko sayo last three years ago." He said and dipped the fries in mayo. 

"What will be the opportunity with that degree?" He asked using his same old arrogance. 

I raised my brow and said, "It's been three years, until now you don't have any idea what business does in our economy?" 

Then, there was a three-second silence at sabay kaming tumawa. 

"Wow, badly misses our debate." He said while shooking his head.

"Alam mong hindi ako magpapatalo, pero hihinto ako. Especially, when I have proofs and data. Except the fact na pag tinamad na akong makipagdebate, for sure, lalayasan kita." I said.

We're rivals during our Junior and Senior years. Halos lahat nalang ng course na may debate or if may instances na maglaban o magkakampi kami, we never run out of thing to against sa isa't-isa. And I knew that his using his arrogant way of questioning just to annoy me. Saka ako may cecease ng fire, not because I loose, but because hindi fair at open ang kacompete ko. 

He just smiled and continue to eat. I silently observed him. 

His hair is tied pink, above the shoulder length. His tan skin is now whiter than mine. His lips is naturally pink, unlike mine that uses a matte tint just to have it naturally. 

He's wearinga hoodie and saggy pants with white rubber shoes. He's still thin but not a little bit musculin than what he used to be. 

I sighed and glimpse at my watch. Its 12:42 PM dated November 30, 2021.

As we're about to finish our meal. I'm still hesitant to ask and I caught him a lot of times trying to open a conversation.

I know this is really awkward for both of us. It's been three years since we lost our communication and we are not in good terms during our senior years. Plus the fact that we're not really close even during juniors but still, he's the only one I could count on to. 

It's his last sip when we unintentionally said something in chorus.

"Nagfull bloom ka na ba?"

"I badly miss you."