There was a saying that a tired mind deserves a quiet moment, too… but it wasn’t the case for Riggs. Instead of having that quiet moment after a long day, he was in a bar, drinking with friends.

Masakit sa tainga ang tugtugan at halos hindi na niya maintindihan ang sinasabi ng mga kaibigan niya.

Bihira naman siyang sumama sa mga ganitong inuman; madalas pa ngang nakaupo lang at nakikipagkuwentuhan, dahil kailangan din niyang huminga at lumayo sa academics. Dagdag na rin ang work commitments niya nitong mga nakaraan.

Kumportableng nakaupo si Riggs sa lamesa habang hawak ang bote ng beer. His friends were talking to someone, dancing, or just enjoying themselves while he was just there, observing. Okay na siya sa isang bote ng beer at aalis na rin naman mayamaya dahil may early meeting siya kinabukasan.

Another project to work on for his portfolio.

Riggs was getting annoyed with the remix when the music shifted. It was the opening notes of Stargirl Interlude by The Weeknd and Lana Del Rey. Finally, a soft and almost dreamlike music blended with conversations inside the bar… and he wasn’t really into it until someone caught his yes.

Yukina…1

Of course, he knew Yuki. Nasa iisang circle lang sila lalo na at bestfriend ito ng pinsan niyang si Viela na kasama rin nila sa university. Growing up, he already knew her… dahil sa transient na pag-aari ng pamilya nito sa Baguio sila madalas na naka-book. But they actually never had that conversation. Medyo mataray kasi ito… masungit. Ni hindi siya dinadaanan ng tingin.

Yuki made her way toward the center of the dance floor with a playful smile. Hindi niya inalis ang tingin sa dalaga at pinanood kung paano ito mabagal na sumayaw papunta sa gitna. There was no rhythm… just simple moving carelessly, freely, as if she was the only person in the room.

Nagbabago ang kulay ng bar. Mula sa asul, nagiging pula, o kaya berge… at halos lahat ng kulay na iyon ay tumama sa mukha ni Yuki.

Riggs squinted, his fingers wrapped around the bottle of beer, as he watched the woman slowly sway. The way her hair moved when she turned her head, eyes closed, and completely unbothered by the people around her.

Suot ni Yuki ang simpleng low-rise jeans, maikling puting sando na umaangat sa bawat paggalaw dahilan para makita ang pusod at baywang nito.

His lips curled into a smile as he watched Yukina freely sway her hips until she turned and their eyes met.1

For a second, neither looked away… but Yukina stopped dancing.

Ang akala ni Riggs, iiwas ng tingin si Yuki… but he was wrong when the woman slowly tilted her head and stared at him. He held her gaze and brought the bottle of beer to his lips… without breaking the stare.3

Yukina’s thin brows rose without looking away, waiting for him.

And yes, he did look away. Nagpatalo siya… because the last thing Riggs needed was for Yuki to know that out of everyone on that crowded dance floor, she was the only person he had been watching.

—5