... are we in love?

49

Ryan Denis - Paoline Eiza
(Phone Call Conversation)

Ryan flopped on his bed as he rings Eiza's number, unconsciously biting his lower lip while feeling the beat of his heart, staring at the ceiling, and sat up on the bed as Eiza answered the call.

Eiza sat on the small stairs near her bedroom as her phone rings, cleared her throat and took a deep breath before sliding up the answer icon.

It hasn't been an hour when they bid goodbye to each other at the bus terminal.

EIZA
Hello? Ryan.

RYAN
Eiza.

Both felt indifferent as they heard each other's voices. Iba pala feeling kapag sa tawag, both of them thought.

Eiza was trying to repress a smile. Ryan was trying to test waters.

EIZA
Are you sure you're
done reviewing?

RYAN
Sigurado ka bang hindi
ka pa inaantok?

Napapadiin si Eiza sa kanyang talampakan, bahagyang napapakamot na sa ilong. Ryan was already smiling. He could picture her facial expressions in his mind.

EIZA
Still not sleepy. Do you remember
I told you I wanted to do something
after my part-time sa eatery?

RYAN
Ah, oo, ano ulit 'yon?

Natatandaan naman ni Ryan, gusto niya lang mas marinig pa boses ni Eiza.

EIZA
About the volunteer group!
Hanggang katapusan na lang din
kasi 'yong registration, 'di pa sure kung
makakapasok ako sa slot.

Hiniga muli ni Ryan ang sarili sa kama at tinapat ang sarili malapit sa bintana kung sa'n kitang kita ang mga bituin at buwan sa kalangitan.

RYAN
Sigurado ka na ba ngayon?
Dati kasi sabi mo hindi ka confident.

Napaisip si Eiza.

EIZA
Mas confident na ako ngayon, for sure.
Kailangan ko lang talaga mag-isip saglit.
Baka kasi mamaya maoverwhelm ako.
Dati no'ng highschool lagi akong sumasali sa
mga theater play. Sunod-sunod 'yong pagpplay ko kaya ayon, naoverwhelm ako, ang ending nagquit ako. Hindi na rin ako umulit.

Napa-Ah si Ryan. May ideyang pumasok sa isip niya pero hindi pa siya siguradong bigyan ito ng boses.

RYAN
Mabuti naman kung gano'n, Eiza.
Pero, marunong ka talagang umarte?

Natawa si Eiza.

EIZA
Not anymore! No'ng highschool pa 'yon, 'no.
Saka hindi naman 'yon seryoso.

Natahimik si Ryan. Nag-iisip.

Napakunot noo si Eiza nang tumahimik ang kabilang linya at napalakad pababa sa salas, umupo sa sofa, at pinagmasdan ang buwan sa window walls ng apartment.

EIZA
Ryan?

Napakurap si Ryan.

RYAN
Eiza. Sorry, may naisip lang.

EIZA
Penny for your thoughts?

Bahagyang natawa si Ryan. Eiza almost melted from where she was sitting as she heard that.