MOOTS

Khai's POV

The next day, I woke up with a headache. My head was throbbing so hard that I almost couldn't find myself standing up. Freaking hangover. Isa 'to sa mga bagay na hindi ko nagugustuhan sa tuwing umiinom ako. Kahit kasi kakaunti lamang ang nainom kong alak ay sigurado ang hangover ko kinabukasan. That's why I don't join them often. I can't handle drinking. My alcohol tolerance is way too low for this.

Kahit na parang binibiyak ang ulo ko ay wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang tumayo at pumunta sa banyo para maligo. I need to go and buy something cold for this to subside. Kailangan kong mahimasmasan dahil hindi ako pwedeng pumasok nang masakit ang ulo at wala sa katinuan. Laboratory pa naman ang subject mamaya, at sure ako na sa tatlong oras na iyon ay may bagong experimeriment kaming gagawin.

Mabilis lamang akong naligo gamit ang cold setting ng shower. Hindi ko rin binuksan ang heater dahil mas maigi kung magigising ako dahil sa lamig. Matapos kong maligo ay guminhawa nang bahagya ang pakiramdam ko. Pero alam ko na kailangan ko pa rin na bumili ng malamig na inumin.

My phone beeps while I was drying my hair. The off-screen display showed that it is a message from Cafe San saying their matcha latte is not available today. Damn...

Iyon pa naman ang balak kong bilhin para makatulong sa hangover na 'to. Ngayon pa talaga nataon. Ano ba 'yan, malas.

I was about to wear my polo when the doorbell rang. Nagsuot na lamang muna ako ng isang T-shirt bago buksan ang pinto. A delivery rider was outside, holding two paper bags. He was smiling when he greeted me. "Magandang tanghali ho, Sir. Delivery ho for Sir Khai Ramirez?"

Nakakunot ang noo kong tinanggap ang paper bags at nagpasalamat. "Magkano ho?" Scam ba 'to? Sinong ungas ba ang may lakas ng loob na i-prank ako at isinakto pa talaga nilang hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ko—

"Wala po kayong kailangang bayaran, Sir. Pakibasa na lang daw po ng note na nasa loob sabi nung sender. Salamat ho!" Matapos nito ay tumalikod na ito. Ako naman ay naguguluhan pa rin pero pumasok na ako sa loob. Nang maibaba ko ang paper bags ay tinanggal ko ang lahat ng laman nito. There are two lunch boxes inside one paper bag. The other one has an insulated tumbler in it. On top of one of the lunch boxes, there is a note.

'Eat up and
get rid of your hangover.

Love,
Stranger'

Galing naman pala kay Mr. Matcha ang mga 'to. Pero grabe naman ang effort niya, e siya na nga itong naghatid sa akin kagabi. Tsaka paano niya nalaman na magkakaroon ako ng hangover kagabi? Manghuhula ba siya? O baka naman may mga kung ano-anong bagay akong nasabi sa kanya kagabi?

I opened the tumbler and instantly smiled when I looked at the drink inside. It is not matcha latte, but it is a refreshing drink good for a hangover.

Then, a notification from Instagram appeared out of nowhere.

Ydenverdelossantos followed you.

I opened my phone and checked his profile. His feed is really neat. May iisang vibe ang lahat ng pictures na naka-post doon at para bang pinagplanuhan niya itong maigi. Maganda ito sa mata. Marami ang pictures niya roon, at halos lahat ng iyon ay nakangiti. Iyon bang ngiti niyang refreshing tingnan. Bawat isa sa mga ito, kahit iyong mga kuha ng paligid at ng mga lugar na napuntahan niya ay mayroong halos sampung-libong likes at libu-libong comments. Ngayon ko lamang napansin ang bilang ng followers niya. Sikat siya? Grabe, bigatin naman pala itong si Mr. Matcha.

I pressed the follow back button, and instantly, I received a DM from him.

Ydenverdelossantos: Oh, wow. Thank you for the follow back, idol! I'm a fan. >_<

khairamirez: Lol. Hello, Mr. Stranger. Thank you for the foods! You didn't need to do all this. Inihatid mo na nga ako kagabi!

Ydenverdelossantos: I was about to send you IML, but it is too heavy for you, so I made you my very own version of the strawberry lemon drink.

What? So even the drink is made by him? I opened the lunch boxes and started eating what was inside. It looks so healthy, and it tastes delicious, too. Ininom ko ang laman ng tumbler at para bang nahimasmasan ako nang malasahan ito. I know he's a chef and a barista, but I didn't think that the strawberry lemon from Cafe San could taste even better.

khairamirez: It tastes really good. Salamat, bro!

Ydenverdelossantos: Anytime! Good luck sa classes! ^_^

I liked his message, and then I took a picture of the food and drink before posting it in my story. I did not expect any of this today, but at least, my hangover is over.

Justice replied to my story.

Justiceivan: Kanino galing 'yan?😏

Justiceivan: Ang duga, gusto ko rin!

khairamirez: Edi bumili ka.

Natawa ako nang makatanggap ako ng angry emoji mula sa kanya.

After eating, it was a few minutes before class so I started cleaning and walking my way towards our department building. Outside the building, I saw River sitting on a bench. Nang makita niya ako ay kumaway lamang ito sa akin kaya't tinanguan ko na lamang siya at nang makarating ako sa kinaroroonan niya ay sabay na kaming pumasok.

Madilim na sa labas nang matapos ang klase namin. Mabuti na lamang at naibsan ang hangover ko bago pumasok dahil katulad ng inaasahan ko, marami nga ang ipinagawa sa amin sa nag-iisang klase namin ngayong araw. Nang makalabas kami ng building ay nagpaalam na ako kay River. Gusto kong pumunta ngayon sa gym para mag-practice ng jump float serve.

"Ikaw lang ba mag-isa? Sama ako. Gusto ko mag-spike." Napatingin ako sa kanya dahil sa pagtataka. Anong nakain ng isang 'to?

"What happened to you? Ikaw ba talaga 'yan? Sasama ka sa practice ko?"

"Alam mo, sa tingin ng iba, masungit ka at tahimik, pero isa ka talaga sa mga pinaka-OA na taong kilala ko," nakairap nitong sabi. Siniko ko ito nang pabiro at tsaka naunang maglakad.

"Ayain mo na rin sina Caps at Justice. Siguradong gustong mag-receive ni Justice. Para na rin may tagahagis tayo ng bola kung sakaling gusto mong mag-practice mag-set," suhestiyon niya na tinanguan ko lamang. Dinukot ko mula sa bulsa ko ang cellphone ko't binuksan ang group chat naming apat.

I was about to type a message when Ram sent a message on our group chat.

GC Ka Soho

Ram: @Khai do you have free time tonight?

Khai: I was about to invite you to train. I'm with River.

Ram: Okay. Toss for me. I'll be at the gym in thirty minutes. See you there.

Justice: Hep! Hep! Bakit hindi niyo ako inaaya? Wala naman akong ginagawa.

Justice: @Ram I am deeply hurt :<

Ram: Ang arte arte mo, Justice. Pumunta ka na lang.

Natawa na lamang ako sa huling messages sa group chat. Alam kong sa mga sandaling ito ay nakangiti na si Justice dahil successful na naman ang pang-aasar niya sa captain ng team.

Nang dumating sina Ram at Justice ay nagsimula na kaming mag-training. Hindi na nga kami halos nakapag-stretch dahil baka gabihin daw kami masyado. May klase pa raw silang dalawa bukas ng umaga.

Ram threw the ball on the left side of the court. Justice swiftly moved towards the ball and received it effortlessly. The ball went to my direction. It was perfectly above me so I won't need to move from my spot. I prepared my hands for a toss, and sent the ball directly to River who jumped with his arm ready to spike. The ball went on the other side of the net. However, I noticed that the ball hit the ball softer than how it should hit if he wanted to score a point.

"River, your arm is too stiff, kaya hindi mo ma-control nang maayos ang bola. Try to loosen your wrist's movement when swinging your hand. Then, apply the force and stiffen it when your palm is about to hit the ball." Ram showed the hand movement he was saying and demonstrated it towards River.

Tumango-tango lamang ang huli at sinubukang pagalawin ang kamay niya, gaya ng ginagawa ng captain.

"Ezekiel, game!" Cap threw the ball again somewhere on this side of the court. Justice was caught off guard, but he still managed to save the ball when he dived. The receive was a bit off so I stepped back until the ball was spinning clearly right above me. River jumped as I tossed the ball to him. Then, with a swing, he managed to hit the ball harder than the last one. He looked at the ball and smiled when it bounced high. "Astig, Bro!"

"That's it," komento ni Ram. "Ikaw naman, Khai. You're practicing jump float service, right?" Tumango lamang ako at tsaka kumuha ng bola. Ram went to the other side of the net, holding a bottle of mineral water. "Try hitting this bottle." Inilagay niya ang bote sa gitna ng line sa dulo ng kabilang side ng court.

I dribbled the ball and tossed it high. Then, I ran a few steps before jumping high enough to reach the ball. My eyes were focused on the bottle on the other side. When the ball touched my palm, it quickly traveled towards the bottle. I smiled when I hit the target.

"Good. Practice that service. Just add more force to it." Tumango lang ako at pumunta sa kinaroroonan ng bote. Itinayo ko ito ulit at pinaulit-ulit ito sa iba't ibang side ng court.

Mahigit dalawang oras din kaming nag-practice at ngayon ay dama ko na ang pagod at ang gutom. "Tara, dinner, libre ko," Justice said after changing his clothes.

"Ikaw ba 'yan?" Lumapit sa kanya si River at hinipo ang noo nito. "Wala ka namang lagnat, anong nangyayari sa'yo?"

Inismiran siya ni Justice at hinila si Ram na nakakunot lamang ang noo. "Tara na, laloves, tayong dalawa na lang ang kumain."

Natatawa namin silang sinundan ni River. Nag-aya si justice sa isang maliit na kainan sa tabi ng school. Doon daw kami kumain sa sikat na tindahan ng mga silog at sisig na sikat sa mga estudyante ng La Verde. Madalas kaming pumunta rito sa tuwing nagtitipid at kapag gusto namin ng sisig.

Mabuti naman at sinwerte kami dahil nataon na may isang table na bakante. Mukhang para sa amin nga ang table na ito. Kinuha agad ng isa sa mga tauhan nila ang order namin. Bumili ako ng isang sisig at isang order ng liempo na may rice. Libre naman ni Justice kaya hindi kailangang magtipid. Napailing na lang siya dahil lahat kami ay dalawang order ang kinuha, at dinagdagan pa namin ng inumin. Mura lang din naman dito, totoong budget friendly.

"Pre, kailan ba ang cook off para sa midterms natin? Hindi pa ako nakakapag-prepare ng original dish," narinig kong tanong ng isang lalaki mula sa kabilang table.

Then, I heard a familiar voice answer. "Next week na. Kasabay ata natin ng midterms 'yong ibang departments this time." Napalingon ako kahit alam ko na kung sino ang lalaking sumagot sa kanya.

Mr. Matcha—Denver, is there, wearing his Type B uniform, a polo shirt with black and orange linings. One of its buttons is open, and his collar is neatly spread. On his right chest, the logo of their department was embroidered. The shirt is hugging his body nicely. Even the sleeves hold his biceps perfectly. He also looks so neat, with his hair brushed up. What the hell is wrong with me? Why am I checking him out?

Lima silang nakaupo sa harap ng dalawang table na pinagdikit. Apat silang lalaki at may isang kasamang babae. Lahat sila ay nakasuot ng polo shirt ng department nila. Tatlo sa kanila ang nakasuot ng Type B uniform ng culinary, kasama iyong babae. Ang dalawang lalaki naman ay kulay dark blue at black ang linings ng polo shirt. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, iyon ang uniform ng Arts and Letters.

Sa kanilang lahat ay siya lamang ang kilala ko at iyong si Arrianne. Arrianne Hermogenes is an old friend. She is also a former part of the school's newspaper like me. Parehas kaming umalis after ng first year dahil hindi namin nagustuhan ang pagiging bias ng adviser namin tungkol sa mga issue.

Nang dumating ang waiter dala ang mga order namin ay nakisuyo ako. "Kuya, pakibigyan ho ng isang strawberry shake iyong lalaking iyon. Salamat po." Itinuro ko sa kanya si Denver at iniabot sa kanya ang bayad. Napansin ko kasi na wala pa siyang inumin. E mukha naman siyang hindi mahilig sa soft drinks.

I fished out my phone from my pocket and opened my Instagram. I quickly typed a message and sent it to him.

khairamirez: The drink was my treat. Thank you sa foods kanina! I enjoyed it, pati na iyong drink.

Ydenverdelossantos: Ha? Nasaan ka?

Nakita ko siyang inililibot sa paligid ang tingin. Nang magtama ang mga mata namin ay tumango ito at ngumiti kaya. He mouthed 'Thank you. Eat well,' so I replied with 'ikaw rin.'

A notification appeared on my phone screen. Ydenverdelossantos shared his first story!

"Moots kayo ni Denver? Magkakilala kayo?" tanong ni Ram na katabi ko. Kumunot naman ang noo ko. Magkakilala sila?

"Oo. F-in-ollow ako e. Tsaka siya pala yung isang barista sa San. Kilala mo siya?"

"Ah, oo. He's my junior in high school," tumatango-tango nitong sabi.

Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa screen at binuksan ang app. I was curious because he looks like someone who often posts a story. It is a picture of the strawberry shake with the caption 'Someone bought me strawberry shake! Fav ><'.

Biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko at lumabas ang isang notification mula sa messenger. Kumunot ang noo ko nang makita na si Cap iyon na nag-chat sa GC. Bakit pa 'to nag-chat e magkakaharap lang naman kami?

GC Ka Soho

Ram: @Kai Ramirez internet sensation ka na naman.

Justice: HAHAHA laloves nakita ko rin

Kai: Ha?

Ram sent a link in our group chat while chuckling. I quickly opened it and read the post.

WillyThePooh @Poohtaka
Did anyone notice his followings? ;O

A cropped screenshot of my Instagram profile is included in the post. There are a lot of replies and likes on the tweet. It is a hit tweet. Someone replied with a screenshot of Denver's profile and has the caption, 'OMG this is that handsome guy sa Romero Building! 'Yung sikat sa culinary arts!' Someone even commented that it was my first time after 2 years that I followed someone. Why are they making it such a big deal?

Lisa @Tsakakuto
I think I did saw them last night. That guy Denver dropped off Number 3 on his condo. I really thought they're magjowa. I am kinilig talaga!

Huh? What are all these?