"Hindi mo kilala si Asher Felix?" Fiona exclaimed one afternoon as I prepared to leave my shift.

Apparently, musician nga si Asher at naging viral siya matapos niyang mag-upload ng covers sa Youtube.

May isang agent from LA na naka-discover sa kaniya at na-invite siyang mag-perform sa mga small gigs. Hindi pa siya masyadong kilala worldwide, pero may mga fans na rin siya at isa na dito si Fiona.

"Hindi ko siya kilala," I answered, clutching the strap of my backpack on my shoulder.

Kakatapos lang ng shift ko at gusto ko nang umuwi, kaya lang kanina pa itong kasama ko sa trabaho na panay ang tanong tungkol sa idol niya.

"OMG! Taga-rito pala siya? I mean, alam kong half-Pinoy siya, pero dito pa talaga sa Laguna? Ang swerte ko naman!" Fiona's tone rose a notch higher than usual, her long lashes fluttering as she looked at me. "May nasabi ba siya kung bakit siya biglang umuwi dito? Ang alam ko kasi sa LA na sila nakatira."

"Baka para bisitahin ang lolo at lola niya."

"Or baka naman para mag-move on sa ex-girlfriend niya," Fiona's ginger brows creased.

Nagkibit-balikat lang ako sa kanya.

"Alam mo bang dati siyang naging part-timer dito sa store?"

"Fiona, alis na ako," paalam ko bago pa ulit ako i-torture ni Fiona ng kanyang mga tanong.

Nagtungo na ako sa may entrance ng store nang biglang may papasok na customer.

Tumigil ako sa may gilid at binaling ko ang aking tingin sa sahig habang hinintay na pumasok yung customer, pero wala namang pumasok.

Perplexed, I lifted my head, seeing the guy only a few feet away from me, his dark shades concealed his eyes, but his gaze definitely directed at me.

"Hey, Jam!" That animated voice caught my ears.

I remained motionless, still amused at the guy's sudden appearance again.

It was only until another customer who tried to make her way inside the store that he stepped in, moving towards my direction.

His sapphire eyes finally stood out the moment he took off his shades.

I just bat an eye at him, not really knowing what to say.

"Oh my God!" A girl shrieked, catching his attention.

Na-recognize ko agad ang fangirl voice ni Fiona, despite only learning her love for the musician a few hours ago.

Asher smiled at the girl behind the counter, initiating another squeal from her. "Hey, how's it going?" he greeted, exposing his perfect set of teeth.

With just his navy flannel over his black shirt and ripped jeans, he could easily catch anyone's attention, even if they weren't his fans.

"I'm Fiona, by the way. I'm a big fan," the girl behind the counter introduced herself, her cheeks almost turning to the color of her hair.

"Thanks, Fiona," Asher answered. Then, he turned to me. "Jam, are you heading home now?"

I met his gaze, unsure if I should answer him. "Y-Yes?"

"Yes?" he mimicked, a question mark almost forming on his forehead. "Are you going somewhere else?"

"Uh... hindi. I mean, yes uuwi na ako..." I slapped myself mentally for my lack of eloquence.

"Cool. Let's go!" He initiated, but I just stared back at him. "I'll drive you home," he added, trying to convince me more. "Come on, Jam. Don't make this hard for me."

Biglang nagbago ang expression ng mukha niya. Hindi ko naman siya pinilit na sunduin ako dito ah.

"Thank you. Pero, hindi mo naman ako kailangang isakay pauwi," I finally answered him, avoiding his eyes.

"I'm not just someone else, Jam. We're neighbors and besides, I thought we're friends now."

"Jannah, sumabay ka na," Fiona blurted out. I snapped my head at her, signalling her with my eyes. But, she ignored me, glancing at Asher. "You'll take her home, right?"

"Of course. Thank you, Fiona." Asher brought his hand up to acknowledge her indirect help. "Also, can you tell your friend that I need her to come now because my grandma has still some errands for me to do?"

I gawked at him. I couldn't believe he just ordered Fiona to convince me. "Fiona, pwede pakisabi sa kanya na mag-ta-tricycle ako pauwi?"

The ginger-haired girl groaned inwardly, looking at us. "Can you just talk to each other? May customer ako dito oh." She forced a smile at the woman in front of the counter who was about to pay her purchase. "Go na!" she mouthed, throwing me a look.

I finally gave in. Wala na akong energy para makipag-debate pa sa kanya.

My throat was always dry. I was used to it. Silence was my best friend.

And, right now, the loud beating of my heart collided with the dead air surrounding us inside the car. Next to me was a guy whom I just met yesterday and I couldn't help but feel jittery being alone with him.

Asher's prolonged yawn jolted me from my seat. Pinilit kong ibaling ang atensiyon ko sa labas ng kotse.

"Sorry," he murmured. My ears perked up, but my head still faced the other side. "For the way I acted earlier. I shouldn't have done that."

"Okay lang," I mumbled, still not looking at him.

"I hope you don't mind if we stop by the grocery for a bit. Lola gave me a list and I figured it'd be easier when someone's with me," Asher explained.

I bit my lower lip, exhaling a breath. "Okay."

"Don't you think it's best for us to be friends now? I don't want us to be awkward especially we're neighbors and all."

Kung alam lang niya kung gaano ako ka-awkward sa mga taong hindi ko kilala...

"So, what do you say? Friends?"

I sneaked a look at him. Naka-focus ang mga mata niya sa daan, hawak ang manibela sa magkabilang kamay.

Wala akong alam sa kanya maliban sa dati siyang employee ni Boss Clyde at ngayon ay sumisikat na siya bilang musician sa LA.

But somehow, sitting here with him inside his freshly-scented car assured me that he wasn't a complete jerk.

"F-Friends," I finally answered.

Ilang minuto ang lumipas at nakarating rin kami sa isang grocery store.

"I'll take this!" Asher snatched a packet of cheesy biscuits from the aisle, enclosing it with his arms over his chest. "I'm so glad they still have this."

Tinignan ko ulit yung laman ng trolley na tinutulak ko. Puno na ito ng malalaking bag ng chips.

Naalala ko ang sabi ni Fiona na mas matanda lang ng dalawang taon si Asher sa amin, pero habang tinitignan ko siya ngayon na hawak-hawak ang box ng biscuit na parang nakadepende ang buhay niya dito, mukhang nagkamali yata yung source ko tungkol sa totoong edad ni Asher.

Gripping on the trolley, I pressed my lips in a thin line, preventing myself not to say anything.

Asher looked at his phone screen again, finally checking the list of his grandma. I hope. A soft groan escaped from his mouth, his eyes glued on his phone.

Bumilang ako ng five seconds sa ulo ko bago ko binuksan ang bibig ko para magsalita, but as soon as I did, a sulky voice behind stalled my plan.

"Nakaharang ka sa daan," a middle-aged lady muttered.

I quickly lowered my head and mouthed, "Sorry po."

My hands struggled to push the trolley to the side. I had to do it fast because the old lady's brows were unnerving.

As I maneuvered the trolley, I collided against a warm and robust figure behind me, making me shudder.

Kung hindi pa ako binalot ng mga kamay ni Asher sa may likuran ko, malamang napaupo na ako sa sahig.

"I got you," he hushed, tingling my ears and burning them at once.

"Asher?" The lady's tone suddenly turned upbeat, recognizing the guy who was still holding me by the arms. "Is that you?"

Straightening myself up, I finally took a step forward to free myself from him. Asher chortled as he waved a hand at the lady.

"Hi, how are you, tita?" He greeted her with his snappy tone. I couldn't tell if he knew the lady or not, but she definitely knew Asher.

Bigla kong naalala na may kasama nga pala akong sikat na tao.

"I didn't know you came back here," she spoke.

Asher stifled a laugh. "Yeah, just few weeks ago. I just miss being here."

"So, you're staying with your Lolo and Lola?"

Ah, so kilala rin niya ang grandparents ni Asher.

Asher nodded, glancing at me. "I think I will be staying here for a while."

Heat rushed up to my cheeks this time. Looking away, I heard the lady finally say her regards to his grandparents.

"Sorry, I didn't know she's your girlfriend," she ended and I almost choked.

"That's okay, tita. See you later!" Asher bid her goodbye without even correcting her.

I just stood there, my stomach still twisting in a knot.

"Jam." His voice urged me to look at him and when I did, his lips curled into a smile. "Let's go?"

Surprisingly, nabili naman niya lahat ng nasa listahan ni Grandma Olive after spending almost two hours in the store. Akala ko hindi namin mahahanap lahat, but somehow, we did.

Never mind the fact that my body was about to collapse from standing up all day at work and then getting dragged by a guy to shop for groceries. I was just relieved that it was done.

When the car finally stopped in front of our house, I turned to Asher with a small smile. "Thank you," I mumbled.

He lifted his chin a bit, a smile visible on his lips. "No, thank you."

I just nodded, pushing the car door open. I exhaled a huge breath as I stepped out of the car.

Unti-unti ring bumalik sa normal pace ang heartbeat ko, not until he bellowed, "See you tomorrow, girlfriend!"

Parang hindi ako makakatulog nito mamaya.

***