Engineering Series 1: Age Doesn't Matter

The next morning, I woke up feeling extra excited. This was it. The real challenge had begun!

Mantis Ruiz might think he could just throw a challenge at me and get away unscathed? Ha! He had no idea who he was dealing with.

After breakfast, I grabbed my phone and stared at our chat. No new messages from him. Of course. Hindi naman siya yung tipong magfi-first move. But that's fine—because ako ang lalaban dito!

I took a deep breath and started typing.

Me: Good morning, Sir! Have you eaten? 😊

Seen.

Hala, Sir. Seen na naman?!

I tapped my fingers impatiently on my desk. No way. Hindi ako papayag na ganito lang!

Before I could overthink, I typed again.

Me: Sir, good morning po ulit! 🌞 Para hindi mo na lang i-seen, send mo na lang number mo. 😉

I grinned. That should get his attention!

A few seconds later, a notification popped up.

Mantis: Ms. Chui, I don't see how that is necessary.

Oh, ang formal na naman.

Me: Eh kasi Sir, paano kita ipapa-fall kung sa chat lang tayo? Wala namang emotions sa chat. Mas okay kung may tawagan. 😆

There was a pause. Then...

Mantis: Ms. Chui, I told you—

I didn't let him finish. I quickly sent a voice message.

"Sirrrr, give me a chance naman!"

I smirked. That should shake him up a little.

A minute passed. No reply. Two minutes. Still nothing.

And then—

Mantis: Fine.

My eyes widened.

OH MY GOD. DID HE JUST—?!

Another message popped up.

Mantis: Don't abuse it.

AHAHAHA! WILD! HE SENT HIS NUMBER!

I practically squealed, rolling on my bed in victory. One step closer!

I saved his number immediately. Then, without hesitation, I called him.

Riiiiing.

Riiiiing.

A click.

"Ms. Chui, it's early in the morning. What do you want?"

His voice. ANG HUSKY!

I giggled. "Good morning din po, Sir!"

He sighed. "Why did you call?"

"Practice po," I answered confidently.

"Practice?"

"Yes, Sir! Practice na hindi mo ako nire-reject agad. Simula ngayon, sanayin mo na sarili mo na kinakausap ako araw-araw."

Silence.

Then, a defeated sigh.

"You're persistent."

"Syempre naman, Sir! You said make you fall, di ba? So expect na ako na mismo ang gagawa ng paraan!"

I could almost hear the amusement in his voice. "And you think this will work?"

"Of course! Hindi ako sumusuko, Sir. Kahit pa mean ka, kahit pa suplado ka—hindi ako titigil hanggang hindi mo sinasabi na mahal mo na ako."

For a second, he didn't say anything.